2026 Best Value Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies Schools in New Hampshire
[Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies](/majors/parks-recreation-fitness/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 10 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 New Hampshire
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
Keene State College earned the #1 spot for value among parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies schools in New Hampshire. Located in the town of Keene, Keene State College is a mid-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $14,784, while out-of-state students pay about $26,840. Students borrow a median of $26,892 to complete the parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies program here. 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. Keene State College admits about 90% of applicants.
Students looking for strong value in parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies will find it at Plymouth State University, which ranked #2. Set in the town of Plymouth, Plymouth State University is a mid-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $14,626, with out-of-state students paying around $25,566. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies program here. Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies graduates of Plymouth State University earn a median of $51,687 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Roughly 88% of applicants are accepted.
University Of New Hampshire Main Campus is a great value for students pursuing a degree in parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies, landing the #3 spot this year. 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, while out-of-state students pay about $39,852. 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 University Of New Hampshire Main Campus generally make around $33,340. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of New Hampshire Main Campus admits about 88% of applicants.
A rank of #4 makes Colby Sawyer College one of the best values for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies. Colby Sawyer College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the rural area of New London. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $19,125. Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies graduates of Colby Sawyer College earn a median of $30,804 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 80%.
Students looking for strong value in parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies will find it at Franklin Pierce University, which ranked #5. Set in the rural area of Rindge, Franklin Pierce University is a small private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $46,442. Students borrow a median of $26,937 to complete the parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies program here. Soon after graduation, parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degree recipients from Franklin Pierce University generally make around $59,350. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Franklin Pierce University admits about 94% of applicants.
New England College placed #6 among the best values for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies. New England College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the rural area of Henniker. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $27,474. Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies graduates carry a median of $35,038 in student loans. Soon after graduation, parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degree recipients from New England College generally make around $68,950. That is a strong return on a $35,038 median debt. New England College admits about 92% of applicants.
Southern New Hampshire University placed #7 among the best values for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies. Located in the suburb of Manchester, Southern New Hampshire University is a very large private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $17,200 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies program here. Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies graduates of Southern New Hampshire University earn a median of $43,677 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 100% of applicants are accepted.
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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 · 10 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 4 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.
