2026 Best Value Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies Schools in the New England Region
[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 82 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies students.
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2026 Best Value Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies Schools in the New England Region
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies Schools
For return on investment in parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies, no school beat Capital Community College this year. Located in the city of New Britain, Capital Community College is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $5,338, with out-of-state students paying around $15,596. Students borrow a median of $12,059 to complete the parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies program here. Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies graduates of Capital Community College earn a median of $43,086 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Fitchburg State University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies, landing the #2 spot this year. Fitchburg State University is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Fitchburg. In-state tuition and fees average $11,346, with out-of-state students paying around $17,426. 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 $37,218. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 87%.
Rhode Island College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies, landing the #3 spot this year. Rhode Island College is a large public school located in the suburb of Providence. In-state tuition and fees average $11,300, compared with $27,299 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies graduates is $23,394. Early-career parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies graduates make about $45,088. Set against $23,394 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Rhode Island College admits about 92% of applicants.
Students looking for strong value in parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies will find it at Greenfield Community College, which ranked #4. Set in the town of Greenfield, Greenfield Community College is a mid-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $5,810 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $11,930. Students borrow a median of $12,269 to complete the parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies program here. Early-career parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies graduates make about $58,356. That is a strong return on a $12,269 median debt.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at University Of Massachusetts Lowell earned it the #5 place for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies. Set in the suburb of Lowell, University Of Massachusetts Lowell is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $16,966, while out-of-state students pay about $36,264. Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies graduates carry a median of $25,574 in student loans. Soon after graduation, parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degree recipients from University Of Massachusetts Lowell generally make around $66,985. Set against $25,574 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 83%.
University Of Southern Maine ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best value parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies schools. Located in the city of Portland, University Of Southern Maine is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $12,090, with out-of-state students paying around $29,940. Students borrow a median of $25,500 to complete the parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies program here. Soon after graduation, parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degree recipients from University Of Southern Maine generally make around $29,478. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Southern Maine admits about 79% of applicants.
Bridgewater State University placed #7 among the best values for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies. Bridgewater State University is a large public school located in the suburb of Bridgewater. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,734, compared with $17,874 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies graduates is $26,632. Soon after graduation, parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degree recipients from Bridgewater State University generally make around $48,937. Set against $26,632 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Bridgewater State University admits about 88% of applicants.
Central Connecticut State University landed the #8 spot for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies value this year. Set in the suburb of New Britain, Central Connecticut State University is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,050, while out-of-state students pay about $16,550. Typical student debt for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies graduates is $26,000. Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies graduates of Central Connecticut State University earn a median of $35,701 early in their careers. Set against $26,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 73%.
University Of Massachusetts Boston came in at #9 for value in parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies this year. Located in the city of Boston, University Of Massachusetts Boston is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,898, while out-of-state students pay about $38,115. Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies graduates carry a median of $26,808 in student loans. Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies graduates of University Of Massachusetts Boston earn a median of $37,703 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 84% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Rhode Island earned the #10 position for value in parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies this year. Set in the suburb of Kingston, University Of Rhode Island is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $16,942 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $37,146. Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies graduates carry a median of $23,432 in student loans. Soon after graduation, parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degree recipients from University Of Rhode Island generally make around $52,821. That is a strong return on a $23,432 median debt. University Of Rhode Island admits about 72% of applicants.
Westfield State University placed #11 among the best values for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies. Located in the suburb of Westfield, Westfield State University is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $12,179 in tuition and fees, compared with $18,259 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies graduates is $27,000. Early-career parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies graduates make about $32,456. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Westfield State University admits about 81% of applicants.
Salem State University landed the #12 spot for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies value this year. Salem State University is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Salem. In-state tuition and fees average $12,338, with out-of-state students paying around $19,531. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies program here. Soon after graduation, parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degree recipients from Salem State University generally make around $31,755. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Salem State University admits about 96% of applicants.
Plymouth State University came in at #13 for value in parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies this year. Set in the town of Plymouth, Plymouth State University is a mid-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $14,626, while out-of-state students pay about $25,566. Typical student debt for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies graduates is $27,000. Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies graduates of Plymouth State University earn a median of $51,687 early in their careers. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 88%.
Keene State College placed #14 among the best values for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies. Keene State College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Keene. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $14,784, compared with $26,840 for out-of-state students. Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies graduates carry a median of $26,892 in student loans. Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies graduates of Keene State College earn a median of $29,990 early in their careers. Set against $26,892 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Vermont placed #15 among the best values for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies. Set in the city of Burlington, University Of Vermont is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $19,058, while out-of-state students pay about $45,502. Students borrow a median of $22,163 to complete the parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies program here. Early-career parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies graduates make about $27,835. That is a strong return on a $22,163 median debt. The acceptance rate is 65%.
Eastern Connecticut State University earned the #16 position for value in parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies this year. Set in the town of Willimantic, Eastern Connecticut State University is a mid-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $13,928 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $17,426. Typical student debt for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies graduates is $25,500. Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies graduates of Eastern Connecticut State University earn a median of $34,132 early in their careers. Set against $25,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Eastern Connecticut State University admits about 83% of applicants.
Husson University landed the #17 spot for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies value this year. Set in the city of Bangor, Husson University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $23,304. Students borrow a median of $28,769 to complete the parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies program here. Soon after graduation, parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degree recipients from Husson University generally make around $37,993. That is a strong return on a $28,769 median debt. The acceptance rate is 81%.
Vermont Technical College ranked #18 on our 2026 list of the best value parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies schools. Located in the rural area of Randolph, Vermont Technical College is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,952, compared with $22,296 for out-of-state students. Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies graduates carry a median of $24,208 in student loans. Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies graduates of Vermont Technical College earn a median of $37,493 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 82%.
University Of Connecticut ranked #19 on our 2026 list of the best value parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies schools. Located in the town of Storrs, University Of Connecticut is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $21,044, while out-of-state students pay about $43,712. Students borrow a median of $23,125 to complete the parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies program here. Soon after graduation, parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degree recipients from University Of Connecticut generally make around $40,704. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 52%.
University Of Massachusetts Amherst came in at #20 for value in parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies this year. University Of Massachusetts Amherst is a very large public school located in the city of Amherst. In-state tuition and fees average $17,772, with out-of-state students paying around $40,449. Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies graduates carry a median of $26,227 in student loans. Early-career parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies graduates make about $36,419. That is a strong return on a $26,227 median debt. University Of Massachusetts Amherst admits about 60% of applicants.
University Of New Hampshire Main Campus placed #21 among the best values for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies. Set in the town of Durham, University Of New Hampshire Main Campus is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $19,202, with out-of-state students paying around $39,852. Typical student debt for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies graduates is $27,000. Early-career parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies graduates make about $33,340. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 88%.
Post University came in at #22 for value in parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies this year. Set in the city of Waterbury, Post University is a very large private for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $15,922. Typical student debt for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies graduates is $31,250. Early-career parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies graduates make about $29,592. That is a strong return on a $31,250 median debt.
Southern Connecticut State University placed #23 among the best values for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies. Southern Connecticut State University is a large public school located in the city of New Haven. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,442, while out-of-state students pay about $16,942. Students borrow a median of $25,800 to complete the parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies program here. Early-career parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies graduates make about $25,141. Set against $25,800 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 92%.
Johnson And Wales University Online landed the #24 spot for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies value this year. Located in the city of Providence, Johnson And Wales University Online is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,365. Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degree recipients from Johnson And Wales University Online generally make around $30,963. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Johnson And Wales University Online admits about 91% of applicants.
Saint Josephs College Of Maine earned the #25 position for value in parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies this year. Saint Josephs College Of Maine is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the rural area of Standish. In-state tuition and fees average $44,420. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies program here. Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies graduates of Saint Josephs College Of Maine earn a median of $35,341 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 84% of applicants are accepted.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies Schools
These schools also delivered strong value for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies this year:
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Notes and References
This ranking is produced 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 · 82 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 24 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.
