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College Factual  by our College Data Analytics Team
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2026 Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies Schools in the New England Region

24 Colleges in the United States
2,646 Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies Degrees Awarded
$42,078 Avg Early-Career Salary

Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies is a field worth a close look when choosing where to study. A focused field like this rewards careful comparison of the schools that offer it.

For its 2026 ranking, College Factual looked at 82 schools in the United States to determine which ones were the best for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies students pursuing a degree.

What’s on this page:

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Best Schools for Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies in the New England Region

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
Providence College crest
Providence College
Providence, RI

Providence College tops our 2026 ranking of the best parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies schools. Providence College is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Providence. Providence College graduates 86% of students within six years. Providence College awarded about 18 parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degree recipients from Providence College generally make around $53,208. Students borrow a median of $26,833 to complete this degree. Read more about the parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies program at Providence College

2

Students looking for a strong parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies program will find one at University Of Massachusetts Lowell, which ranked #2. This very large public university is located in the suburb of Lowell. The six-year graduation rate is 65%. University Of Massachusetts Lowell awarded about 70 parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degree recipients from University Of Massachusetts Lowell generally make around $66,985. Typical student debt for the program is $25,574. Read more about the parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies program at University Of Massachusetts Lowell

3

University Of Massachusetts Amherst came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies schools. University Of Massachusetts Amherst is a very large public school located in the city of Amherst. University Of Massachusetts Amherst graduates 83% of students within six years. University Of Massachusetts Amherst awarded about 136 parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degree from University Of Massachusetts Amherst earn around $36,419 in the first couple years of their career. University Of Massachusetts Amherst graduates carry a median of $26,227 in student loans. Read more about the parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies program at University Of Massachusetts Amherst

4

Students looking for a strong parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies program will find one at University Of Rhode Island, which ranked #4. Set in the suburb of Kingston, University Of Rhode Island is a very large public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 72%. There were roughly 139 parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies students who graduated with this degree at University Of Rhode Island in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degree recipients from University Of Rhode Island generally make around $52,821. University Of Rhode Island graduates carry a median of $23,432 in student loans. More information about a degree in parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies from University Of Rhode Island

5
Boston College crest
Boston College
Chestnut Hill, MA

Boston College is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies, landing the #5 spot this year. Located in the city of Chestnut Hill, Boston College is a large private not-for-profit university. Boston College graduates 91% of students within six years. Boston College awarded about 50 parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degrees in the most recent data year. Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies graduates of Boston College earn a median of $51,092 early in their careers. Boston College graduates carry a median of $18,101 in student loans. See the full parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies program report for Boston College

6
Merrimack College crest
Merrimack College
North Andover, MA

Merrimack College ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies schools. Set in the suburb of North Andover, Merrimack College is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. About 70% of students finish within six years. Merrimack College awarded about 107 parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degrees in the most recent data year. Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies graduates of Merrimack College earn a median of $50,506 early in their careers. Merrimack College graduates carry a median of $26,913 in student loans. Read more about the parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies program at Merrimack College

7

Northeastern University Global Network earned the #7 position for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies this year. Northeastern University Global Network is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Boston. About 35 parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degrees were awarded at Northeastern University Global Network in the most recent year. Students who receive their parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degree from Northeastern University Global Network earn around $53,373 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $27,055. See the full parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies program report for Northeastern University Global Network

8

University Of Connecticut placed #8 among the best parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies schools. University Of Connecticut is a very large public school located in the town of Storrs. About 83% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 93 parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies students who graduated with this degree at University Of Connecticut in the most recent data year. Graduates of the parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies program make about $40,704 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $23,125 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies from University Of Connecticut

9
Endicott College crest
Endicott College
Beverly, MA

Endicott College came in at #9 for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies this year. This moderately-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the suburb of Beverly. Endicott College graduates 75% of students within six years. Endicott College awarded about 129 parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies program make about $30,338 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete this degree. See the full parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies program report for Endicott College

10
University Of Hartford crest
University Of Hartford
West Hartford, CT

University Of Hartford landed the #10 spot for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies this year. University Of Hartford is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of West Hartford. Roughly 58% of students complete a degree within six years here. University Of Hartford awarded about 26 parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies program make about $51,123 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $25,648 to complete this degree. Get the full parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies details for University Of Hartford

11

University Of Massachusetts Boston placed #11 among the best parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies schools. This large public university is located in the city of Boston. About 49% of students finish within six years. About 136 parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degrees were awarded at University Of Massachusetts Boston in the most recent year. Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies graduates of University Of Massachusetts Boston earn a median of $37,703 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $26,808 to complete this degree. See the full parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies program report for University Of Massachusetts Boston

12

University Of New Hampshire Main Campus landed the #12 spot for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies this year. University Of New Hampshire Main Campus is a large public school located in the town of Durham. University Of New Hampshire Main Campus graduates 76% of students within six years. About 143 parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degrees were awarded at University Of New Hampshire Main Campus in the most recent year. Graduates of the parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies program make about $33,340 in their early career. University Of New Hampshire Main Campus graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Get the full parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies details for University Of New Hampshire Main Campus

13
University Of New Haven crest
University Of New Haven
West Haven, CT

University Of New Haven ranked #13 on our 2026 list of the best parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies schools. This large private not-for-profit university is located in the suburb of West Haven. The six-year graduation rate is 63%. About 13 parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degrees were awarded at University Of New Haven in the most recent year. Graduates of the parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies program make about $49,615 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $26,244 to complete this degree. Get the full parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies details for University Of New Haven

14
Springfield College crest
Springfield College
Springfield, MA

Springfield College ranked #14 on our 2026 list of the best parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies schools. Set in the city of Springfield, Springfield College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 74% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 165 parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies students who graduated with this degree at Springfield College in the most recent data year. Graduates of the parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies program make about $39,402 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete this degree. Read more about the parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies program at Springfield College

15

Vermont Technical College came in at #15 for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies this year. Located in the rural area of Randolph, Vermont Technical College is a moderately-sized public university. About 44% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 74 parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies students who graduated with this degree at Vermont Technical College in the most recent data year. Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies graduates of Vermont Technical College earn a median of $37,493 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $24,208 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies from Vermont Technical College

16
University Of Vermont crest
University Of Vermont
Burlington, VT

University Of Vermont came in at #16 for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies this year. University Of Vermont is a large public school located in the city of Burlington. About 79% of students finish within six years. About 48 parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degrees were awarded at University Of Vermont in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degree recipients from University Of Vermont generally make around $27,835. Students borrow a median of $22,163 to complete this degree. See the full parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies program report for University Of Vermont

17
Simmons College crest
Simmons College
Boston, MA

Simmons College came in at #17 for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies this year. Set in the city of Boston, Simmons College is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. About 72% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 26 parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies students who graduated with this degree at Simmons College in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degree recipients from Simmons College generally make around $48,876. Simmons College graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Get the full parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies details for Simmons College

18

Fitchburg State University placed #18 among the best parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies schools. Fitchburg State University is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Fitchburg. About 55% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 25 parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies students who graduated with this degree at Fitchburg State University in the most recent data year. Students who receive their parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degree from Fitchburg State University earn around $37,218 in the first couple years of their career. Fitchburg State University graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. More information about a degree in parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies from Fitchburg State University

19
Saint Joseph College crest
Saint Joseph College
West Hartford, CT

Saint Joseph College came in at #19 for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies this year. Located in the city of West Hartford, Saint Joseph College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Saint Joseph College graduates 64% of students within six years. There were roughly 18 parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies students who graduated with this degree at Saint Joseph College in the most recent data year. Students who receive their parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degree from Saint Joseph College earn around $75,782 in the first couple years of their career. Saint Joseph College graduates carry a median of $27,798 in student loans. More information about a degree in parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies from Saint Joseph College

20

Bridgewater State University earned the #20 position for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies this year. Set in the suburb of Bridgewater, Bridgewater State University is a large public institution. Roughly 53% of students complete a degree within six years here. Bridgewater State University awarded about 15 parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies program make about $48,937 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $26,632 to complete this degree. Get the full parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies details for Bridgewater State University

21
Smith College crest
Smith College
Northampton, MA

Smith College earned the #21 position for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies this year. Set in the city of Northampton, Smith College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 89% of students complete a degree within six years here. Smith College awarded about 14 parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degree from Smith College earn around $43,642 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $18,941 to complete this degree. See the full parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies program report for Smith College

22
Husson University crest
Husson University
Bangor, ME

Husson University landed the #22 spot for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies this year. This mid-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Bangor. The six-year graduation rate is 59%. There were roughly 61 parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies students who graduated with this degree at Husson University in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degree recipients from Husson University generally make around $37,993. Husson University graduates carry a median of $28,769 in student loans. Read more about the parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies program at Husson University

23

Westfield State University landed the #23 spot for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies this year. Set in the suburb of Westfield, Westfield State University is a moderately-sized public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 54%. Westfield State University awarded about 34 parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies program make about $32,456 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete this degree. Get the full parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies details for Westfield State University

24

University Of New England placed #24 among the best parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies schools. University Of New England is a large private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Biddeford. The six-year graduation rate is 70%. About 40 parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degrees were awarded at University Of New England in the most recent year. Students who receive their parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degree from University Of New England earn around $31,749 in the first couple years of their career. University Of New England graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Get the full parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies details for University Of New England

25

Plymouth State University came in at #25 for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies this year. This mid-sized public university is located in the town of Plymouth. About 52% of students finish within six years. Plymouth State University awarded about 77 parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degree from Plymouth State University earn around $51,687 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $27,000. More information about a degree in parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies from Plymouth State University

Rest of the Top 50 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
Curry College crest
Curry College
Milton, MA
31
32
Nichols College crest
Nichols College
Dudley, MA
33
34
Rhode Island College crest
Rhode Island College
Providence, RI
35
36
Lasell College crest
Lasell College
Newton, MA
37
38
39
40
41
42
43
Colby Sawyer College crest
Colby Sawyer College
New London, NH
44
45
Dean College crest
Dean College
Franklin, MA
46
Mitchell College crest
Mitchell College
New London, CT
47
Norwich University crest
Norwich University
Northfield, VT
48
49
New England College crest
New England College
Henniker, NH
50
Fisher College crest
Fisher College
Boston, MA

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Notes and References

The ranking above is published 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 · 82 schools evaluated.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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