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2026 Best Value Parks, Recreation & Leisure Studies Schools in New York

[Parks, Recreation & Leisure Studies](/majors/parks-recreation-fitness/parks-recreation-leisure-studies/parks-recreation-and-leisure-studies/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.

College Factual analyzed 13 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best value parks, recreation & leisure studies schools.

What’s on this page:

• Best Value Parks, Recreation & Leisure Studies Schools in New York

2026 Best Value Parks, Recreation & Leisure Studies Schools in New York

If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the parks, recreation & leisure studies degrees they offer, see the list below.

Best Value Parks, Recreation & Leisure Studies Schools

1

Cuny Kingsborough Community College
Brooklyn, NY

$5,252 In-State Tuition & Fees

$7,858 Avg Student Debt

$42,621 Median Earnings (10yr)

Cuny Kingsborough Community College earned the #1 spot for value among parks, recreation & leisure studies schools in New York. Set in the city of Brooklyn, Cuny Kingsborough Community College is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $5,252 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $8,132. Parks, Recreation & Leisure Studies graduates carry a median of $7,858 in student loans. Parks, Recreation & Leisure Studies graduates of Cuny Kingsborough Community College earn a median of $35,562 early in their careers. Set against $7,858 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

2

Suny College At Cortland
Cortland, NY

$8,874 In-State Tuition & Fees

$25,369 Avg Student Debt

$60,236 Median Earnings (10yr)

A rank of #2 makes Suny College At Cortland one of the best values for parks, recreation & leisure studies. Set in the town of Cortland, Suny College At Cortland is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,874, with out-of-state students paying around $18,784. Typical student debt for parks, recreation & leisure studies graduates is $25,369. Parks, Recreation & Leisure Studies graduates of Suny College At Cortland earn a median of $38,709 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 60% of applicants are accepted.

View All Parks, Recreation & Leisure Studies Rankings >

Notes and References

The ranking above is published by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. Schools are scored on the balance of cost (tuition and student debt) against student outcomes (post-graduation earnings) — a measure of return on investment, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).

Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 13 schools evaluated.

*Averages shown above reflect the top 2 ranked schools only.

• The Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), a branch of the U.S. Department of Education (DOE), serves as the core of our data about colleges.
• Some other college data, including much of the graduate earnings data, comes from the U.S. Department of Education’s (College Scorecard).

More about our data sources and methodologies.