by our College Data Analytics Team
When pursuing a degree in today’s world, students have many different options to choose from. At College Factual, we’re committed to helping you make that decision by providing information such as that found in our “Schools Highly Focused on Parks & Rec Major” ranking.
Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies is the 15th most popular major in the country with 72,741 degrees awarded in 2021-2022. In , parks, recreation, leisure, & fitness studies graduates who were awarded their degree in , earned an average of $31,466 and had an average of $24,117 in loans still to pay off.
This year’s “Schools Highly Focused on Parks & Rec Major” ranking analyzed 1,386 colleges that offered a degree in parks, recreation, leisure, & fitness studies. That schools that top this list have a program in parks, recreation, leisure, & fitness studies in which the largest percentage of students at the school are enrolled.
See our ranking methodology to learn more.
Since picking the right college can be one of the most important decisions of your life, we’ve developed the “Schools Highly Focused on Parks & Rec Major” ranking, along with many other major-related rankings, to help you make that decision.
You can create your own custom comparison that focuses on the factors most important to you using our 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.
The following schools top our list of the Best “Schools Highly Focused on Parks & Rec Major”.
Out of the 1,386 schools in the Schools Highly Focused on Parks & Rec Major that were part of this year’s ranking, Professional Golfers Career College landed the #1 spot on the list. Temecula, California is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The private for-profit school handed out ’s parks & rec degrees to 32 students in 2021-2022.
Full Professional Golfers Career College Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Report
You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend International Sports Sciences Association. The school came in at #2 for the Schools Highly Focused on Parks & Rec Major. ISSA is a private for-profit institution located in Carpinteria, California. The school has a small population, and it awarded 101 ’s degrees in 2021-2022.
The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 4.3%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 100%.
You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend United States Sports Academy. The school came in at #3 for the Schools Highly Focused on Parks & Rec Major. Located in Daphne, Alabama, this small private not-for-profit school awarded 43 diplomas to qualified ’s parks & rec students in 2021-2022.
The impressive undergraduate student-to-faculty ratio of 9 to 1 means that students may have more opportunities to work more closely with their professors than they would at other schools. The low undergrad student loan default rate of 2.0% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.
Full United States Sports Academy Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Report
Out of the 1,386 schools in the Schools Highly Focused on Parks & Rec Major that were part of this year’s ranking, Jarvis Christian College landed the #4 spot on the list. Located in Hawkins, Texas, this small private not-for-profit school handed out 15 degrees to qualified ’s parks & rec students in 2021-2022.
The low undergrad student loan default rate of 3.4% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.
Read full report on Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies at Jarvis Christian College
You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Concordia University, Irvine. The school came in at #5 for the Schools Highly Focused on Parks & Rec Major. Concordia University, Irvine is a small school located in Irvine, California that handed out 370 ’s parks & rec degrees in 2021-2022.
The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 0.9%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.
Read full report on Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies at Concordia University, Irvine
William Penn University landed the #6 spot on the 2023 Schools Highly Focused on Parks & Rec Major ranking. This small school is located in Oskaloosa, Iowa, and it awarded 50 ’s parks & rec degrees in 2021-2022.
The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 5.0%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.
Read more about Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies at William Penn University
Ottawa University - Ottawa came in at #7 in this year’s edition of the Schools Highly Focused on Parks & Rec Major ranking. This small school is located in Ottawa, Kansas, and it awarded 27 ’s parks & rec degrees in 2021-2022.
The low undergrad student loan default rate of 1.9% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.
Read full report on Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies at Ottawa
Concordia University, Chicago did quite well in the 2023 Schools Highly Focused on Parks & Rec Major ranking, coming in at #8. Located in River Forest, Illinois, this medium-sized private not-for-profit school handed out 375 degrees to qualified ’s parks & rec students in 2021-2022.
The low undergrad student loan default rate of 0.9% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.
Read more about Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies at Concordia University, Chicago
Bryan University came in at #9 in this year’s edition of the Schools Highly Focused on Parks & Rec Major ranking. Bryan University is a private for-profit institution located in Tempe, Arizona. The school has a small population, and it awarded 308 ’s degrees in 2021-2022.
The low undergrad student loan default rate of 2.8% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.
Full Bryan University Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Report
Emmanuel College landed the #10 spot on the 2023 Schools Highly Focused on Parks & Rec Major ranking. Located in Franklin Springs, Georgia, this small private not-for-profit school handed out 33 diplomas to qualified ’s parks & rec students in 2021-2022.
The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 2.6%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.
Full Emmanuel College Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Report
Voorhees College did quite well in the 2023 Schools Highly Focused on Parks & Rec Major ranking, coming in at #11. Voorhees College is a small school located in Denmark, South Carolina that handed out 14 ’s parks & rec degrees in 2021-2022.
The impressive undergraduate student-to-faculty ratio of 10 to 1 means that students may have more opportunities to work more closely with their professors than they would at other schools.
Read full report on Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies at Voorhees College
Huntingdon College came in at #12 in this year’s edition of the Schools Highly Focused on Parks & Rec Major ranking. Montgomery, Alabama is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out ’s parks & rec degrees to 38 students in 2021-2022.
The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 3.5%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.
Read full report on Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies at Huntingdon College
Chowan University ranked #13 on this year’s Schools Highly Focused on Parks & Rec Major list. Chowan University is a small school located in Murfreesboro, North Carolina that handed out 34 ’s parks & rec degrees in 2021-2022.
Read more about Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies at Chowan University
With a ranking of #14, Alice Lloyd College did quite well on the 2023 Schools Highly Focused on Parks & Rec Major list. Alice Lloyd College is a small private not-for-profit school situated in Pippa Passes, Kentucky. It awarded 14 ’s parks & rec degrees in 2021-2022.
Full Alice Lloyd Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Report
Logan University did quite well in the 2023 Schools Highly Focused on Parks & Rec Major ranking, coming in at #15. Logan University is a private not-for-profit institution located in Chesterfield, Missouri. The school has a small population, and it awarded 111 ’s degrees in 2021-2022.
The low undergrad student loan default rate of 0.2% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.
Full Logan University Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Report
With a ranking of #16, Ecclesia College did quite well on the 2023 Schools Highly Focused on Parks & Rec Major list. Ecclesia College is a small school located in Springdale, Arkansas that handed out 6 ’s parks & rec degrees in 2021-2022.
The low undergrad student loan default rate of 1.3% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%. With a undergrad student-to-faculty ratio of 10 to 1, it’s easy to see that the school is committed to helping their undergraduates succeed.
Read full report on Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies at Ecclesia College
Bethany College Kansas landed the #17 spot on the 2023 Schools Highly Focused on Parks & Rec Major ranking. Lindsborg, Kansas is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out ’s parks & rec degrees to 26 students in 2021-2022.
The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 5.0%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.
Full Bethany College Kansas Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Report
With a ranking of #18, Coker University did quite well on the 2023 Schools Highly Focused on Parks & Rec Major list. Coker University is located in Hartsville, South Carolina and, has a small student population. In 2021-2022, this school awarded 44 ’s parks & rec degrees to qualified students.
The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 3.1%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.
Read full report on Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies at Coker
Newberry College came in at #19 in this year’s edition of the Schools Highly Focused on Parks & Rec Major ranking. Newberry, South Carolina is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out ’s parks & rec degrees to 58 students in 2021-2022.
The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 1.4%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.
Full Newberry College Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Report
SUNY Cortland ranked #21 on this year’s Schools Highly Focused on Parks & Rec Major list. Located in Cortland, New York, this medium-sized public school handed out 319 degrees to qualified ’s parks & rec students in 2021-2022.
The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 1.4%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.
Read more about Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies at SUNY Cortland
With a ranking of #22, Crowley’s Ridge College did quite well on the 2023 Schools Highly Focused on Parks & Rec Major list. Paragould, Arkansas is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out ’s parks & rec degrees to 6 students in 2021-2022.
The undergraduate student-to-faculty ratio of 9 to 1 is a sign that students will have more opportunities to engage with their professors one-on-one. The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 3.6%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.
Read full report on Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies at Crowley’s Ridge College
Reinhardt University landed the #23 spot on the 2023 Schools Highly Focused on Parks & Rec Major ranking. Reinhardt University is a private not-for-profit institution located in Waleska, Georgia. The school has a small population, and it awarded 63 ’s degrees in 2021-2022.
The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 3.3%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.
Read full report on Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies at Reinhardt University
Webber International University came in at #24 in this year’s edition of the Schools Highly Focused on Parks & Rec Major ranking. This small school is located in Babson Park, Florida, and it awarded 52 ’s parks & rec degrees in 2021-2022.
Read full report on Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies at Webber International University
With a ranking of #25, Southwestern Christian University did quite well on the 2023 Schools Highly Focused on Parks & Rec Major list. SCU is a small private not-for-profit school situated in Bethany, Oklahoma. It awarded 30 ’s parks & rec degrees in 2021-2022.
Read more about Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies at Southwestern Christian University
Not only did these schools make the top 50 list, but they also landed in the top 15% of this year’s ranking:
While not in the ’top 50’, these schools make the top 15% of this year’s ranking:
| Rank | College | Location |
|---|---|---|
| 51 | Bridgewater College | Bridgewater, VA |
| 52 | Whittier College | Whittier, CA |
| 53 | Kansas Wesleyan University | Salina, KS |
| 54 | Belmont Abbey College | Belmont, NC |
| 55 | University of Saint Katherine | San Marcos, CA |
| 56 | Guilford College | Greensboro, NC |
| 57 | Coastal Carolina University | Conway, SC |
| 58 | Southeastern Oklahoma State University | Durant, OK |
| 59 | LaGrange College | Lagrange, GA |
| 60 | Carroll University | Waukesha, WI |
| 61 | Kentucky Wesleyan College | Owensboro, KY |
| 62 | Barton College | Wilson, NC |
| 63 | Randolph College | Lynchburg, VA |
| 64 | Bethune - Cookman University | Daytona Beach, FL |
| 65 | University of Memphis | Memphis, TN |
| Rank | College | Location |
|---|---|---|
| 66 | Tabor College | Hillsboro, KS |
| 67 | Sterling College | Sterling, KS |
| 68 | Western Colorado University | Gunnison, CO |
| 69 | Allen University | Columbia, SC |
| 70 | Transylvania University | Lexington, KY |
| 71 | Hardin - Simmons University | Abilene, TX |
| 71 | University of Mount Union | Alliance, OH |
| 73 | Canisius College | Buffalo, NY |
| 74 | East Central University | Ada, OK |
| 75 | Westminster College Missouri | Fulton, MO |
| 76 | Westmont College | Santa Barbara, CA |
| 77 | Tougaloo College | Tougaloo, MS |
| 78 | Catawba College | Salisbury, NC |
| 79 | Shaw University | Raleigh, NC |
| 80 | Franklin College | Franklin, IN |
| 81 | McPherson College | McPherson, KS |
| 82 | Colby - Sawyer College | New London, NH |
| 83 | Dean College | Franklin, MA |
| 84 | Martin Methodist College | Pulaski, TN |
| 85 | Fort Lewis College | Durango, CO |
| 86 | Mt. San Antonio College | Walnut, CA |
| 87 | Lees - McRae College | Banner Elk, NC |
| 88 | Blue Mountain College | Blue Mountain, MS |
| 89 | Mitchell College | New London, CT |
| 90 | Benedict College | Columbia, SC |
| Rank | College | Location |
|---|---|---|
| 91 | Heidelberg University | Tiffin, OH |
| 92 | Brewton - Parker College | Mount Vernon, GA |
| 93 | Wittenberg University | Springfield, OH |
| 94 | Randall University | Moore, OK |
| 95 | Bluffton University | Bluffton, OH |
| 95 | Warner Pacific University | Portland, OR |
| 97 | Grand View University | Des Moines, IA |
| 98 | Sul Ross State University | Alpine, TX |
| 99 | Concordia University, Saint Paul | Saint Paul, MN |
| 100 | Olivet College | Olivet, MI |
| 101 | Nichols College | Dudley, MA |
| 102 | Sterling College | Craftsbury Common, VT |
| 103 | University of Wisconsin - La Crosse | La Crosse, WI |
| 104 | Wilmington College | Wilmington, OH |
| 105 | Tusculum University | Greeneville, TN |
| 106 | East Stroudsburg University of Pennsylvania | East Stroudsburg, PA |
| 107 | Emory and Henry College | Emory, VA |
| 108 | University of Indianapolis | Indianapolis, IN |
| 109 | Eureka College | Eureka, IL |
| 109 | Garrett College | McHenry, MD |
| 109 | Howard Payne University | Brownwood, TX |
| 112 | Elizabeth City State University | Elizabeth City, NC |
| 113 | Central State University | Wilberforce, OH |
| 114 | Winston - Salem State University | Winston-Salem, NC |
| 115 | Roanoke College | Salem, VA |
| Rank | College | Location |
|---|---|---|
| 191 | Georgia Southern University | Statesboro, GA |
| 192 | Cabrillo College | Aptos, CA |
| 193 | Johnson C Smith University | Charlotte, NC |
| 194 | University of Iowa | Iowa City, IA |
| 195 | Plymouth State University | Plymouth, NH |
| 196 | Texas State University | San Marcos, TX |
| 197 | University of Northern Colorado | Greeley, CO |
| 198 | University of Antelope Valley | Lancaster, CA |
| 199 | Black Hills State University | Spearfish, SD |
| 200 | Humboldt State University | Arcata, CA |
| 201 | San Diego Christian College | Spring Valley, CA |
| 202 | Ouachita Baptist University | Arkadelphia, AR |
| 203 | Hannibal - LaGrange University | Hannibal, MO |
| 204 | Angelo State University | San Angelo, TX |
| 205 | Greensboro College | Greensboro, NC |
| 206 | University of Mobile | Mobile, AL |
| 207 | Southern Nazarene University | Bethany, OK |
| 208 | Midland University | Fremont, NE |
Read more about our data sources and methodologies