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2026 Best Value Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies Schools in Massachusetts
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
Our analysis ranked Fitchburg State University the best value for a degree in parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies in Massachusetts. Fitchburg State University is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Fitchburg. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,346, compared with $17,426 for out-of-state students. 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 Fitchburg State University generally make around $37,218. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Fitchburg State University admits about 87% of applicants.
Greenfield Community College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies, landing the #2 spot this year. Set in the town of Greenfield, Greenfield Community College is a mid-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $5,810, while out-of-state students pay about $11,930. Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies graduates carry a median of $12,269 in student loans. 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 Bridgewater State University earned it the #3 place for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies. Located in the suburb of Bridgewater, Bridgewater State University is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $11,734 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $17,874. Students borrow a median of $26,632 to complete the parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies program here. Early-career parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies graduates make about $48,937. Set against $26,632 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Bridgewater State University admits about 88% of applicants.
University Of Massachusetts Boston is a great value for students pursuing a degree in parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies, landing the #4 spot this year. Set in the city of Boston, University Of Massachusetts Boston is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $15,898 in tuition and fees, 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. Set against $26,808 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Massachusetts Boston admits about 84% of applicants.
Students looking for strong value in parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies will find it at University Of Massachusetts Lowell, which ranked #5. University Of Massachusetts Lowell is a very large public school located in the suburb of Lowell. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $16,966, with out-of-state students paying around $36,264. Typical student debt for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies graduates is $25,574. Early-career parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies graduates make about $66,985. Set against $25,574 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 83%.
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Westfield State University earned the #6 position for value in parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies this year. Westfield State University is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Westfield. In-state tuition and fees average $12,179, compared with $18,259 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies program here. Early-career parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies graduates make about $32,456. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Roughly 81% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Massachusetts Amherst placed #7 among the best values for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies. University Of Massachusetts Amherst is a very large public school located in the city of Amherst. Students from in state pay about $17,772 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $40,449. Typical student debt for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies graduates is $26,227. Early-career parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies graduates make about $36,419. Set against $26,227 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 60% of applicants are accepted.
Salem State University placed #8 among the best values for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies. Set in the suburb of Salem, Salem State University is a moderately-sized public institution. 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. Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies graduates of Salem State University earn a median of $31,755 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Salem State University admits about 96% of applicants.
Lasell College placed #9 among the best values for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies. Lasell College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the city of Newton. In-state tuition and fees average $27,040. 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 Lasell College generally make around $40,486. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Lasell College admits about 81% of applicants.
American International College ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best value parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies schools. American International College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Springfield. In-state tuition and fees average $44,230. Typical student debt for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies graduates is $30,390. Soon after graduation, parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degree recipients from American International College generally make around $66,104. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 100%.
Smith College placed #11 among the best values for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies. Smith College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Northampton. Students from in state pay about $65,178 in tuition and fees. Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies graduates carry a median of $18,941 in student loans. Early-career parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies graduates make about $43,642. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 21% of applicants are accepted.
Fisher College ranked #12 on our 2026 list of the best value parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies schools. Fisher College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Boston. Students from in state pay about $35,689 in tuition and fees. Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies graduates carry a median of $28,590 in student loans. Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies graduates of Fisher College earn a median of $44,872 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 71%.
Simmons College earned the #13 position for value in parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies this year. Set in the city of Boston, Simmons College is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $46,874. 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 Simmons College generally make around $48,876. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Simmons College admits about 70% of applicants.
Springfield College came in at #14 for value in parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies this year. Springfield College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Springfield. Students from in state pay about $44,974 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies graduates is $27,000. Soon after graduation, parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degree recipients from Springfield College generally make around $39,402. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 72% of applicants are accepted.
Curry College landed the #15 spot for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies value this year. Curry College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Milton. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $47,570. Typical student debt for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies graduates is $26,571. Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies graduates of Curry College earn a median of $59,338 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 88% of applicants are accepted.
Dean College earned the #16 position for value in parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies this year. Set in the suburb of Franklin, Dean College is a small private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $46,526. Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies graduates of Dean College earn a median of $28,609 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Dean College admits about 74% of applicants.
Nichols College landed the #17 spot for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies value this year. Nichols College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Dudley. In-state tuition and fees average $42,705. 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 Nichols College generally make around $32,564. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Nichols College admits about 81% of applicants.
Western New England University ranked #18 on our 2026 list of the best value parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies schools. Located in the city of Springfield, Western New England University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $47,820. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies program here. Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies graduates of Western New England University earn a median of $26,544 early in their careers. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 84%.
Merrimack College landed the #19 spot for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies value this year. Located in the suburb of North Andover, Merrimack College is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $53,962. Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies graduates carry a median of $26,913 in student loans. Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies graduates of Merrimack College earn a median of $50,506 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $26,913 median debt. Roughly 70% of applicants are accepted.
Endicott College came in at #20 for value in parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies this year. Endicott College is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Beverly. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $40,650. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies program here. Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies graduates of Endicott College earn a median of $30,338 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Endicott College admits about 71% of applicants.
[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.
