Best institutions to study Parks, Recreation, and Leisure Facilities Management
A program that prepares individuals to develop and manage park facilities and other indoor and outdoor recreation and leisure facilities.
125 U.S. institutions graduated 2,164 Parks, Recreation, and Leisure Facilities Management students in 2024–25 (IPEDS). It is CIP 31.0301, a specialization of Parks (CIP 31.03), and leads most directly to the Facilities Managers occupation (BLS SOC 11-3013).
About Parks, Recreation, and Leisure Facilities Management programs
A program that prepares individuals to develop and manage park facilities and other indoor and outdoor recreation and leisure facilities. Includes instruction in supervising support personnel, health and safety standards, public relations, and basic business and marketing principles.
See also: 03.0207 - Environmental/Natural Resource Recreation and Tourism., 03.0206 - Land Use Planning and Management/Development.
Source: National Center for Education Statistics, Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP 2020).
The Parks, Recreation, and Leisure Facilities Management program prepares individuals to develop and manage park facilities and various indoor and outdoor recreation spaces. This program is ideal for those interested in overseeing the operations of recreational facilities and ensuring they meet health, safety, and environmental standards. Students will learn to manage personnel and engage with the community effectively.
Learn more about Parks, Recreation, and Leisure Facilities Management →
Core coursework includes instruction in supervising support personnel, understanding health and safety standards, and applying basic business and marketing principles. Students will also develop essential skills such as critical thinking, active listening, and effective communication.
Credentials awarded
What Parks, Recreation, and Leisure Facilities Management graduates earned in 2024–25, by award level (IPEDS completions).
- Bachelor's degree1,731 graduates / yr · 90 institutions80%
- Master's degree231 graduates / yr · 22 institutions11%
- Associate's degree88 graduates / yr · 17 institutions4.1%
- Award of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year50 graduates / yr · 16 institutions2.3%
- Postbaccalaureate certificate33 graduates / yr · 6 institutions1.5%
- Doctor's degree - research/scholarship16 graduates / yr · 4 institutions0.7%
- Award of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years10 graduates / yr · 3 institutions0.5%
- Award of less than 12 weeks5 graduates / yr · 1 institution0.2%
Graduates over time
Parks, Recreation, and Leisure Facilities Management completions reported to IPEDS each year, all award levels combined.
| Year | Graduates |
|---|---|
| 2012 | 3,622 |
| 2013 | 3,605 |
| 2014 | 3,721 |
| 2015 | 3,700 |
| 2016 | 3,743 |
| 2017 | 3,686 |
| 2018 | 3,798 |
| 2019 | 3,574 |
| 2020 | 3,416 |
| 2021 | 2,926 |
| 2022 | 2,648 |
| 2023 | 2,346 |
| 2024 | 2,117 |
| 2025 | 2,164 |
Top 50 institutions for Parks, Recreation, and Leisure Facilities Management, ranked by graduates
Graduates (IPEDS completions), 2024–25. Award levels show which credentials each institution confers in this specialization.
| # | Institution | Graduates / yr | Grad rate | Net price | Field earnings* (1 yr) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Clemson University Clemson, SCPublicBachelor'sMaster'sPost-degree cert.Doctoral | 165 | 87% | — | $32,992 |
| 2 | Pennsylvania State University - Main Campus University Park, PAPublicBachelor'sMaster'sDoctoral | 108 | 86% | — | $35,132 |
| 3 | Florida International University Miami, FLPublicBachelor'sMaster's | 106 | 74% | — | $29,862 |
| 4 | Colorado State University - Fort Collins Fort Collins, COPublicBachelor'sDoctoralMaster's | 84 | 67% | — | $33,161 |
| 5 | University of New Hampshire - Main Campus Durham, NHPublicBachelor'sMaster's | 80 | 76% | — | $38,201 |
| 6 | Appalachian State University Boone, NCPublicBachelor's | 71 | 75% | — | $29,646 |
| 7 | University of Florida Gainesville, FLPublicBachelor'sMaster'sAward of less than 12 weeksPost-degree cert. | 68 | 91% | — | $41,046 |
| 8 | North Carolina State University at Raleigh Raleigh, NCPublicBachelor'sMaster'sPost-degree cert.Doctoral | 66 | 85% | — | $38,116 |
| 9 | Illinois State University Normal, ILPublicBachelor's | 61 | 65% | — | $39,104 |
| 10 | University of Mississippi University, MSPublicBachelor's | 54 | 72% | — | $35,318 |
| 11 | Brigham Young University - Idaho Rexburg, IDPrivate not-for-profitBachelor'sAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 49 | 55% | $6,760 | $27,961 |
| 12 | Slippery Rock University of Pennsylvania Slippery Rock, PAPublicBachelor'sMaster's | 47 | 66% | — | $32,065 |
| 13 | Western Kentucky University Bowling Green, KYPublicMaster'sBachelor'sPost-degree cert. | 46 | 56% | — | $32,267 |
| 14 | University of North Texas Denton, TXPublicBachelor'sMaster's | 44 | 61% | — | $36,857 |
| 15 | South Dakota State University Brookings, SDPublicBachelor'sMaster's | 43 | 62% | — | $38,076 |
| 16 | University of West Georgia Carrollton, GAPublicBachelor's | 42 | 43% | — | $31,492 |
| 17 | Johnson & Wales University - Providence Providence, RIPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 37 | 55% | $31,634 | $30,963 |
| 18 | Utah Tech University Saint George, UTPublicBachelor'sAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 36 | 38% | — | — |
| 19 | Florida State University Tallahassee, FLPublicBachelor's | 35 | 86% | — | — |
| 20 | Western Carolina University Cullowhee, NCPublicBachelor's | 33 | 60% | — | $30,485 |
| 21 | University of North Carolina Wilmington Wilmington, NCPublicBachelor's | 32 | 71% | — | $31,873 |
| 22 | Middle Tennessee State University Murfreesboro, TNPublicBachelor's | 32 | 54% | — | $30,350 |
| 23 | Frostburg State University Frostburg, MDPublicBachelor'sMaster's | 31 | 50% | — | $25,345 |
| 24 | Western Illinois University Macomb, ILPublicBachelor'sMaster'sPost-degree cert. | 29 | 45% | — | $28,978 |
| 25 | Eastern Kentucky University Richmond, KYPublicBachelor'sMaster's | 27 | 50% | — | $30,330 |
| 26 | University of Wisconsin - La Crosse La Crosse, WIPublicBachelor'sMaster's | 27 | 71% | — | $34,490 |
| 27 | University of Idaho Moscow, IDPublicBachelor'sMaster's | 26 | 57% | — | — |
| 28 | Southern Connecticut State University New Haven, CTPublicBachelor'sMaster's | 25 | 50% | — | $46,274 |
| 29 | University of Arkansas Fayetteville, ARPublicMaster's | 24 | 71% | — | — |
| 30 | New England College Henniker, NHPrivate not-for-profitBachelor'sMaster's | 23 | 35% | $30,086 | — |
| 31 | Texas State University San Marcos, TXPublicBachelor'sMaster's | 21 | 55% | — | $32,620 |
| 32 | Santa Rosa Junior College Santa Rosa, CAPublicAssociate'sAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 20 | 37% | — | — |
| 33 | University of Florida - Online Gainesville, FLPublicBachelor's | 19 | 85% | — | $41,046 |
| 34 | Kean University Union, NJPublicBachelor's | 17 | 47% | — | $37,884 |
| 35 | Pennsylvania State University - World Campus University Park, PAPublicBachelor's | 17 | 34% | — | $35,132 |
| 36 | Colorado Mesa University Grand Junction, COPublicBachelor's | 16 | 41% | — | — |
| 37 | Belmont Abbey College Belmont, NCPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 16 | 47% | $22,639 | — |
| 38 | North Carolina Central University Durham, NCPublicBachelor's | 16 | 42% | — | $28,863 |
| 39 | Johnson & Wales University - Online Providence, RIPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 16 | 0% | $21,981 | $30,963 |
| 40 | Towson University Towson, MDPublicBachelor's | 15 | 69% | — | — |
| 41 | Minnesota State University - Mankato Mankato, MNPublicBachelor's | 15 | 54% | — | $36,220 |
| 42 | Missouri Western State University Saint Joseph, MOPublicBachelor's | 15 | 39% | — | — |
| 43 | Southwestern Oklahoma State University Weatherford, OKPublicBachelor's | 15 | 40% | — | $38,506 |
| 44 | Arkansas Tech University Russellville, ARPublicBachelor's | 14 | 49% | — | $35,073 |
| 45 | Herkimer County Community College Herkimer, NYPublicAssociate's | 13 | 35% | — | — |
| 46 | Green River College Auburn, WAPublicAssociate's | 13 | 39% | — | — |
| 47 | Michigan State University East Lansing, MIPublicBachelor's | 12 | 81% | — | $35,343 |
| 48 | West Virginia University Morgantown, WVPublicBachelor's | 12 | 65% | — | — |
| 49 | Central Methodist University - College of Liberal Arts and Sciences Fayette, MOPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 11 | 51% | $25,582 | — |
| 50 | Johnson & Wales University - Charlotte Charlotte, NCPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 11 | 49% | $29,446 | $30,963 |
* Median earnings 1 year after graduation for the broader Parks field (CIP 31.03) at these institutions; College Scorecard does not publish earnings at the 6-digit level.
Offered in 39 states
Where Parks, Recreation, and Leisure Facilities Management graduates come from. Each state links to all Parks programs offered there.
Careers & outlook
The payoff after graduation: occupation 11-3013, Facilities Managers, and its national outlook.
Graduates of this program can pursue careers as Facilities Managers, overseeing the safety and maintenance of recreational facilities. The job outlook is promising, with an expected growth rate of 3.8% and about 13,200 annual openings. The median wage for this field is approximately $104,690, typically requiring a Bachelor's degree.
Top-paying metros
Career pathways for CIP 31.0301
The occupations the NCES crosswalk maps this 6-digit code to, with BLS pay and 10-year outlook.
| Occupation | US median pay | Growth | Openings / yr | Typical entry education |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Facilities Managersprimary SOC 11-3013 | $106,660 | +3.8% About as fast as average | ~13,200 | Bachelor's degree |
General and Operations Managers SOC 11-1021 | $105,770 | +4.4% About as fast as average | ~308,700 | Bachelor's degree |
Entertainment and Recreation Managers, Except Gambling SOC 11-9072 | $79,520 | +7.7% Faster than average | ~5,500 | Bachelor's degree |
Job Zone Three: Medium Preparation Needed
- Education
- Most occupations in this zone require training in vocational schools, related on-the-job experience, or an associate's degree.
- Experience
- Previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is required for these occupations. For example, an electrician must have completed three or four years of apprenticeship or several years of vocational training, and often must have passed a licensing exam, in order to perform the job.
- Training
- Employees in these occupations usually need one or two years of training involving both on-the-job experience and informal training with experienced workers. A recognized apprenticeship program may be associated with these occupations.
Related careers
Skills & knowledge in Parks, Recreation, and Leisure Facilities Management programs
From the U.S. Dept. of Labor for the occupation this specialization most leads to.
Skills you'll build
Knowledge areas
Abilities that matter most
Day-to-day work activities
What graduates do on the job
- Monitor the facility to ensure that it remains safe, secure, and well-maintained.
- Oversee the maintenance and repair of machinery, equipment, and electrical and mechanical systems.
- Oversee construction and renovation projects to improve efficiency and to ensure that facilities meet environmental, health, and security standards, and comply with government regulations.
- Plan, administer, and control budgets for contracts, equipment, and supplies.
- Participate in architectural and engineering planning and design, including space and installation management.
- Set goals and deadlines for the department.
Tools and technology used
Other Parks specializations
The 2 other 6-digit CIP codes under Parks (CIP 31.03).
Common questions
What degrees can I earn in this program?+
You can earn a Bachelor's degree, Master's degree, Associate's degree, or an award of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year.
What skills will I develop?+
You will develop skills in speaking, active listening, critical thinking, and monitoring, among others.
What careers can I pursue after graduation?+
You can work as a Facilities Manager, General and Operations Manager, or Entertainment and Recreation Manager.
What is the job outlook for this field?+
The job outlook is about as fast as average, with a growth rate of 3.8% and 13,200 annual job openings.
What is the CIP code for Parks, Recreation, and Leisure Facilities Management?+
Parks, Recreation, and Leisure Facilities Management is CIP 31.0301 in the NCES Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP 2020), a 6-digit specialization within Parks (CIP 31.03). NCES defines it as: A program that prepares individuals to develop and manage park facilities and other indoor and outdoor recreation and leisure facilities. Includes instruction in supervising support personnel, health and safety standards, public relations, and basic business and marketing principles.
How many institutions offer Parks, Recreation, and Leisure Facilities Management programs?+
125 U.S. institutions reported Parks, Recreation, and Leisure Facilities Management graduates in IPEDS 2024–25, across 39 states, awarding 2,164 credentials in the year. That is 92.4% of all Parks graduates.
How much do Parks, Recreation, and Leisure Facilities Management graduates earn?+
Earnings are not published at the 6-digit CIP level by any federal source. The Facilities Managers occupation, which Parks, Recreation, and Leisure Facilities Management most directly leads to, pays a median of $106,660 a year nationally (BLS OEWS May 2025), and graduates of the broader Parks field report median earnings of $34,040 one year after graduation (College Scorecard).
About the data on this page
Every figure comes from an official federal or public source. Here is each one and the release it is currently on.
Program definitions are from the NCES Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP 2020). Skills, knowledge, abilities, work activities, tools, and job zones are from the O*NET database by the U.S. Department of Labor, used under the CC BY 4.0 license. This specialization accounts for nearly all Parks graduates, so its figures match the Parks program page.
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