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2023 Best Value Parks & Rec Schools in the New England Region For Those Making $30-$48k

30 Ranked Colleges
2,777 Degrees Awarded
$18,600 Avg Net Price*
Best Value Parks & Rec Schools in the New England Region For Those Making $30-$48k

When pursuing a degree in today’s world, students have many different options to choose from. 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 the New England Region For Those Making $30-$48k” 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 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.

For this year’s “Best Value Parks & Rec Schools in the New England Region For Those Making $30-$48k” ranking, we looked at 30 colleges that offer a degree 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. Check out our ranking methodology for more information.

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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 $30-$48k”.

You can create your own custom comparison that focuses on the factors most important to you using our tool, College Combat. Test it out when you get a chance! You may also want to bookmark the link and share it with others who are trying to make the college decision.

Best Value Parks & Rec Schools in the New England Region For Those Making $30-$48k

The following schools top our list of the Best Best Value Parks & Rec Schools in the New England Region For Those Making $30-$48k.

Top 25 Best Value Colleges for Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies (Income $30-$48k) in the New England Region

1
UMass Amherst crest
University of Massachusetts Amherst
Amherst, Massachusetts

Out of the 30 schools in the Best Value Parks & Rec Schools in the New England Region For Those Making $30-$48k that were part of this year’s ranking, University of Massachusetts Amherst landed the #1 spot on the list. Located in Amherst, Massachusetts, this large public school awarded 144 degrees to qualified ’s parks and rec students in 2020-2021.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at UMass Amherst, the school also landed the #2 spot in our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Schools in the New England Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for UMass Amherst is $13,203 for New England Region Parks & Rec students whose families make $30-$48k.

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%. 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 UMass Amherst

2
UCONN crest
University of Connecticut
Storrs, Connecticut

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend University of Connecticut. The school came in at #2 for the Best Value Parks & Rec Schools in the New England Region For Those Making $30-$48k. This large school is located in Storrs, Connecticut, and it awarded 51 ’s parks and rec degrees in 2020-2021.

UCONN also took the #3 spot in our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Schools in the New England Region” ranking. It costs about $15,498 for New England Region Parks & Rec students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend UCONN.

With a freshman retention rate of 93%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. 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%.

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

3
UVM crest
University of Vermont
Burlington, Vermont

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend University of Vermont. It ranked #3 on our 2023 Best Value Parks & Rec Schools in the New England Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. Located in Burlington, Vermont, this fairly large public school handed out 43 degrees to qualified ’s parks and rec students 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 $13,523 for new england region parks & rec students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend UVM.

With a freshman retention rate of 85%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. The low undergrad student loan default rate of 1.7% 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 full report on Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies at UVM

4

Out of the 30 schools in the Best Value Parks & Rec Schools in the New England Region For Those Making $30-$48k that were part of this year’s ranking, Northern Vermont University landed the #4 spot on the list. Northern Vermont University is a small public school situated in Johnson, Vermont. It awarded 42 ’s parks and rec degrees in 2020-2021.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Northern Vermont University, the school also landed the #11 spot in our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Schools in the New England Region” ranking. It costs about $14,086 for new england region parks & rec students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend Northern Vermont University.

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

5
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 #5 for the Best Value Parks & Rec Schools in the New England Region For Those Making $30-$48k. Castleton is a small school located in Castleton, Vermont that handed out 58 ’s parks and rec degrees in 2020-2021.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Castleton, the school also landed the #5 spot in our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Schools in the New England Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Castleton is $14,587 for New England Region Parks & Rec students whose families make $30-$48k.

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

6

University of New Hampshire - Main Campus came in at #6 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Parks & Rec Schools in the New England Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. This fairly large school is located in Durham, New Hampshire, and it awarded 160 ’s parks and rec degrees in 2020-2021.

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. It costs about $17,650 for New England Region Parks & Rec students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend University of New Hampshire - Main Campus.

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 school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 86%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.

Read more about Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies at University of New Hampshire - Main Campus

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 $30-$48k ranking. Located in Boston, Massachusetts, this fairly large public school awarded 143 diplomas to qualified ’s parks and rec students in 2020-2021.

UMass Boston did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #12 on our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Schools in the New England Region” list. It costs about $14,230 for New England Region Parks & Rec students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend University of Massachusetts - Boston.

Read full report on 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 $30-$48k list. Plymouth State is a public institution located in Plymouth, New Hampshire. The school has a small population, and it awarded 81 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

Plymouth State not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #10 on our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Schools in the New England Region” list. The yearly cost to attend Plymouth State University is $17,329 for New England Region Parks & Rec students whose families make $30-$48k.

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

9
CCSU crest
Central Connecticut State University
New Britain, Connecticut

Central Connecticut State University landed the #9 spot on the 2023 Best Value Parks & Rec Schools in the New England Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. CCSU is a medium-sized public school situated in New Britain, Connecticut. It awarded 60 ’s parks and rec degrees in 2020-2021.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at CCSU, the school also landed the #20 spot in our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Schools in the New England Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend CCSU is $13,248 for New England Region Parks & Rec students whose families make $30-$48k.

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

10
Norwich crest
Norwich University
Northfield, Vermont

Norwich University ranked #10 on this year’s Best Value Parks & Rec Schools in the New England Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. This small school is located in Northfield, Vermont, and it awarded 19 ’s parks and rec degrees in 2020-2021.

In addition to being on our new england region parks & rec students whose families make $30-$48k list, Norwich has also earned the #9 rank in our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Schools in the New England Region” ranking. It costs about $17,841 for new england region parks & rec students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend Norwich.

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

11
Westfield crest
Westfield State University
Westfield, Massachusetts

Westfield State University did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Parks & Rec Schools in the New England Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #11. Located in Westfield, Massachusetts, this medium-sized public school awarded 56 degrees to qualified ’s parks and rec students 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 estimated yearly cost for Westfield is $14,163 for New England Region Parks & Rec students whose families make $30-$48k.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 3.8%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

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

12
Salem State crest
Salem State University
Salem, Massachusetts

Salem State University came in at #12 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Parks & Rec Schools in the New England Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. This medium-sized school is located in Salem, Massachusetts, and it awarded 35 ’s parks and rec degrees in 2020-2021.

In addition to being on our new england region parks & rec students whose families make $30-$48k list, Salem State has also earned the #17 rank in our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Schools in the New England Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Salem State University is $16,668 for new england region parks & rec students whose families make $30-$48k.

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

13
Springfield College crest
Springfield College
Springfield, Massachusetts

Springfield College landed the #13 spot on the 2023 Best Value Parks & Rec Schools in the New England Region For Those Making $30-$48k 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 129 students in 2020-2021.

In addition to being on our new england region parks & rec students whose families make $30-$48k list, Springfield College has also earned the #4 rank in our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Schools in the New England Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Springfield College is $20,816 for New England Region Parks & Rec students whose families make $30-$48k.

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 Springfield College

14

Southern Connecticut State University landed the #14 spot on the 2023 Best Value Parks & Rec Schools in the New England Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. New Haven, Connecticut is the setting for this medium-sized institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s parks and rec degrees to 100 students in 2020-2021.

SCSU did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #15 on our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Schools in the New England Region” list. The yearly cost to attend SCSU is $19,210 for new england region parks & rec students whose families make $30-$48k.

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

15
ECSU crest
Eastern Connecticut State University
Willimantic, Connecticut

Eastern Connecticut State University came in at #15 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Parks & Rec Schools in the New England Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Willimantic, Connecticut is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s parks and rec degrees to 26 students in 2020-2021.

ECSU did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #25 on our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Schools in the New England Region” list. The yearly cost to attend Eastern Connecticut State University is $15,154 for new england region parks & rec students whose families make $30-$48k.

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

16
Gordon College crest
Gordon College
Wenham, Massachusetts

Gordon College did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Parks & Rec Schools in the New England Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #16. Wenham, 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 13 students in 2020-2021.

In addition to being on our new england region parks & rec students whose families make $30-$48k list, Gordon College has also earned the #8 rank in our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Schools in the New England Region” ranking. It costs about $24,488 for New England Region Parks & Rec students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend Gordon College.

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%. The undergraduate student-to-faculty ratio of 10 to 1 is a sign that students will have more opportunities to engage with their professors one-on-one.

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

17
Colby - Sawyer crest
Colby - Sawyer College
New London, New Hampshire

With a ranking of #17, Colby - Sawyer College did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Parks & Rec Schools in the New England Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. Colby - Sawyer College is a small private not-for-profit school situated in New London, New Hampshire. It awarded 20 ’s parks and rec degrees in 2020-2021.

In addition to being on our new england region parks & rec students whose families make $30-$48k list, Colby - Sawyer has also earned the #19 rank in our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Schools in the New England Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Colby - Sawyer College is $20,442 for new england region parks & rec students whose families make $30-$48k.

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%.

Read full report on Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies at Colby - Sawyer

18
Post University crest
Post University
Waterbury, Connecticut

Post University did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Parks & Rec Schools in the New England Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #18. 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 $14,815 for New England Region Parks & Rec students whose families make $30-$48k.

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

19
Lasell crest
Lasell University
Newton, Massachusetts

Lasell University came in at #19 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Parks & Rec Schools in the New England Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Newton, 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 80 students in 2020-2021.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Lasell, the school also landed the #14 spot in our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Schools in the New England Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Lasell is $22,815 for new england region parks & rec students whose families make $30-$48k.

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

20
Endicott crest
Endicott College
Beverly, Massachusetts

Endicott College came in at #20 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Parks & Rec Schools in the New England Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Beverly, 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 102 students in 2020-2021.

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 is $26,371 for New England Region Parks & Rec students whose families make $30-$48k.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 2.8%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

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

21
Thomas College crest
Thomas College
Waterville, Maine

Thomas College landed the #21 spot on the 2023 Best Value Parks & Rec Schools in the New England Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Located in Waterville, Maine, this small private not-for-profit school handed out 13 degrees to qualified ’s parks and rec students in 2020-2021.

The estimated yearly cost for Thomas College is $18,791 for new england region parks & rec students whose families make $30-$48k.

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

22

Saint Joseph’s College of Maine did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Parks & Rec Schools in the New England Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #22. This small school is located in Standish, Maine, and it awarded 21 ’s parks and rec degrees in 2020-2021.

Saint Joseph’s Maine also made our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Schools in the New England Region” list, coming in at #21. The yearly cost to attend Saint Joseph’s Maine is $22,844 for New England Region Parks & Rec students whose families make $30-$48k.

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

23
Franklin Pierce crest
Franklin Pierce University
Rindge, New Hampshire

Franklin Pierce University landed the #23 spot on the 2023 Best Value Parks & Rec Schools in the New England Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Franklin Pierce is a private not-for-profit institution located in Rindge, New Hampshire. The school has a small population, and it awarded 27 ’s degrees 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 University is $26,093 for new england region parks & rec students whose families make $30-$48k.

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 Franklin Pierce University

24
Western New England crest
Western New England University
Springfield, Massachusetts

With a ranking of #24, Western New England University did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Parks & Rec Schools in the New England Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. Western New England is a small private not-for-profit school situated in Springfield, Massachusetts. It awarded 39 ’s parks and rec degrees in 2020-2021.

Western New England not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #22 on our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Schools in the New England Region” list. It costs about $24,081 for new england region parks & rec students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend Western New England University.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 3.2%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Full Western New England University Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Report

25
Nichols crest
Nichols College
Dudley, Massachusetts

Nichols College landed the #25 spot on the 2023 Best Value Parks & Rec Schools in the New England Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Nichols is a small private not-for-profit school situated in Dudley, Massachusetts. It awarded 47 ’s parks and rec degrees in 2020-2021.

It costs about $28,285 for new england region parks & rec students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend Nichols.

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

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