College research / Rankings

Best Parks & Recreation Colleges in Texas (2026)

Updated

This page ranks the 51 Parks & Recreation programs in Texas by the median earnings of Parks & Recreation graduates four years after completing. Rice University leads the list with median earnings of $87,404 after completing.

Across the 49 schools with a reported completion median, earnings range from $87,404 to $23,649, with a median of $53,483. For 3 of the 51 listed programs the figure is the two-year completion median rather than the four-year one.

Public institutions account for 57% of the list, with 29 schools alongside 22 private nonprofits. Texas A & M International University posts the lowest average net price at $3,637, while Rice University reports the highest six-year completion rate at 95%.

The University of Texas at Arlington ranks 8th on Azimuth's composite ranking among the 1,467 public and private nonprofit four-year institutions Azimuth ranks nationally.

The ranked list

51 schools in list order
RankSchoolMedian Parks & Recreation EarningsAverage net priceNet price, families under $30KAdmission rate
1Rice University · Houston, TX$87,404$13,370$5,8278.0%
Rice University reports $87,404 in median earnings for its Parks & Recreation graduates four years after completing, alongside an 8% admission rate.

Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Sports, Kinesiology, and Physical Education/Fitness (104 graduates)

Highest four-year median earnings by program: Sports, Kinesiology, and Physical Education/Fitness ($87,404)

2The University of Texas at Austin · Austin, TX$66,580$19,857$12,55326.6%
The University of Texas at Austin posts a six-year completion rate of 89% and ranks 9th on Azimuth's composite ranking among nonprofit four-year institutions.

Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Sports, Kinesiology, and Physical Education/Fitness (290 graduates)

Highest four-year median earnings by program: Sports, Kinesiology, and Physical Education/Fitness ($66,580)

3Schreiner University · Kerrville, TX$64,439$21,507$17,86388.2%
With an average net price of $21,507, Schreiner University ranks 3rd on this list and shows median earnings of $64,439 for its Parks & Recreation graduates four years after completing.

Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Sports, Kinesiology, and Physical Education/Fitness (35 graduates)

4Texas A&M University-College Station · College Station, TX$62,888$21,315$12,78457.4%
Texas A&M University-College Station admits 57% of applicants and reports $62,888 in median earnings for its Parks & Recreation graduates four years after completing.

Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Sports, Kinesiology, and Physical Education/Fitness (453 graduates)

Highest four-year median earnings by program: Sports, Kinesiology, and Physical Education/Fitness ($62,888)

5Southern Methodist University · Dallas, TX$62,838$40,892$23,54463.4%
Southern Methodist University lists an average net price of $40,892 and a six-year completion rate of 84%.

Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Sports, Kinesiology, and Physical Education/Fitness (97 graduates)

Highest four-year median earnings by program: Sports, Kinesiology, and Physical Education/Fitness ($62,838)

6Abilene Christian University · Abilene, TX$62,645$26,182$20,28566.0%
Abilene Christian University reports $62,645 in median earnings for its Parks & Recreation graduates four years after completing and ranks 1153rd on Azimuth's composite ranking among nonprofit four-year institutions.

Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Sports, Kinesiology, and Physical Education/Fitness (39 graduates)

7Saint Edward's University · Austin, TX$61,741$25,578$20,79981.4%
Saint Edward's University admits 81% of applicants and posts an average net price of $25,578.

Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Sports, Kinesiology, and Physical Education/Fitness (34 graduates)

Highest four-year median earnings by program: Sports, Kinesiology, and Physical Education/Fitness ($61,741)

8Lubbock Christian University · Lubbock, TX$61,286$24,456$23,01873.1%
Lubbock Christian University ranks 8th on this list, with a six-year completion rate of 51% and median earnings of $61,286 for its Parks & Recreation graduates four years after completing.

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 ($61,286)

9East Texas Baptist University · Marshall, TX$59,336$23,911$20,42057.8%
East Texas Baptist University ranks 9th on this list and shows an average net price of $23,911 alongside a 58% admission rate.

Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Sports, Kinesiology, and Physical Education/Fitness (16 graduates)

10Texas Tech University · Lubbock, TX$59,001$19,070$12,45772.7%
Texas Tech University reports $59,001 in median earnings for its Parks & Recreation graduates four years after completing and ranks 86th on Azimuth's composite ranking among nonprofit four-year institutions.

Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Sports, Kinesiology, and Physical Education/Fitness (84 graduates)

Highest four-year median earnings by program: Sports, Kinesiology, and Physical Education/Fitness ($59,001)

11Texas Woman's University · Denton, TX$57,819$11,963$9,94896.1%
Admitting 96% of applicants, Texas Woman's University lists an average net price of $11,963.

Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Sports, Kinesiology, and Physical Education/Fitness (132 graduates)

Highest four-year median earnings by program: Sports, Kinesiology, and Physical Education/Fitness ($57,819)

12Sul Ross State University · Alpine, TX$57,658$13,286$11,11098.7%
Sul Ross State University posts a six-year completion rate of 30% and reports $57,658 in median earnings for its Parks & Recreation graduates four years after completing.

Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Sports, Kinesiology, and Physical Education/Fitness (33 graduates)

13Sam Houston State University · Huntsville, TX$57,341$16,404$12,47490.3%
Sam Houston State University reports $57,341 in median earnings for its Parks & Recreation graduates four years after completing, alongside a six-year completion rate of 55%.

Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Sports, Kinesiology, and Physical Education/Fitness (124 graduates)

Highest four-year median earnings by program: Sports, Kinesiology, and Physical Education/Fitness ($57,341)

14Texas Southern University · Houston, TX$56,482$16,590$16,43796.9%
With an admission rate of 97%, Texas Southern University ranks 14th on this list and posts median earnings of $56,482 for its Parks & Recreation graduates four years after completing.

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 ($56,482)

15Texas Lutheran University · Seguin, TX$56,391$24,654$20,51295.7%
Texas Lutheran University, a private nonprofit university in Seguin, has an average net price of $24,654 and median earnings of $56,391 for its Parks & Recreation graduates four years after completing.

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 ($56,391)

16Texas A&M University-Kingsville · Kingsville, TX$56,170$12,090$10,20790.9%
Ranking 16th on this list, Texas A&M University-Kingsville reports median earnings of $56,170 for its Parks & Recreation graduates four years after completing and an average net price of $12,090.

Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Sports, Kinesiology, and Physical Education/Fitness (54 graduates)

Highest four-year median earnings by program: Sports, Kinesiology, and Physical Education/Fitness ($56,170)

17Stephen F Austin State University · Nacogdoches, TX$55,250$14,260$10,31894.0%
Graduating 53% of its students within six years, Stephen F Austin State University reports $55,250 in median earnings for its Parks & Recreation graduates four years after completing.

Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Sports, Kinesiology, and Physical Education/Fitness (149 graduates)

Highest four-year median earnings by program: Sports, Kinesiology, and Physical Education/Fitness ($55,250)

18Texas A&M University-San Antonio · San Antonio, TX$55,218$11,196$9,59692.8%
Texas A&M University-San Antonio admits 93% of applicants and reports median earnings of $55,218 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)

19University of Houston-Clear Lake · Houston, TX$55,083$15,563$7,33090.5%
University of Houston-Clear Lake posts median earnings of $55,083 for its Parks & Recreation graduates four years after completing, and an average net price of $7,330 for families earning under $30,000.

Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Sports, Kinesiology, and Physical Education/Fitness (57 graduates)

Highest four-year median earnings by program: Sports, Kinesiology, and Physical Education/Fitness ($55,083)

20Texas State University · San Marcos, TX$54,993$16,805$12,71589.3%
Texas State University ranks 40th on Azimuth's composite ranking among nonprofit four-year institutions and reports $54,993 in median earnings for its Parks & Recreation graduates four years after completing.

Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Sports, Kinesiology, and Physical Education/Fitness (414 graduates), Parks, Recreation, and Leisure Facilities Management (48 graduates)

Highest four-year median earnings by program: Sports, Kinesiology, and Physical Education/Fitness ($55,832), Parks, Recreation, and Leisure Facilities Management ($47,752)

21University of North Texas · Denton, TX$54,583$15,649$12,31172.2%
With a six-year completion rate of 61%, University of North Texas reports median earnings of $54,583 for its Parks & Recreation graduates four years after completing.

Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Sports, Kinesiology, and Physical Education/Fitness (318 graduates), Parks, Recreation, and Leisure Facilities Management (45 graduates)

Highest four-year median earnings by program: Parks, Recreation, and Leisure Facilities Management ($54,621), Sports, Kinesiology, and Physical Education/Fitness ($54,578)

22The University of Texas at San Antonio · San Antonio, TX$54,399$10,836$7,87086.8%
The University of Texas at San Antonio has an average net price of $10,836 and reports $54,399 in median earnings for its Parks & Recreation graduates four years after completing.

Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Sports, Kinesiology, and Physical Education/Fitness (417 graduates)

Highest four-year median earnings by program: Sports, Kinesiology, and Physical Education/Fitness ($54,399)

23Our Lady of the Lake University · San Antonio, TX$53,882$16,442$16,236Not reported
Our Lady of the Lake University, a private nonprofit university in San Antonio, reports $53,882 in median earnings for its Parks & Recreation graduates four years after completing and a six-year completion rate of 46%.

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 ($53,882)

24The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley · Edinburg, TX$53,769$4,831$3,78594.2%
The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley reports $53,769 in median earnings for its Parks & Recreation graduates four years after completing, alongside an average net price of $3,785 for families earning under $30,000.

Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Sports, Kinesiology, and Physical Education/Fitness (310 graduates)

Highest four-year median earnings by program: Sports, Kinesiology, and Physical Education/Fitness ($53,769)

25Angelo State University · San Angelo, TX$53,743$15,091$12,00883.0%
Angelo State University reports $53,743 in median earnings for its Parks & Recreation graduates four years after completing, and its average net price is $15,091.

Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Sports, Kinesiology, and Physical Education/Fitness (76 graduates)

Highest four-year median earnings by program: Sports, Kinesiology, and Physical Education/Fitness ($53,743)

26University of Houston · Houston, TX$53,483$14,276$10,92973.9%
With a six-year completion rate of 65%, University of Houston ranks 26th on this list and posts median earnings of $53,483 for its Parks & Recreation graduates four years after completing.

Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Sports, Kinesiology, and Physical Education/Fitness (404 graduates)

Highest four-year median earnings by program: Sports, Kinesiology, and Physical Education/Fitness ($53,483)

27Tarleton State University · Stephenville, TX$52,999$20,783$15,57489.6%
Tarleton State University admits 90% of applicants and its Parks & Recreation graduates earn a median of $52,999 four years after completing.

Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Sports, Kinesiology, and Physical Education/Fitness (207 graduates)

Highest four-year median earnings by program: Sports, Kinesiology, and Physical Education/Fitness ($52,999)

28St. Mary's University · San Antonio, TX$52,553$21,145$18,35297.8%
A private nonprofit university in San Antonio, St. Mary's University ranks 28th on this list with median earnings of $52,553 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 ($52,553)

29University of Mary Hardin-Baylor · Belton, TX$52,245$26,106$22,08995.8%
University of Mary Hardin-Baylor posts an average net price of $26,106 and its Parks & Recreation graduates earn a median of $52,245 four years after completing.

Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Sports, Kinesiology, and Physical Education/Fitness (22 graduates)

30The University of Texas at Tyler · Tyler, TX$52,101$13,323$10,30794.0%
The University of Texas at Tyler ranks 161st on Azimuth's composite ranking among nonprofit four-year institutions, and its Parks & Recreation graduates earn a median of $52,101 four years after completing.

Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Sports, Kinesiology, and Physical Education/Fitness (96 graduates)

Highest four-year median earnings by program: Sports, Kinesiology, and Physical Education/Fitness ($52,101)

31Baylor University · Waco, TX$51,273$41,104$22,02451.3%
Baylor University graduates 80% of its students within six years, and its Parks & Recreation graduates earn a median of $51,273 four years after completing.

Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Sports, Kinesiology, and Physical Education/Fitness (92 graduates)

Highest four-year median earnings by program: Sports, Kinesiology, and Physical Education/Fitness ($51,273)

32The University of Texas at El Paso · El Paso, TX$51,063$9,403$7,86399.9%
With an admission rate of 100%, The University of Texas at El Paso reports median earnings of $51,063 for its Parks & Recreation graduates four years after completing.

Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Sports, Kinesiology, and Physical Education/Fitness (170 graduates)

Highest four-year median earnings by program: Sports, Kinesiology, and Physical Education/Fitness ($51,063)

33The University of Texas at Arlington · Arlington, TX$50,930$13,951$11,89379.9%
The University of Texas at Arlington ranks 8th on Azimuth's composite ranking among nonprofit four-year institutions, and its Parks & Recreation graduates earn a median of $50,930 four years after completing.

Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Sports, Kinesiology, and Physical Education/Fitness (197 graduates)

Highest four-year median earnings by program: Sports, Kinesiology, and Physical Education/Fitness ($50,930)

34Texas A & M University-Corpus Christi · Corpus Christi, TX$50,896$15,225$11,44588.6%
Texas A & M University-Corpus Christi posts an average net price of $15,225, and its Parks & Recreation graduates earn a median of $50,896 four years after completing.

Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Sports, Kinesiology, and Physical Education/Fitness (102 graduates)

Highest four-year median earnings by program: Sports, Kinesiology, and Physical Education/Fitness ($50,896)

35University of the Incarnate Word · San Antonio, TX$50,871$22,775$19,26098.1%
A private nonprofit university in San Antonio, University of the Incarnate Word reports median earnings of $50,871 for its Parks & Recreation graduates four years after completing.

Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Sports, Kinesiology, and Physical Education/Fitness (17 graduates)

Highest four-year median earnings by program: Sports, Kinesiology, and Physical Education/Fitness ($50,871)

36Hardin-Simmons University · Abilene, TX$50,560$19,555$13,82290.0%
Hardin-Simmons University admits 90% of applicants and its Parks & Recreation graduates earn a median of $50,560 four years after completing.

Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Sports, Kinesiology, and Physical Education/Fitness (39 graduates)

Highest four-year median earnings by program: Sports, Kinesiology, and Physical Education/Fitness ($50,560)

37Texas A & M International University · Laredo, TX$50,261$3,637$3,09744.4%
Texas A & M International University posts the lowest average net price on the page at $3,637 and graduates 46% within six years.

Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Sports, Kinesiology, and Physical Education/Fitness (64 graduates)

Highest four-year median earnings by program: Sports, Kinesiology, and Physical Education/Fitness ($50,261)

38Dallas Baptist University · Dallas, TX$49,906$28,516$25,32688.8%
Dallas Baptist University reports $49,906 in median earnings for its Parks & Recreation graduates four years after completing, alongside a six-year completion rate of 57%.

Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Sports, Kinesiology, and Physical Education/Fitness (25 graduates)

Highest four-year median earnings by program: Sports, Kinesiology, and Physical Education/Fitness ($49,906)

39Lamar University · Beaumont, TX$48,609$9,366$7,56886.4%
Lamar University admits 86% of applicants and shows a six-year completion rate of 37%.

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 ($48,609)

40West Texas A & M University · Canyon, TX$48,492$19,487$16,52598.7%
West Texas A & M University ranks 40th on this list, with median earnings of $48,492 for its Parks & Recreation graduates four years after completing.

Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Sports, Kinesiology, and Physical Education/Fitness (46 graduates)

Highest four-year median earnings by program: Sports, Kinesiology, and Physical Education/Fitness ($48,492)

41Southwestern University · Georgetown, TX$48,338$29,224$22,47843.1%
Southwestern University, a private nonprofit university in Georgetown, reports an average net price of $29,224 and a six-year completion rate of 73%.

Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Sports, Kinesiology, and Physical Education/Fitness (26 graduates)

42Concordia University Texas · Austin, TX$47,224$23,131$18,76491.3%
Concordia University Texas ranks 950th on Azimuth's composite ranking among nonprofit four-year institutions and reports an average net price of $23,131.

Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Sports, Kinesiology, and Physical Education/Fitness (14 graduates)

43Midwestern State University · Wichita Falls, TX$46,696$11,656$8,85693.5%
Midwestern State University ranks 43rd on this list, with an admission rate of 94% and a six-year completion rate of 43%.

Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Parks, Recreation, and Leisure Studies (13 graduates), Sports, Kinesiology, and Physical Education/Fitness (10 graduates)

44Prairie View A & M University · Prairie View, TX$46,693$13,570$12,12079.3%
Prairie View A & M University reports $46,693 in median earnings for its Parks & Recreation graduates four years after completing, and an average net price of $13,570.

Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Sports, Kinesiology, and Physical Education/Fitness (146 graduates)

45Houston Christian University · Houston, TX$45,718$20,629$17,93384.4%
Houston Christian University admits 84% of applicants and reports an average net price of $17,933 for families earning under $30,000.

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 ($45,718)

46East Texas A&M University · Commerce, TX$45,169$11,841$9,70992.2%
East Texas A&M University ranks 185th on Azimuth's composite ranking among nonprofit four-year institutions, with a six-year completion rate of 43%.

Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Sports, Kinesiology, and Physical Education/Fitness (91 graduates)

Highest four-year median earnings by program: Sports, Kinesiology, and Physical Education/Fitness ($45,169)

47The University of Texas Permian Basin · Odessa, TX$43,798$12,723$11,93094.9%
The University of Texas Permian Basin reports median earnings of $43,798 for its Parks & Recreation graduates two years after completing, and an average net price of $12,723.

Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Sports, Kinesiology, and Physical Education/Fitness (62 graduates)

48Jarvis Christian University · Hawkins, TX$36,576$9,825$11,606Not reported
Jarvis Christian University reports $36,576 in median earnings for its Parks & Recreation graduates four years after completing, alongside a six-year completion rate of 15%.

Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Sports, Kinesiology, and Physical Education/Fitness (15 graduates)

Highest four-year median earnings by program: Sports, Kinesiology, and Physical Education/Fitness ($36,576)

49Texas Wesleyan University · Fort Worth, TX$34,209$24,066$21,81269.2%
Texas Wesleyan University reports median earnings of $34,209 for its Parks & Recreation graduates four years after completing, alongside an average net price of $24,066.

Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Sports, Kinesiology, and Physical Education/Fitness (16 graduates)

50McMurry University · Abilene, TX$26,353$19,581$15,94657.0%
McMurry University admits 57% of applicants and its Parks & Recreation graduates earned a median of $26,353 two years after completing.

Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Sports, Kinesiology, and Physical Education/Fitness (24 graduates)

51Howard Payne University · Brownwood, TX$23,649$23,627$24,04367.4%
Howard Payne University ranks 51st on this list, with a six-year completion rate of 28% and median earnings of $23,649 for its Parks & Recreation graduates two years after completing.

Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Sports, Kinesiology, and Physical Education/Fitness (9 graduates)

How this list is ordered

Schools are ordered by the median earnings of their Parks & Recreation graduates four years after completing, or two years for programs that report only a two-year figure, highest first. The figures cover federally aided completers who were working and not enrolled. For 3 of the 51 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 figures cited on this page cover the 49 schools with a reported completion median. Rice University reports $87,404, which is $20,824 ahead of The University of Texas at Austin at $66,580.

Job market context in Texas

The occupations linked to Parks & Recreation in Texas include such roles as Landscaping and Groundskeeping Workers, Exercise Trainers and Group Fitness Instructors, and Recreation Workers. The median annual wage across those occupations is $37,463, and a quarter of workers in those occupations earn less than $31,109. Projections for 2024 to 2034 put employment in those occupations about 14.6% higher, with about 1,245 openings a year for every hundred graduates, more projected openings than graduates. Wages and top occupations exclude management occupations; openings include them. The ranking above uses graduate earnings four years after completing, a different measure from the occupational wage figures reported here.