2026 Best Value Recreation Administration Schools in the New England Region

[Recreation Administration](/majors/parks-recreation-fitness/recreation-administration/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong recreation administration education at a price that pays off.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 11 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for recreation administration students.
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2026 Best Value Recreation Administration Schools in the New England Region
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in recreation administration, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Recreation Administration Schools
Southern Connecticut State University tops our 2026 list of the best value recreation administration schools in the New England Region. Southern Connecticut State University is a large public school located in the city of New Haven. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,442, compared with $16,942 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $25,000 to complete the recreation administration program here. Soon after graduation, recreation administration degree recipients from Southern Connecticut State University generally make around $46,274. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Southern Connecticut State University admits about 92% of applicants.
Johnson And Wales University Online came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best value recreation administration schools. Set in the city of Providence, Johnson And Wales University Online is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,365. Recreation Administration graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Early-career recreation administration graduates make about $30,963. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Johnson And Wales University Online admits about 91% of applicants.
University Of New Hampshire Main Campus is a great value for students pursuing a degree in recreation administration, landing the #3 spot this year. Set in the town of Durham, University Of New Hampshire Main Campus is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $19,202, with out-of-state students paying around $39,852. Typical student debt for recreation administration graduates is $27,000. Early-career recreation administration graduates make about $38,201. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 88%.
A rank of #4 makes New England College one of the best values for recreation administration. Located in the rural area of Henniker, New England College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $27,474. Typical student debt for recreation administration graduates is $35,038. Soon after graduation, recreation administration degree recipients from New England College generally make around $68,950. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 92%.
Johnson And Wales University Providence is a great value for students pursuing a degree in recreation administration, landing the #5 spot this year. Johnson And Wales University Providence is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Providence. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $41,982. Typical student debt for recreation administration graduates is $27,000. Early-career recreation administration graduates make about $30,963. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Johnson And Wales University Providence admits about 88% of applicants.
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Notes and References
This list is compiled by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. Schools are scored on the balance of cost (tuition and student debt) against student outcomes (post-graduation earnings) — a measure of return on investment, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 11 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.