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2022 Most Popular Master's Degree Colleges for Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies

387 Colleges in the United States
9,155 Master's Degrees
$39,515 Avg Early-Career Salary
Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies is about average in terms of popularity for master's degrees programs. That is, it ranks #17 out of the 37 majors across the country that we analyze each year. So, you may have to do some digging around to find quality schools that offer the degree program. This list can help with that.

College Factual reviewed 387 schools in the United States to determine which ones were the most popular for master's degree seekers in the field of parks, recreation, leisure, and fitness studies. Combined, these schools handed out 9,155 master's degrees in parks, recreation, leisure, and fitness studies to qualified students.

Jump to one of the following sections: * Other Rankings

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

Most Popular Master's Degree Colleges for Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies The parks and rec master's degree program you select can have a big impact on your future. One of the reasons we created our Most Popular Master's Degree Colleges for Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies ranking is to help you make that choice.

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. Sometimes this is because the school offers a great educational experience, it is a good value, or it is highly focused on the program.

One Size Does Not Fit All

Associate Degrees in Parks & Rec
Bachelor'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. On top of that, you can visit our other rankings for parks, recreation, leisure, and fitness studies.

The following list ranks the most popular colleges and universities for pursuing a master'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 Master's

1
452 Annual Master's Degrees
#1 Most Popular In CA
#2 Best Quality In CA

Any student pursuing a degree in a master's degree in parks, recreation, leisure, and fitness studies has to check out Concordia University, Irvine. Located in the large city of Irvine, Concordia University, Irvine is a private not-for-profit university with a small student population. You also may be intersted to know that the school ranks #2 in quality for master's degrees in parks, recreation, leisure, and fitness studies in California.

There were roughly 452 parks, recreation, leisure, and fitness studies individuals who graduated with this degree at Concordia University, Irvine in the most recent year we have data available.

More information about a master’s in parks, recreation, leisure, and fitness studies from Concordia University, Irvine

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257 Annual Master's Degrees
#1 Most Popular In IL
#4 Best Quality In IL

Concordia University, Chicago is a popular decision for students pursuing a master's degree in parks, recreation, leisure, and fitness studies. Concordia University, Chicago is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university located in the suburb of River Forest. Potential students might also be interested to know that the school ranks #4 in quality for master's degrees in parks, recreation, leisure, and fitness studies in Illinois.

There were approximately 257 parks, recreation, leisure, and fitness studies individuals who graduated with this degree at Concordia University, Chicago in the most recent year we have data available.

More information about a master’s in parks, recreation, leisure, and fitness studies from Concordia University, Chicago

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248 Annual Master's Degrees
#1 Most Popular In PA
#3 Best Quality In PA

Any student who is interested in a master's degree in parks, recreation, leisure, and fitness studies has to look into California University of Pennsylvania. Cal U is a moderately-sized public university located in the small suburb of California. Potential students might also be interested to know that the school ranks #3 in quality for master's degrees in parks, recreation, leisure, and fitness studies in Pennsylvania.

There were approximately 248 parks, recreation, leisure, and fitness studies individuals who graduated with this degree at Cal U in the most recent data year.

More information about a master’s in parks, recreation, leisure, and fitness studies from California University of Pennsylvania

4
181 Annual Master's Degrees
#1 Most Popular In OH
#3 Best Quality In OH

Ohio University - Athens Campus is one of the most popular schools in the country for getting a master's degree in parks, recreation, leisure, and fitness studies. OHIO Athens is a very large public university located in the distant town of Athens. Potential students might also be interested to know that the school ranks #3 in quality for master's degrees in parks, recreation, leisure, and fitness studies in Ohio.

There were about 181 parks, recreation, leisure, and fitness studies individuals who graduated with this degree at OHIO Athens in the most recent data year.

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

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Liberty University crest
Liberty University
Lynchburg, VA
176 Annual Master's Degrees
#1 Most Popular In VA
#6 Best Quality In VA

Located in the city of Lynchburg, Liberty University is a private not-for-profit university with a fairly large student population. Potential students might also be interested to know that the school ranks #6 in quality for master's degrees in parks, recreation, leisure, and fitness studies in Virginia.

There were about 176 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 master’s in parks, recreation, leisure, and fitness studies from Liberty University

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167 Annual Master's Degrees
#1 Most Popular In AR
#2 Best Quality In AR

A-State is a large public university located in the small city of Jonesboro. This isn't the only ranking where the school placed. It's also #2 in quality for master's degrees in parks, recreation, leisure, and fitness studies in Arkansas.

There were approximately 167 parks, recreation, leisure, and fitness studies individuals who graduated with this degree at A-State in the most recent year we have data available.

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

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143 Annual Master's Degrees
#1 Most Popular In WV
#1 Best Quality In WV

Located in the town of Charles Town, American Military University is a private for-profit university with a very large student population. This isn't the only ranking where the school placed. It's also #1 in quality for master's degrees in parks, recreation, leisure, and fitness studies in West Virginia.

There were roughly 143 parks, recreation, leisure, and fitness studies individuals who graduated with this degree at American Military University in the most recent year we have data available.

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

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124 Annual Master's Degrees
#1 Most Popular In NH
#4 Best Quality In NH

Located in the midsize suburb of Manchester, SNHU is a private not-for-profit university with a very large student population. This isn't the only ranking where the school placed. It's also #4 in quality for master's degrees in parks, recreation, leisure, and fitness studies in New Hampshire.

There were about 124 parks, recreation, leisure, and fitness studies students who graduated with this degree at SNHU in the most recent data year.

More information about a master’s in parks, recreation, leisure, and fitness studies from Southern New Hampshire University

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Georgetown crest
Georgetown University
Washington, DC
123 Annual Master's Degrees
#1 Most Popular In DC
#1 Best Quality In DC

Located in the large city of Washington, Georgetown is a private not-for-profit university with a fairly large student population. Potential students might also be interested to know that the school ranks #1 in quality for master's degrees in parks, recreation, leisure, and fitness studies in District of Columbia.

There were about 123 parks, recreation, leisure, and fitness studies students who graduated with this degree at Georgetown in the most recent data year.

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

10
120 Annual Master's Degrees
#2 Most Popular In CA
#5 Best Quality In CA

CSULB is a very large public university located in the city of Long Beach. You also may be intersted to know that the school ranks #5 in quality for master's degrees in parks, recreation, leisure, and fitness studies in California.

There were approximately 120 parks, recreation, leisure, and fitness studies individuals who graduated with this degree at CSULB in the most recent year we have data available.

More information about a master’s in parks, recreation, leisure, and fitness studies from California State University - Long Beach

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103 Annual Master's Degrees
#3 Most Popular In CA
#8 Best Quality In CA

Located in the city of Riverside, Cal Baptist is a private not-for-profit university with a large student population. This isn't the only ranking where the school placed. It's also #8 in quality for master's degrees in parks, recreation, leisure, and fitness studies in California.

There were approximately 103 parks, recreation, leisure, and fitness studies individuals who graduated with this degree at Cal Baptist in the most recent year we have data available.

More information about a master’s in parks, recreation, leisure, and fitness studies from California Baptist University

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98 Annual Master's Degrees
#1 Most Popular In GA
#2 Best Quality In GA

Located in the town of Statesboro, GaSou is a public university with a fairly large student population. This isn't the only ranking where the school placed. It's also #2 in quality for master's degrees in parks, recreation, leisure, and fitness studies in Georgia.

There were approximately 98 parks, recreation, leisure, and fitness studies students who graduated with this degree at GaSou in the most recent year we have data available.

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

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USFCA crest
University of San Francisco
San Francisco, CA
95 Annual Master's Degrees
#4 Most Popular In CA
#1 Best Quality In CA

Located in the large city of San Francisco, USFCA is a private not-for-profit university with a large student population. Potential students might also be interested to know that the school ranks #1 in quality for master's degrees in parks, recreation, leisure, and fitness studies in California.

There were roughly 95 parks, recreation, leisure, and fitness studies individuals who graduated with this degree at USFCA in the most recent data year.

More information about a master’s in parks, recreation, leisure, and fitness studies from University of San Francisco

14
Clemson crest
Clemson University
Clemson, SC
86 Annual Master's Degrees
#1 Most Popular In SC
#1 Best Quality In SC

Located in the suburb of Clemson, Clemson 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 master's degrees in parks, recreation, leisure, and fitness studies in South Carolina.

There were roughly 86 parks, recreation, leisure, and fitness studies individuals who graduated with this degree at Clemson in the most recent data year.

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

15
Logan University crest
Logan University
Chesterfield, MO
79 Annual Master's Degrees
#1 Most Popular In MO
Master's Degree Highest Degree Type

Logan University is a small private not-for-profit university located in the suburb of Chesterfield.

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

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

16
78 Annual Master's Degrees
#2 Most Popular In IL
#3 Best Quality In IL

Located in the suburb of Normal, Illinois State is a public university with a fairly large student population. Potential students might also be interested to know that the school ranks #3 in quality for master's degrees in parks, recreation, leisure, and fitness studies in Illinois.

There were roughly 78 parks, recreation, leisure, and fitness studies individuals who graduated with this degree at Illinois State in the most recent year we have data available.

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

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74 Annual Master's Degrees
#3 Most Popular In IL
#8 Best Quality In IL

WIU is a medium-sized public university located in the town of Macomb. Potential students might also be interested to know that the school ranks #8 in quality for master's degrees in parks, recreation, leisure, and fitness studies in Illinois.

There were roughly 74 parks, recreation, leisure, and fitness studies individuals who graduated with this degree at WIU in the most recent year we have data available.

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

17
74 Annual Master's Degrees
#1 Most Popular In NY
#1 Best Quality In NY

Located in the large city of New York, Columbia is a private not-for-profit university with a fairly large student population. This isn't the only ranking where the school placed. It's also #1 in quality for master's degrees in parks, recreation, leisure, and fitness studies in New York.

There were roughly 74 parks, recreation, leisure, and fitness studies students who graduated with this degree at Columbia in the most recent data year.

More information about a master’s in parks, recreation, leisure, and fitness studies from Columbia University in the City of New York

19
73 Annual Master's Degrees
#1 Most Popular In TX
#1 Best Quality In TX

Located in the city of College Station, Texas A&M College Station 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 master's degrees in parks, recreation, leisure, and fitness studies in Texas.

There were about 73 parks, recreation, leisure, and fitness studies students who graduated with this degree at Texas A&M College Station in the most recent year we have data available.

More information about a master’s in parks, recreation, leisure, and fitness studies from Texas A&M University - College Station

20
Temple crest
Temple University
Philadelphia, PA
72 Annual Master's Degrees
#2 Most Popular In PA
#4 Best Quality In PA

Located in the city of Philadelphia, Temple is a public university with a fairly large student population. You also may be intersted to know that the school ranks #4 in quality for master's degrees in parks, recreation, leisure, and fitness studies in Pennsylvania.

There were about 72 parks, recreation, leisure, and fitness studies individuals who graduated with this degree at Temple in the most recent data year.

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

21
Canisius crest
Canisius College
Buffalo, NY
70 Annual Master's Degrees
#2 Most Popular In NY
#2 Best Quality In NY

Located in the large city of Buffalo, Canisius is a private not-for-profit college with a small student population. Potential students might also be interested to know that the school ranks #2 in quality for master's degrees in parks, recreation, leisure, and fitness studies in New York.

There were approximately 70 parks, recreation, leisure, and fitness studies students who graduated with this degree at Canisius in the most recent year we have data available.

More information about a master’s in parks, recreation, leisure, and fitness studies from Canisius College

22
69 Annual Master's Degrees
#1 Most Popular In CO
#1 Best Quality In CO

University of Northern Colorado is a large public university located in the medium-sized city of Greeley. This isn't the only ranking where the school placed. It's also #1 in quality for master's degrees in parks, recreation, leisure, and fitness studies in Colorado.

There were about 69 parks, recreation, leisure, and fitness studies individuals who graduated with this degree at University of Northern Colorado in the most recent year we have data available.

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

23
UF crest
University of Florida
Gainesville, FL
67 Annual Master's Degrees
#1 Most Popular In FL
#2 Best Quality In FL

Located in the midsize city of Gainesville, UF is a public university with a very large student population. This isn't the only ranking where the school placed. It's also #2 in quality for master's degrees in parks, recreation, leisure, and fitness studies in Florida.

There were about 67 parks, recreation, leisure, and fitness studies individuals who graduated with this degree at UF in the most recent data year.

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

24
WKU crest
Western Kentucky University
Bowling Green, KY
66 Annual Master's Degrees
#1 Most Popular In KY
#1 Best Quality In KY

Located in the small city of Bowling Green, WKU is a public university with a fairly large student population. This isn't the only ranking where the school placed. It's also #1 in quality for master's degrees in parks, recreation, leisure, and fitness studies in Kentucky.

There were about 66 parks, recreation, leisure, and fitness studies individuals who graduated with this degree at WKU in the most recent year we have data available.

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

25
65 Annual Master's Degrees
#4 Most Popular In IL
#5 Best Quality In IL

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

There were approximately 65 parks, recreation, leisure, and fitness studies individuals who graduated with this degree at SIUE in the most recent data year.

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

25
25
U Miami crest
University of Miami
Coral Gables, FL
25
SUNY Cortland crest
SUNY Cortland
Cortland, NY
28
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29
Florida State crest
Florida State University
Tallahassee, FL
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36
37
38
JMU crest
James Madison University
Harrisonburg, VA
39
40

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Belmont crest
Belmont University
Nashville, TN
45
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Remaining Award Winners

This section represents the rest of the schools awarded a Most Popular Master's Degree Colleges for Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies badge. Showing in this list means the school was ranked in the top 15% of the 387 different United States parks, recreation, leisure, and fitness studies schools we analyzed.

Rank College Location
49 University of Georgia Athens, GA
49 University of Wisconsin - La Crosse La Crosse, WI
49 Lock Haven University Lock Haven, PA
49 Minnesota State University - Mankato Mankato, MN
54 Wayne State University Detroit, MI
55 Miami University - Oxford Oxford, OH
55 Texas Tech University Lubbock, TX
55 Texas State University San Marcos, TX
55 University of Arkansas Fayetteville, AR
55 Georgia State University Atlanta, GA

Additional Noteworthy Schools

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 Master's Degree Colleges for Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies award.

Rank College Location
60 Eastern Illinois University Charleston, IL
60 Adelphi University Garden City, NY
60 Northwestern University Evanston, IL
60 University of Central Missouri Warrensburg, MO
60 National University La Jolla, CA
65 University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill Chapel Hill, NC
65 North Carolina State University Raleigh, NC
67 University of South Carolina - Columbia Columbia, SC
67 Central Washington University Ellensburg, WA
67 Troy University Troy, AL
67 University of North Georgia Dahlonega, GA
67 California State University - Fullerton Fullerton, CA
67 Springfield College Springfield, MA
73 The University of Texas at San Antonio San Antonio, TX
73 East Central University Ada, OK
73 Texas A&M University - Commerce Commerce, TX
73 Eastern Kentucky University Richmond, KY
77 Wichita State University Wichita, KS

Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies by Region

View the Most Popular Master's Degree Colleges for Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies for a specific region near you.

Region
Southeast
New England
Rocky Mountains
Plains States
Middle Atlantic
Far Western US
Southwest
Great Lakes

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Parks & Rec Majors to Study

Major Annual Graduates
Health & Physical Education 8,567
Recreation Administration 384
Parks, Recreation & Leisure Studies 158
Other Parks, Recreation & Leisure Studies 25
Outdoor Education 21

Majors Similar to Parks & Rec

Related Major Annual Graduates
Public Administration & Social Service 49,910
Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting 10,925
Legal Professions 10,164
Military Technologies & Applied Sciences 972

Notes and References

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