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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 Massachusetts

9 Colleges in the United States
1,216 Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies Degrees Awarded
$43,983 Avg Early-Career Salary

Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies programs are offered at a focused set of schools across the country. A focused field like this rewards careful comparison of the schools that offer it.

For its 2026 ranking, College Factual looked at 37 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 Massachusetts

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 University Of Massachusetts Lowell this year for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies. This very large public university is located in the suburb of Lowell. The six-year graduation rate is 65%. There were roughly 70 parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies students who graduated with this degree at University Of Massachusetts Lowell in the most recent data year. Graduates of the parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies program make about $66,985 in their early career. University Of Massachusetts Lowell graduates carry a median of $25,574 in student loans. More information about a degree in parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies from University Of Massachusetts Lowell

2

University Of Massachusetts Amherst came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies schools. This very large public university is located in the city of Amherst. University Of Massachusetts Amherst graduates 83% of students within six years. About 136 parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degrees were awarded at University Of Massachusetts Amherst in the most recent 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. Typical student debt for the program is $26,227. Read more about the parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies program at University Of Massachusetts Amherst

3
Boston College crest
Boston College
Chestnut Hill, MA

Students looking for a strong parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies program will find one at Boston College, which ranked #3. Boston College is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Chestnut Hill. Boston College graduates 91% of students within six years. About 50 parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degrees were awarded at Boston College in the most recent year. Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies graduates of Boston College earn a median of $51,092 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $18,101 to complete this degree. Get the full parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies details for Boston College

4
Merrimack College crest
Merrimack College
North Andover, MA

Merrimack College came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies schools. Merrimack College is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of North Andover. About 70% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 107 parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies students who graduated with this degree at Merrimack College in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degree recipients from Merrimack College generally make around $50,506. Merrimack College graduates carry a median of $26,913 in student loans. More information about a degree in parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies from Merrimack College

5

Northeastern University Global Network came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies schools. Northeastern University Global Network is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Boston. There were roughly 35 parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies students who graduated with this degree at Northeastern University Global Network in the most recent data year. Graduates of the parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies program make about $53,373 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $27,055. Read more about the parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies program at Northeastern University Global Network

6
Endicott College crest
Endicott College
Beverly, MA

Endicott College came in at #6 for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies this year. This moderately-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the suburb of Beverly. About 75% of students finish within six years. Endicott College awarded about 129 parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degree recipients from Endicott College generally make around $30,338. Typical student debt for the program is $27,000. More information about a degree in parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies from Endicott College

7

University Of Massachusetts Boston came in at #7 for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies this year. Located in the city of Boston, University Of Massachusetts Boston is a large public university. Roughly 49% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 136 parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies students who graduated with this degree at University Of Massachusetts Boston in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degree recipients from University Of Massachusetts Boston generally make around $37,703. Students borrow a median of $26,808 to complete this degree. Read more about the parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies program at University Of Massachusetts Boston

8
Springfield College crest
Springfield College
Springfield, MA

Springfield College ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies schools. Located in the city of Springfield, Springfield College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. About 74% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 165 parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies students who graduated with this degree at Springfield College in the most recent data year. Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies graduates of Springfield College earn a median of $39,402 early in their careers. Springfield College graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Read more about the parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies program at Springfield College

9
Simmons College crest
Simmons College
Boston, MA

Simmons College placed #9 among the best parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies schools. Simmons College is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Boston. About 72% of students finish within six years. Simmons College 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 $48,876 in their early career. Simmons College graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Get the full parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies details for Simmons College

10

Fitchburg State University came in at #10 for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies this year. Set in the suburb of Fitchburg, Fitchburg State University is a moderately-sized public institution. About 55% of students finish within six years. About 25 parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degrees were awarded at Fitchburg State University in the most recent year. Graduates of the parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies program make about $37,218 in their early career. Fitchburg State University graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. See the full parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies program report for Fitchburg State University

11

Bridgewater State University placed #11 among the best parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies schools. This large public university is located in the suburb of Bridgewater. Roughly 53% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 15 parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degrees were awarded at Bridgewater State University in the most recent year. Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies graduates of Bridgewater State University earn a median of $48,937 early in their careers. Bridgewater State University graduates carry a median of $26,632 in student loans. See the full parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies program report for Bridgewater State University

12
Smith College crest
Smith College
Northampton, MA

Smith College ranked #12 on our 2026 list of the best parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies schools. 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. About 14 parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degrees were awarded at Smith College in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degree recipients from Smith College generally make around $43,642. Smith College graduates carry a median of $18,941 in student loans. Get the full parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies details for Smith College

13

Westfield State University landed the #13 spot for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies this year. This moderately-sized public university is located in the suburb of Westfield. Westfield State University graduates 54% of students within six years. About 34 parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degrees were awarded at Westfield State University in the most recent year. Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies graduates of Westfield State University earn a median of $32,456 early in their careers. Westfield State University graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. See the full parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies program report for Westfield State University

14

Springfield College School Of Professional And Continuing Studies ranked #14 on our 2026 list of the best parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies schools. This small private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Springfield. There were roughly 21 parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies students who graduated with this degree at Springfield College School Of Professional And Continuing Studies in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degree recipients from Springfield College School Of Professional And Continuing Studies generally make around $46,044. Students borrow a median of $28,458 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies from Springfield College School Of Professional And Continuing Studies

15
Curry College crest
Curry College
Milton, MA

Curry College landed the #15 spot for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies this year. Located in the suburb of Milton, Curry College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. The six-year graduation rate is 51%. There were roughly 10 parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies students who graduated with this degree at Curry College in the most recent data year. Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies graduates of Curry College earn a median of $59,338 early in their careers. Curry College graduates carry a median of $26,571 in student loans. Read more about the parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies program at Curry College

16
Nichols College crest
Nichols College
Dudley, MA

Nichols College earned the #16 position for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies this year. This small private not-for-profit university is located in the suburb of Dudley. About 63% of students finish within six years. About 27 parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degrees were awarded at Nichols College in the most recent year. Students who receive their parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degree from Nichols College earn around $32,564 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $27,000. Get the full parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies details for Nichols College

17
Lasell College crest
Lasell College
Newton, MA

Lasell College ranked #17 on our 2026 list of the best parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies schools. Located in the city of Newton, Lasell College is a small private not-for-profit university. Lasell College graduates 59% of students within six years. Lasell College awarded about 56 parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degrees in the most recent data year. Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies graduates of Lasell College earn a median of $40,486 early in their careers. Lasell College graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. More information about a degree in parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies from Lasell College

18

Salem State University ranked #18 on our 2026 list of the best parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies schools. Set in the suburb of Salem, Salem State University is a moderately-sized public institution. Salem State University graduates 50% of students within six years. Salem State University awarded about 33 parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degrees in the most recent data year. Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies graduates of Salem State University earn a median of $31,755 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $27,000. Get the full parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies details for Salem State University

19

American International College came in at #19 for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies this year. This mid-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Springfield. The six-year graduation rate is 46%. About 22 parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degrees were awarded at American International College in the most recent year. Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies graduates of American International College earn a median of $66,104 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $30,390 to complete this degree. Read more about the parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies program at American International College

20
Dean College crest
Dean College
Franklin, MA

Dean College earned the #20 position for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies this year. This small private not-for-profit university is located in the suburb of Franklin. The six-year graduation rate is 46%. There were roughly 47 parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies students who graduated with this degree at Dean College in the most recent data year. Graduates of the parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies program make about $28,609 in their early career. Dean College graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. More information about a degree in parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies from Dean College

21

Greenfield Community College earned the #21 position for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies this year. Greenfield Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Greenfield. Greenfield Community College awarded about 12 parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degree recipients from Greenfield Community College generally make around $58,356. Greenfield Community College graduates carry a median of $12,269 in student loans. More information about a degree in parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies from Greenfield Community College

22
Fisher College crest
Fisher College
Boston, MA

Fisher College came in at #22 for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies this year. Located in the city of Boston, Fisher College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Roughly 25% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 10 parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degrees were awarded at Fisher College in the most recent year. Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies graduates of Fisher College earn a median of $44,872 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $28,590 to complete this degree. See the full parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies program report for Fisher College

23

Western New England University landed the #23 spot for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies this year. Set in the city of Springfield, Western New England University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. About 64% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 36 parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies students who graduated with this degree at Western New England University in the most recent data year. Graduates of the parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies program make about $26,544 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 Western New England University

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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 · 37 schools evaluated.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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