Mahadev Maitri Foundation
US Initiatives
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Program Rankings · Arkansas

Best Parks, Recreation & Fitness Colleges in Arkansas

Ranked by a weighted composite of outcomes, affordability, selectivity, academic profile, and program depth. Based on NCES IPEDS 2023–24 completions data.

16
Colleges Ranked
16
4-Year Programs
8
Public Colleges
University of
Top Ranked
Ranking Methodology: Each college earns a major score = 70% global composite score (outcomes 30%, affordability 25%, selectivity 20%, academic 15%, breadth 10%) + 30% program depth score (graduates in this major ÷ total enrollment, normalized across all US colleges).
1
48
University of Arkansas
Fayetteville · Public · 4-year
72% accept70% grad rate$7,666 in-state579 graduates/yr
#3023 nationally
2
44
Arkansas Tech University
Russellville · Public · 4-year
96% accept43% grad rate$5,995 in-state42 graduates/yr
#3714 nationally
3
42
University of Arkansas at Little Rock
Little Rock · Public · 4-year
58% accept39% grad rate$6,600 in-state24 graduates/yr
#3953 nationally
#4
39
Harding University
Searcy · Private Nonprofit · 4-year
100% accept71% grad rate129 graduates/yr
#617 nationally
#5
35
Crowley's Ridge College
Paragould · Private Nonprofit · 4-year
33% grad rate24 graduates/yr
#2618 nationally
#6
35
John Brown University
Siloam Springs · Private Nonprofit · 4-year
68% accept67% grad rate72 graduates/yr
#2037 nationally
#7
35
Philander Smith University
Little Rock · Private Nonprofit · 4-year
32% grad rate24 graduates/yr
#2619 nationally
#8
34
Lyon College
Batesville · Private Nonprofit · 4-year
66% accept56% grad rate42 graduates/yr
#2812 nationally
#9
34
Ouachita Baptist University
Arkadelphia · Private Nonprofit · 4-year
69% accept70% grad rate81 graduates/yr
#2813 nationally
#10
33
University of Arkansas at Monticello
Monticello · Public · 4-year
35% grad rate$5,400 in-state99 graduates/yr
#3024 nationally
#11
32
University of Central Arkansas
Conway · Public · 4-year
90% accept53% grad rate$7,140 in-state333 graduates/yr
#3365 nationally
#12
32
Central Baptist College
Conway · Private Nonprofit · 4-year
46% accept43% grad rate57 graduates/yr
#3366 nationally
#13
30
Williams Baptist University
Walnut Ridge · Private Nonprofit · 4-year
59% accept35% grad rate42 graduates/yr
#3715 nationally
#14
29
Arkansas State University
Jonesboro · Public · 4-year
70% accept53% grad rate$7,176 in-state462 graduates/yr
#3806 nationally
#15
27
Henderson State University
Arkadelphia · Public · 4-year
82% accept39% grad rate$5,928 in-state72 graduates/yr
#4017 nationally
About Parks, Recreation & Fitness Programs in Arkansas

Arkansas offers 16 accredited parks, recreation & fitness programs across public and private institutions. Our rankings use NCES IPEDS 2023–24 completions data to measure how many graduates each college produces in this field relative to its total enrollment, combined with overall college quality metrics.

The ranking formula weights overall college quality at 70% — covering graduation outcomes, net price affordability, admissions selectivity, and academic profile of enrolled students — and program-specific depth at 30%, rewarding schools that genuinely specialize in parks, recreation & fitness.

For in-state students, public colleges often offer significantly lower costs. Complete the FAFSA to determine need-based aid eligibility regardless of your income level. Aid availability can dramatically change the actual cost of attendance.

❓ Frequently Asked Questions

Based on our composite ranking — which weighs outcomes (graduation rates), affordability (net price), selectivity, academic profile, and program depth — the top-ranked college for Parks, Recreation & Fitness in Arkansas is University of Arkansas. We rank all accredited institutions offering this program using NCES IPEDS 2023–24 data.

Explore Other Majors in Arkansas