Best Parks & Recreation Colleges in Pennsylvania (2026)
Updated
The 28 colleges in Pennsylvania with a reported Parks & Recreation earnings cohort are ordered by median earnings of Parks & Recreation graduates four years after completing, highest first. University of Scranton ranks 1st on this list, with $79,700 in median earnings of Parks & Recreation graduates four years after completing.
Across the 26 schools with a published figure, earnings range from $79,700 to $26,353; the median is $54,246. For 3 of the 28 listed programs the figure is the two-year completion median rather than the four-year one.
The list includes 11 public and 17 private nonprofit institutions. Temple University ranks 125th on Azimuth's composite ranking among nonprofit four-year institutions.
Holy Family University posts the lowest average net price at $13,143, while Pennsylvania State University-Main Campus reports the highest six-year completion rate at 86%.
The ranked list
| Rank | School | Median Parks & Recreation Earnings | Average net price | Net price, families under $30K | Admission rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | University of Scranton · Scranton, PA | $79,700 | $32,568 | $23,896 | 81.2% |
| University of Scranton ranks 1st on this list, with median earnings of $79,700 for its Parks & Recreation graduates four years after completing. | |||||
Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Sports, Kinesiology, and Physical Education/Fitness (51 graduates) | |||||
| 2 | Lebanon Valley College · Annville, PA | $74,429 | $26,979 | $20,788 | 83.8% |
| Lebanon Valley College reports an average net price of $26,979 and median earnings of $74,429 for its Parks & Recreation graduates four years after completing. | |||||
Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Sports, Kinesiology, and Physical Education/Fitness (77 graduates) | |||||
| 3 | Chatham University · Pittsburgh, PA | $73,633 | $29,954 | $22,675 | 62.0% |
| With a six-year completion rate of 63%, Chatham University posts median earnings of $73,633 for its Parks & Recreation graduates four years after completing. | |||||
Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Sports, Kinesiology, and Physical Education/Fitness (25 graduates) | |||||
| 4 | DeSales University · Center Valley, PA | $64,161 | $31,643 | $24,007 | 77.1% |
| DeSales University admits 77% of applicants and its Parks & Recreation graduates earn a median of $64,161 four years after completing. | |||||
Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Sports, Kinesiology, and Physical Education/Fitness (32 graduates) Highest four-year median earnings by program: Sports, Kinesiology, and Physical Education/Fitness ($64,161) | |||||
| 5 | Pennsylvania State University-Main Campus · University Park, PA | $63,784 | $32,875 | $19,845 | 60.6% |
| A public university in University Park, Pennsylvania State University-Main Campus reports median earnings of $63,784 for its Parks & Recreation graduates four years after completing. | |||||
Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Sports, Kinesiology, and Physical Education/Fitness (178 graduates), Parks, Recreation, and Leisure Facilities Management (80 graduates) Highest four-year median earnings by program: Sports, Kinesiology, and Physical Education/Fitness ($67,399), Parks, Recreation, and Leisure Facilities Management ($55,741) | |||||
| 6 | Temple University · Philadelphia, PA | $63,714 | $28,198 | $22,694 | 80.4% |
| Temple University ranks 125th on Azimuth's composite ranking among nonprofit four-year institutions and its Parks & Recreation graduates earn a median of $63,714 four years after completing. | |||||
Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Sports, Kinesiology, and Physical Education/Fitness (213 graduates) Highest four-year median earnings by program: Sports, Kinesiology, and Physical Education/Fitness ($63,714) | |||||
| 7 | Seton Hill University · Greensburg, PA | $59,841 | $22,204 | $15,143 | 79.5% |
| Seton Hill University reports an average net price of $15,143 for families earning under $30,000, alongside median earnings of $59,841 for its Parks & Recreation graduates four years after completing. | |||||
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 ($59,841) | |||||
| 8 | Neumann University · Aston, PA | $58,579 | $27,804 | $24,467 | 81.3% |
| Neumann University posts a six-year completion rate of 54% and median earnings of $58,579 for its Parks & Recreation graduates four years after completing. | |||||
Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Sports, Kinesiology, and Physical Education/Fitness (8 graduates) Highest four-year median earnings by program: Sports, Kinesiology, and Physical Education/Fitness ($58,579) | |||||
| 9 | Drexel University · Philadelphia, PA | $58,488 | $38,509 | $28,055 | 79.4% |
| Drexel University admits 79% of applicants and its Parks & Recreation graduates earn a median of $58,488 four years after completing. | |||||
Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Sports, Kinesiology, and Physical Education/Fitness (31 graduates) Highest four-year median earnings by program: Sports, Kinesiology, and Physical Education/Fitness ($58,488) | |||||
| 10 | Alvernia University · Reading, PA | $58,231 | $28,138 | $23,436 | 58.1% |
| Alvernia University reports an average net price of $28,138 and median earnings of $58,231 for its Parks & Recreation graduates four years after completing. | |||||
Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Sports, Kinesiology, and Physical Education/Fitness (8 graduates) | |||||
| 11 | Kutztown University of Pennsylvania · Kutztown, PA | $56,525 | $21,331 | $15,957 | 90.8% |
| Kutztown University of Pennsylvania ranks 688th on Azimuth's composite ranking among nonprofit four-year institutions and its Parks & Recreation graduates earn a median of $56,525 four years after completing. | |||||
Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Parks, Recreation, and Leisure Studies (60 graduates) Highest four-year median earnings by program: Parks, Recreation, and Leisure Studies ($56,525) | |||||
| 12 | East Stroudsburg University of Pennsylvania · East Stroudsburg, PA | $55,005 | $18,134 | $15,365 | 92.1% |
| East Stroudsburg University of Pennsylvania reports an average net price of $15,365 for families earning under $30,000, alongside median earnings of $55,005 for its Parks & Recreation graduates four years after completing. | |||||
Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Sports, Kinesiology, and Physical Education/Fitness (86 graduates), Parks, Recreation, and Leisure Facilities Management (5 graduates) Highest four-year median earnings by program: Sports, Kinesiology, and Physical Education/Fitness ($55,237), Parks, Recreation, and Leisure Facilities Management ($51,012) | |||||
| 13 | Shippensburg University of Pennsylvania · Shippensburg, PA | $54,330 | $23,726 | $18,709 | 86.5% |
| Shippensburg University of Pennsylvania reports median earnings of $54,330 for its Parks & Recreation graduates four years after completing, and its six-year completion rate is 56%. | |||||
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 ($54,330) | |||||
| 14 | Gannon University · Erie, PA | $54,161 | $22,553 | $18,489 | 74.2% |
| With an admission rate of 74%, Gannon University admits 74% of applicants and posts a six-year completion rate of 66%. | |||||
Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Sports, Kinesiology, and Physical Education/Fitness (61 graduates) | |||||
| 15 | Robert Morris University · Moon Township, PA | $53,657 | $23,003 | $19,548 | 89.9% |
| Robert Morris University ranks 15th on this list, with Parks & Recreation graduates earning a median of $53,657 four years after completing. | |||||
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 ($53,657) | |||||
| 16 | Commonwealth University of Pennsylvania · Bloomsburg, PA | $53,572 | $15,699 | $11,374 | 93.1% |
| An average net price of $15,699 coincides with median earnings of $53,572 for Parks & Recreation graduates of Commonwealth University of Pennsylvania four years after completing. | |||||
Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Sports, Kinesiology, and Physical Education/Fitness (98 graduates), Parks, Recreation, and Leisure Facilities Management (16 graduates) Highest four-year median earnings by program: Sports, Kinesiology, and Physical Education/Fitness ($53,736), Parks, Recreation, and Leisure Facilities Management ($52,571) | |||||
| 17 | Indiana University of Pennsylvania · Indiana, PA | $52,984 | $16,804 | $12,364 | 90.8% |
| Indiana University of Pennsylvania graduates 56% of its students within six years, and its Parks & Recreation graduates earn a median of $52,984 four years after completing. | |||||
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 ($52,984) | |||||
| 18 | Keystone College · La Plume, PA | $52,747 | $22,051 | $21,925 | 84.8% |
| Keystone College reports a six-year completion rate of 36% and median earnings of $52,747 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 ($52,747) | |||||
| 19 | Immaculata University · Immaculata, PA | $51,556 | $24,258 | $20,539 | 85.8% |
| Ranking 19th on this list, Immaculata University shows a six-year completion rate of 71% and an average net price of $24,258. | |||||
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 ($51,556) | |||||
| 20 | York College of Pennsylvania · York, PA | $50,054 | $18,556 | $12,927 | 73.7% |
| York College of Pennsylvania posts median earnings of $50,054 for its Parks & Recreation graduates four years after completing, alongside an average net price of $18,556. | |||||
Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Sports, Kinesiology, and Physical Education/Fitness (25 graduates), Parks, Recreation, and Leisure Studies (21 graduates) Highest four-year median earnings by program: Sports, Kinesiology, and Physical Education/Fitness ($57,918) | |||||
| 21 | Slippery Rock University of Pennsylvania · Slippery Rock, PA | $47,698 | $19,608 | $12,555 | 71.5% |
| An admission rate of 71% and a six-year completion rate of 66% accompany median earnings of $47,698 for Parks & Recreation graduates of Slippery Rock University of Pennsylvania four years after completing. | |||||
Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Sports, Kinesiology, and Physical Education/Fitness (52 graduates), Parks, Recreation, and Leisure Facilities Management (36 graduates) Highest four-year median earnings by program: Sports, Kinesiology, and Physical Education/Fitness ($50,048), Parks, Recreation, and Leisure Facilities Management ($44,304) | |||||
| 22 | Pennsylvania Western University · California, PA | $47,468 | $18,256 | $13,944 | 94.3% |
| Pennsylvania Western University admits 94% of applicants, and its Parks & Recreation graduates earn a median of $47,468 four years after completing. | |||||
Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Sports, Kinesiology, and Physical Education/Fitness (153 graduates) Highest four-year median earnings by program: Sports, Kinesiology, and Physical Education/Fitness ($47,468) | |||||
| 23 | University of Pittsburgh-Pittsburgh Campus · Pittsburgh, PA | $45,013 | $30,434 | $14,709 | 58.1% |
| With a six-year completion rate of 86%, University of Pittsburgh-Pittsburgh Campus reports median earnings of $45,013 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) | |||||
| 24 | Messiah University · Mechanicsburg, PA | No published median | $26,502 | $19,393 | 79.0% |
| Messiah University ranks 24th on this list, with a six-year completion rate of 75% and an average net price of $26,502. | |||||
Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Sports, Kinesiology, and Physical Education/Fitness (8 graduates) | |||||
| 25 | West Chester University of Pennsylvania · West Chester, PA | $33,382 | $23,331 | $17,018 | 78.4% |
| West Chester University of Pennsylvania reports median earnings of $33,382 for its Parks & Recreation graduates two years after completing, and its six-year completion rate is 71%. | |||||
Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Sports, Kinesiology, and Physical Education/Fitness (205 graduates) | |||||
| 26 | Lancaster Bible College · Lancaster, PA | $32,925 | $25,480 | $24,486 | 55.9% |
| With an admission rate of 56%, Lancaster Bible College is the most selective school on this list, and its Parks & Recreation graduates earn a median of $32,925 two years after completing. | |||||
Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Sports, Kinesiology, and Physical Education/Fitness (9 graduates) | |||||
| 27 | Holy Family University · Philadelphia, PA | No published median | $13,143 | $9,721 | 71.0% |
| Holy Family University ranks 27th on this list and posts an average net price of $13,143, the lowest among the listed schools. | |||||
Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Sports, Kinesiology, and Physical Education/Fitness (6 graduates) | |||||
| 28 | Misericordia University · Dallas, PA | $26,353 | $37,485 | $36,759 | 70.9% |
| Misericordia University has a six-year completion rate of 72% and an average net price of $36,759 for families earning under $30,000. | |||||
Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Sports, Kinesiology, and Physical Education/Fitness (10 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 Pennsylvania appear. The figure covers federally aided completers who were working and not enrolled, measured four years after completing. For 3 of the 28 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 26 schools with a published figure. University of Scranton reports $79,700, and the gap to second-ranked Lebanon Valley College is $5,271.
Job market context in Pennsylvania
In Pennsylvania, Parks & Recreation graduates enter occupations such as Landscaping and Groundskeeping Workers, Exercise Trainers and Group Fitness Instructors, and Recreation Workers. The median annual wage across those occupations is $41,283, and a quarter of workers in those occupations earn less than $34,284. Projected openings total about 25,510 a year, or about 1,264 openings a year for every hundred graduates, with more projected openings than graduates. Projections for 2024 to 2034 put employment in those occupations about 4.3% 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.