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2023 Best Value Parks & Rec Schools in the Middle Atlantic Region For Those Making $0-$30k

63 Ranked Colleges
8,010 Degrees Awarded
$10,900 Avg Net Price*
Best Value Parks & Rec Schools in the Middle Atlantic Region For Those Making $0-$30k

It’s not easy to decide which college to attend when there so many options available for students. College Factual has developed its “Best Value Parks & Rec Schools in the Middle Atlantic Region For Those Making $0-$30k” ranking as one item you can use to help make this decision.

In 2020-2021, 73,813 people earned their degree in parks, recreation, leisure, and fitness studies, making the major the 15th most popular in the United States. In 2019-2020, parks, recreation, leisure, and fitness studies graduates who were awarded their degree in 2017-2019, earned an average of $31,423 and had an average of $24,388 in loans still to pay off.

Across the Middle Atlantic region, there were 8,010 parks, recreation, leisure, and fitness studies graduates with average earnings and debt of $32,049 and $25,045 respectively.

This year’s “Best Value Parks & Rec Schools in the Middle Atlantic Region For Those Making $0-$30k” ranking analyzed 63 colleges that offered a degree in parks, recreation, leisure, and fitness studies. This ranking identifies schools with high-quality parks, recreation, leisure, and fitness studies programs that also have a lower cost than schools of similar quality.

To come up with these rankings, we looked at factors such as the cost to attend the school after aid is awarded and overall quality of the parks, recreation, leisure, and fitness studies program at the school. See our ranking methodology to learn more.

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Since picking the right college can be one of the most important decisions of your life, we’ve developed the “Best Value Parks & Rec Schools in the Middle Atlantic Region For Those Making $0-$30k” ranking, along with many other major-related rankings, to help you make that decision.

In addition to our rankings, you can take two colleges and compare them based on the criteria that matters most to you in our unique tool, College Combat. If you’re torn between two schools, you can use it to help you see how they stack up against one another. Bookmark it so you can compare any new schools that might interest you.

Best Value Parks & Rec Schools in the Middle Atlantic Region For Those Making $0-$30k

The colleges and universities below are the best for middle atlantic region parks & rec students whose families make $0-$30k.

Top 25 Best Value Colleges for Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies (Income $0-$30k) in the Middle Atlantic Region

1

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Columbia University in the City of New York. The school came in at #1 for the Best Value Parks & Rec Schools in the Middle Atlantic Region For Those Making $0-$30k. Columbia is a large school located in New York, New York that handed out 71 ’s parks and rec degrees in 2020-2021.

Columbia also made our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Schools in the Middle Atlantic Region” list, coming in at #1. The yearly cost to attend Columbia University in the City of New York is $9,873 for Middle Atlantic Region Parks & Rec students whose families make $0-$30k.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 1.7%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%. The impressive undergraduate student-to-faculty ratio of 6 to 1 means that students may have more opportunities to work more closely with their professors than they would at other schools. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 95%.

Read more about Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies at Columbia

2
Georgetown crest
Georgetown University
Washington, District of Columbia

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Georgetown University. The school came in at #2 for the Best Value Parks & Rec Schools in the Middle Atlantic Region For Those Making $0-$30k. This large school is located in Washington, District of Columbia, and it awarded 150 ’s parks and rec degrees in 2020-2021.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Georgetown, the school also landed the #7 spot in our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Schools in the Middle Atlantic Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Georgetown University is $3,077 for Middle Atlantic Region Parks & Rec students whose families make $0-$30k.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 0.7%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 94%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.

Full Georgetown Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Report

3

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend University of Maryland - College Park. The school came in at #3 for the Best Value Parks & Rec Schools in the Middle Atlantic Region For Those Making $0-$30k. College Park, Maryland is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s parks and rec degrees to 239 students in 2020-2021.

UMCP did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #3 on our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Schools in the Middle Atlantic Region” list. The yearly cost to attend University of Maryland - College Park is $6,067 for middle atlantic region parks & rec students whose families make $0-$30k.

Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 95%. The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 1.8%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Full University of Maryland - College Park Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Report

4
Brooklyn College crest
Brooklyn College
Brooklyn, New York

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Brooklyn College. It ranked #4 on our 2023 Best Value Parks & Rec Schools in the Middle Atlantic Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. This fairly large school is located in Brooklyn, New York, and it awarded 83 ’s parks and rec degrees in 2020-2021.

Brooklyn College also took the #25 spot in our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Schools in the Middle Atlantic Region” ranking. It costs about $1,547 for Middle Atlantic Region Parks & Rec students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend Brooklyn College.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 4.5%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies at Brooklyn College

5
UD crest
University of Delaware
Newark, Delaware

Out of the 63 schools in the Best Value Parks & Rec Schools in the Middle Atlantic Region For Those Making $0-$30k that were part of this year’s ranking, University of Delaware landed the #5 spot on the list. UD is located in Newark, Delaware and, has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 188 ’s parks and rec degrees to qualified students.

In addition to being on our middle atlantic region parks & rec students whose families make $0-$30k list, UD has also earned the #4 rank in our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Schools in the Middle Atlantic Region” ranking. It costs about $13,726 for middle atlantic region parks & rec students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend UD.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 2.1%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%. With a freshman retention rate of 90%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.

Read full report on Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies at UD

6
QC crest
Queens College
Queens, New York

Queens College ranked #6 on this year’s Best Value Parks & Rec Schools in the Middle Atlantic Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. Queens College is a fairly large public school situated in Queens, New York. It awarded 86 ’s parks and rec degrees in 2020-2021.

It costs about $1,344 for middle atlantic region parks & rec students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend Queens College.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 4.1%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Full Queens College Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Report

7
Towson crest
Towson University
Towson, Maryland

Towson University came in at #7 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Parks & Rec Schools in the Middle Atlantic Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Towson is a public institution located in Towson, Maryland. The school has a large population, and it awarded 251 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Towson, the school also landed the #8 spot in our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Schools in the Middle Atlantic Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Towson University is $7,956 for middle atlantic region parks & rec students whose families make $0-$30k.

Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 85%. The low undergrad student loan default rate of 2.7% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.

Read more about Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies at Towson University

8
McDaniel crest
McDaniel College
Westminster, Maryland

McDaniel College did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Parks & Rec Schools in the Middle Atlantic Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #8. Located in Westminster, Maryland, this small private not-for-profit school handed out 38 diplomas to qualified ’s parks and rec students in 2020-2021.

McDaniel not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #19 on our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Schools in the Middle Atlantic Region” list. The yearly cost to attend McDaniel is $20,223 for Middle Atlantic Region Parks & Rec students whose families make $0-$30k.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 2.5% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.

Full McDaniel Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Report

9
Lehman crest
Lehman College
Bronx, New York

Lehman College did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Parks & Rec Schools in the Middle Atlantic Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #9. Lehman is a fairly large public school situated in Bronx, New York. It awarded 92 ’s parks and rec degrees in 2020-2021.

The estimated yearly cost for Lehman is $881 for Middle Atlantic Region Parks & Rec students whose families make $0-$30k.

Read more about Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies at Lehman

10
Rutgers New Brunswick crest
Rutgers University - New Brunswick
New Brunswick, New Jersey

With a ranking of #10, Rutgers University - New Brunswick did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Parks & Rec Schools in the Middle Atlantic Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. Rutgers New Brunswick is a large school located in New Brunswick, New Jersey that handed out 456 ’s parks and rec degrees in 2020-2021.

Rutgers New Brunswick also took the #5 spot in our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Schools in the Middle Atlantic Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Rutgers New Brunswick is $14,935 for middle atlantic region parks & rec students whose families make $0-$30k.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 2.6%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%. With a freshman retention rate of 93%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.

Read full report on Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies at Rutgers New Brunswick

11
Canisius crest
Canisius College
Buffalo, New York

Canisius College did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Parks & Rec Schools in the Middle Atlantic Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #11. Buffalo, New York is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out ’s parks and rec degrees to 115 students in 2020-2021.

Canisius not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #13 on our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Schools in the Middle Atlantic Region” list. The yearly cost to attend Canisius College is $12,990 for Middle Atlantic Region Parks & Rec students whose families make $0-$30k.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 3.8% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.

Full Canisius College Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Report

12
SUNY Brockport crest
The College at Brockport
Brockport, New York

The College at Brockport came in at #12 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Parks & Rec Schools in the Middle Atlantic Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. The College at Brockport is a public institution located in Brockport, New York. The school has a medium-sized population, and it awarded 185 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

In addition to being on our middle atlantic region parks & rec students whose families make $0-$30k list, SUNY Brockport has also earned the #17 rank in our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Schools in the Middle Atlantic Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend The College at Brockport is $10,679 for Middle Atlantic Region Parks & Rec students whose families make $0-$30k.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 3.8%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Full SUNY Brockport Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Report

13
SUNY College of Technology at Farmingdale crest
Farmingdale State College
Farmingdale, New York

Farmingdale State College ranked #13 on this year’s Best Value Parks & Rec Schools in the Middle Atlantic Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. This medium-sized school is located in Farmingdale, New York, and it awarded 57 ’s parks and rec degrees in 2020-2021.

The estimated yearly cost for Farmingdale State College is $3,335 for Middle Atlantic Region Parks & Rec students whose families make $0-$30k.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 3.4%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies at Farmingdale State College

14
SUNY Cortland crest
SUNY Cortland
Cortland, New York

SUNY Cortland did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Parks & Rec Schools in the Middle Atlantic Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #14. Cortland, New York is the setting for this medium-sized institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s parks and rec degrees to 349 students in 2020-2021.

SUNY Cortland also took the #10 spot in our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Schools in the Middle Atlantic Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend SUNY Cortland is $11,654 for middle atlantic region parks & rec students whose families make $0-$30k.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 3.5%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 85%.

Read full report on Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies at SUNY Cortland

15
Syracuse crest
Syracuse University
Syracuse, New York

Syracuse University did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Parks & Rec Schools in the Middle Atlantic Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #15. Syracuse University is a large private not-for-profit school situated in Syracuse, New York. It awarded 150 ’s parks and rec degrees in 2020-2021.

Syracuse also took the #2 spot in our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Schools in the Middle Atlantic Region” ranking. It costs about $17,250 for middle atlantic region parks & rec students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend Syracuse University.

Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 89%. The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 2.7%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Full Syracuse University Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Report

16

California University of Pennsylvania came in at #16 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Parks & Rec Schools in the Middle Atlantic Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Cal U is a medium-sized school located in California, Pennsylvania that handed out 374 ’s parks and rec degrees in 2020-2021.

In addition to being on our middle atlantic region parks & rec students whose families make $0-$30k list, Cal U has also earned the #11 rank in our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Schools in the Middle Atlantic Region” ranking. It costs about $15,854 for Middle Atlantic Region Parks & Rec students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend Cal U.

Read full report on Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies at Cal U

17
SRU crest
Slippery Rock University of Pennsylvania
Slippery Rock, Pennsylvania

Slippery Rock University of Pennsylvania ranked #17 on this year’s Best Value Parks & Rec Schools in the Middle Atlantic Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. SRU is located in Slippery Rock, Pennsylvania and, has a medium-sized student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 104 ’s parks and rec degrees to qualified students.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at SRU, the school also landed the #15 spot in our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Schools in the Middle Atlantic Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend SRU is $14,091 for middle atlantic region parks & rec students whose families make $0-$30k.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 4.6% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.

Read full report on Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies at Slippery Rock University of Pennsylvania

18
Salisbury crest
Salisbury University
Salisbury, Maryland

Salisbury University came in at #18 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Parks & Rec Schools in the Middle Atlantic Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Salisbury University is a public institution located in Salisbury, Maryland. The school has a medium-sized population, and it awarded 111 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

The yearly cost to attend Salisbury is $9,719 for middle atlantic region parks & rec students whose families make $0-$30k.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 3.6%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies at Salisbury University

19
WCUPA crest
West Chester University of Pennsylvania
West Chester, Pennsylvania

West Chester University of Pennsylvania landed the #19 spot on the 2023 Best Value Parks & Rec Schools in the Middle Atlantic Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. West Chester, Pennsylvania is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s parks and rec degrees to 214 students in 2020-2021.

WCUPA also made our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Schools in the Middle Atlantic Region” list, coming in at #9. It costs about $15,718 for Middle Atlantic Region Parks & Rec students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend WCUPA.

With a freshman retention rate of 85%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 3.4%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies at West Chester University of Pennsylvania

20
Temple crest
Temple University
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

With a ranking of #20, Temple University did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Parks & Rec Schools in the Middle Atlantic Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. Temple University is a large public school situated in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. It awarded 299 ’s parks and rec degrees in 2020-2021.

In addition to being on our middle atlantic region parks & rec students whose families make $0-$30k list, Temple has also earned the #6 rank in our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Schools in the Middle Atlantic Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Temple is $18,173 for middle atlantic region parks & rec students whose families make $0-$30k.

Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 87%. The low undergrad student loan default rate of 3.5% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.

Read more about Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies at Temple

21

Delaware State University landed the #21 spot on the 2023 Best Value Parks & Rec Schools in the Middle Atlantic Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Del State is located in Dover, Delaware and, has a medium-sized student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 69 ’s parks and rec degrees to qualified students.

It costs about $14,798 for Middle Atlantic Region Parks & Rec students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend Del State.

Read full report on Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies at Del State

22
SUNY Fredonia crest
SUNY Fredonia
Fredonia, New York

SUNY Fredonia did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Parks & Rec Schools in the Middle Atlantic Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #22. This small school is located in Fredonia, New York, and it awarded 22 ’s parks and rec degrees in 2020-2021.

It costs about $10,026 for Middle Atlantic Region Parks & Rec students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend SUNY Fredonia.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 4.5%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Full SUNY Fredonia Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Report

23
Montclair State crest
Montclair State University
Montclair, New Jersey

With a ranking of #23, Montclair State University did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Parks & Rec Schools in the Middle Atlantic Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. Montclair State University is a large public school situated in Montclair, New Jersey. It awarded 120 ’s parks and rec degrees in 2020-2021.

The yearly cost to attend Montclair State is $12,133 for middle atlantic region parks & rec students whose families make $0-$30k.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 4.3%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies at Montclair State

24
East Stroudsburg University crest
East Stroudsburg University of Pennsylvania
East Stroudsburg, Pennsylvania

East Stroudsburg University of Pennsylvania ranked #24 on this year’s Best Value Parks & Rec Schools in the Middle Atlantic Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. East Stroudsburg, Pennsylvania is the setting for this medium-sized institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s parks and rec degrees to 131 students in 2020-2021.

East Stroudsburg University also took the #18 spot in our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Schools in the Middle Atlantic Region” ranking. It costs about $16,590 for Middle Atlantic Region Parks & Rec students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend East Stroudsburg University of Pennsylvania.

Full East Stroudsburg University Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Report

25
Frostburg State crest
Frostburg State University
Frostburg, Maryland

Frostburg State University did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Parks & Rec Schools in the Middle Atlantic Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #25. Frostburg State is a public institution located in Frostburg, Maryland. The school has a small population, and it awarded 61 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

The estimated yearly cost for Frostburg State University is $9,615 for middle atlantic region parks & rec students whose families make $0-$30k.

Read full report on Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies at Frostburg State University

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