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2022 Most Popular Bachelor's Degree Colleges for Parks, Recreation & Leisure Studies

127 Colleges in the United States
2,732 Bachelor's Degrees
$29,751 Avg Early-Career Salary
If you plan on getting your bachelor's degree in parks, recreation and leisure studies, you won't be alone since the degree program is ranked #107 in the country in terms of popularity. So, you have a fair amount of options to choose from when looking for a school.

College Factual looked at 127 colleges and universities when compiling its 2022 Most Popular Bachelor's Degree Colleges for Parks, Recreation & Leisure Studies ranking. Combined, these schools handed out 2,732 bachelor's degrees in parks, recreation and leisure studies to qualified students.

Jump to one of the following sections: * Other Rankings

Choosing a Great Parks, Recreation & Leisure Studies School for Your Bachelor's Degree

Most Popular Bachelor's Degree Colleges for Parks, Recreation & Leisure Studies The parks and rec bachelor's degree program you select can have a big impact on your future. One of the reasons we created our Most Popular Bachelor's Degree Colleges for Parks, Recreation & Leisure Studies ranking is to help you make that choice.

Being popular does not always equate to overall quality, but a school with a large number of parks, recreation and leisure studies students usually has them for a reason. This may be due to it being a great value, it offering a stellar educational experience, or the subject is a major focus of the school.

More Ways to Rank Parks, Recreation & Leisure Studies Schools

Associate Degrees in Parks & Rec
Master's Degrees in Parks & Rec
Doctor's Degrees in Parks & Rec
Overall Popularity in Parks & Rec

We have also developed a number of other rankings to help guide you in your decision-making process. To begin with, if this is not the degree level you are most interested in, you may want to check out one of the others noted above. If you would prefer to limit your search to a specific state or region of the county, see our rankings by location. Plus, you can view our other rankings for parks, recreation and leisure studies.

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.

Below you'll see a list of the most popular colleges and universities for pursuing a bachelor's degree in parks, recreation and leisure studies. Only those schools that rank in the top 15% of all the schools we analyze get awarded with a place on this list.

19 Most Well Attended Schools for Parks & Rec Students Working on Their Bachelor's

1
181 Annual Bachelor's Degrees
#1 Most Popular In IN
#1 Best Quality In IN

Indiana University - Bloomington is one of the most popular schools in the United States for getting a bachelor's degree in parks, recreation and leisure studies. IU Bloomington is a very large public university located in the small city of Bloomington. This isn't the only ranking where the school placed. It's also #1 in quality for bachelor's degrees in parks, recreation and leisure studies in Indiana.

There were approximately 181 parks, recreation and leisure studies students who graduated with this degree at IU Bloomington in the most recent data year.

Bachelor's recipients from the parks, recreation and leisure studies major at Indiana University - Bloomington make $3,349 above the typical graduate with the same degree shortly after graduation.

More information about a bachelor’s in parks, recreation and leisure studies from Indiana University - Bloomington

2
126 Annual Bachelor's Degrees
#1 Most Popular In MO
#1 Best Quality In MO

Every student pursuing a degree in a bachelor's degree in parks, recreation and leisure studies needs to check out University of Missouri - Columbia. Mizzou is a fairly large public university located in the midsize city of Columbia. This isn't the only ranking where the school placed. It's also #1 in quality for bachelor's degrees in parks, recreation and leisure studies in Missouri.

There were about 126 parks, recreation and leisure studies individuals who graduated with this degree at Mizzou in the most recent data year.

Soon after graduating, parks and rec bachelor's recipients generally make around $31,500 in their early careers.

More information about a bachelor’s in parks, recreation and leisure studies from University of Missouri - Columbia

3
121 Annual Bachelor's Degrees
#1 Most Popular In CA
#2 Best Quality In CA

Every student pursuing a degree in a bachelor's degree in parks, recreation and leisure studies needs to take a look at California State University - Sacramento. Located in the city of Sacramento, Sac State is a public university with a very large student population. You also may be intersted to know that the school ranks #2 in quality for bachelor's degrees in parks, recreation and leisure studies in California.

There were roughly 121 parks, recreation and leisure studies students who graduated with this degree at Sac State in the most recent year we have data available.

Parks, Recreation & Leisure Studies bachelor's degree recipients from California State University - Sacramento receive an earnings boost of approximately $8,049 over the average earnings of parks, recreation and leisure studies majors.

More information about a bachelor’s in parks, recreation and leisure studies from California State University - Sacramento

4
UARK crest
University of Arkansas
Fayetteville, AR
101 Annual Bachelor's Degrees
#1 Most Popular In AR
#1 Best Quality In AR

Every student pursuing a degree in a bachelor's degree in parks, recreation and leisure studies has to take a look at University of Arkansas. Located in the small city of Fayetteville, UARK is a public university with a fairly large student population. This isn't the only ranking where the school placed. It's also #1 in quality for bachelor's degrees in parks, recreation and leisure studies in Arkansas.

There were roughly 101 parks, recreation and leisure studies individuals who graduated with this degree at UARK in the most recent year we have data available.

Bachelor's graduates who receive their degree from the parks and rec program earn around $30,700 for their early career.

More information about a bachelor’s in parks, recreation and leisure studies from University of Arkansas

5
99 Annual Bachelor's Degrees
#1 Most Popular In IL
#1 Best Quality In IL

Located in the small city of Champaign, UIUC is a public university with a very large student population. You also may be intersted to know that the school ranks #1 in quality for bachelor's degrees in parks, recreation and leisure studies in Illinois.

There were about 99 parks, recreation and leisure studies students who graduated with this degree at UIUC in the most recent data year.

Those parks, recreation and leisure studies students who get their bachelor's degree from University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign earn $4,249 more than the average parks and rec graduate.

More information about a bachelor’s in parks, recreation and leisure studies from University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

6
87 Annual Bachelor's Degrees
#2 Most Popular In CA
#4 Best Quality In CA

Located in the medium-sized city of Chico, Chico State is a public university with a fairly large student population. This isn't the only ranking where the school placed. It's also #4 in quality for bachelor's degrees in parks, recreation and leisure studies in California.

There were roughly 87 parks, recreation and leisure studies students who graduated with this degree at Chico State in the most recent year we have data available.

Bachelor's recipients from the parks, recreation and leisure studies degree program at California State University - Chico make $5,549 more than the average college grad in this field shortly after graduation.

More information about a bachelor’s in parks, recreation and leisure studies from California State University - Chico

6
87 Annual Bachelor's Degrees
#2 Most Popular In CA
#3 Best Quality In CA

CSULB is a fairly large public university located in the city of Long Beach. Potential students might also be interested to know that the school ranks #3 in quality for bachelor's degrees in parks, recreation and leisure studies in California.

There were approximately 87 parks, recreation and leisure studies individuals who graduated with this degree at CSULB in the most recent data year.

Those parks, recreation and leisure studies students who get their bachelor's degree from California State University - Long Beach earn $2,149 more than the average parks and rec graduate.

More information about a bachelor’s in parks, recreation and leisure studies from California State University - Long Beach

8
81 Annual Bachelor's Degrees
#4 Most Popular In CA

Located in the suburb of San Luis Obispo, Cal Poly San Luis Obispo is a public university with a very large student population.

There were approximately 81 parks, recreation and leisure studies individuals who graduated with this degree at Cal Poly San Luis Obispo in the most recent year we have data available.

More information about a bachelor’s in parks, recreation and leisure studies from California Polytechnic State University - San Luis Obispo

9
78 Annual Bachelor's Degrees
#1 Most Popular In UT
#1 Best Quality In UT

BYU is a very large private not-for-profit university located in the midsize city of Provo. Potential students might also be interested to know that the school ranks #1 in quality for bachelor's degrees in parks, recreation and leisure studies in Utah.

There were roughly 78 parks, recreation and leisure studies individuals who graduated with this degree at BYU in the most recent year we have data available.

After graduating, parks and rec bachelor's recipients typically earn an average of $29,500 in their early careers.

More information about a bachelor’s in parks, recreation and leisure studies from Brigham Young University - Provo

9
78 Annual Bachelor's Degrees
#1 Most Popular In AZ
#1 Best Quality In AZ

Located in the city of Flagstaff, NAU is a public university with a fairly large student population. This isn't the only ranking where the school placed. It's also #1 in quality for bachelor's degrees in parks, recreation and leisure studies in Arizona.

There were approximately 78 parks, recreation and leisure studies individuals who graduated with this degree at NAU in the most recent data year.

Those parks, recreation and leisure studies students who get their bachelor's degree from Northern Arizona University receive $2,049 more than the standard parks and rec graduate.

More information about a bachelor’s in parks, recreation and leisure studies from Northern Arizona University

11
69 Annual Bachelor's Degrees
#1 Most Popular In NC
#2 Best Quality In NC

UNC Greensboro is a fairly large public university located in the large city of Greensboro. Potential students might also be interested to know that the school ranks #2 in quality for bachelor's degrees in parks, recreation and leisure studies in North Carolina.

There were roughly 69 parks, recreation and leisure studies students who graduated with this degree at UNC Greensboro in the most recent data year.

More information about a bachelor’s in parks, recreation and leisure studies from University of North Carolina at Greensboro

12
67 Annual Bachelor's Degrees
#1 Most Popular In PA
#2 Best Quality In PA

Kutztown University is a medium-sized public university located in the fringe town of Kutztown. This isn't the only ranking where the school placed. It's also #2 in quality for bachelor's degrees in parks, recreation and leisure studies in Pennsylvania.

There were about 67 parks, recreation and leisure studies students who graduated with this degree at Kutztown University in the most recent data year.

Students who graduate with their bachelor's from the parks and rec program report average early career wages of $30,500.

More information about a bachelor’s in parks, recreation and leisure studies from Kutztown University of Pennsylvania

12
Iowa crest
University of Iowa
Iowa City, IA
67 Annual Bachelor's Degrees
#1 Most Popular In IA
#1 Best Quality In IA

Iowa is a very large public university located in the city of Iowa City. This isn't the only ranking where the school placed. It's also #1 in quality for bachelor's degrees in parks, recreation and leisure studies in Iowa.

There were approximately 67 parks, recreation and leisure studies individuals who graduated with this degree at Iowa in the most recent year we have data available.

Parks, Recreation & Leisure Studies bachelor's degree recipients from University of Iowa receive an earnings boost of about $3,649 above the typical earnings of parks, recreation and leisure studies majors.

More information about a bachelor’s in parks, recreation and leisure studies from University of Iowa

14
Radford crest
Radford University
Radford, VA
60 Annual Bachelor's Degrees
#1 Most Popular In VA
#1 Best Quality In VA

Radford is a fairly large public university located in the small suburb of Radford. You also may be intersted to know that the school ranks #1 in quality for bachelor's degrees in parks, recreation and leisure studies in Virginia.

There were roughly 60 parks, recreation and leisure studies students who graduated with this degree at Radford in the most recent data year.

Bachelor's students who receive their degree from the parks and rec program make an average of $29,100 in their early career salary.

More information about a bachelor’s in parks, recreation and leisure studies from Radford University

15
57 Annual Bachelor's Degrees
#1 Most Popular In NE
#1 Best Quality In NE

UNK is a medium-sized public university located in the distant town of Kearney. Potential students might also be interested to know that the school ranks #1 in quality for bachelor's degrees in parks, recreation and leisure studies in Nebraska.

There were roughly 57 parks, recreation and leisure studies students who graduated with this degree at UNK in the most recent data year.

Bachelor's recipients from the parks, recreation and leisure studies major at University of Nebraska at Kearney get $3,149 more than the standard college graduate with the same degree shortly after graduation.

More information about a bachelor’s in parks, recreation and leisure studies from University of Nebraska at Kearney

16
55 Annual Bachelor's Degrees
#1 Most Popular In GA
#1 Best Quality In GA

Located in the town of Statesboro, GaSou is a public university with a fairly large student population. This isn't the only ranking where the school placed. It's also #1 in quality for bachelor's degrees in parks, recreation and leisure studies in Georgia.

There were approximately 55 parks, recreation and leisure studies individuals who graduated with this degree at GaSou in the most recent year we have data available.

Students who graduate with their bachelor's from the parks and rec program state that they receive average early career wages of $28,400.

More information about a bachelor’s in parks, recreation and leisure studies from Georgia Southern University

16
55 Annual Bachelor's Degrees
#1 Most Popular In OH
#2 Best Quality In OH

BGSU is a large public university located in the fringe town of Bowling Green. You also may be intersted to know that the school ranks #2 in quality for bachelor's degrees in parks, recreation and leisure studies in Ohio.

There were roughly 55 parks, recreation and leisure studies individuals who graduated with this degree at BGSU in the most recent data year.

Bachelor's students who receive their degree from the parks and rec program make an average of $25,900 in the first couple years of their career.

More information about a bachelor’s in parks, recreation and leisure studies from Bowling Green State University - Main Campus

18
49 Annual Bachelor's Degrees
#1 Most Popular In AL
#1 Best Quality In AL

USA is a fairly large public university located in the medium-sized city of Mobile. This isn't the only ranking where the school placed. It's also #1 in quality for bachelor's degrees in parks, recreation and leisure studies in Alabama.

There were approximately 49 parks, recreation and leisure studies students who graduated with this degree at USA in the most recent data year.

Bachelor's graduates who receive their degree from the parks and rec program earn around $20,400 for their early career.

More information about a bachelor’s in parks, recreation and leisure studies from University of South Alabama

19
48 Annual Bachelor's Degrees
#2 Most Popular In IA
#2 Best Quality In IA

Located in the small city of Cedar Falls, UNI is a public university with a moderately-sized student population. Potential students might also be interested to know that the school ranks #2 in quality for bachelor's degrees in parks, recreation and leisure studies in Iowa.

There were about 48 parks, recreation and leisure studies students who graduated with this degree at UNI in the most recent year we have data available.

Bachelor's students who receive their degree from the parks and rec program make an average of $31,300 in the first couple years of working.

More information about a bachelor’s in parks, recreation and leisure studies from University of Northern Iowa

Additional Noteworthy Schools

Here are some additional great schools for Parks, Recreation & Leisure Studies students that almost earned our Most Popular Bachelor's Degree Colleges for Parks, Recreation & Leisure Studies award.

Rank College Location
25 University of Utah Salt Lake City, UT
25 Winona State University Winona, MN
20 Northwest Missouri State University Maryville, MO
21 San Diego State University San Diego, CA
22 Western Washington University Bellingham, WA
22 Shepherd University Shepherdstown, WV
22 Oklahoma State University - Main Campus Stillwater, OK
25 University of Utah Salt Lake City, UT
25 Winona State University Winona, MN

Parks, Recreation & Leisure Studies by Region

View the Most Popular Bachelor's Degree Colleges for Parks, Recreation & Leisure Studies for a specific region near you.

Region
Southeast
New England
Rocky Mountains
Plains States
Middle Atlantic
Far Western US
Southwest
Great Lakes

View All Rankings >

One of 4 majors within the Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies area of study, Parks, Recreation & Leisure Studies has other similar majors worth exploring.

Related Major Annual Graduates
Health & Physical Education 48,748
Recreation Administration 2,839
Outdoor Education 183
Other Parks, Recreation & Leisure Studies 103

Notes and References

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