by our College Data Analytics TeamIn 2025, College Factual analyzed 8 schools in order to identify the top ones for its Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Master's Degree Schools in Illinois ranking. Combined, these schools handed out 660 master's degrees in parks, recreation, leisure, & fitness studies to qualified students.
Jump to one of the following sections: * Our Methodology
The parks & rec master'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. Below we explain some of the most important factors to consider before making your choice:
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 for a Master's Degree ranking. This ranking considered factors such as graduation rates, overall graduate earnings and other educational resources to identify great colleges and universities.
Average early-career salary of those graduating with their master's degree is one indicator we use in our analysis to find the schools that offer the highest-quality education. After all, your master's degree won't mean much if it doesn't help you find a job that will help you earn a living.
In addition to the above, you should consider some of the following factors:
Our complete ranking methodology documents in more detail how we consider these factors to identify the best schools for parks, recreation, leisure, & fitness studies students working on their master's degree.
When choosing the right school for you, it's important to arm yourself with all the facts you can. To that end, we've created a number of major-specific rankings, including this Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Master's Degree Schools in Illinois list to help you make the college decision.
Learn about the top ranked colleges and universities for parks, recreation, leisure, & fitness studies students seeking a a master's degree.
Every student pursuing a degree in a master's degree in parks, recreation, leisure, & fitness studies needs to look into University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. Located in the city of Champaign, UIUC is a public university with a very large student population.More information about a master’s in parks, recreation, leisure, & fitness studies from University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
Concordia University, Chicago is one of the finest schools in the country for getting a master's degree in parks, recreation, leisure, & fitness studies. Concordia University, Chicago is a medium-sized private not-for-profit university located in the large suburb of River Forest.More information about a master’s in parks, recreation, leisure, & fitness studies from Concordia University, Chicago
Any student who is interested in a master's degree in parks, recreation, leisure, & fitness studies needs to take a look at Aurora University. Located in the suburb of Aurora, Aurora is a private not-for-profit university with a medium-sized student population.More information about a master’s in parks, recreation, leisure, & fitness studies from Aurora University
It's hard to beat Illinois State University if you wish to pursue a master's degree in parks, recreation, leisure, & fitness studies. Located in the medium-sized suburb of Normal, Illinois State is a public university with a fairly large student population.More information about a master’s in parks, recreation, leisure, & fitness studies from Illinois State University
WIU is a moderately-sized public university located in the town of Macomb.More information about a master’s in parks, recreation, leisure, & fitness studies from Western Illinois University
NIU is a fairly large public university located in the small suburb of Dekalb.More information about a master’s in parks, recreation, leisure, & fitness studies from Northern Illinois University
Located in the large suburb of Edwardsville, SIUE is a public university with a fairly large student population.More information about a master’s in parks, recreation, leisure, & fitness studies from Southern Illinois University Edwardsville
EIU is a medium-sized public university located in the remote town of Charleston.More information about a master’s in parks, recreation, leisure, & fitness studies from Eastern Illinois University
Explore all the Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Colleges in the Great Lakes Area or other specific states within that region.
| Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| Health & Physical Education | 589 |
| Parks, Recreation & Leisure Studies | 45 |
| Other Parks, Recreation & Leisure Studies | 15 |
| Recreation Administration | 11 |
| Related Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| Public Administration & Social Service | 2,485 |