2023 Best Value Colleges for Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies (Income $0-$30k) in Pennsylvania
22
Ranked Colleges
2,752
Degrees Awarded
$19,000
Avg Net Price*
When it comes to choosing a college, students have a lot of options - but not all of them are good. Our mission at College Factual is to arm you with as much information as we can to help you make that decision. Our “Best Value Parks & Rec Schools in Pennsylvania For Those Making $0-$30k” ranking is one tool we have developed to help in this regard.
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 Pennsylvania, there were 2,752 parks, recreation, leisure, and fitness studies graduates with average earnings and debt of $31,681 and $27,043 respectively.
This year’s “Best Value Parks & Rec Schools in Pennsylvania For Those Making $0-$30k” ranking looked at 22 colleges that offer degrees in a bachelor’s in parks, recreation, leisure, and fitness studies. Not only do the schools that top this list have excellent parks, recreation, leisure, and fitness studies programs, but they also cost less that 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. Check out our ranking methodology for more information.
More Ways to Rank Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Schools
Since the program you select can have a significant impact on your future, we’ve developed a number of rankings, including this “Best Value Parks & Rec Schools in Pennsylvania For Those Making $0-$30k” list, to help you choose the best school for you.
To further help you make the college decision, we’ve developed a unique tool called College Combat that allows you to compare schools based on the factors that matter the most to you. Test it out by comparing your favorite schools against others you are considering, or bookmark the tool so you can experiment with it later.
Best Value Parks & Rec Schools in Pennsylvania For Those Making $0-$30k
The following schools top our list of the Best Best Value Parks & Rec Schools in Pennsylvania For Those Making $0-$30k.
Top 22 Best Value Colleges for Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies (Income $0-$30k) in Pennsylvania
Out of the 22 schools in the Best Value Parks & Rec Schools in Pennsylvania For Those Making $0-$30k that were part of this year’s ranking, California University of Pennsylvania landed the #1 spot on the list. Located in California, Pennsylvania, this medium-sized public school awarded 374 degrees to qualified ’s parks and rec students in 2020-2021.
Cal U also took the #3 spot in our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Schools in Pennsylvania” ranking. The yearly cost to attend California University of Pennsylvania is $15,854 for pennsylvania parks & rec students whose families make $0-$30k.
Read full report on Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies at Cal U
Out of the 22 schools in the Best Value Parks & Rec Schools in Pennsylvania For Those Making $0-$30k that were part of this year’s ranking, Slippery Rock University of Pennsylvania landed the #2 spot on the list. Slippery Rock, Pennsylvania is the setting for this medium-sized institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s parks and rec degrees to 104 students in 2020-2021.
In addition to being on our pennsylvania parks & rec students whose families make $0-$30k list, SRU has also earned the #5 rank in our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Schools in Pennsylvania” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Slippery Rock University of Pennsylvania is $14,091 for pennsylvania 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
Out of the 22 schools in the Best Value Parks & Rec Schools in Pennsylvania For Those Making $0-$30k that were part of this year’s ranking, West Chester University of Pennsylvania landed the #3 spot on the list. WCUPA is located in West Chester, Pennsylvania and, has a fairly large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 214 ’s parks and rec degrees to qualified students.
WCUPA also made our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Schools in Pennsylvania” list, coming in at #2. It costs about $15,718 for pennsylvania 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 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 more about Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies at WCUPA
You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Temple University. The school came in at #4 for the Best Value Parks & Rec Schools in Pennsylvania For Those Making $0-$30k. Temple University is located in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania and, has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 299 ’s parks and rec degrees to qualified students.
Temple did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #1 on our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Schools in Pennsylvania” list. It costs about $18,173 for Pennsylvania Parks & Rec students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend Temple University.
The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 87%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. 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 University
You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend East Stroudsburg University of Pennsylvania. It ranked #5 on our 2023 Best Value Parks & Rec Schools in Pennsylvania For Those Making $0-$30k list. Located in East Stroudsburg, Pennsylvania, this medium-sized public school awarded 131 degrees to qualified ’s parks and rec students in 2020-2021.
East Stroudsburg University also made our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Schools in Pennsylvania” list, coming in at #6. The estimated yearly cost for East Stroudsburg University of Pennsylvania is $16,590 for Pennsylvania Parks & Rec students whose families make $0-$30k.
Full East Stroudsburg University Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Report
Edinboro University of Pennsylvania came in at #6 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Parks & Rec Schools in Pennsylvania For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Edinboro, Pennsylvania is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s parks and rec degrees to 29 students in 2020-2021.
Edinboro did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #16 on our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Schools in Pennsylvania” list. It costs about $12,212 for Pennsylvania Parks & Rec students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend Edinboro University of Pennsylvania.
Read more about Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies at Edinboro University of Pennsylvania
Lock Haven University did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Parks & Rec Schools in Pennsylvania For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #7. Lock Haven University is a small public school situated in Lock Haven, Pennsylvania. It awarded 113 ’s parks and rec degrees in 2020-2021.
LHU did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #7 on our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Schools in Pennsylvania” list. The estimated yearly cost for Lock Haven University is $16,889 for Pennsylvania Parks & Rec students whose families make $0-$30k.
Read more about Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies at Lock Haven University
Gannon University did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Parks & Rec Schools in Pennsylvania For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #8. Erie, Pennsylvania is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out ’s parks and rec degrees to 57 students in 2020-2021.
Gannon also took the #8 spot in our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Schools in Pennsylvania” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Gannon University is $18,292 for pennsylvania parks & rec students whose families make $0-$30k.
The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 3.1%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%. With a freshman retention rate of 85%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.
Read more about Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies at Gannon University
Bloomsburg University of Pennsylvania landed the #9 spot on the 2023 Best Value Parks & Rec Schools in Pennsylvania For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Bloomsburg University of Pennsylvania is a medium-sized school located in Bloomsburg, Pennsylvania that handed out 53 ’s parks and rec degrees in 2020-2021.
Bloomsburg did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #9 on our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Schools in Pennsylvania” list. The estimated yearly cost for Bloomsburg is $16,112 for Pennsylvania Parks & Rec students whose families make $0-$30k.
Full Bloomsburg Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Report
With a ranking of #10, University of Pittsburgh - Bradford did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Parks & Rec Schools in Pennsylvania For Those Making $0-$30k list. Located in Bradford, Pennsylvania, this small public school handed out 23 degrees to qualified ’s parks and rec students in 2020-2021.
In addition to being on our pennsylvania parks & rec students whose families make $0-$30k list, Pitt Bradford has also earned the #19 rank in our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Schools in Pennsylvania” ranking. It costs about $10,311 for Pennsylvania Parks & Rec students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend Pitt Bradford.
The low undergrad student loan default rate of 2.9% 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 Pitt Bradford
Kutztown University of Pennsylvania came in at #11 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Parks & Rec Schools in Pennsylvania For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Kutztown, Pennsylvania is the setting for this medium-sized institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s parks and rec degrees to 95 students in 2020-2021.
Kutztown University also took the #11 spot in our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Schools in Pennsylvania” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Kutztown University of Pennsylvania is $18,732 for Pennsylvania Parks & Rec students whose families make $0-$30k.
Read more about Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies at Kutztown University of Pennsylvania
York College of Pennsylvania came in at #12 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Parks & Rec Schools in Pennsylvania For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. This small school is located in York, Pennsylvania, and it awarded 35 ’s parks and rec degrees in 2020-2021.
YCP also made our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Schools in Pennsylvania” list, coming in at #17. It costs about $17,617 for pennsylvania parks & rec students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend York College of Pennsylvania.
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%.
Full York College of Pennsylvania Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Report
Indiana University of Pennsylvania - Main Campus did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Parks & Rec Schools in Pennsylvania For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #13. Indiana University of Pennsylvania - Main Campus is a public institution located in Indiana, Pennsylvania. The school has a medium-sized population, and it awarded 112 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.
IUP did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #12 on our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Schools in Pennsylvania” list. It costs about $19,397 for Pennsylvania Parks & Rec students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend Indiana University of Pennsylvania - Main Campus.
Read more about Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies at IUP
With a ranking of #14, Shippensburg University of Pennsylvania did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Parks & Rec Schools in Pennsylvania For Those Making $0-$30k list. This medium-sized school is located in Shippensburg, Pennsylvania, and it awarded 35 ’s parks and rec degrees in 2020-2021.
Ship did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #20 on our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Schools in Pennsylvania” list. The yearly cost to attend Shippensburg University of Pennsylvania is $18,076 for pennsylvania parks & rec students whose families make $0-$30k.
The low undergrad student loan default rate of 4.8% 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%.
Read full report on Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies at Ship
With a ranking of #15, Drexel University did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Parks & Rec Schools in Pennsylvania For Those Making $0-$30k list. Philadelphia, Pennsylvania is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out ’s parks and rec degrees to 39 students in 2020-2021.
Drexel not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #4 on our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Schools in Pennsylvania” list. The estimated yearly cost for Drexel is $24,508 for Pennsylvania Parks & Rec students whose families make $0-$30k.
The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 1.9%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 88%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.
Read full report on Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies at Drexel University
Seton Hill University landed the #16 spot on the 2023 Best Value Parks & Rec Schools in Pennsylvania For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Seton Hill University is a small private not-for-profit school situated in Greensburg, Pennsylvania. It awarded 27 ’s parks and rec degrees in 2020-2021.
As a testament to the quality of education offered at Seton Hill, the school also landed the #13 spot in our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Schools in Pennsylvania” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Seton Hill is $21,195 for Pennsylvania Parks & Rec students whose families make $0-$30k.
The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 3.9%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.
Full Seton Hill University Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Report
Neumann University did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Parks & Rec Schools in Pennsylvania For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #17. This small school is located in Aston, Pennsylvania, and it awarded 25 ’s parks and rec degrees in 2020-2021.
Neumann not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #18 on our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Schools in Pennsylvania” list. The estimated yearly cost for Neumann is $24,094 for Pennsylvania Parks & Rec students whose families make $0-$30k.
Full Neumann Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Report
DeSales University landed the #18 spot on the 2023 Best Value Parks & Rec Schools in Pennsylvania For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Center Valley, Pennsylvania is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out ’s parks and rec degrees to 28 students in 2020-2021.
As a testament to the quality of education offered at DeSales, the school also landed the #14 spot in our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Schools in Pennsylvania” ranking. The yearly cost to attend DeSales University is $23,829 for Pennsylvania Parks & Rec students whose families make $0-$30k.
The low undergrad student loan default rate of 2.8% 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%.
Read more about Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies at DeSales
Robert Morris University ranked #19 on this year’s Best Value Parks & Rec Schools in Pennsylvania For Those Making $0-$30k list. RMU is located in Moon Township, Pennsylvania and, has a small student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 36 ’s parks and rec degrees to qualified students.
RMU not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #15 on our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Schools in Pennsylvania” list. It costs about $22,439 for pennsylvania parks & rec students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend RMU.
The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 3.7%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.
Full RMU Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Report
University of Scranton ranked #20 on this year’s Best Value Parks & Rec Schools in Pennsylvania For Those Making $0-$30k list. University of Scranton is a private not-for-profit institution located in Scranton, Pennsylvania. The school has a small population, and it awarded 63 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.
As a testament to the quality of education offered at University of Scranton, the school also landed the #10 spot in our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Schools in Pennsylvania” ranking. It costs about $24,326 for Pennsylvania Parks & Rec students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend University of Scranton.
The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 1.5%, 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 89%.
Read more about Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies at University of Scranton
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