2026 Best Value Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies Schools in New York
[Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies](/majors/parks-recreation-fitness/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 75 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies students.
What’s on this page:
2026 Best Value Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies Schools in New York
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
Cuny Brooklyn College earned the #1 spot for value among parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies schools in New York. Located in the city of Brooklyn, Cuny Brooklyn College is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,452, while out-of-state students pay about $15,402. Students borrow a median of $13,629 to complete the parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies program here. Soon after graduation, parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degree recipients from Cuny Brooklyn College generally make around $50,584. That is a strong return on a $13,629 median debt. Cuny Brooklyn College admits about 58% of applicants.
A rank of #2 makes Cuny Kingsborough Community College one of the best values for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies. Cuny Kingsborough Community College is a very large public school located in the city of Brooklyn. Students from in state pay about $5,252 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $8,132. Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies graduates carry a median of $7,858 in student loans. Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness 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.
A rank of #3 makes Cuny Lehman College one of the best values for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies. Cuny Lehman College is a large public school located in the city of Bronx. Students from in state pay about $7,410 in tuition and fees, compared with $15,360 for out-of-state students. Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies graduates carry a median of $10,861 in student loans. Soon after graduation, parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degree recipients from Cuny Lehman College generally make around $29,605. That is a strong return on a $10,861 median debt. Roughly 57% of applicants are accepted.
Cuny Queens College came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best value parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies schools. Set in the city of Queens, Cuny Queens College is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $7,538 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $15,488. Students borrow a median of $5,500 to complete the parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies program here. Soon after graduation, parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degree recipients from Cuny Queens College generally make around $16,236. Set against $5,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 64%.
Students looking for strong value in parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies will find it at Suffolk County Community College, which ranked #5. Set in the suburb of Selden, Suffolk County Community College is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,630, with out-of-state students paying around $12,460. Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies graduates carry a median of $11,246 in student loans. Early-career parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies graduates make about $35,667. Set against $11,246 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Cuny Bronx Community College landed the #6 spot for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies value this year. Located in the city of Bronx, Cuny Bronx Community College is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,206, compared with $8,086 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies graduates is $8,224. Soon after graduation, parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degree recipients from Cuny Bronx Community College generally make around $35,768. That is a strong return on a $8,224 median debt.
Nassau Community College landed the #7 spot for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies value this year. Nassau Community College is a large public school located in the suburb of Garden City. Students from in state pay about $6,330 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $12,130. Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies graduates carry a median of $11,850 in student loans. Early-career parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies graduates make about $38,734. That is a strong return on a $11,850 median debt.
Hudson Valley Community College landed the #8 spot for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies value this year. Set in the city of Troy, Hudson Valley Community College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,796, while out-of-state students pay about $11,852. Typical student debt for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies graduates is $12,868. Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies graduates of Hudson Valley Community College earn a median of $43,989 early in their careers. Set against $12,868 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Erie Community College landed the #9 spot for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies value this year. Erie Community College is a large public school located in the city of Buffalo. In-state tuition and fees average $6,100, compared with $11,300 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies graduates is $12,580. Soon after graduation, parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degree recipients from Erie Community College generally make around $37,069. That is a strong return on a $12,580 median debt.
Farmingdale State College landed the #10 spot for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies value this year. Farmingdale State College is a large public school located in the suburb of Farmingdale. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,626, with out-of-state students paying around $18,536. Typical student debt for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies graduates is $18,500. Soon after graduation, parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degree recipients from Farmingdale State College generally make around $29,717. That is a strong return on a $18,500 median debt. The acceptance rate is 63%.
Onondaga Community College earned the #11 position for value in parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies this year. Located in the suburb of Syracuse, Onondaga Community College is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $6,102 in tuition and fees, compared with $11,392 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies graduates is $12,623. Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies graduates of Onondaga Community College earn a median of $35,781 early in their careers. Set against $12,623 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Monroe Community College earned the #12 position for value in parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies this year. Monroe Community College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Rochester. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,006, with out-of-state students paying around $11,056. Typical student debt for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies graduates is $12,921. Soon after graduation, parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degree recipients from Monroe Community College generally make around $38,757. That is a strong return on a $12,921 median debt.
Niagara County Community College came in at #13 for value in parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies this year. Niagara County Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the rural area of Sanborn. Students from in state pay about $6,894 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $12,030. Typical student debt for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies graduates is $13,970. Soon after graduation, parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degree recipients from Niagara County Community College generally make around $36,258. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Dutchess Community College earned the #14 position for value in parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies this year. Set in the suburb of Poughkeepsie, Dutchess Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,670, compared with $10,670 for out-of-state students. Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies graduates carry a median of $11,836 in student loans. Soon after graduation, parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degree recipients from Dutchess Community College generally make around $32,978. Set against $11,836 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Broome Community College came in at #15 for value in parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies this year. Located in the suburb of Binghamton, Broome Community College is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $8,624, with out-of-state students paying around $14,288. Typical student debt for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies graduates is $16,830. Early-career parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies graduates make about $41,560. Set against $16,830 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Suny Westchester Community College landed the #16 spot for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies value this year. Set in the suburb of Valhalla, Suny Westchester Community College is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $5,948 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $12,486. Typical student debt for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies graduates is $8,764. Soon after graduation, parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degree recipients from Suny Westchester Community College generally make around $57,520. Set against $8,764 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Rockland Community College came in at #17 for value in parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies this year. Rockland Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Suffern. Students from in state pay about $6,862 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $11,167 to complete the parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies program here. Early-career parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies graduates make about $41,799. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Jamestown Community College ranked #18 on our 2026 list of the best value parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies schools. Located in the town of Jamestown, Jamestown Community College is a mid-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,840. Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies graduates carry a median of $12,800 in student loans. Soon after graduation, parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degree recipients from Jamestown Community College generally make around $35,520. Set against $12,800 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Adirondack Community College ranked #19 on our 2026 list of the best value parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies schools. Adirondack Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the suburb of Queensbury. In-state tuition and fees average $6,844, while out-of-state students pay about $9,616. Typical student debt for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies graduates is $12,358. Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies graduates of Adirondack Community College earn a median of $31,590 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $12,358 median debt.
Suny College Of Technology At Alfred landed the #20 spot for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies value this year. Located in the rural area of Alfred, Suny College Of Technology At Alfred is a mid-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,892, while out-of-state students pay about $16,837. Typical student debt for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies graduates is $19,721. Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies graduates of Suny College Of Technology At Alfred earn a median of $43,831 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Suny College Of Technology At Alfred admits about 76% of applicants.
Herkimer County Community College placed #21 among the best values for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies. Set in the town of Herkimer, Herkimer County Community College is a mid-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,776. Students borrow a median of $16,400 to complete the parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies program here. Soon after graduation, parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degree recipients from Herkimer County Community College generally make around $31,468. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Monroe College Main Campus landed the #22 spot for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies value this year. Set in the city of Bronx, Monroe College Main Campus is a large private for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $18,464. Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies graduates carry a median of $14,122 in student loans. Soon after graduation, parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degree recipients from Monroe College Main Campus generally make around $19,520. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 68%.
Jefferson Community College placed #23 among the best values for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies. Located in the city of Watertown, Jefferson Community College is a mid-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $6,264 in tuition and fees, compared with $11,700 for out-of-state students. Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies graduates carry a median of $14,804 in student loans. Early-career parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies graduates make about $35,033. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Finger Lakes Community College ranked #24 on our 2026 list of the best value parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies schools. Finger Lakes Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the rural area of Canandaigua. In-state tuition and fees average $6,258, compared with $8,442 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies graduates is $16,736. Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies graduates of Finger Lakes Community College earn a median of $40,467 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Suny College At Potsdam landed the #25 spot for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies value this year. Located in the town of Potsdam, Suny College At Potsdam is a mid-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $8,768 in tuition and fees, compared with $18,678 for out-of-state students. Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies graduates carry a median of $26,540 in student loans. Early-career parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies graduates make about $32,485. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 78%.
Rest of the Top 48 Best Value Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies Schools
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies value ranking:
More Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies Rankings
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Notes and References
The ranking above is published 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 · 75 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 15 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.
