2026 Best Value Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies Schools in New Jersey
[Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies](/majors/parks-recreation-fitness/) 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 35 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best value parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies schools.
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2026 Best Value Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies Schools in New Jersey
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degrees they offer, see the list below.
Best Value Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies Schools
For return on investment in parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies, no school beat Mercer County Community College this year. Set in the rural area of West Windsor, Mercer County Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $5,310 in tuition and fees, compared with $9,174 for out-of-state students. Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies graduates carry a median of $12,250 in student loans. Early-career parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies graduates make about $45,389. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
A rank of #2 makes Middlesex County College one of the best values for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies. Located in the suburb of Edison, Middlesex County College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $4,764, compared with $7,356 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $9,514 to complete the parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies program here. Early-career parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies graduates make about $37,975. Set against $9,514 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Students looking for strong value in parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies will find it at Raritan Valley Community College, which ranked #3. Raritan Valley Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the rural area of Branchburg. Students from in state pay about $5,664 in tuition and fees, compared with $7,584 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies graduates is $9,668. Early-career parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies graduates make about $47,248. That is a strong return on a $9,668 median debt.
Students looking for strong value in parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies will find it at Burlington County College, which ranked #4. Located in the suburb of Mount Laurel, Burlington County College is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $6,990 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $9,495. Typical student debt for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies graduates is $12,488. Soon after graduation, parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degree recipients from Burlington County College generally make around $52,240. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Hudson County Community College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies, landing the #5 spot this year. Set in the city of Jersey City, Hudson County Community College is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $5,384 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $9,248. Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies graduates carry a median of $10,671 in student loans. Early-career parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies graduates make about $35,909. That is a strong return on a $10,671 median debt.
Union County College landed the #6 spot for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies value this year. Located in the suburb of Cranford, Union County College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,280, compared with $9,500 for out-of-state students. Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies graduates carry a median of $14,218 in student loans. Early-career parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies graduates make about $38,168. That is a strong return on a $14,218 median debt.
County College Of Morris came in at #7 for value in parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies this year. Located in the suburb of Randolph, County College Of Morris is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $6,210, while out-of-state students pay about $14,310. Students borrow a median of $7,000 to complete the parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies program here. Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies graduates of County College Of Morris earn a median of $30,966 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Sussex County Community College came in at #8 for value in parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies this year. Sussex County Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the rural area of Newton. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,544, with out-of-state students paying around $9,024. Typical student debt for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies graduates is $10,750. Soon after graduation, parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degree recipients from Sussex County Community College generally make around $27,179. That is a strong return on a $10,750 median debt.
New Jersey City University placed #9 among the best values for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies. New Jersey City University is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Jersey City. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $14,460. Typical student debt for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies graduates is $22,107. Early-career parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies graduates make about $47,083. That is a strong return on a $22,107 median debt. New Jersey City University admits about 98% of applicants.
Gloucester County College came in at #10 for value in parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies this year. Located in the suburb of Sewell, Gloucester County College is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $5,160 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $6,000. Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies graduates carry a median of $13,236 in student loans. Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies graduates of Gloucester County College earn a median of $38,274 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Kean University landed the #11 spot for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies value this year. Kean University is a large public school located in the suburb of Union. In-state tuition and fees average $14,299, compared with $22,446 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies graduates is $27,625. Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies graduates of Kean University earn a median of $37,884 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 76% of applicants are accepted.
Montclair State University came in at #12 for value in parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies this year. Set in the suburb of Montclair, Montclair State University is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $15,912 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $26,022. Typical student debt for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies graduates is $26,949. Soon after graduation, parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degree recipients from Montclair State University generally make around $29,907. Set against $26,949 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 88% of applicants are accepted.
Fairleigh Dickinson University Metropolitan Campus earned the #13 position for value in parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies this year. Fairleigh Dickinson University Metropolitan Campus is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Teaneck. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $37,010. Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies graduates carry a median of $24,770 in student loans. Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies graduates of Fairleigh Dickinson University Metropolitan Campus earn a median of $46,126 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Fairleigh Dickinson University Metropolitan Campus admits about 91% of applicants.
Saint Peters College earned the #14 position for value in parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies this year. Set in the city of Jersey City, Saint Peters College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $42,552. Students borrow a median of $25,051 to complete the parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies program here. Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies graduates of Saint Peters College earn a median of $19,735 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $25,051 median debt. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.
William Paterson University Of New Jersey landed the #15 spot for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies value this year. Located in the suburb of Wayne, William Paterson University Of New Jersey is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $15,704, compared with $25,344 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies graduates is $29,189. Soon after graduation, parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degree recipients from William Paterson University Of New Jersey generally make around $31,382. That is a strong return on a $29,189 median debt. William Paterson University Of New Jersey admits about 90% of applicants.
The Richard Stockton College Of New Jersey landed the #16 spot for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies value this year. The Richard Stockton College Of New Jersey is a large public school located in the rural area of Galloway. In-state tuition and fees average $16,266, while out-of-state students pay about $24,524. Students borrow a median of $24,990 to complete the parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies program here. Soon after graduation, parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degree recipients from The Richard Stockton College Of New Jersey generally make around $43,490. Set against $24,990 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 89% of applicants are accepted.
Rowan University placed #17 among the best values for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies. Located in the suburb of Glassboro, Rowan University is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $16,574, while out-of-state students pay about $26,932. Typical student debt for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies graduates is $24,488. Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies graduates of Rowan University earn a median of $52,031 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $24,488 median debt. Roughly 78% of applicants are accepted.
Georgian Court University earned the #18 position for value in parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies this year. Located in the city of Lakewood, Georgian Court University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $37,110. Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Early-career parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies graduates make about $54,707. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 79% of applicants are accepted.
Rutgers University New Brunswick came in at #19 for value in parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies this year. Rutgers University New Brunswick is a very large public school located in the city of New Brunswick. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $17,929, while out-of-state students pay about $37,441. Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies graduates carry a median of $26,000 in student loans. Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies graduates of Rutgers University New Brunswick earn a median of $39,484 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $26,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 58%.
The College Of New Jersey came in at #20 for value in parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies this year. The College Of New Jersey is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Ewing. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $19,632, with out-of-state students paying around $25,752. Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies graduates carry a median of $24,429 in student loans. Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies graduates of The College Of New Jersey earn a median of $56,617 early in their careers. Set against $24,429 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 62% of applicants are accepted.
Seton Hall University earned the #21 position for value in parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies this year. Seton Hall University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of South Orange. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $53,170. Typical student debt for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies graduates is $24,125. Soon after graduation, parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degree recipients from Seton Hall University generally make around $39,333. That is a strong return on a $24,125 median debt. Seton Hall University admits about 73% of applicants.
Monmouth University earned the #22 position for value in parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies this year. Located in the suburb of West Long Branch, Monmouth University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $46,552 in tuition and fees. Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Early-career parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies graduates make about $27,907. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 89% of applicants are accepted.
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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 · 35 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 7 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.
