Best Colleges for Parks, Recreation and Leisure Facilities Management

Parks, Recreation and Leisure Facilities Management prepares students to oversee public and private recreational spaces, from city parks to corporate wellness centers. With 54 schools nationwide offering this specialized program, graduates typically earn $31,281 annually in entry-level positions, with potential for growth into leadership roles managing large facility budgets and operations.

When evaluating programs, students should prioritize hands-on internship opportunities, coursework in business management and environmental science, and access to modern recreation facilities for practical training. Look for programs that emphasize both operational skills and community engagement strategies. Strong alumni networks in municipal government and private recreation companies can provide valuable career connections and mentorship opportunities in this growing field.

Schools Ranked

$34,756

Avg. Program Earnings

59.3%

Avg. Graduation Rate

Top 25 Schools

College rankings
#	School	Median Earnings	Graduation Rate	School Type
1	California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo San Luis Obispo, California	$43,957	85.2%	public
2	University of North Texas Denton, Texas	$37,808	59.6%	public
3	Central Washington University Ellensburg, Washington	$37,363	49.9%	public
4	University of New Hampshire-Main Campus Durham, New Hampshire	$36,810	76.4%	public
5	Texas State University San Marcos, Texas	$36,368	56.2%	public
6	University of Florida Gainesville, Florida	$35,843	91.5%	public
7	University of St Francis Joliet, Illinois	$35,060	64.6%	private-nonprofit
8	St. Joseph's University-New York Brooklyn, New York	$34,814	64.2%	private-nonprofit
9	Southern Connecticut State University New Haven, Connecticut	$34,420	47.8%	public
10	Minnesota State University-Mankato Mankato, Minnesota	$34,420	54.1%	public
11	Central Michigan University Mount Pleasant, Michigan	$34,420	61.8%	public
12	University of Wisconsin-La Crosse La Crosse, Wisconsin	$34,298	71.2%	public
13	Kean University Union, New Jersey	$34,298	43.4%	public
14	Johnson & Wales University-Online Providence, Rhode Island	$34,153		private-nonprofit
15	Johnson & Wales University-Charlotte Charlotte, North Carolina	$34,153	52.1%	private-nonprofit
16	Johnson & Wales University-Providence Providence, Rhode Island	$34,153	54.9%	private-nonprofit
17	Illinois State University Normal, Illinois	$33,993	66.3%	public
18	South Dakota State University Brookings, South Dakota	$33,755	59.6%	public
19	Florida State University Tallahassee, Florida	$33,637	83.0%	public
20	University of Northern Colorado Greeley, Colorado	$33,565	51.3%	public
21	SUNY Brockport Brockport, New York	$33,077	56.6%	public
22	Eastern Illinois University Charleston, Illinois	$32,391	45.2%	public
23	New England College Henniker, New Hampshire	$32,382	31.1%	private-nonprofit
24	East Stroudsburg University of Pennsylvania East Stroudsburg, Pennsylvania	$31,935	43.8%	public
25	Middle Tennessee State University Murfreesboro, Tennessee	$31,828	54.0%	public