2026 Best Value Parks, Recreation & Leisure Studies Schools in the Middle Atlantic Region
[Parks, Recreation & Leisure Studies](/majors/parks-recreation-fitness/parks-recreation-leisure-studies/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
College Factual analyzed 25 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best value parks, recreation & leisure studies schools.
What’s on this page:
2026 Best Value Parks, Recreation & Leisure Studies Schools in the Middle Atlantic Region
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in parks, recreation & leisure studies, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Parks, Recreation & Leisure Studies Schools
Cuny Kingsborough Community College earned the #1 spot for value among parks, recreation & leisure studies schools in the Middle Atlantic Region. Set in the city of Brooklyn, Cuny Kingsborough Community College is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,252, compared with $8,132 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for parks, recreation & leisure studies graduates is $7,858. Parks, Recreation & Leisure Studies graduates of Cuny Kingsborough Community College earn a median of $35,562 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $7,858 median debt.
A rank of #2 makes Suny College At Cortland one of the best values for parks, recreation & leisure studies. Suny College At Cortland is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Cortland. In-state tuition and fees average $8,874, compared with $18,784 for out-of-state students. Parks, Recreation & Leisure Studies graduates carry a median of $25,369 in student loans. Early-career parks, recreation & leisure studies graduates make about $38,709. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 60% of applicants are accepted.
Students looking for strong value in parks, recreation & leisure studies will find it at Kutztown University Of Pennsylvania, which ranked #3. Kutztown University Of Pennsylvania is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Kutztown. Students from in state pay about $11,206 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $16,330. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the parks, recreation & leisure studies program here. Parks, Recreation & Leisure Studies graduates of Kutztown University Of Pennsylvania earn a median of $36,363 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 91% of applicants are accepted.
Narrow Parks, Recreation & Leisure Studies Schools by State
More Parks, Recreation & Leisure Studies Rankings
View All Parks, Recreation & Leisure Studies Rankings >
Notes and References
This list is compiled by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. The methodology weighs the cost of a degree against the earnings graduates go on to achieve, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 25 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 3 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.
