2025 Best Parks, Recreation & Leisure Studies Bachelor's Degree Schools in the Plains States Region
9
Colleges in the Plains States Region
324
Bachelor's Degrees
If you plan on getting your bachelor's degree in
parks, recreation & leisure studies, you won't be alone since the degree program is ranked #128 in the country in terms of popularity. As a result, there are many college that offer the degree, making your choice of school a hard one.
For its 2025 ranking, College Factual looked at 9 schools in the Plains States Region to determine which ones were the best for parks, recreation & leisure studies students pursuing a bachelor's degree. Combined, these schools handed out 324 bachelor's degrees in parks, recreation & leisure studies to qualified students.
Jump to one of the following sections: * Our Methodology
Choosing a Great Parks, Recreation & Leisure Studies School for Your Bachelor's Degree
The parks & rec bachelor's degree program you select can have a big impact on your future. Important measures of a quality parks & rec program can vary widely even among the top schools. To make it into this list, a school must excel in the following areas.
A Great Overall School
A school that excels in educating for a particular major and degree level must be a great school overall as well. To make it into this list a school must rank well in our overall Best Colleges ranking. This ranking considered factors such as graduation rates, overall graduate earnings and other educational resources to identify great colleges and universities.
Other Factors We Consider
In addition to the above, you should consider some of the following factors:
- Major Focus - How much a school focuses on parks, recreation & leisure studies students vs. other majors.
- Major Demand - How many other parks, recreation & leisure studies students want to attend this school to pursue a bachelor's degree.
- Educational Resources - The amount of money and other resources allocated to students while they are pursuing their degree. These resources include such things as number of students per instructor and education expenditures per student.
- Accreditation - Whether a school is regionally accredited and/or accredited by a recognized parks, recreation & leisure studies related body.
Our full ranking methodology documents in more detail how we consider these factors to identify the best colleges for parks, recreation & leisure studies students working on their bachelor's degree.
More Ways to Rank Parks, Recreation & Leisure Studies Schools
Since the program you select can have a significant impact on your future, we've developed a number of rankings, including this Best Parks, Recreation & Leisure Studies Bachelor's Degree Schools in the Plains States Region list, to help you choose the best school for you.
In addition to our rankings, you can take two colleges and compare them based on the criteria that matters most to you in our unique tool, College Combat.
Test it out when you get a chance! You may also want to bookmark the link and share it with others who are trying to make the college decision.
Best Schools for Bachelor’s Students to Study Parks, Recreation & Leisure Studies in the Plains States Region
Learn about the top ranked colleges and universities for parks, recreation & leisure studies students seeking a a bachelor's degree.
Top Plains States Region Schools for a Bachelor's in Parks & Rec
University of Iowa is one of the best schools in the country for getting a bachelor's degree in parks, recreation & leisure studies. Iowa is a fairly large public university located in the small city of Iowa City.More information about a bachelor’s in parks, recreation & leisure studies from University of Iowa
Doctor's Degree
Highest Degree Type
26
Annual Graduates
It is difficult to beat University of Northern Iowa if you want to pursue a bachelor's degree in parks, recreation & leisure studies. Located in the small city of Cedar Falls, UNI is a public university with a medium-sized student population.More information about a bachelor’s in parks, recreation & leisure studies from University of Northern Iowa
Any student who is interested in a bachelor's degree in parks, recreation & leisure studies needs to take a look at University of Missouri - Columbia. Mizzou is a very large public university located in the midsize city of Columbia.More information about a bachelor’s in parks, recreation & leisure studies from University of Missouri - Columbia
Master's Degree
Highest Degree Type
29
Annual Graduates
Northwest Missouri State University is one of the finest schools in the United States for getting a bachelor's degree in parks, recreation & leisure studies. Located in the remote town of Maryville, Northwest is a public university with a moderately-sized student population.More information about a bachelor’s in parks, recreation & leisure studies from Northwest Missouri State University
Winona State is a medium-sized public university located in the town of Winona.More information about a bachelor’s in parks, recreation & leisure studies from Winona State University