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2025 Best Recreation Administration Schools in the Southeast Region

23 Colleges in the Southeast Region
1,307 Recreation Admin Degrees Awarded
$34,812 Avg Early-Career Salary
Recreation Administration isn't the most popular major in the world, but it's not the least popular either. To be more precise it ranks #163 in popularity out of 395 majors in the country. As such, the degree program isn't offered at every college in the United States, but there are schools that do have a program in the field that are top-notch when it comes to quality.

College Factual looked at 23 colleges and universities when compiling its 2025 Best Recreation Administration Schools in the Southeast Region ranking. Combined, these schools handed out 1,307 degrees in recreation administration to qualified students.

What's on this page: * Degree-Level Rankings

Choosing a Great Recreation Administration School

Best Recreation Administration Schools in the Southeast Region Your choice of recreation administration school matters, so we have put together these rankings to help you make your decision. In order to come up with a best overall ranking for recreation administration schools, we combine our degree-level rankings, weighting them by the number of degrees awarded at each level.

In order to find the schools that are the best fit for you, you may want to filter to one of the degree levels below.

Pick Your Recreation Administration Degree Level

Associate Degrees in Recreation Admin
Bachelor's Degrees in Recreation Admin
Master's Degrees in Recreation Admin
Doctor's Degrees in Recreation Admin

Since the program you select can have a significant impact on your future, we've developed a number of rankings, including this Best Recreation Administration Schools in the Southeast Region list, to help you choose the best school for you. You can also filter this list by location to find schools closer to you.

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.

More information on how we come up with our rankings can be found here: College Factual's Data Methodology.

Best Schools for Recreation Administration in the Southeast Region

Although we recommend filtering by degree level first, you can view the list below to see which schools give the educational experience for the recreation admin degree levels they offer.

10 Top Southeast Region Schools in Recreation Admin

1
Clemson crest
Clemson University
Clemson, SC
Doctor's Degree Highest Degree Type
154 Recreation Admin Degrees Awarded
$35,186 Median Starting Salary

Any student pursuing a degree in recreation administration needs to take a look at Clemson University. Located in the medium-sized suburb of Clemson, Clemson is a public university with a very large student population. A Best Colleges rank of #149 out of 2,152 schools nationwide means Clemson is a great university overall.

There were approximately 154 recreation administration students who graduated with this degree at Clemson in the most recent data year. Students who graduate with their degree from the recreation admin program report average early career earnings of $35,186.

More information about a degree in recreation administration from Clemson University

2
UF crest
University of Florida
Gainesville, FL
Master's Degree Highest Degree Type
98 Recreation Admin Degrees Awarded
39.8% Growth in Graduates

It is hard to beat University of Florida if you want to pursue a degree in recreation administration. UF is a fairly large public university located in the midsize city of Gainesville. A Best Colleges rank of #56 out of 2,152 schools nationwide means UF is a great university overall.

There were about 98 recreation administration students who graduated with this degree at UF in the most recent year we have data available. Recreation Administration degree recipients from University of Florida get an earnings boost of approximately $6,234 over the typical earnings of recreation administration graduates.

More information about a degree in recreation administration from University of Florida

3
Doctor's Degree Highest Degree Type
113 Recreation Admin Degrees Awarded
30.1% Growth in Graduates

North Carolina State University is a great option for students pursuing a degree in recreation administration. Located in the large city of Raleigh, NC State is a public university with a fairly large student population. A Best Colleges rank of #122 out of 2,152 colleges nationwide means NC State is a great university overall.

There were about 113 recreation administration students who graduated with this degree at NC State in the most recent year we have data available. Degree recipients from the recreation administration major at North Carolina State University get $6,142 above the typical college grad with the same degree shortly after graduation.

More information about a degree in recreation administration from North Carolina State University

4
Bachelor's Degree Highest Degree Type
44 Recreation Admin Degrees Awarded
$29,471 Median Starting Salary

It is hard to beat Keiser University - Ft Lauderdale if you want to pursue a degree in recreation administration. Located in the midsize city of Fort Lauderdale, Keiser University - Ft Lauderdale is a private not-for-profit university with a fairly large student population. A Best Colleges rank of #123 out of 2,152 schools nationwide means Keiser University - Ft Lauderdale is a great university overall.

There were approximately 44 recreation administration students who graduated with this degree at Keiser University - Ft Lauderdale in the most recent data year. Students who graduate with their degree from the recreation admin program report average early career earnings of $29,471.

More information about a degree in recreation administration from Keiser University - Ft Lauderdale

5
WKU crest
Western Kentucky University
Bowling Green, KY
Master's Degree Highest Degree Type
64 Recreation Admin Degrees Awarded
$43,118 Median Starting Salary

WKU is a fairly large public university located in the small city of Bowling Green. This university ranks 6th out of 39 schools for overall quality in the state of Kentucky.

There were roughly 64 recreation administration students who graduated with this degree at WKU in the most recent data year. Degree recipients from the recreation administration program at Western Kentucky University get $8,306 more than the standard college graduate with the same degree when they enter the workforce.

More information about a degree in recreation administration from Western Kentucky University

6
UARK crest
University of Arkansas
Fayetteville, AR

UARK is a fairly large public university located in the small city of Fayetteville. A Best Colleges rank of #239 out of 2,152 schools nationwide means UARK is a great university overall.

There were roughly 24 recreation administration students who graduated with this degree at UARK in the most recent data year. Degree recipients from the recreation administration major at University of Arkansas get $12,229 above the average college graduate with the same degree shortly after graduation.

More information about a degree in recreation administration from University of Arkansas

7
Florida State crest
Florida State University
Tallahassee, FL
Bachelor's Degree Highest Degree Type
4th Most Popular In FL

Florida State is a very large public university located in the midsize city of Tallahassee. A Best Colleges rank of #117 out of 2,152 colleges nationwide means Florida State is a great university overall.

There were approximately 13 recreation administration students who graduated with this degree at Florida State in the most recent data year.

More information about a degree in recreation administration from Florida State University

8
Bachelor's Degree Highest Degree Type
107 Recreation Admin Degrees Awarded
44.9% Growth in Graduates

Appalachian State is a very large public university located in the town of Boone. A Best Colleges rank of #401 out of 2,152 colleges nationwide means Appalachian State is a great university overall.

There were approximately 107 recreation administration students who graduated with this degree at Appalachian State in the most recent data year. Graduates who receive their degree from the recreation admin program make about $29,646 in their early career salary.

More information about a degree in recreation administration from Appalachian State University

9
Master's Degree Highest Degree Type
62 Recreation Admin Degrees Awarded
17.7% Growth in Graduates

Old Dominion is a very large public university located in the medium-sized city of Norfolk. This university ranks 16th out of 57 colleges for overall quality in the state of Virginia.

There were about 62 recreation administration students who graduated with this degree at Old Dominion in the most recent data year. Students who graduate with their degree from the recreation admin program report average early career earnings of $34,040.

More information about a degree in recreation administration from Old Dominion University

10
Bachelor's Degree Highest Degree Type
46 Recreation Admin Degrees Awarded
28.3% Growth in Graduates

Located in the remote town of University, Ole Miss is a public university with a very large student population. This university ranks 1st out of 24 schools for overall quality in the state of Mississippi.

There were approximately 46 recreation administration students who graduated with this degree at Ole Miss in the most recent year we have data available. Soon after graduation, recreation admin degree recipients usually earn about $35,318 at the beginning of their careers.

More information about a degree in recreation administration from University of Mississippi

Best Recreation Administration Colleges by State

Explore the best recreation administration schools for a specific state in the Southeast Region .

State Colleges Degrees Awarded
Georgia 287 83
Florida 282 391
North Carolina 279 340
Virginia 274 51
Tennessee 269 52
South Carolina 248 179
Kentucky 244 131
Mississippi 234 33
Arkansas 234 73
Alabama 233 6
West Virginia 207 41

View All Rankings >

One of 4 majors within the Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies area of study, Recreation Administration has other similar majors worth exploring.

Recreation Admin Concentrations

Major Annual Graduates
Parks, Recreation & Leisure Facilities Management 1,246
Golf Course Operation & Grounds Management 61

View All Recreation Admin Focus Areas >

Majors Similar to Recreation Admin

Related Major Annual Graduates
Health & Physical Education 17,974
Parks, Recreation & Leisure Studies 504
Outdoor Education 95
Other Parks, Recreation & Leisure Studies 54

View All Recreation Admin Related Majors >

Notes and References

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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