Best Parks & Recreation Colleges in Missouri (2026)
Updated
This page ranks the 20 schools in Missouri for Parks & Recreation by median earnings of Parks & Recreation graduates four years after completing. Saint Louis University leads the list at $77,066, followed by Westminster College at $60,077 and Southwest Baptist University at $58,770.
Across the 18 schools with a published figure, median earnings reach $53,616, with a spread of $48,830 from $77,066 to $28,236. For 2 of the listed programs the figure is the two-year completion median rather than the four-year one.
The list includes 8 public and 12 private nonprofit institutions, a 40% public share. Missouri Southern State University posts the lowest average net price at $12,007.
University of Missouri-Columbia ranks 144th on Azimuth's composite ranking among nonprofit four-year institutions. Culver-Stockton College admits 99% of applicants, while Lindenwood University is the most selective with an admission rate of 57%.
The ranked list
| Rank | School | Median Parks & Recreation Earnings | Average net price | Net price, families under $30K | Admission rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Saint Louis University · Saint Louis, MO | $77,066 | $24,398 | $22,501 | 75.0% |
| Saint Louis University reports $77,066 in median earnings for its Parks & Recreation graduates four years after completing, the highest on this list. | |||||
Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Sports, Kinesiology, and Physical Education/Fitness (99 graduates) | |||||
| 2 | Westminster College · Fulton, MO | $60,077 | $24,314 | $24,543 | 79.2% |
| Westminster College posts a six-year completion rate of 55% and ranks 2nd on this page. | |||||
Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Sports, Kinesiology, and Physical Education/Fitness (21 graduates) | |||||
| 3 | Southwest Baptist University · Bolivar, MO | $58,770 | $21,677 | $21,978 | 68.4% |
| With an average net price of $21,677, Southwest Baptist University ranks 3rd on this list. | |||||
Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Sports, Kinesiology, and Physical Education/Fitness (28 graduates) Highest four-year median earnings by program: Sports, Kinesiology, and Physical Education/Fitness ($58,770) | |||||
| 4 | Missouri Southern State University · Joplin, MO | $58,701 | $12,007 | $9,759 | 97.0% |
| Missouri Southern State University admits 97% of applicants and reports median earnings of $58,701 for its Parks & Recreation graduates four years after completing. | |||||
Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Sports, Kinesiology, and Physical Education/Fitness (21 graduates) Highest four-year median earnings by program: Sports, Kinesiology, and Physical Education/Fitness ($58,701) | |||||
| 5 | Missouri State University-Springfield · Springfield, MO | $58,020 | $17,613 | $13,718 | 90.5% |
| Ranking 589th on Azimuth's composite ranking among nonprofit four-year institutions, Missouri State University-Springfield shows a six-year completion rate of 58%. | |||||
Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Sports, Kinesiology, and Physical Education/Fitness (108 graduates), Parks, Recreation, and Leisure Studies (20 graduates) Highest four-year median earnings by program: Sports, Kinesiology, and Physical Education/Fitness ($61,070), Parks, Recreation, and Leisure Studies ($41,550) | |||||
| 6 | Maryville University of Saint Louis · Saint Louis, MO | $56,323 | $22,066 | $16,528 | 95.1% |
| Maryville University of Saint Louis reports median earnings of $56,323 for its Parks & Recreation graduates four years after completing, above the list median of $53,616. | |||||
Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Sports, Kinesiology, and Physical Education/Fitness (42 graduates) Highest four-year median earnings by program: Sports, Kinesiology, and Physical Education/Fitness ($56,323) | |||||
| 7 | University of Missouri-Columbia · Columbia, MO | $55,280 | $20,268 | $13,841 | 78.5% |
| University of Missouri-Columbia holds the strongest Azimuth composite rank on this page, 144th among nonprofit four-year institutions, and reports an average net price of $20,268. | |||||
Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Parks, Recreation, and Leisure Studies (83 graduates) Highest four-year median earnings by program: Parks, Recreation, and Leisure Studies ($55,280) | |||||
| 8 | Truman State University · Kirksville, MO | $55,213 | $12,780 | $6,046 | 83.8% |
| Truman State University has an average net price of $6,046 for families earning under $30,000 and ranks 8th on this list. | |||||
Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Sports, Kinesiology, and Physical Education/Fitness (78 graduates) Highest four-year median earnings by program: Sports, Kinesiology, and Physical Education/Fitness ($55,213) | |||||
| 9 | Missouri Baptist University · Saint Louis, MO | $54,904 | $27,006 | $21,808 | 68.6% |
| Missouri Baptist University reports median earnings of $54,904 for its Parks & Recreation graduates four years after completing and admits 69% of applicants. | |||||
Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Sports, Kinesiology, and Physical Education/Fitness (19 graduates) Highest four-year median earnings by program: Sports, Kinesiology, and Physical Education/Fitness ($54,904) | |||||
| 10 | University of Central Missouri · Warrensburg, MO | $52,328 | $14,462 | $10,965 | 63.8% |
| University of Central Missouri graduates 54% of its students within six years and ranks 10th on this page. | |||||
Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Sports, Kinesiology, and Physical Education/Fitness (79 graduates) Highest four-year median earnings by program: Sports, Kinesiology, and Physical Education/Fitness ($52,328) | |||||
| 11 | William Woods University · Fulton, MO | $51,841 | $26,569 | $24,014 | 71.0% |
| William Woods University reports an average net price of $26,569 and median earnings of $51,841 for its Parks & Recreation graduates four years after completing. | |||||
Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Sports, Kinesiology, and Physical Education/Fitness (24 graduates) Highest four-year median earnings by program: Sports, Kinesiology, and Physical Education/Fitness ($51,841) | |||||
| 12 | Missouri Valley College · Marshall, MO | $49,877 | $18,086 | $16,132 | 69.2% |
| Missouri Valley College admits 69% of applicants and has a six-year completion rate of 22%. | |||||
Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Sports, Kinesiology, and Physical Education/Fitness (35 graduates) Highest four-year median earnings by program: Sports, Kinesiology, and Physical Education/Fitness ($49,877) | |||||
| 13 | Southeast Missouri State University · Cape Girardeau, MO | $49,025 | $15,882 | $12,704 | 73.5% |
| Southeast Missouri State University reports $49,025 in median earnings for its Parks & Recreation graduates four years after completing, alongside an average net price of $15,882. | |||||
Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Sports, Kinesiology, and Physical Education/Fitness (25 graduates), Parks, Recreation, and Leisure Studies (8 graduates) Highest four-year median earnings by program: Sports, Kinesiology, and Physical Education/Fitness ($51,828) | |||||
| 14 | Lindenwood University · Saint Charles, MO | $48,991 | $19,638 | $15,678 | 56.8% |
| A private nonprofit university in Saint Charles, Lindenwood University admits 57% of applicants and posts a six-year completion rate of 49%. | |||||
Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Sports, Kinesiology, and Physical Education/Fitness (92 graduates), Parks, Recreation, and Leisure Studies (5 graduates) Highest four-year median earnings by program: Sports, Kinesiology, and Physical Education/Fitness ($48,991) | |||||
| 15 | Missouri Western State University · Saint Joseph, MO | $45,572 | $13,251 | $11,243 | Not reported |
| Missouri Western State University ranks 15th on this list and shows an average net price of $11,243 for families earning under $30,000. | |||||
Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Sports, Kinesiology, and Physical Education/Fitness (50 graduates), Parks, Recreation, and Leisure Facilities Management (10 graduates) Highest four-year median earnings by program: Sports, Kinesiology, and Physical Education/Fitness ($45,251) | |||||
| 16 | Evangel University · Springfield, MO | $45,034 | $18,669 | $16,198 | 71.6% |
| With a six-year completion rate of 65%, Evangel University graduates 65% of its students within six years and reports median earnings of $45,034 for its Parks & Recreation graduates four years after completing. | |||||
Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Sports, Kinesiology, and Physical Education/Fitness (11 graduates) | |||||
| 17 | Northwest Missouri State University · Maryville, MO | No published median | $16,244 | $13,176 | 86.1% |
| Northwest Missouri State University ranks 754th on Azimuth's composite ranking among nonprofit four-year institutions and admits 86% of applicants. | |||||
Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Parks, Recreation, and Leisure Studies (30 graduates) | |||||
| 18 | Avila University · Kansas City, MO | $36,141 | $16,053 | $15,694 | 87.8% |
| Avila University reports median earnings of $36,141 for its Parks & Recreation graduates two years after completing, with an average net price of $16,053. | |||||
Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Sports, Kinesiology, and Physical Education/Fitness (22 graduates) | |||||
| 19 | Park University · Parkville, MO | No published median | $21,032 | $18,687 | Not reported |
| A private nonprofit institution in Parkville, Park University shows a six-year completion rate of 38% and an average net price of $18,687 for families earning under $30,000. | |||||
Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Sports, Kinesiology, and Physical Education/Fitness (16 graduates) | |||||
| 20 | Culver-Stockton College · Canton, MO | $28,236 | $21,983 | $17,712 | 99.1% |
| Culver-Stockton College admits 99% of applicants and reports median earnings of $28,236 for its Parks & Recreation graduates two years after completing. | |||||
Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Sports, Kinesiology, and Physical Education/Fitness (14 graduates) | |||||
How this list is ordered
Schools are ordered by the median earnings of their Parks & Recreation graduates four years after completing, highest first. Only schools with a reported Parks & Recreation earnings cohort in Missouri appear. The figure covers federally aided completers who were working and not enrolled. For 2 of the 20 listed programs the figure is the two-year completion median rather than the four-year one. The metric does not adjust for graduate school enrollment, cost, or who enrolls, and it is not a measure of teaching quality. The range and median below cover the 18 schools with a published figure. Saint Louis University leads Westminster College by a gap of $16,989, and the spread from top to bottom reaches $48,830.