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

130 Colleges in the Plains States Region
5,005 Bachelor's Degrees
$29,784 Avg Early-Career Salary
If you plan on getting your bachelor's degree in parks, recreation, leisure, and fitness studies, you won't be alone since the degree program is ranked #13 in the country in terms of popularity. As a result, there are many colleges that offer the degree, making your choice of school a hard one.

College Factual looked at 130 colleges and universities when compiling its 2022 Most Popular Bachelor's Degree Colleges for Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies in the Plains States Region ranking. When you put them all together, these colleges and universities awarded 5,005 bachelor's degrees in parks, recreation, leisure, and fitness studies during the 2019-2020 academic year.

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 Plains States Region Your choice of school for getting your bachelor's degree in parks and rec matters. As an aid in helping you pick the right school for you, we created our Most Popular Bachelor's Degree Colleges for Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies in the Plains States Region ranking.

While being high in popularity does not always mean a school has a quality parks, recreation, leisure, and fitness studies program, it is a sign that a large number of students choose the school. 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 is not our only ranking, nor the only degree level we have ranked. In addition to this ranking, you may want to take at the rankings for different degree levels as called out above. You can also narrow your search by location by filtering for a certain area of the country. Plus, you can view our other rankings for parks, recreation, leisure, and fitness studies.

In addition to College Factual's rankings, you may want to take a look at College Combat, our unique tool that lets you pit your favorite schools head-to-head and compare how they rate on factors that most interest you. When you have some time, check it out - you may want to bookmark the link so you don't forget it.

The following list ranks 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.

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

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

University of Iowa 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 small city of Iowa City, Iowa 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, leisure, and fitness studies in Iowa.

There were roughly 652 parks, recreation, leisure, and fitness studies individuals who graduated with this degree at Iowa in the most recent data year.

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

2
238 Annual Bachelor's Degrees
#2 Most Popular In IA
#1 Best Quality In IA

You'll be surrounded by many like-minded peers at Iowa State University if you wish to pursue a bachelor's degree in parks, recreation, leisure, and fitness studies. Iowa State is a very large public university located in the small city of Ames. 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 Iowa.

There were roughly 238 parks, recreation, leisure, and fitness studies students who graduated with this degree at Iowa State in the most recent data year.

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

3
KU crest
University of Kansas
Lawrence, KS
180 Annual Bachelor's Degrees
#1 Most Popular In KS
#1 Best Quality In KS

University of Kansas is a popular option for individuals pursuing a bachelor's degree in parks, recreation, leisure, and fitness studies. Located in the city of Lawrence, KU is a public university with a very 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 Kansas.

There were roughly 180 parks, recreation, leisure, and fitness studies individuals who graduated with this degree at KU 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 Kansas

4
151 Annual Bachelor's Degrees
#1 Most Popular In MN
#3 Best Quality In MN

Every student who is interested in a bachelor's degree in parks, recreation, leisure, and fitness studies needs to check out Minnesota State University - Mankato. Minnesota State Mankato is a fairly large public university located in the city of Mankato. 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 Minnesota.

There were roughly 151 parks, recreation, leisure, and fitness studies individuals who graduated with this degree at Minnesota State Mankato in the most recent data year.

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

5
Lindenwood University crest
Lindenwood University
Saint Charles, MO
150 Annual Bachelor's Degrees
#1 Most Popular In MO
#5 Best Quality In MO

Located in the small city of Saint Charles, Lindenwood University is a private not-for-profit university with a medium-sized student population. 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 Missouri.

There were roughly 150 parks, recreation, leisure, and fitness studies individuals who graduated with this degree at Lindenwood University in the most recent year we have data available.

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

6
141 Annual Bachelor's Degrees
#2 Most Popular In MO
#8 Best Quality In MO

Missouri State is a very large public university located in the city of Springfield. 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 Missouri.

There were about 141 parks, recreation, leisure, and fitness studies individuals who graduated with this degree at Missouri State in the most recent data year.

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

7
126 Annual Bachelor's Degrees
#3 Most Popular In MO
#2 Best Quality In MO

Located in the city of Columbia, Mizzou 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, leisure, and fitness studies in Missouri.

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

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

8
113 Annual Bachelor's Degrees
#3 Most Popular In IA
#5 Best Quality In IA

UNI is a moderately-sized public university located in the small city of Cedar Falls. 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 Iowa.

There were approximately 113 parks, recreation, leisure, and fitness studies individuals who graduated with this degree at UNI in the most recent data year.

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

9
107 Annual Bachelor's Degrees
#2 Most Popular In MN
#2 Best Quality In MN

Located in the distant town of Winona, Winona State is a public university with a medium-sized 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 Minnesota.

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

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

10
104 Annual Bachelor's Degrees
#3 Most Popular In MN
#1 Best Quality In MN

UMN Twin Cities is a very large public university located in the city of Minneapolis. 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 Minnesota.

There were approximately 104 parks, recreation, leisure, and fitness studies students who graduated with this degree at UMN Twin Cities 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 Minnesota - Twin Cities

10
Truman State crest
Truman State University
Kirksville, MO
104 Annual Bachelor's Degrees
#4 Most Popular In MO
#1 Best Quality In MO

Truman State is a small public university located in the remote town of Kirksville. 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 Missouri.

There were about 104 parks, recreation, leisure, and fitness studies individuals who graduated with this degree at Truman State in the most recent data year.

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

12
SLU crest
Saint Louis University
Saint Louis, MO
101 Annual Bachelor's Degrees
#5 Most Popular In MO

Located in the city of Saint Louis, SLU is a private not-for-profit university with a large student population.

There were approximately 101 parks, recreation, leisure, and fitness studies individuals who graduated with this degree at SLU in the most recent data year.

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

13
99 Annual Bachelor's Degrees
#4 Most Popular In MN
#13 Best Quality In MN

Located in the large city of Saint Paul, Concordia University, Saint Paul is a private not-for-profit university with a moderately-sized student population.

There were about 99 parks, recreation, leisure, and fitness studies individuals who graduated with this degree at Concordia University, Saint Paul in the most recent data year.

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

14
91 Annual Bachelor's Degrees
#1 Most Popular In SD
#3 Best Quality In SD

USD is a moderately-sized public university located in the town of Vermillion. 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 South Dakota.

There were about 91 parks, recreation, leisure, and fitness studies individuals who graduated with this degree at USD in the most recent data year.

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

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

Located in the town of Kearney, UNK is a public university with a medium-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, leisure, and fitness studies in Nebraska.

There were roughly 81 parks, recreation, leisure, and fitness studies students who graduated with this degree at UNK 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 Nebraska at Kearney

16
79 Annual Bachelor's Degrees
#1 Most Popular In ND
#1 Best Quality In ND

Located in the midsize city of Fargo, North Dakota State University is a public university with a 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 North Dakota.

There were about 79 parks, recreation, leisure, and fitness studies students who graduated with this degree at North Dakota State University in the most recent data year.

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

17
68 Annual Bachelor's Degrees
#2 Most Popular In NE
#3 Best Quality In NE

UNOMAHA is a large public university located in the city of Omaha. 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 Nebraska.

There were about 68 parks, recreation, leisure, and fitness studies individuals who graduated with this degree at UNOMAHA 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 Nebraska at Omaha

18
Grand View University crest
Grand View University
Des Moines, IA
66 Annual Bachelor's Degrees
#4 Most Popular In IA
#10 Best Quality In IA

Located in the midsize city of Des Moines, Grand View University is a private not-for-profit university with a small student population.

There were approximately 66 parks, recreation, leisure, and fitness studies students who graduated with this degree at Grand View University in the most recent year we have data available.

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

19
64 Annual Bachelor's Degrees
#5 Most Popular In IA
#11 Best Quality In IA

St. Ambrose University is a small private not-for-profit university located in the midsize city of Davenport.

There were about 64 parks, recreation, leisure, and fitness studies students who graduated with this degree at St. Ambrose University in the most recent year we have data available.

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

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 Plains States Region award.

Rank College Location
25 Missouri Western State University Saint Joseph, MO
26 South Dakota State University Brookings, SD
20 Southwest Minnesota State University Marshall, MN
21 University of Minnesota - Duluth Duluth, MN
22 Southeast Missouri State University Cape Girardeau, MO
22 Pittsburg State University Pittsburg, KS
24 Wichita State University Wichita, KS
25 Missouri Western State University Saint Joseph, MO

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 Plains States Region .

State Colleges Degrees Awarded
Missouri 35 1,197
Minnesota 34 931
Kansas 32 576
South Dakota 32 204
Iowa 31 1,568
Nebraska 31 346
North Dakota 30 231

View All Rankings >

Parks & Rec Majors to Study

Major Annual Graduates
Health & Physical Education 4,338
Parks, Recreation & Leisure Studies 506
Recreation Administration 133
Other Parks, Recreation & Leisure Studies 17
Outdoor Education 11

Related Major Annual Graduates
Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting 3,600
Public Administration & Social Service 2,781
Legal Professions 263
Military Technologies & Applied Sciences 74

Notes and References

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