Ideal Colleges for Parks and Recreation Majors?

Hey there, I'm looking to venture into a major in parks and recreation. I'm not quite sure which colleges are highly-rated in this field. Can anyone recommend some of the best colleges for parks and recreation majors with good experiences? Thanks!

Sure, happy to help! While many schools may not specifically offer a Parks and Recreation major, many schools have programs in related fields like Outdoor Education, Outdoor Leadership, Recreational Management, or Environmental Studies.

One school you may want to look into is Penn State University. Their Recreation, Park, and Tourism Management program is quite thorough and has a robust alumni network, which can be an excellent asset when pursuing job opportunities post-graduation.

The University of Utah also has an excellent Parks, Recreation, and Tourism program. The location is ideal for real-world learning experiences, as Utah is known for its beautiful parks and outdoor activities—skiing, hiking, rafting, the list goes on!

North Carolina State University is another school with a well-respected Parks, Recreation and Tourism Management program. This school also offers a lot of great internship opportunities in this field.

In the Midwest, Indiana University Bloomington's Department of Recreation, Park, and Tourism Studies is well-regarded. This program provides experiential learning opportunities in areas such as tourist attraction management, camp administration, and resort and club management.

I would recommend investigating the specific concentrations or focus areas within each program and seeing which aligns best with your interests—some programs may have a stronger emphasis on business or policy aspects, while others might focus more on practical, hands-on experience. Lastly, don't forget to consider the location of the university and opportunities for outdoor experiences and internships in the local community. These can greatly enhance your education and give you a head start in your career.