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2022 Best Value Bachelor’s Degree Colleges for Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies (Income $30-$48k) in the Middle Atlantic Region

72 Ranked Colleges
5,736 Degrees Awarded
$12,500 Avg Net Price*
Best Value Parks & Rec Schools for a Bachelor's in the Middle Atlantic Region For Those Making $30-$48k

Students have lots of options to chooose from today when trying to decide which college to attend. At College Factual, we’re committed to helping you make that decision by providing information such as that found in our “Best Value Parks & Rec Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Middle Atlantic Region For Those Making $30-$48k” ranking.

In 2019-2020, 72,122 people earned their degree in parks, recreation, leisure, and fitness studies, making the major the 15th most popular in the United States. In 2017-2018, parks, recreation, leisure, and fitness studies graduates who were awarded their degree in 2015-2017, earned an average of $29,823 and had an average of $24,576 in loans still to pay off.

Across the Middle Atlantic region, there were 7,835 parks, recreation, leisure, and fitness studies graduates with average earnings and debt of $30,659 and $25,497 respectively. At the bachelor’s degree level specifically, there were 5,736 parks, recreation, leisure, and fitness studies graduates with average earnings and debt of $39,278 and $24,587 respectively.

For this year’s “Best Value Parks & Rec Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Middle Atlantic Region For Those Making $30-$48k” ranking, we looked at 72 colleges that offer a degree 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.

When determining these rankings, we looked at things such as overall quality of the parks, recreation, leisure, and fitness studies program at the school and the cost to attend the school once aid has been awarded. Check out our ranking methodology for more information.

One Size Does Not Fit All

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 for a Bachelor’s in the Middle Atlantic Region For Those Making $30-$48k”.

You can create your own custom comparison that focuses on the factors most important to you using our tool, College Combat. Go ahead and give it a try, or bookmark the link so you can check it out later.

Best Value Parks & Rec Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Middle Atlantic Region For Those Making $30-$48k

The colleges and universities below are the best for middle atlantic region bachelor’s degree parks & rec students whose families make $30-$48k.

Top 25 Best Value Bachelor’s Degree Colleges for Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies (Income $30-$48k) in the Middle Atlantic Region

#1

Queens College

Queens, New York

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Queens College. It ranked #1 on our 2022 Best Value Parks & Rec Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Middle Atlantic Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. This fairly large school is located in Queens, New York, and it awarded 46 bachelors’s parks and rec degrees in 2019-2020.

The estimated yearly cost for Queens College is $3,056 for middle atlantic region bachelor’s degree parks & rec students whose families make $30-$48k.

The student loan default rate at the school is 4.4%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

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

#2

Farmingdale State College

Farmingdale, New York
#20 in overall quality

Out of the 72 schools in the Best Value Parks & Rec Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Middle Atlantic Region For Those Making $30-$48k that were part of this year’s ranking, Farmingdale State College landed the #2 spot on the list. Located in Farmingdale, New York, this fairly large public school awarded 62 diplomas to qualified bachelors’s parks and rec students in 2019-2020.

SUNY College of Technology at Farmingdale not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #20 on our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Middle Atlantic Region” list. The estimated yearly cost for SUNY College of Technology at Farmingdale is $5,539 for Middle Atlantic Region Bachelor’s Degree Parks & Rec students whose families make $30-$48k.

The low 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 Farmingdale State College Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Report

#3

Brooklyn College

Brooklyn, New York

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Brooklyn College. The school came in at #3 for the Best Value Parks & Rec Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Middle Atlantic Region For Those Making $30-$48k. Brooklyn, New York is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out bachelors’s parks and rec degrees to 55 students in 2019-2020.

The yearly cost to attend Brooklyn College is $2,898 for Middle Atlantic Region Bachelor’s Degree Parks & Rec students whose families make $30-$48k.

The school has an impressive student loan default rate. It’s only 5.0%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

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

#4

Lehman College

Bronx, New York

Out of the 72 schools in the Best Value Parks & Rec Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Middle Atlantic Region For Those Making $30-$48k that were part of this year’s ranking, Lehman College landed the #4 spot on the list. Lehman College is a fairly large school located in Bronx, New York that handed out 49 bachelors’s parks and rec degrees in 2019-2020.

The estimated yearly cost for Lehman is $3,289 for Middle Atlantic Region Bachelor’s Degree Parks & Rec students whose families make $30-$48k.

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

#5

University of Maryland - College Park

College Park, Maryland
#2 in overall quality

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend University of Maryland - College Park. The school came in at #5 for the Best Value Parks & Rec Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Middle Atlantic Region For Those Making $30-$48k. This large school is located in College Park, Maryland, and it awarded 238 bachelors’s parks and rec degrees in 2019-2020.

UMCP did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #2 on our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Middle Atlantic Region” list. The yearly cost to attend UMCP is $12,128 for middle atlantic region bachelor’s degree parks & rec students whose families make $30-$48k.

The low student loan default rate of 2.4% 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%. 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 UMCP

#6

Towson University

Towson, Maryland
#5 in overall quality

Towson University came in at #6 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Parks & Rec Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Middle Atlantic Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Located in Towson, Maryland, this large public school handed out 280 diplomas to qualified bachelors’s parks and rec students in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Towson, the school also landed the #5 spot in our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Middle Atlantic Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Towson is $12,632 for Middle Atlantic Region Bachelor’s Degree Parks & Rec students whose families make $30-$48k.

The low 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%. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 85%.

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

#7

St. Joseph's College - New York

Brooklyn, New York
#16 in overall quality

With a ranking of #7, St. Joseph’s College - New York did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Parks & Rec Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Middle Atlantic Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. SJC is a private not-for-profit institution located in Brooklyn, New York. The school has a medium-sized population, and it awarded 14 bachelors’s degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at SJC, the school also landed the #16 spot in our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Middle Atlantic Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend St. Joseph’s College - New York is $16,162 for middle atlantic region bachelor’s degree parks & rec students whose families make $30-$48k.

The school has an impressive student loan default rate. It’s only 4.2%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies at St. Joseph’s College - New York

#8

University of Delaware

Newark, Delaware
#3 in overall quality

University of Delaware came in at #8 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Parks & Rec Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Middle Atlantic Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Located in Newark, Delaware, this large public school awarded 201 degrees to qualified bachelors’s parks and rec students in 2019-2020.

UD also made our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Middle Atlantic Region” list, coming in at #3. It costs about $12,236 for Middle Atlantic Region Bachelor’s Degree Parks & Rec students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend UD.

The low student loan default rate of 2.4% 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 90%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its students.

Full University of Delaware Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Report

#9

SUNY Cortland

Cortland, New York
#6 in overall quality

SUNY Cortland landed the #9 spot on the 2022 Best Value Parks & Rec Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Middle Atlantic Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. SUNY Cortland is located in Cortland, New York and, has a medium-sized student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 315 bachelors’s parks and rec degrees to qualified students.

SUNY Cortland not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #6 on our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Middle Atlantic Region” list. The estimated yearly cost for SUNY Cortland is $14,536 for Middle Atlantic Region Bachelor’s Degree Parks & Rec students whose families make $30-$48k.

The school has an impressive student loan default rate. It’s only 4.5%, which is much lower than the national 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

#10

Rutgers University - New Brunswick

New Brunswick, New Jersey
#8 in overall quality

Rutgers University - New Brunswick did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Parks & Rec Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Middle Atlantic Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #10. New Brunswick, New Jersey is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out bachelors’s parks and rec degrees to 384 students in 2019-2020.

Rutgers New Brunswick not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #8 on our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Middle Atlantic Region” list. It costs about $15,779 for Middle Atlantic Region Bachelor’s Degree Parks & Rec students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend Rutgers University - New Brunswick.

The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 93%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. The student loan default rate at the school is 3.6%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

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

#11

SUNY Fredonia

Fredonia, New York

SUNY Fredonia ranked #11 on this year’s Best Value Parks & Rec Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Middle Atlantic Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. SUNY Fredonia is a small public school situated in Fredonia, New York. It awarded 29 bachelors’s parks and rec degrees in 2019-2020.

The yearly cost to attend SUNY Fredonia is $11,935 for middle atlantic region bachelor’s degree parks & rec students whose families make $30-$48k.

The school has an impressive student loan default rate. It’s only 4.5%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

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

#12

The College at Brockport

Brockport, New York
#17 in overall quality

The College at Brockport landed the #12 spot on the 2022 Best Value Parks & Rec Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Middle Atlantic Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Brockport, New York is the setting for this medium-sized institution of higher learning. The public school handed out bachelors’s parks and rec degrees to 264 students in 2019-2020.

SUNY Brockport not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #17 on our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Middle Atlantic Region” list. The yearly cost to attend SUNY Brockport is $13,266 for middle atlantic region bachelor’s degree parks & rec students whose families make $30-$48k.

The low student loan default rate of 5.0% 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%.

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

#13

Salisbury University

Salisbury, Maryland
#14 in overall quality

Salisbury University ranked #13 on this year’s Best Value Parks & Rec Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Middle Atlantic Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. Salisbury University is a medium-sized public school situated in Salisbury, Maryland. It awarded 135 bachelors’s parks and rec degrees in 2019-2020.

Salisbury also took the #14 spot in our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Middle Atlantic Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Salisbury is $15,294 for Middle Atlantic Region Bachelor’s Degree Parks & Rec students whose families make $30-$48k.

The low 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 Salisbury University

#14

Medaille College

Buffalo, New York

Medaille College ranked #14 on this year’s Best Value Parks & Rec Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Middle Atlantic Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. This small school is located in Buffalo, New York, and it awarded 18 bachelors’s parks and rec degrees in 2019-2020.

The estimated yearly cost for Medaille is $9,258 for Middle Atlantic Region Bachelor’s Degree Parks & Rec students whose families make $30-$48k.

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

#15

Slippery Rock University of Pennsylvania

Slippery Rock, Pennsylvania
#10 in overall quality

With a ranking of #15, Slippery Rock University of Pennsylvania did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Parks & Rec Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Middle Atlantic Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. Slippery Rock University of Pennsylvania is a medium-sized school located in Slippery Rock, Pennsylvania that handed out 161 bachelors’s parks and rec degrees in 2019-2020.

SRU also made our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Middle Atlantic Region” list, coming in at #10. The yearly cost to attend Slippery Rock University of Pennsylvania is $15,470 for middle atlantic region bachelor’s degree parks & rec students whose families make $30-$48k.

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

#16

Canisius College

Buffalo, New York
#23 in overall quality

Canisius College came in at #16 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Parks & Rec Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Middle Atlantic Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. This small school is located in Buffalo, New York, and it awarded 64 bachelors’s parks and rec degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our middle atlantic region bachelor’s degree parks & rec students whose families make $30-$48k list, Canisius has also earned the #23 rank in our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Middle Atlantic Region” ranking. It costs about $13,445 for middle atlantic region bachelor’s degree parks & rec students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend Canisius College.

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

#17

Kean University

Union, New Jersey
#13 in overall quality

Kean University did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Parks & Rec Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Middle Atlantic Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #17. This fairly large school is located in Union, New Jersey, and it awarded 29 bachelors’s parks and rec degrees in 2019-2020.

Kean did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #13 on our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Middle Atlantic Region” list. The yearly cost to attend Kean is $15,827 for Middle Atlantic Region Bachelor’s Degree Parks & Rec students whose families make $30-$48k.

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

#18

Cheyney University of Pennsylvania

Cheyney, Pennsylvania

Cheyney University of Pennsylvania came in at #18 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Parks & Rec Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Middle Atlantic Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Cheyney University of Pennsylvania is located in Cheyney, Pennsylvania and, has a small student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 4 bachelors’s parks and rec degrees to qualified students.

The estimated yearly cost for Cheyney University of Pennsylvania is $8,609 for Middle Atlantic Region Bachelor’s Degree Parks & Rec students whose families make $30-$48k.

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

#19

Syracuse University

Syracuse, New York
#1 in overall quality

Syracuse University did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Parks & Rec Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Middle Atlantic Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #19. This large school is located in Syracuse, New York, and it awarded 180 bachelors’s parks and rec degrees in 2019-2020.

Syracuse also took the #1 spot in our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Middle Atlantic Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Syracuse is $21,360 for middle atlantic region bachelor’s degree parks & rec students whose families make $30-$48k.

The low student loan default rate of 3.3% 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%. With a freshman retention rate of 89%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its students.

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

#20

University of Pittsburgh - Bradford

Bradford, Pennsylvania

University of Pittsburgh - Bradford landed the #20 spot on the 2022 Best Value Parks & Rec Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Middle Atlantic Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. University of Pittsburgh - Bradford is a small school located in Bradford, Pennsylvania that handed out 24 bachelors’s parks and rec degrees in 2019-2020.

It costs about $15,476 for Middle Atlantic Region Bachelor’s Degree Parks & Rec students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend University of Pittsburgh - Bradford.

The student loan default rate at the school is 3.5%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

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

#21

Montclair State University

Montclair, New Jersey

Montclair State University landed the #21 spot on the 2022 Best Value Parks & Rec Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Middle Atlantic Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Montclair State University is a public institution located in Montclair, New Jersey. The school has a large population, and it awarded 66 bachelors’s degrees in 2019-2020.

The yearly cost to attend Montclair State University is $14,913 for middle atlantic region bachelor’s degree parks & rec students whose families make $30-$48k.

The student loan default rate at the school is 4.6%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

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

#22

Mercy College

Dobbs Ferry, New York

Mercy College landed the #22 spot on the 2022 Best Value Parks & Rec Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Middle Atlantic Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Mercy College is a medium-sized private not-for-profit school situated in Dobbs Ferry, New York. It awarded 15 bachelors’s parks and rec degrees in 2019-2020.

The yearly cost to attend Mercy College is $13,132 for Middle Atlantic Region Bachelor’s Degree Parks & Rec students whose families make $30-$48k.

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

#23

Edinboro University of Pennsylvania

Edinboro, Pennsylvania

Edinboro University of Pennsylvania landed the #23 spot on the 2022 Best Value Parks & Rec Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Middle Atlantic Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Edinboro is a public institution located in Edinboro, Pennsylvania. The school has a small population, and it awarded 57 bachelors’s degrees in 2019-2020.

It costs about $13,986 for middle atlantic region bachelor’s degree parks & rec students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend Edinboro University of Pennsylvania.

Full Edinboro University of Pennsylvania Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Report

#24

West Chester University of Pennsylvania

West Chester, Pennsylvania
#21 in overall quality

West Chester University of Pennsylvania came in at #24 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Parks & Rec Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Middle Atlantic Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. WCUPA is a fairly large school located in West Chester, Pennsylvania that handed out 168 bachelors’s parks and rec degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our middle atlantic region bachelor’s degree parks & rec students whose families make $30-$48k list, WCUPA has also earned the #21 rank in our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Middle Atlantic Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend WCUPA is $17,966 for middle atlantic region bachelor’s degree parks & rec students whose families make $30-$48k.

The school has an impressive student loan default rate. It’s only 4.4%, which is much lower than the national 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 West Chester University of Pennsylvania

#25

Niagara University

Niagara University, New York

Niagara University landed the #25 spot on the 2022 Best Value Parks & Rec Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Middle Atlantic Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. This small school is located in Niagara University, New York, and it awarded 21 bachelors’s parks and rec degrees in 2019-2020.

It costs about $14,145 for middle atlantic region bachelor’s degree parks & rec students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend Niagara University.

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

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Notes and References

References

  • 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).
  • Information about the national average student loan default rate is from the U.S. Department of Education and refers to data about the 2016 borrower cohort tracking period for which the cohort default rate (CDR) was 10.1%.

Read more about our data sources and methodologies

Footnotes

  • *Average salary, average net price, and average tuition and fees are for the top schools only.
  • Some schools otherwise deserving of recognition may have been removed from this ranking in the event that new data identified post-publication warranted it, or at the request of the school.

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