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

31 Ranked Colleges
2,777 Degrees Awarded
$17,800 Avg Net Price*
Best Value Parks & Rec Schools in the New England Region For Those Making $0-$30k

When it comes to choosing a college, students have a lot of options - but not all of them are good. One of our goals at College Factual is to give you as much information as we can - such as our “Best Value Parks & Rec Schools in the New England Region For Those Making $0-$30k” ranking - to help you make that decision.

Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies is the 15th most popular major in the country with 73,813 degrees awarded in 2020-2021. 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 New England region, there were 2,777 parks, recreation, leisure, and fitness studies graduates with average earnings and debt of $33,506 and $25,928 respectively.

This year’s “Best Value Parks & Rec Schools in the New England Region For Those Making $0-$30k” ranking looked at 31 colleges that offer degrees in a bachelor’s in parks, recreation, leisure, and fitness studies. The schools that top this list are recognized because they have great parks, recreation, leisure, and fitness studies programs and 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. See our ranking methodology to learn more.

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The parks & rec school you choose to invest your time and money in matters. To help you make the decision that is right for you, we’ve developed a number of major-specific rankings, including this list of “Best Value Parks & Rec Schools in the New England Region For Those Making $0-$30k”.

We’ve created a tool called College Combat that lets you create your own customized comparisons based on the factors that matter the most to you. Go ahead and give it a try, or bookmark the link so you can check it out later.

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

The following schools top our list of the Best Best Value Parks & Rec Schools in the New England Region For Those Making $0-$30k.

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

1
UCONN crest
University of Connecticut
Storrs, Connecticut

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend University of Connecticut. It ranked #1 on our 2023 Best Value Parks & Rec Schools in the New England Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. University of Connecticut is a large public school situated in Storrs, Connecticut. It awarded 51 ’s parks and rec degrees in 2020-2021.

UCONN not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #3 on our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Schools in the New England Region” list. It costs about $14,069 for new england region parks & rec students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend UCONN.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 2.0% 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%. 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 University of Connecticut

2

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend University of Massachusetts Amherst. The school came in at #2 for the Best Value Parks & Rec Schools in the New England Region For Those Making $0-$30k. This large school is located in Amherst, Massachusetts, and it awarded 144 ’s parks and rec degrees in 2020-2021.

In addition to being on our new england region parks & rec students whose families make $0-$30k list, UMass Amherst has also earned the #2 rank in our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Schools in the New England Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend University of Massachusetts Amherst is $12,033 for new england region parks & rec students whose families make $0-$30k.

With a freshman retention rate of 89%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 1.9%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

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

3
UVM crest
University of Vermont
Burlington, Vermont

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend University of Vermont. The school came in at #3 for the Best Value Parks & Rec Schools in the New England Region For Those Making $0-$30k. UVM is a fairly large school located in Burlington, Vermont that handed out 43 ’s parks and rec degrees in 2020-2021.

UVM also took the #7 spot in our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Schools in the New England Region” ranking. It costs about $12,022 for New England Region Parks & Rec students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend University of Vermont.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 1.7%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 85%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.

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

4
Castleton crest
Castleton University
Castleton, Vermont

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Castleton University. The school came in at #4 for the Best Value Parks & Rec Schools in the New England Region For Those Making $0-$30k. This small school is located in Castleton, Vermont, and it awarded 58 ’s parks and rec degrees in 2020-2021.

In addition to being on our new england region parks & rec students whose families make $0-$30k list, Castleton has also earned the #5 rank in our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Schools in the New England Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Castleton is $13,297 for new england region parks & rec students whose families make $0-$30k.

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

5

Out of the 31 schools in the Best Value Parks & Rec Schools in the New England Region For Those Making $0-$30k that were part of this year’s ranking, University of New Hampshire - Main Campus landed the #5 spot on the list. UNH is located in Durham, New Hampshire and, has a fairly large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 160 ’s parks and rec degrees to qualified students.

UNH not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #1 on our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Schools in the New England Region” list. The yearly cost to attend UNH is $17,993 for new england region parks & rec students whose families make $0-$30k.

The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 86%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 1.7%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Full University of New Hampshire - Main Campus Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Report

6

With a ranking of #6, Northern Vermont University did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Parks & Rec Schools in the New England Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. Northern Vermont University is located in Johnson, Vermont and, has a small student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 42 ’s parks and rec degrees to qualified students.

Northern Vermont University also took the #11 spot in our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Schools in the New England Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Northern Vermont University is $13,846 for new england region parks & rec students whose families make $0-$30k.

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

7

University of Massachusetts - Boston came in at #7 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Parks & Rec Schools in the New England Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. UMass Boston is a fairly large school located in Boston, Massachusetts that handed out 143 ’s parks and rec degrees in 2020-2021.

UMass Boston also made our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Schools in the New England Region” list, coming in at #12. It costs about $13,734 for new england region parks & rec students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend UMass Boston.

Read more about Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies at UMass Boston

8
Plymouth State crest
Plymouth State University
Plymouth, New Hampshire

Plymouth State University ranked #8 on this year’s Best Value Parks & Rec Schools in the New England Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. This small school is located in Plymouth, New Hampshire, and it awarded 81 ’s parks and rec degrees in 2020-2021.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Plymouth State, the school also landed the #10 spot in our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Schools in the New England Region” ranking. It costs about $15,711 for New England Region Parks & Rec students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend Plymouth State University.

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

9
Springfield College crest
Springfield College
Springfield, Massachusetts

With a ranking of #9, Springfield College did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Parks & Rec Schools in the New England Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. Springfield, Massachusetts is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out ’s parks and rec degrees to 129 students in 2020-2021.

In addition to being on our new england region parks & rec students whose families make $0-$30k list, Springfield College has also earned the #4 rank in our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Schools in the New England Region” ranking. It costs about $18,709 for New England Region Parks & Rec students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend Springfield College.

The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 85%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.

Read more about Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies at Springfield College

10
CCSU crest
Central Connecticut State University
New Britain, Connecticut

Central Connecticut State University landed the #10 spot on the 2023 Best Value Parks & Rec Schools in the New England Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. New Britain, Connecticut is the setting for this medium-sized institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s parks and rec degrees to 60 students in 2020-2021.

CCSU also made our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Schools in the New England Region” list, coming in at #20. It costs about $12,292 for New England Region Parks & Rec students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend CCSU.

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

11
Salem State crest
Salem State University
Salem, Massachusetts

Salem State University landed the #11 spot on the 2023 Best Value Parks & Rec Schools in the New England Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Salem State University is a medium-sized public school situated in Salem, Massachusetts. It awarded 35 ’s parks and rec degrees in 2020-2021.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Salem State, the school also landed the #17 spot in our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Schools in the New England Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Salem State is $14,560 for new england region parks & rec students whose families make $0-$30k.

Full Salem State University Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Report

12
Westfield crest
Westfield State University
Westfield, Massachusetts

With a ranking of #12, Westfield State University did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Parks & Rec Schools in the New England Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. Westfield State University is a public institution located in Westfield, Massachusetts. The school has a medium-sized population, and it awarded 56 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

Westfield also made our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Schools in the New England Region” list, coming in at #23. The yearly cost to attend Westfield State University is $12,742 for new england 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%.

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

13
Norwich crest
Norwich University
Northfield, Vermont

Norwich University came in at #13 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Parks & Rec Schools in the New England Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Norwich University is a small private not-for-profit school situated in Northfield, Vermont. It awarded 19 ’s parks and rec degrees in 2020-2021.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Norwich, the school also landed the #9 spot in our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Schools in the New England Region” ranking. It costs about $15,842 for new england region parks & rec students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend Norwich University.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 4.1%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

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

14

Southern Connecticut State University came in at #14 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Parks & Rec Schools in the New England Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. SCSU is a public institution located in New Haven, Connecticut. The school has a medium-sized population, and it awarded 100 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

SCSU also made our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Schools in the New England Region” list, coming in at #15. The estimated yearly cost for Southern Connecticut State University is $17,778 for New England Region Parks & Rec students whose families make $0-$30k.

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

15
ECSU crest
Eastern Connecticut State University
Willimantic, Connecticut

With a ranking of #15, Eastern Connecticut State University did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Parks & Rec Schools in the New England Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. Eastern Connecticut State University is located in Willimantic, Connecticut and, has a small student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 26 ’s parks and rec degrees to qualified students.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at ECSU, the school also landed the #25 spot in our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Schools in the New England Region” ranking. It costs about $15,687 for New England Region Parks & Rec students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend Eastern Connecticut State University.

Full Eastern Connecticut State University Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Report

16
Gordon College crest
Gordon College
Wenham, Massachusetts

Gordon College ranked #16 on this year’s Best Value Parks & Rec Schools in the New England Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. Gordon College is located in Wenham, Massachusetts and, has a small student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 13 ’s parks and rec degrees to qualified students.

Gordon College also made our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Schools in the New England Region” list, coming in at #8. The estimated yearly cost for Gordon College is $20,481 for New England 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%. With a undergrad student-to-faculty ratio of 10 to 1, it’s easy to see that the school is committed to helping their undergraduates succeed.

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

17
Lasell crest
Lasell University
Newton, Massachusetts

Lasell University landed the #17 spot on the 2023 Best Value Parks & Rec Schools in the New England Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Lasell University is a small school located in Newton, Massachusetts that handed out 80 ’s parks and rec degrees in 2020-2021.

Lasell also made our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Schools in the New England Region” list, coming in at #14. The yearly cost to attend Lasell is $22,065 for new england region parks & rec students whose families make $0-$30k.

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

18

Saint Joseph’s College of Maine came in at #18 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Parks & Rec Schools in the New England Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Saint Joseph’s Maine is a private not-for-profit institution located in Standish, Maine. The school has a small population, and it awarded 21 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

In addition to being on our new england region parks & rec students whose families make $0-$30k list, Saint Joseph’s Maine has also earned the #21 rank in our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Schools in the New England Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Saint Joseph’s Maine is $23,364 for New England Region Parks & Rec students whose families make $0-$30k.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 4.3% 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 Saint Joseph’s Maine

19
Franklin Pierce crest
Franklin Pierce University
Rindge, New Hampshire

With a ranking of #19, Franklin Pierce University did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Parks & Rec Schools in the New England Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. Located in Rindge, New Hampshire, this small private not-for-profit school handed out 27 degrees to qualified ’s parks and rec students in 2020-2021.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Franklin Pierce, the school also landed the #18 spot in our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Schools in the New England Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Franklin Pierce is $21,758 for new england region parks & rec students whose families make $0-$30k.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 4.5% 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 Franklin Pierce University Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Report

20
Endicott crest
Endicott College
Beverly, Massachusetts

Endicott College did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Parks & Rec Schools in the New England Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #20. Endicott College is located in Beverly, Massachusetts and, has a small student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 102 ’s parks and rec degrees to qualified students.

Endicott also took the #6 spot in our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Schools in the New England Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Endicott College is $26,398 for new england region parks & rec students whose families make $0-$30k.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 2.8%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

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

21
Colby - Sawyer crest
Colby - Sawyer College
New London, New Hampshire

With a ranking of #21, Colby - Sawyer College did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Parks & Rec Schools in the New England Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. Colby - Sawyer College is a private not-for-profit institution located in New London, New Hampshire. The school has a small population, and it awarded 20 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

Colby - Sawyer also took the #19 spot in our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Schools in the New England Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Colby - Sawyer is $22,145 for new england region parks & rec students whose families make $0-$30k.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 2.6% 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%.

Full Colby - Sawyer Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Report

22
Post University crest
Post University
Waterbury, Connecticut

Post University ranked #22 on this year’s Best Value Parks & Rec Schools in the New England Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. Waterbury, Connecticut is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The private for-profit school handed out ’s parks and rec degrees to 26 students in 2020-2021.

The yearly cost to attend Post University is $18,293 for new england region parks & rec students whose families make $0-$30k.

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

23
Western New England crest
Western New England University
Springfield, Massachusetts

Western New England University came in at #23 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Parks & Rec Schools in the New England Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Springfield, Massachusetts is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out ’s parks and rec degrees to 39 students in 2020-2021.

In addition to being on our new england region parks & rec students whose families make $0-$30k list, Western New England has also earned the #22 rank in our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Schools in the New England Region” ranking. It costs about $24,423 for new england region parks & rec students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend Western New England.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 3.2%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies at Western New England

24
Regis College crest
Regis College
Weston, Massachusetts

Regis College landed the #24 spot on the 2023 Best Value Parks & Rec Schools in the New England Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Located in Weston, Massachusetts, this small private not-for-profit school awarded 16 degrees to qualified ’s parks and rec students in 2020-2021.

Regis College did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #24 on our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Schools in the New England Region” list. The estimated yearly cost for Regis College is $26,437 for new england region parks & rec students whose families make $0-$30k.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 3.9% 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%. Since the school has a undergrad student-to-faculty ratio of 10 to 1, those pursuing a degree will have more opportunities to interact with their professors.

Read more about Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies at Regis College

25
Thomas College crest
Thomas College
Waterville, Maine

Thomas College came in at #25 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Parks & Rec Schools in the New England Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Thomas College is located in Waterville, Maine and, has a small student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 13 ’s parks and rec degrees to qualified students.

The yearly cost to attend Thomas College is $19,188 for new england region parks & rec students whose families make $0-$30k.

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

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