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2026 Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies Schools in New York

15 Colleges in the United States
2,153 Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies Degrees Awarded
$37,435 Avg Early-Career Salary

Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies is a field worth a close look when choosing where to study. While the number of schools offering the program varies, there are still top-quality ones to be found.

To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 75 schools to find the best for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies students.

What’s on this page:

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Best Schools for Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies in New York

If you are not interested in a particular degree level and want to know which schools are the overall best at delivering an education for the parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degrees they offer, see the list below.

Top Schools in Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies

1

No school ranked higher than Columbia University In The City Of New York this year for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies. Located in the city of New York, Columbia University In The City Of New York is a very large private not-for-profit university. The six-year graduation rate is 96%. Columbia University In The City Of New York awarded about 70 parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies program make about $63,418 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $23,258. Read more about the parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies program at Columbia University In The City Of New York

2

Suny College At Oneonta is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies, landing the #2 spot this year. This moderately-sized public university is located in the town of Oneonta. About 69% of students finish within six years. About 94 parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degrees were awarded at Suny College At Oneonta in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degree recipients from Suny College At Oneonta generally make around $36,119. Typical student debt for the program is $22,600. See the full parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies program report for Suny College At Oneonta

3

A rank of #3 makes Cuny Kingsborough Community College one of the top schools for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies. Located in the city of Brooklyn, Cuny Kingsborough Community College is a very large public university. There were roughly 30 parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies students who graduated with this degree at Cuny Kingsborough Community College in the most recent data year. Students who receive their parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degree from Cuny Kingsborough Community College earn around $35,562 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $7,858 to complete this degree. See the full parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies program report for Cuny Kingsborough Community College

4

A rank of #4 makes Farmingdale State College one of the top schools for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies. Located in the suburb of Farmingdale, Farmingdale State College is a large public university. Farmingdale State College graduates 57% of students within six years. About 53 parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degrees were awarded at Farmingdale State College in the most recent year. Students who receive their parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degree from Farmingdale State College earn around $29,717 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $18,500. Get the full parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies details for Farmingdale State College

5

Saint John Fisher College is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies, ranking #5. This mid-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the suburb of Rochester. Saint John Fisher College graduates 74% of students within six years. About 38 parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degrees were awarded at Saint John Fisher College in the most recent year. Graduates of the parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies program make about $36,273 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $23,364 to complete this degree. Get the full parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies details for Saint John Fisher College

6
Syracuse University crest
Syracuse University
Syracuse, NY

Syracuse University ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies schools. Set in the city of Syracuse, Syracuse University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 84%. There were roughly 151 parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies students who graduated with this degree at Syracuse University in the most recent data year. Graduates of the parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies program make about $34,821 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $27,000. More information about a degree in parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies from Syracuse University

7

Suny College At Cortland placed #7 among the best parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies schools. This moderately-sized public university is located in the town of Cortland. Suny College At Cortland graduates 68% of students within six years. Suny College At Cortland awarded about 326 parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degree recipients from Suny College At Cortland generally make around $37,691. Suny College At Cortland graduates carry a median of $25,681 in student loans. Read more about the parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies program at Suny College At Cortland

8
Manhattan College crest
Manhattan College
Riverdale, NY

Manhattan College landed the #8 spot for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies this year. Set in the city of Riverdale, Manhattan College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 64%. There were roughly 17 parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies students who graduated with this degree at Manhattan College in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degree recipients from Manhattan College generally make around $61,065. Typical student debt for the program is $25,968. More information about a degree in parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies from Manhattan College

9

Cuny Brooklyn College earned the #9 position for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies this year. This large public university is located in the city of Brooklyn. About 54% of students finish within six years. About 45 parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degrees were awarded at Cuny Brooklyn College in the most recent year. Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies graduates of Cuny Brooklyn College earn a median of $50,584 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $13,629 to complete this degree. Read more about the parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies program at Cuny Brooklyn College

10
Utica College crest
Utica College
Utica, NY

Utica College placed #10 among the best parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies schools. Set in the city of Utica, Utica College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 56%. There were roughly 18 parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies students who graduated with this degree at Utica College in the most recent data year. Students who receive their parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degree from Utica College earn around $53,602 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $27,237 to complete this degree. Read more about the parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies program at Utica College

11
Niagara University crest
Niagara University
Niagara University, NY

Niagara University earned the #11 position for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies this year. Niagara University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Niagara University. The six-year graduation rate is 74%. About 34 parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degrees were awarded at Niagara University in the most recent year. Graduates of the parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies program make about $51,918 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $26,208 to complete this degree. Get the full parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies details for Niagara University

12

Suny College Of Technology At Alfred ranked #12 on our 2026 list of the best parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies schools. Suny College Of Technology At Alfred is a mid-sized public school located in the rural area of Alfred. Roughly 54% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 25 parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degrees were awarded at Suny College Of Technology At Alfred in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degree recipients from Suny College Of Technology At Alfred generally make around $43,831. Students borrow a median of $19,721 to complete this degree. Get the full parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies details for Suny College Of Technology At Alfred

13

St Johns University New York landed the #13 spot for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies this year. St Johns University New York is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Queens. The six-year graduation rate is 66%. St Johns University New York awarded about 79 parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies program make about $36,426 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $25,748 to complete this degree. See the full parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies program report for St Johns University New York

14

Hudson Valley Community College came in at #14 for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies this year. This large public university is located in the city of Troy. Hudson Valley Community College awarded about 43 parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degree from Hudson Valley Community College earn around $43,989 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $12,868. Get the full parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies details for Hudson Valley Community College

15

Saint Thomas Aquinas College ranked #15 on our 2026 list of the best parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies schools. Set in the suburb of Sparkill, Saint Thomas Aquinas College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. About 54% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 24 parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies students who graduated with this degree at Saint Thomas Aquinas College in the most recent data year. Students who receive their parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degree from Saint Thomas Aquinas College earn around $44,519 in the first couple years of their career. Saint Thomas Aquinas College graduates carry a median of $24,700 in student loans. Get the full parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies details for Saint Thomas Aquinas College

16
Adelphi University crest
Adelphi University
Garden City, NY

Adelphi University ranked #16 on our 2026 list of the best parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies schools. Set in the suburb of Garden City, Adelphi University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. Adelphi University graduates 67% of students within six years. About 73 parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degrees were awarded at Adelphi University in the most recent year. Graduates of the parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies program make about $37,106 in their early career. Adelphi University graduates carry a median of $26,000 in student loans. See the full parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies program report for Adelphi University

17

Saint Josephs College New York landed the #17 spot for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies this year. Saint Josephs College New York is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Brooklyn. Saint Josephs College New York graduates 69% of students within six years. There were roughly 12 parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies students who graduated with this degree at Saint Josephs College New York in the most recent data year. Graduates of the parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies program make about $36,847 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $26,000. See the full parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies program report for Saint Josephs College New York

18

Suffolk County Community College came in at #18 for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies this year. Located in the suburb of Selden, Suffolk County Community College is a very large public university. There were roughly 12 parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies students who graduated with this degree at Suffolk County Community College in the most recent data year. Students who receive their parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degree from Suffolk County Community College earn around $35,667 in the first couple years of their career. Suffolk County Community College graduates carry a median of $11,246 in student loans. Read more about the parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies program at Suffolk County Community College

19
Canisius College crest
Canisius College
Buffalo, NY

Canisius College came in at #19 for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies this year. Canisius College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Buffalo. About 66% of students finish within six years. About 112 parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degrees were awarded at Canisius College in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degree recipients from Canisius College generally make around $35,502. Canisius College graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Read more about the parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies program at Canisius College

20

Cuny Queens College came in at #20 for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies this year. Set in the city of Queens, Cuny Queens College is a very large public institution. Cuny Queens College graduates 53% of students within six years. Cuny Queens College awarded about 21 parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degree recipients from Cuny Queens College generally make around $16,236. Cuny Queens College graduates carry a median of $5,500 in student loans. More information about a degree in parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies from Cuny Queens College

21

Cuny Lehman College earned the #21 position for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies this year. This large public university is located in the city of Bronx. Roughly 51% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 53 parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degrees were awarded at Cuny Lehman College in the most recent year. Graduates of the parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies program make about $29,605 in their early career. Cuny Lehman College graduates carry a median of $10,861 in student loans. Read more about the parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies program at Cuny Lehman College

22

Manhattanville College earned the #22 position for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies this year. Located in the suburb of Purchase, Manhattanville College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. The six-year graduation rate is 58%. Manhattanville College awarded about 52 parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies program make about $38,197 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $26,000 to complete this degree. Get the full parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies details for Manhattanville College

23
Suny At Fredonia crest
Suny At Fredonia
Fredonia, NY

Suny At Fredonia earned the #23 position for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies this year. This mid-sized public university is located in the town of Fredonia. The six-year graduation rate is 50%. Suny At Fredonia awarded about 22 parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degrees in the most recent data year. Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies graduates of Suny At Fredonia earn a median of $31,013 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $26,000. More information about a degree in parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies from Suny At Fredonia

24
Nassau Community College crest
Nassau Community College
Garden City, NY

Nassau Community College came in at #24 for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies this year. Nassau Community College is a large public school located in the suburb of Garden City. Nassau Community College awarded about 14 parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degree recipients from Nassau Community College generally make around $38,734. Typical student debt for the program is $11,850. More information about a degree in parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies from Nassau Community College

25
St Francis College crest
St Francis College
Brooklyn, NY

St Francis College earned the #25 position for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies this year. This mid-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Brooklyn. The six-year graduation rate is 52%. There were roughly 28 parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies students who graduated with this degree at St Francis College in the most recent data year. Students who receive their parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degree from St Francis College earn around $40,678 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $24,966 to complete this degree. Read more about the parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies program at St Francis College

Rest of the Top 48 Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies Schools

Not far behind, these schools also delivered a strong parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies education:

26
27
28
29
30
Saint Bonaventure University crest
Saint Bonaventure University
Saint Bonaventure, NY
31
32
33
34
35
Dutchess Community College crest
Dutchess Community College
Poughkeepsie, NY
36
37
38
39
40
41
42
43
44
45
46
47
Mercy College crest
Mercy College
Dobbs Ferry, NY
48

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Notes and References

This ranking is produced by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. The methodology weighs graduation rate, post-graduation earnings, cost, and program quality, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).

Ranking method: College Major Top Ranked · 75 schools evaluated.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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