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# Best Parks & Recreation Colleges in Ohio (2026)

Updated September 30, 2026

This page ranks the 35 colleges in Ohio that report a Parks & Recreation earnings cohort, ordered by the median earnings of Parks & Recreation graduates four years after completing. Wittenberg University leads the list with median earnings of $72,289 for its graduates four years after completing.

Across the listed schools, the figures range from $72,289 to $25,967, with a median of $51,433. For 2 of the 35 listed schools the figure is the two-year completion median rather than the four-year one.

The list includes 11 public and 24 private nonprofit institutions. Youngstown State University reports the lowest average net price on the page, at $12,767.

Ohio State University-Main Campus ranks 90th on Azimuth's composite ranking among nonprofit four-year institutions.

## The ranked list

35 schools in list order

| Rank | School | Median Parks & Recreation Earnings | Average net price | Net price, families under $30K | Admission rate |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | Wittenberg University · Springfield, OH | $72,289 | $18,649 | $17,609 | 72.4% |
|  | Wittenberg University reports $72,289 in median earnings for its Parks & Recreation graduates four years after completing, and its average net price is $18,649. |
|  | Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Sports, Kinesiology, and Physical Education/Fitness (32 graduates) |
| 2 | Miami University-Oxford · Oxford, OH | $70,919 | $28,384 | $16,015 | 75.4% |
|  | With a [six-year completion rate of 80%](/school/miami-university-oxford/outcomes/), [Miami University-Oxford](/school/miami-university-oxford/majors/) ranks 2nd on this list and posts median earnings of $70,919 for its Parks & Recreation graduates four years after completing. |
|  | Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Sports, Kinesiology, and Physical Education/Fitness (260 graduates) Highest four-year median earnings by program: Sports, Kinesiology, and Physical Education/Fitness ($70,919) |
| 3 | John Carroll University · University Heights, OH | $65,098 | $28,746 | $19,945 | 80.9% |
|  | John Carroll University admits 81% of applicants and reports median earnings of $65,098 for its Parks & Recreation graduates four years after completing. |
|  | Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Sports, Kinesiology, and Physical Education/Fitness (64 graduates) |
| 4 | The University of Findlay · Findlay, OH | $63,397 | $27,221 | $22,052 | 83.4% |
|  | The University of Findlay ranks 4th on this list, with median earnings of $63,397 for its Parks & Recreation graduates four years after completing and an average net price of $22,052 for families earning under $30,000. |
|  | Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Sports, Kinesiology, and Physical Education/Fitness (14 graduates) |
| 5 | Ohio Dominican University · Columbus, OH | $61,628 | $20,079 | $16,997 | 94.2% |
|  | Ohio Dominican University reports median earnings of $61,628 for its Parks & Recreation graduates four years after completing, and its six-year completion rate is 41%. |
|  | Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Sports, Kinesiology, and Physical Education/Fitness (29 graduates) Highest four-year median earnings by program: Sports, Kinesiology, and Physical Education/Fitness ($61,628) |
| 6 | Xavier University · Cincinnati, OH | $60,804 | $32,997 | $26,728 | 86.4% |
|  | A private nonprofit university in Cincinnati, [Xavier University](/school/xavier-university/majors/) posts [median earnings of $60,804](/school/xavier-university/outcomes/) for its Parks & Recreation graduates four years after completing and an average net price of $32,997. |
|  | Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Sports, Kinesiology, and Physical Education/Fitness (77 graduates) Highest four-year median earnings by program: Sports, Kinesiology, and Physical Education/Fitness ($60,804) |
| 7 | University of Mount Union · Alliance, OH | $60,728 | $23,280 | $16,786 | 78.2% |
|  | [University of Mount Union](/school/university-of-mount-union/majors/) ranks 7th on this list and reports [median earnings of $60,728](/school/university-of-mount-union/outcomes/) for its Parks & Recreation graduates four years after completing, alongside an admission rate of 78%. |
|  | Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Sports, Kinesiology, and Physical Education/Fitness (56 graduates) Highest four-year median earnings by program: Sports, Kinesiology, and Physical Education/Fitness ($60,728) |
| 8 | Tiffin University · Tiffin, OH | $58,862 | $26,500 | $24,278 | 80.1% |
|  | Tiffin University reports median earnings of $58,862 for its Parks & Recreation graduates four years after completing, and its six-year completion rate is 40%. |
|  | Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Sports, Kinesiology, and Physical Education/Fitness (23 graduates) |
| 9 | Youngstown State University · Youngstown, OH | $58,297 | $12,767 | $9,328 | 84.5% |
|  | [Youngstown State University](/school/youngstown-state-university/majors/) carries the lowest average net price on the page at $12,767 and reports [median earnings of $58,297](/school/youngstown-state-university/outcomes/) for its Parks & Recreation graduates four years after completing. |
|  | Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Sports, Kinesiology, and Physical Education/Fitness (68 graduates) Highest four-year median earnings by program: Sports, Kinesiology, and Physical Education/Fitness ($58,297) |
| 10 | Ohio State University-Main Campus · Columbus, OH | $57,541 | $17,339 | $4,885 | 60.6% |
|  | [Ohio State University-Main Campus](/school/ohio-state-university-main-campus/majors/) posts a [six-year completion rate of 88%](/school/ohio-state-university-main-campus/outcomes/) and reports median earnings of $57,541 for its Parks & Recreation graduates four years after completing. |
|  | Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Sports, Kinesiology, and Physical Education/Fitness (174 graduates) Highest four-year median earnings by program: Sports, Kinesiology, and Physical Education/Fitness ($57,541) |
| 11 | Kent State University at Kent · Kent, OH | $57,390 | $20,787 | $15,280 | 86.3% |
|  | [Kent State University at Kent](/school/kent-state-university-at-kent/majors/) [admits 86% of applicants](/school/kent-state-university-at-kent/admissions/) and reports median earnings of $57,390 for its Parks & Recreation graduates four years after completing. |
|  | Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Sports, Kinesiology, and Physical Education/Fitness (123 graduates), Parks, Recreation, and Leisure Facilities Management (5 graduates) Highest four-year median earnings by program: Sports, Kinesiology, and Physical Education/Fitness ($57,947), Parks, Recreation, and Leisure Facilities Management ($43,686) |
| 12 | Ohio Wesleyan University · Delaware, OH | $55,420 | $20,897 | $15,412 | 55.6% |
|  | Ohio Wesleyan University reports median earnings of $55,420 for its Parks & Recreation graduates four years after completing, and its average net price is $20,897. |
|  | Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Sports, Kinesiology, and Physical Education/Fitness (33 graduates) Highest four-year median earnings by program: Sports, Kinesiology, and Physical Education/Fitness ($55,420) |
| 13 | University of Cincinnati-Main Campus · Cincinnati, OH | $54,599 | $25,648 | $17,974 | 85.3% |
|  | [University of Cincinnati-Main Campus](/school/university-of-cincinnati-main-campus/majors/) reports [median earnings of $54,599](/school/university-of-cincinnati-main-campus/outcomes/) for its Parks & Recreation graduates four years after completing, and an average net price of $25,648. |
|  | Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Sports, Kinesiology, and Physical Education/Fitness (147 graduates) Highest four-year median earnings by program: Sports, Kinesiology, and Physical Education/Fitness ($54,599) |
| 14 | Ohio University-Main Campus · Athens, OH | $54,068 | $21,637 | $15,673 | 85.0% |
|  | With a [six-year completion rate of 65%](/school/ohio-university-main-campus/outcomes/), [Ohio University-Main Campus](/school/ohio-university-main-campus/majors/) ranks 14th on this list and shows median earnings of $54,068 for its Parks & Recreation graduates four years after completing. |
|  | Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Sports, Kinesiology, and Physical Education/Fitness (81 graduates), Parks, Recreation, and Leisure Studies (31 graduates) Highest four-year median earnings by program: Sports, Kinesiology, and Physical Education/Fitness ($55,867), Parks, Recreation, and Leisure Studies ($49,369) |
| 15 | Walsh University · North Canton, OH | $53,469 | $20,493 | $20,458 | 70.7% |
|  | Walsh University, a private nonprofit institution in North Canton, admits 71% of applicants and posts median earnings of $53,469 for its Parks & Recreation graduates four years after completing. |
|  | Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Sports, Kinesiology, and Physical Education/Fitness (37 graduates) |
| 16 | Bowling Green State University-Main Campus · Bowling Green, OH | $53,132 | $24,022 | $18,396 | 81.0% |
|  | [Bowling Green State University-Main Campus](/school/bowling-green-state-university-main-campus/majors/) has an [average net price of $24,022](/school/bowling-green-state-university-main-campus/cost/) and median earnings of $53,132 for its Parks & Recreation graduates four years after completing. |
|  | Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Sports, Kinesiology, and Physical Education/Fitness (127 graduates), Parks, Recreation, and Leisure Studies (59 graduates) Highest four-year median earnings by program: Parks, Recreation, and Leisure Studies ($53,809), Sports, Kinesiology, and Physical Education/Fitness ($52,818) |
| 17 | Heidelberg University · Tiffin, OH | $52,329 | $20,556 | $18,217 | 85.8% |
|  | Ranking 17th on this list, Heidelberg University reports median earnings of $52,329 for its Parks & Recreation graduates four years after completing and a six-year completion rate of 52%. |
|  | Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Sports, Kinesiology, and Physical Education/Fitness (21 graduates) |
| 18 | Wright State University-Main Campus · Dayton, OH | $51,433 | $15,415 | $11,952 | 96.3% |
|  | [Wright State University-Main Campus](/school/wright-state-university-main-campus/majors/) reports [median earnings of $51,433](/school/wright-state-university-main-campus/outcomes/) for its Parks & Recreation graduates four years after completing and an average net price of $11,952 for families earning under $30,000. |
|  | Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Sports, Kinesiology, and Physical Education/Fitness (37 graduates) Highest four-year median earnings by program: Sports, Kinesiology, and Physical Education/Fitness ($51,433) |
| 19 | Shawnee State University · Portsmouth, OH | $51,304 | $14,381 | $12,310 | Not reported |
|  | With a six-year completion rate of 48%, Shawnee State University reports median earnings of $51,304 for its Parks & Recreation graduates four years after completing. |
|  | Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Sports, Kinesiology, and Physical Education/Fitness (22 graduates) |
| 20 | Baldwin Wallace University · Berea, OH | $50,415 | $27,603 | $21,296 | 75.7% |
|  | [Baldwin Wallace University](/school/baldwin-wallace-university/majors/) [admits 76% of applicants](/school/baldwin-wallace-university/admissions/) and reports median earnings of $50,415 for its Parks & Recreation graduates four years after completing. |
|  | Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Sports, Kinesiology, and Physical Education/Fitness (30 graduates) Highest four-year median earnings by program: Sports, Kinesiology, and Physical Education/Fitness ($50,415) |
| 21 | Ashland University · Ashland, OH | $49,744 | $21,988 | $16,489 | 76.4% |
|  | [Ashland University](/school/ashland-university/majors/) [ranks 945th on Azimuth's composite ranking](/school/ashland-university/) among nonprofit four-year institutions, and its Parks & Recreation graduates earn a median of $49,744 four years after completing. |
|  | Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Sports, Kinesiology, and Physical Education/Fitness (23 graduates) |
| 22 | Wilmington College · Wilmington, OH | $49,559 | $24,153 | $19,820 | 92.4% |
|  | [Wilmington College](/school/wilmington-college/majors/) shows an [average net price of $24,153](/school/wilmington-college/cost/) and median earnings of $49,559 for its Parks & Recreation graduates four years after completing. |
|  | Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Sports, Kinesiology, and Physical Education/Fitness (40 graduates) Highest four-year median earnings by program: Sports, Kinesiology, and Physical Education/Fitness ($49,559) |
| 23 | Mount St. Joseph University · Cincinnati, OH | $49,004 | $16,530 | $11,689 | 59.1% |
|  | With a six-year completion rate of 56%, Mount St. Joseph University reports median earnings of $49,004 for its Parks & Recreation graduates four years after completing. |
|  | 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 ($49,004) |
| 24 | Ohio Northern University · Ada, OH | $48,289 | $24,478 | $18,525 | 74.4% |
|  | [Ohio Northern University](/school/ohio-northern-university/majors/) [admits 74% of applicants](/school/ohio-northern-university/admissions/) and posts median earnings of $48,289 for its Parks & Recreation graduates four years after completing. |
|  | Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Sports, Kinesiology, and Physical Education/Fitness (10 graduates) Highest four-year median earnings by program: Sports, Kinesiology, and Physical Education/Fitness ($48,289) |
| 25 | Malone University · Canton, OH | $47,256 | $20,948 | $13,290 | 75.9% |
|  | Malone University reports median earnings of $47,256 for its Parks & Recreation graduates four years after completing, and its six-year completion rate stands at 45%. |
|  | Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Sports, Kinesiology, and Physical Education/Fitness (22 graduates) Highest four-year median earnings by program: Sports, Kinesiology, and Physical Education/Fitness ($47,256) |
| 26 | Muskingum University · New Concord, OH | $47,117 | $19,532 | $14,684 | 81.8% |
|  | With an admission rate of 82%, Muskingum University posts an average net price of $19,532. |
|  | Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Sports, Kinesiology, and Physical Education/Fitness (23 graduates) Highest four-year median earnings by program: Sports, Kinesiology, and Physical Education/Fitness ($47,117) |
| 27 | University of Akron Main Campus · Akron, OH | $46,992 | $13,946 | $10,413 | 59.7% |
|  | [University of Akron Main Campus](/school/university-of-akron-main-campus/majors/), a public university in Akron, ranks 27th on this list and shows a [six-year completion rate of 52%](/school/university-of-akron-main-campus/outcomes/). |
|  | Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Sports, Kinesiology, and Physical Education/Fitness (40 graduates) Highest four-year median earnings by program: Sports, Kinesiology, and Physical Education/Fitness ($46,992) |
| 28 | Otterbein University · Westerville, OH | $46,521 | $19,237 | $12,458 | 84.5% |
|  | [Otterbein University](/school/otterbein-university/majors/) [graduates 68% of its students within six years](/school/otterbein-university/outcomes/), alongside median earnings of $46,521 for its Parks & Recreation graduates four years after completing. |
|  | Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Sports, Kinesiology, and Physical Education/Fitness (20 graduates) Highest four-year median earnings by program: Sports, Kinesiology, and Physical Education/Fitness ($46,521) |
| 29 | Capital University · Columbus, OH | $46,383 | $22,576 | $19,062 | 70.2% |
|  | An [average net price of $22,576](/school/capital-university/cost/) coincides with an admission rate of 70% at [Capital University](/school/capital-university/majors/), which ranks 29th on this list. |
|  | Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Sports, Kinesiology, and Physical Education/Fitness (13 graduates) Highest four-year median earnings by program: Sports, Kinesiology, and Physical Education/Fitness ($46,383) |
| 30 | Bluffton University · Bluffton, OH | $44,920 | $19,943 | $16,363 | 67.2% |
|  | Bluffton University reports median earnings of $44,920 for its Parks & Recreation graduates four years after completing and an average net price of $16,363 for families earning under $30,000. |
|  | Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Sports, Kinesiology, and Physical Education/Fitness (14 graduates) Highest four-year median earnings by program: Sports, Kinesiology, and Physical Education/Fitness ($44,920) |
| 31 | Ohio Christian University · Circleville, OH | $44,701 | $20,607 | $22,113 | 38.0% |
|  | Ranking 31st on this list, Ohio Christian University has the lowest admission rate on the page at 38% and a six-year completion rate of 34%. |
|  | Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Sports, Kinesiology, and Physical Education/Fitness (7 graduates) |
| 32 | Cedarville University · Cedarville, OH | $44,418 | $24,468 | $18,987 | 65.3% |
|  | [Cedarville University](/school/cedarville-university/majors/) posts a [six-year completion rate of 73%](/school/cedarville-university/outcomes/) and median earnings of $44,418 for its Parks & Recreation graduates four years after completing. |
|  | Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Sports, Kinesiology, and Physical Education/Fitness (19 graduates) |
| 33 | Defiance College · Defiance, OH | $39,980 | $26,337 | $27,196 | 47.6% |
|  | With an average net price of $26,337, Defiance College ranks 33rd on this list and reports an admission rate of 48%. |
|  | Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Sports, Kinesiology, and Physical Education/Fitness (13 graduates) Highest four-year median earnings by program: Sports, Kinesiology, and Physical Education/Fitness ($39,980) |
| 34 | Lake Erie College · Painesville, OH | $29,685 | $20,961 | $20,195 | 70.4% |
|  | Lake Erie College reports median earnings of $29,685 for its Parks & Recreation graduates two years after completing, alongside an average net price of $20,961. |
|  | Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Sports, Kinesiology, and Physical Education/Fitness (12 graduates) |
| 35 | Central State University · Wilberforce, OH | $25,967 | $13,096 | $19,581 | 98.6% |
|  | [Central State University](/school/central-state-university/majors/), a public university in Wilberforce, ranks 35th on this list and [admits 99% of applicants](/school/central-state-university/admissions/). |
|  | Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Sports, Kinesiology, and Physical Education/Fitness (12 graduates), Parks, Recreation, and Leisure Studies (5 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 Ohio appear. The figure covers federally aided Parks & Recreation completers who were working and not enrolled, measured four years after completing. For 2 of the 35 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 from $72,289 to $25,967 and the median of $51,433 cover the schools with a published figure. Wittenberg University leads Miami University-Oxford by $1,370, while the spread from top to bottom reaches $46,322.

## Job market context in Ohio

The occupations linked to Parks & Recreation in Ohio include roles such as Landscaping and Groundskeeping Workers, Recreation Workers, and Coaches and Scouts. Across those occupations, the median annual wage is $38,864; a quarter of workers in those occupations earn less than $32,565. Projected annual openings total 25,370, or about 1,247 openings a year for every hundred graduates, with more projected openings than graduates. Projections for 2024 to 2034 put employment in those occupations about 2.2% higher. Wages and top occupations exclude management occupations; openings include them. The ranking above uses graduate earnings four years after completing, not the broader occupational wage figures described here.

## Related rankings

-   [Best Colleges in Ohio](/rankings/best-colleges-in-ohio/)
-   [Best Parks & Recreation Colleges in Illinois](/rankings/best-parks-and-recreation-colleges-in-illinois/)
-   [Best Parks & Recreation Colleges in Michigan](/rankings/best-parks-and-recreation-colleges-in-michigan/)
-   [Best Parks & Recreation Colleges in Missouri](/rankings/best-parks-and-recreation-colleges-in-missouri/)
-   [Best Parks & Recreation Colleges in Pennsylvania](/rankings/best-parks-and-recreation-colleges-in-pennsylvania/)
-   Parks & Recreation Colleges in Ohio for Social Mobility