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

267 Colleges in the Southeast Region
15,371 Bachelor's Degrees
$26,753 Avg Early-Career Salary
A bachelor's degree in parks, recreation, leisure, and fitness studies is more popular than many other degrees. In fact, it ranks #13 out of 38 on popularity of all such degrees in the nation. This means you won't have too much trouble finding schools that offer the degree.

College Factual looked at 267 colleges and universities when compiling its 2022 Most Popular Bachelor's Degree Colleges for Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies in the Southeast Region ranking. Combined, these schools handed out 15,371 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 Southeast Region Your choice of school for getting your bachelor's degree in parks and rec matters. We created our Most Popular Bachelor's Degree Colleges for Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies in the Southeast Region ranking to make it a little easier to choose the right one for you.

Being popular does not always equate to overall quality, but a school with a large number of parks, recreation, leisure, and fitness 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, & 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

This ranking is just one of the many we have created. First of all, if you are interested in other degree levels, you may want to take a look at one of the rankings highlighted above. Also, if you are interested in attending school in a specific part of the country, see our rankings by location. Plus, you can view our other rankings for parks, recreation, leisure, and fitness studies.

To further help you make the college decision, we've developed a unique tool called College Combat that allows you to compare schools based on the factors that matter the most to you. Go ahead and give it a try, or bookmark the link so you can check it out later.

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

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

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433 Annual Bachelor's Degrees
#1 Most Popular In WV
#1 Best Quality In WV

Every student who is interested in a bachelor's degree in parks, recreation, leisure, and fitness studies has to take a look at American Public University System. American Military University is a very large private for-profit university located in the town of Charles Town. 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 West Virginia.

There were about 433 parks, recreation, leisure, and fitness studies individuals who graduated with this degree at American Military University in the most recent data year.

More information about a bachelor’s in parks, recreation, leisure, and fitness studies from American Public University System

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413 Annual Bachelor's Degrees
#1 Most Popular In TN
#1 Best Quality In TN

The University of Tennessee - Knoxville is one of the most popular schools in the country for getting a bachelor's degree in parks, recreation, leisure, and fitness studies. UT Knoxville is a fairly large public university located in the midsize city of Knoxville. 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 Tennessee.

There were about 413 parks, recreation, leisure, and fitness studies students who graduated with this degree at UT Knoxville in the most recent year we have data available.

More information about a bachelor’s in parks, recreation, leisure, and fitness studies from The University of Tennessee - Knoxville

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393 Annual Bachelor's Degrees
#2 Most Popular In TN
#8 Best Quality In TN

University of Memphis 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 large city of Memphis, UofM is a public university with a fairly 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 Tennessee.

There were approximately 393 parks, recreation, leisure, and fitness studies individuals who graduated with this degree at UofM 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 Memphis

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368 Annual Bachelor's Degrees
#1 Most Popular In NC
#7 Best Quality In NC

Appalachian State University is one of the most popular schools in the country for getting a bachelor's degree in parks, recreation, leisure, and fitness studies. Appalachian State is a fairly large public university located in the distant town of Boone. You also may be intersted to know that the school ranks #7 in quality for bachelor's degrees in parks, recreation, leisure, and fitness studies in North Carolina.

There were approximately 368 parks, recreation, leisure, and fitness studies students who graduated with this degree at Appalachian State in the most recent year we have data available.

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

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346 Annual Bachelor's Degrees
#2 Most Popular In NC
#2 Best Quality In NC

Located in the small city of Chapel Hill, UNC Chapel Hill is a public university with a very 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 North Carolina.

There were roughly 346 parks, recreation, leisure, and fitness studies individuals who graduated with this degree at UNC Chapel Hill in the most recent data year.

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

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341 Annual Bachelor's Degrees
#1 Most Popular In GA
#3 Best Quality In GA

GaSou is a fairly large public university located in the town of Statesboro. 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 Georgia.

There were roughly 341 parks, recreation, leisure, and fitness studies individuals who graduated with this degree at GaSou in the most recent year we have data available.

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

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

UARK is a very large public university located in the city of Fayetteville. 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 Arkansas.

There were roughly 276 parks, recreation, leisure, and fitness studies individuals who graduated with this degree at UARK in the most recent data year.

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

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270 Annual Bachelor's Degrees
#2 Most Popular In GA
#1 Best Quality In GA

UGA is a fairly large public university located in the medium-sized city of Athens. 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 Georgia.

There were approximately 270 parks, recreation, leisure, and fitness studies individuals who graduated with this degree at UGA in the most recent data year.

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

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261 Annual Bachelor's Degrees
#1 Most Popular In FL
#3 Best Quality In FL

Located in the suburb of Miami, FIU is a public university with a very large student population. 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 Florida.

There were approximately 261 parks, recreation, leisure, and fitness studies individuals who graduated with this degree at FIU in the most recent data year.

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

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JMU crest
James Madison University
Harrisonburg, VA
252 Annual Bachelor's Degrees
#1 Most Popular In VA
#1 Best Quality In VA

Located in the small city of Harrisonburg, JMU 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 Virginia.

There were approximately 252 parks, recreation, leisure, and fitness studies students who graduated with this degree at JMU in the most recent data year.

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

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Mississippi State crest
Mississippi State University
Mississippi State, MS
244 Annual Bachelor's Degrees
#1 Most Popular In MS
#1 Best Quality In MS

Mississippi State is a very large public university located in the remote town of Mississippi State. 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 Mississippi.

There were about 244 parks, recreation, leisure, and fitness studies students who graduated with this degree at Mississippi State in the most recent data year.

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

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241 Annual Bachelor's Degrees
#1 Most Popular In SC
#1 Best Quality In SC

Located in the midsize city of Columbia, UofSC is a public university with a very 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, leisure, and fitness studies in South Carolina.

There were approximately 241 parks, recreation, leisure, and fitness studies students who graduated with this degree at UofSC 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 South Carolina - Columbia

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239 Annual Bachelor's Degrees
#1 Most Popular In KY
#2 Best Quality In KY

UofL is a very large public university located in the large city of Louisville. 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 Kentucky.

There were about 239 parks, recreation, leisure, and fitness studies individuals who graduated with this degree at UofL 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 Louisville

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229 Annual Bachelor's Degrees
#3 Most Popular In NC
#5 Best Quality In NC

UNCW is a large public university located in the medium-sized city of Wilmington. Potential students might also be interested to know that the school ranks #5 in quality for bachelor's degrees in parks, recreation, leisure, and fitness studies in North Carolina.

There were about 229 parks, recreation, leisure, and fitness studies students who graduated with this degree at UNCW 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 North Carolina at Wilmington

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215 Annual Bachelor's Degrees
#4 Most Popular In NC
#10 Best Quality In NC

Located in the city of Greensboro, UNC Greensboro is a public university with a fairly large student population.

There were about 215 parks, recreation, leisure, and fitness 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, leisure, and fitness studies from University of North Carolina at Greensboro

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201 Annual Bachelor's Degrees
#3 Most Popular In GA
#5 Best Quality In GA

KSU Georgia is a fairly large public university located in the large suburb of Kennesaw. This isn't the only ranking where the school placed. It's also #5 in quality for bachelor's degrees in parks, recreation, leisure, and fitness studies in Georgia.

There were roughly 201 parks, recreation, leisure, and fitness studies students who graduated with this degree at KSU Georgia in the most recent year we have data available.

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

17
194 Annual Bachelor's Degrees
#3 Most Popular In TN
#12 Best Quality In TN

Austin Peay State University is a fairly large public university located in the city of Clarksville.

There were roughly 194 parks, recreation, leisure, and fitness studies students who graduated with this degree at Austin Peay State University in the most recent data year.

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

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191 Annual Bachelor's Degrees
#4 Most Popular In TN
#3 Best Quality In TN

UT Chattanooga is a large public university located in the city of Chattanooga. You also may be intersted to know that the school ranks #3 in quality for bachelor's degrees in parks, recreation, leisure, and fitness studies in Tennessee.

There were roughly 191 parks, recreation, leisure, and fitness studies students who graduated with this degree at UT Chattanooga in the most recent data year.

More information about a bachelor’s in parks, recreation, leisure, and fitness studies from The University of Tennessee - Chattanooga

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190 Annual Bachelor's Degrees
#5 Most Popular In NC
#8 Best Quality In NC

UNC Charlotte is a very large public university located in the city of Charlotte. 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 North Carolina.

There were about 190 parks, recreation, leisure, and fitness studies students who graduated with this degree at UNC Charlotte 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 North Carolina at Charlotte

20
189 Annual Bachelor's Degrees
#2 Most Popular In SC
#7 Best Quality In SC

Coastal Carolina University is a fairly large public university located in the city of Conway. This isn't the only ranking where the school placed. It's also #7 in quality for bachelor's degrees in parks, recreation, leisure, and fitness studies in South Carolina.

There were approximately 189 parks, recreation, leisure, and fitness studies students who graduated with this degree at Coastal Carolina University in the most recent year we have data available.

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

21
185 Annual Bachelor's Degrees
#5 Most Popular In TN
#2 Best Quality In TN

Located in the city of Murfreesboro, Middle Tennessee State University is a public university with a fairly large student population. 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 Tennessee.

There were roughly 185 parks, recreation, leisure, and fitness studies individuals who graduated with this degree at Middle Tennessee State University in the most recent data year.

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

22
183 Annual Bachelor's Degrees
#2 Most Popular In MS
#2 Best Quality In MS

Located in the remote town of University, Ole Miss 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 Mississippi.

There were approximately 183 parks, recreation, leisure, and fitness studies individuals who graduated with this degree at Ole Miss in the most recent data year.

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

23
182 Annual Bachelor's Degrees
#2 Most Popular In WV
#2 Best Quality In WV

WVU is a very large public university located in the city of Morgantown. 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 West Virginia.

There were about 182 parks, recreation, leisure, and fitness studies individuals who graduated with this degree at WVU in the most recent data year.

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

24
Liberty University crest
Liberty University
Lynchburg, VA
164 Annual Bachelor's Degrees
#2 Most Popular In VA
#15 Best Quality In VA

Liberty University is a fairly large private not-for-profit university located in the small city of Lynchburg.

There were about 164 parks, recreation, leisure, and fitness studies individuals who graduated with this degree at Liberty University in the most recent data year.

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

25
WKU crest
Western Kentucky University
Bowling Green, KY
160 Annual Bachelor's Degrees
#2 Most Popular In KY
#9 Best Quality In KY

WKU is a large public university located in the small city of Bowling Green. You also may be intersted to know that the school ranks #9 in quality for bachelor's degrees in parks, recreation, leisure, and fitness studies in Kentucky.

There were roughly 160 parks, recreation, leisure, and fitness studies students who graduated with this degree at WKU in the most recent data year.

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

25
WKU crest
Western Kentucky University
Bowling Green, KY
26
Florida State crest
Florida State University
Tallahassee, FL
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UF crest
University of Florida
Gainesville, FL

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William & Mary crest
William & Mary
Williamsburg, VA
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Honorable Mentions

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

Rank College Location
41 Clemson University Clemson, SC
42 Southeastern Louisiana University Hammond, LA
43 Old Dominion University Norfolk, VA
44 University of North Carolina at Pembroke Pembroke, NC
44 Winston - Salem State University Winston-Salem, NC
44 University of West Georgia Carrollton, GA
47 The University of Tennessee - Martin Martin, TN
48 Tennessee Technological University Cookeville, TN
48 North Carolina Central University Durham, NC
50 Campbell University Buies Creek, NC
51 University of North Alabama Florence, AL
52 University of North Florida Jacksonville, FL
53 Winthrop University Rock Hill, SC

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

Explore the most popular parks, recreation, leisure, and fitness studies schools for a specific state in the Southeast Region .

State Colleges Degrees Awarded
Mississippi 34 864
Florida 34 1,701
Virginia 34 1,353
Georgia 33 1,605
North Carolina 32 2,919
Alabama 32 549
Tennessee 32 2,036
West Virginia 32 859
South Carolina 32 1,106
Louisiana 31 541
Kentucky 31 890
Arkansas 30 626

View All Rankings >

Parks & Rec Majors to Study

Major Annual Graduates
Health & Physical Education 13,466
Recreation Administration 1,252
Parks, Recreation & Leisure Studies 587
Outdoor Education 43
Other Parks, Recreation & Leisure Studies 23

Majors Similar to Parks & Rec

Related Major Annual Graduates
Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting 16,943
Public Administration & Social Service 8,298
Legal Professions 1,139
Military Technologies & Applied Sciences 571

Notes and References

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