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2022 Most Popular Bachelor's Degree Colleges for Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies in the Great Lakes Region

164 Colleges in the Great Lakes Region
8,021 Bachelor's Degrees
$28,315 Avg Early-Career Salary
Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies is above average in terms of popularity with it being the #13 most popular bachelor's degree program in the country. So, you have a fair amount of options to choose from when looking for a school.

College Factual looked at 164 colleges and universities when compiling its 2022 Most Popular Bachelor's Degree Colleges for Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies in the Great Lakes Region ranking. Combined, these schools handed out 8,021 bachelor's degrees in parks, recreation, leisure, and fitness studies to qualified students.

What's on this page: * Other Rankings

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

Most Popular Bachelor's Degree Colleges for Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies in the Great Lakes Region Your choice of school for getting your bachelor's degree in parks and rec matters. One of the reasons we created our Most Popular Bachelor's Degree Colleges for Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies in the Great Lakes Region ranking is to help you make that choice.

A high popularity ranking isn't always a sign that a school has a great overall quality ranking for parks, recreation, leisure, and fitness studies, but it does mean that many students are choosing the school for some 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, & Fitness 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, leisure, and fitness 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.

Learn about the most popular colleges and universities for parks, recreation, leisure, and fitness studies students seeking a a bachelor's degree. Only those schools that rank in the top 15% of all the schools we analyze get awarded with a place on this list.

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

1
528 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 country for getting a bachelor's degree in parks, recreation, leisure, and fitness studies. Located in the small city of Bloomington, IU Bloomington is a public university with a fairly large student population. Potential students might also be interested to know that the school ranks #1 in quality for bachelor's degrees in parks, recreation, leisure, and fitness studies in Indiana.

There were roughly 528 parks, recreation, leisure, and fitness studies individuals who graduated with this degree at IU Bloomington in the most recent year we have data available.

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

2
Michigan State crest
Michigan State University
East Lansing, MI
358 Annual Bachelor's Degrees
#1 Most Popular In MI
#2 Best Quality In MI

Michigan State University is a popular choice for students interested in a bachelor's degree in parks, recreation, leisure, and fitness studies. Michigan State is a fairly large public university located in the small city of East Lansing. This isn't the only ranking where the school placed. It's also #2 in quality for bachelor's degrees in parks, recreation, leisure, and fitness studies in Michigan.

There were about 358 parks, recreation, leisure, and fitness studies students who graduated with this degree at Michigan State in the most recent data year.

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

3
Central Michigan crest
Central Michigan University
Mount Pleasant, MI
328 Annual Bachelor's Degrees
#2 Most Popular In MI
#6 Best Quality In MI

Central Michigan University is one of the most popular schools in the country for getting a bachelor's degree in parks, recreation, leisure, and fitness studies. Located in the town of Mount Pleasant, Central Michigan is a public university with a large student population. Potential students might also be interested to know that the school ranks #6 in quality for bachelor's degrees in parks, recreation, leisure, and fitness studies in Michigan.

There were about 328 parks, recreation, leisure, and fitness studies students who graduated with this degree at Central Michigan in the most recent year we have data available.

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

4
286 Annual Bachelor's Degrees
#1 Most Popular In OH
#3 Best Quality In OH

Miami University - Oxford is one of the most popular schools in the United States for getting a bachelor's degree in parks, recreation, leisure, and fitness studies. Located in the town of Oxford, Miami University - Oxford is a public university with a fairly large student population. This isn't the only ranking where the school placed. It's also #3 in quality for bachelor's degrees in parks, recreation, leisure, and fitness studies in Ohio.

There were approximately 286 parks, recreation, leisure, and fitness studies individuals who graduated with this degree at Miami University - Oxford in the most recent year we have data available.

More information about a bachelor’s in parks, recreation, leisure, and fitness studies from Miami University - Oxford

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

UIUC is a fairly large public university located in the small city of Champaign. This isn't the only ranking where the school placed. It's also #1 in quality for bachelor's degrees in parks, recreation, leisure, and fitness studies in Illinois.

There were roughly 278 parks, recreation, leisure, and fitness studies individuals who graduated with this degree at UIUC in the most recent year we have data available.

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

6
272 Annual Bachelor's Degrees
#3 Most Popular In MI
#5 Best Quality In MI

Located in the suburb of Allendale, GVSU is a public university with a fairly large student population. You also may be intersted to know that the school ranks #5 in quality for bachelor's degrees in parks, recreation, leisure, and fitness studies in Michigan.

There were approximately 272 parks, recreation, leisure, and fitness studies individuals who graduated with this degree at GVSU in the most recent year we have data available.

More information about a bachelor’s in parks, recreation, leisure, and fitness studies from Grand Valley State University

7
270 Annual Bachelor's Degrees
#4 Most Popular In MI
#1 Best Quality In MI

Located in the medium-sized city of Ann Arbor, U-M 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, leisure, and fitness studies in Michigan.

There were about 270 parks, recreation, leisure, and fitness studies students who graduated with this degree at U-M in the most recent data year.

More information about a bachelor’s in parks, recreation, leisure, and fitness studies from University of Michigan - Ann Arbor

8
219 Annual Bachelor's Degrees
#1 Most Popular In WI
#1 Best Quality In WI

UW - La Crosse is a fairly large public university located in the small city of La Crosse. Potential students might also be interested to know that the school ranks #1 in quality for bachelor's degrees in parks, recreation, leisure, and fitness studies in Wisconsin.

There were about 219 parks, recreation, leisure, and fitness studies students who graduated with this degree at UW - La Crosse in the most recent data year.

More information about a bachelor’s in parks, recreation, leisure, and fitness studies from University of Wisconsin - La Crosse

9
171 Annual Bachelor's Degrees
#2 Most Popular In OH
#2 Best Quality In OH

Located in the city of Columbus, Ohio State is a public university with a fairly large student population. Potential students might also be interested to know that the school ranks #2 in quality for bachelor's degrees in parks, recreation, leisure, and fitness studies in Ohio.

There were approximately 171 parks, recreation, leisure, and fitness studies students who graduated with this degree at Ohio State in the most recent year we have data available.

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

10
162 Annual Bachelor's Degrees
#2 Most Popular In IL
#2 Best Quality In IL

Illinois State is a fairly large public university located in the medium-sized suburb of Normal. You also may be intersted to know that the school ranks #2 in quality for bachelor's degrees in parks, recreation, leisure, and fitness studies in Illinois.

There were about 162 parks, recreation, leisure, and fitness studies students who graduated with this degree at Illinois State in the most recent data year.

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

11
160 Annual Bachelor's Degrees
#3 Most Popular In IL
#3 Best Quality In IL

Located in the city of Chicago, UIC is a public university with a fairly large student population. This isn't the only ranking where the school placed. It's also #3 in quality for bachelor's degrees in parks, recreation, leisure, and fitness studies in Illinois.

There were approximately 160 parks, recreation, leisure, and fitness studies students who graduated with this degree at UIC in the most recent year we have data available.

More information about a bachelor’s in parks, recreation, leisure, and fitness studies from University of Illinois at Chicago

12
159 Annual Bachelor's Degrees
#3 Most Popular In OH
#17 Best Quality In OH

Located in the suburb of Kent, Kent State is a public university with a fairly large student population.

There were approximately 159 parks, recreation, leisure, and fitness studies students who graduated with this degree at Kent State in the most recent year we have data available.

More information about a bachelor’s in parks, recreation, leisure, and fitness studies from Kent State University at Kent

13
142 Annual Bachelor's Degrees
#2 Most Popular In IN
#12 Best Quality In IN

Located in the small city of Muncie, Ball State is a public university with a fairly large student population.

There were roughly 142 parks, recreation, leisure, and fitness studies students who graduated with this degree at Ball State in the most recent year we have data available.

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

14
138 Annual Bachelor's Degrees
#4 Most Popular In OH
#10 Best Quality In OH

Located in the fringe town of Bowling Green, BGSU is a public university with a large student population.

There were approximately 138 parks, recreation, leisure, and fitness studies individuals who graduated with this degree at BGSU in the most recent year we have data available.

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

15
136 Annual Bachelor's Degrees
#5 Most Popular In OH
#8 Best Quality In OH

Located in the town of Athens, OHIO Athens is a public university with a very large student population. You also may be intersted to know that the school ranks #8 in quality for bachelor's degrees in parks, recreation, leisure, and fitness studies in Ohio.

There were roughly 136 parks, recreation, leisure, and fitness studies individuals who graduated with this degree at OHIO Athens in the most recent year we have data available.

More information about a bachelor’s in parks, recreation, leisure, and fitness studies from Ohio University - Athens Campus

16
Indiana State crest
Indiana State University
Terre Haute, IN
125 Annual Bachelor's Degrees
#3 Most Popular In IN
#17 Best Quality In IN

Located in the small city of Terre Haute, Indiana State is a public university with a fairly large student population.

There were roughly 125 parks, recreation, leisure, and fitness studies students who graduated with this degree at Indiana State in the most recent data year.

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

17
124 Annual Bachelor's Degrees
#4 Most Popular In IN
#8 Best Quality In IN

IUPUI is a very large public university located in the large city of Indianapolis. Potential students might also be interested to know that the school ranks #8 in quality for bachelor's degrees in parks, recreation, leisure, and fitness studies in Indiana.

There were roughly 124 parks, recreation, leisure, and fitness studies individuals who graduated with this degree at IUPUI in the most recent data year.

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

18
123 Annual Bachelor's Degrees
#5 Most Popular In MI
#13 Best Quality In MI

Located in the large suburb of Ypsilanti, Eastern Michigan is a public university with a fairly large student population.

There were roughly 123 parks, recreation, leisure, and fitness studies individuals who graduated with this degree at Eastern Michigan in the most recent year we have data available.

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

19
117 Annual Bachelor's Degrees
#2 Most Popular In WI
#3 Best Quality In WI

UW - Eau Claire is a fairly large public university located in the small city of Eau Claire. Potential students might also be interested to know that the school ranks #3 in quality for bachelor's degrees in parks, recreation, leisure, and fitness studies in Wisconsin.

There were approximately 117 parks, recreation, leisure, and fitness studies students who graduated with this degree at UW - Eau Claire in the most recent year we have data available.

More information about a bachelor’s in parks, recreation, leisure, and fitness studies from University of Wisconsin - Eau Claire

20
107 Annual Bachelor's Degrees
#6 Most Popular In MI
#10 Best Quality In MI

WMU is a large public university located in the city of Kalamazoo.

There were roughly 107 parks, recreation, leisure, and fitness studies students who graduated with this degree at WMU in the most recent data year.

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

21
100 Annual Bachelor's Degrees
#4 Most Popular In IL
#8 Best Quality In IL

Located in the distant town of Charleston, EIU is a public university with a medium-sized student population. This isn't the only ranking where the school placed. It's also #8 in quality for bachelor's degrees in parks, recreation, leisure, and fitness studies in Illinois.

There were about 100 parks, recreation, leisure, and fitness studies individuals who graduated with this degree at EIU in the most recent data year.

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

22
98 Annual Bachelor's Degrees
#3 Most Popular In WI
#2 Best Quality In WI

UW - Madison is a fairly large public university located in the city of Madison. You also may be intersted to know that the school ranks #2 in quality for bachelor's degrees in parks, recreation, leisure, and fitness studies in Wisconsin.

There were approximately 98 parks, recreation, leisure, and fitness studies individuals who graduated with this degree at UW - Madison in the most recent data year.

More information about a bachelor’s in parks, recreation, leisure, and fitness studies from University of Wisconsin - Madison

23
94 Annual Bachelor's Degrees
#5 Most Popular In IL
#9 Best Quality In IL

SIUC is a fairly large public university located in the small city of Carbondale. This isn't the only ranking where the school placed. It's also #9 in quality for bachelor's degrees in parks, recreation, leisure, and fitness studies in Illinois.

There were roughly 94 parks, recreation, leisure, and fitness studies students who graduated with this degree at SIUC in the most recent year we have data available.

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

23
UIndy crest
University of Indianapolis
Indianapolis, IN
94 Annual Bachelor's Degrees
#5 Most Popular In IN
#14 Best Quality In IN

Located in the large city of Indianapolis, UIndy is a private not-for-profit university with a medium-sized student population.

There were about 94 parks, recreation, leisure, and fitness studies individuals who graduated with this degree at UIndy in the most recent data year.

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

Honorable Mentions

These are some additional schools worth mentioning that are also great but just didn't quite make the cut to earn our top Most Popular Bachelor's Degree Colleges for Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies in the Great Lakes Region award.

Rank College Location
25 Southern Illinois University Edwardsville Edwardsville, IL
26 University of Southern Indiana Evansville, IN
26 Purdue University - Main Campus West Lafayette, IN
28 Carroll University Waukesha, WI
28 University of Toledo Toledo, OH
30 Western Illinois University Macomb, IL
31 Trine University Angola, IN
32 Concordia University, Chicago River Forest, IL
25 Southern Illinois University Edwardsville Edwardsville, IL

Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Colleges by State

Explore the most popular parks, recreation, leisure, and fitness studies colleges for a specific state in the Great Lakes Region .

State Colleges Degrees Awarded
Michigan 37 2,122
Ohio 34 2,127
Illinois 34 1,636
Indiana 33 1,581
Wisconsin 31 951

View All Rankings >

Parks & Rec Majors to Study

Major Annual Graduates
Health & Physical Education 7,209
Parks, Recreation & Leisure Studies 425
Recreation Administration 339
Outdoor Education 48

Related Major Annual Graduates
Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting 7,111
Public Administration & Social Service 6,464
Legal Professions 642
Military Technologies & Applied Sciences 28

Notes and References

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