2026 Best Value Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies Schools in Connecticut

1

Capital Community College
New Britain, CT

Capital Community College earned the #1 spot for value among parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies schools in Connecticut. Located in the city of New Britain, Capital Community College is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $5,338, while out-of-state students pay about $15,596. Typical student debt for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies graduates is $12,059. Early-career parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies graduates make about $43,086. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

2

Central Connecticut State University
New Britain, CT

Central Connecticut State University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies, landing the #2 spot this year. Located in the suburb of New Britain, Central Connecticut State University is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,050, compared with $16,550 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies graduates is $26,000. Early-career parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies graduates make about $35,701. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 73%.

3

Eastern Connecticut State University
Willimantic, CT

A rank of #3 makes Eastern Connecticut State University one of the best values for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies. Eastern Connecticut State University is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Willimantic. In-state tuition and fees average $13,928, with out-of-state students paying around $17,426. Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies graduates carry a median of $25,500 in student loans. Early-career parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies graduates make about $34,132. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 83% of applicants are accepted.

4

University Of Connecticut
Storrs, CT

A rank of #4 makes University Of Connecticut one of the best values for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies. Located in the town of Storrs, University Of Connecticut is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $21,044 in tuition and fees, compared with $43,712 for out-of-state students. Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies graduates carry a median of $23,125 in student loans. Early-career parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies graduates make about $40,704. Set against $23,125 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 52% of applicants are accepted.

5

Post University
Waterbury, CT

Post University came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best value parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies schools. Located in the city of Waterbury, Post University is a very large private for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $15,922 in tuition and fees. Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies graduates carry a median of $31,250 in student loans. Early-career parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies graduates make about $29,592. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

6

Southern Connecticut State University
New Haven, CT

Southern Connecticut State University ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best value parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies schools. Located in the city of New Haven, Southern Connecticut State University is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,442, with out-of-state students paying around $16,942. Students borrow a median of $25,800 to complete the parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies program here. Soon after graduation, parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degree recipients from Southern Connecticut State University generally make around $25,141. That is a strong return on a $25,800 median debt. Southern Connecticut State University admits about 92% of applicants.

7

Saint Joseph College
West Hartford, CT

Saint Joseph College placed #7 among the best values for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies. Set in the city of West Hartford, Saint Joseph College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $47,278. Typical student debt for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies graduates is $27,798. Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies graduates of Saint Joseph College earn a median of $75,782 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $27,798 median debt. Roughly 79% of applicants are accepted.

8

University Of Hartford
West Hartford, CT

University Of Hartford landed the #8 spot for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies value this year. Set in the city of West Hartford, University Of Hartford is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $49,075 in tuition and fees. Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies graduates carry a median of $25,648 in student loans. Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies graduates of University Of Hartford earn a median of $51,123 early in their careers. Set against $25,648 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 96% of applicants are accepted.

9

Mitchell College
New London, CT

Mitchell College ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the best value parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies schools. Mitchell College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the city of New London. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $40,490. Students borrow a median of $26,500 to complete the parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies program here. Soon after graduation, parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degree recipients from Mitchell College generally make around $27,007. That is a strong return on a $26,500 median debt. Roughly 95% of applicants are accepted.

10

University Of New Haven
West Haven, CT

University Of New Haven came in at #10 for value in parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies this year. University Of New Haven is a large private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of West Haven. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $47,332. Students borrow a median of $26,244 to complete the parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies program here. Early-career parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies graduates make about $49,615. That is a strong return on a $26,244 median debt. Roughly 60% of applicants are accepted.