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2022 Best Value Master’s Degree Colleges for Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies in the Middle Atlantic Region (With Aid)

33 Ranked Colleges
1,174 Degrees Awarded
$22,400 Avg Grad Tuition & Fees*
Best Value Parks & Rec Schools for a Master's in the Middle Atlantic Region For Those Getting Aid

With all of the options students have for higher education today, it can be tough to choose which direction to take. 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 Master’s in the Middle Atlantic Region For Those Getting Aid” 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 master’s degree level specifically, there were 1,174 parks, recreation, leisure, and fitness studies graduates with average earnings and debt of $60,887 and $46,998 respectively.

This year’s “Best Value Parks & Rec Schools for a Master’s in the Middle Atlantic Region For Those Getting Aid” ranking looked at 33 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.

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. For more information, check out our ranking methodology.

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 Master’s in the Middle Atlantic Region For Those Getting Aid”.

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. If you’re torn between two schools, you can use it to help you see how they stack up against one another. Bookmark it so you can compare any new schools that might interest you.

Best Value Parks & Rec Schools for a Master’s in the Middle Atlantic Region For Those Getting Aid

The following schools top our list of the Best Best Value Parks & Rec Schools for a Master’s in the Middle Atlantic Region For Those Getting Aid.

Top 25 Best Value Master’s Degree Colleges for Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies in the Middle Atlantic Region (With Aid)

#1

Queens College

Queens, New York
#20 in overall quality

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Queens College. The school came in at #1 for the Best Value Parks & Rec Schools for a Master’s in the Middle Atlantic Region For Those Getting Aid. This fairly large school is located in Queens, New York, and it awarded 8 masters’s parks and rec degrees in 2019-2020.

QC did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #20 on our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Master’s Degree Schools in the Middle Atlantic Region” list. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at QC are $21,042.

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

#2

Brooklyn College

Brooklyn, New York
#14 in overall quality

Out of the 33 schools in the Best Value Parks & Rec Schools for a Master’s in the Middle Atlantic Region For Those Getting Aid that were part of this year’s ranking, Brooklyn College landed the #2 spot on the list. Brooklyn College is a fairly large school located in Brooklyn, New York that handed out 25 masters’s parks and rec degrees in 2019-2020.

Brooklyn College did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #14 on our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Master’s Degree Schools in the Middle Atlantic Region” list. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at Brooklyn College are $20,952.

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

#1 in overall quality

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Columbia University in the City of New York. The school came in at #3 for the Best Value Parks & Rec Schools for a Master’s in the Middle Atlantic Region For Those Getting Aid. Columbia is a private not-for-profit institution located in New York, New York. The school has a large population, and it awarded 74 masters’s degrees in 2019-2020.

Columbia did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #1 on our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Master’s Degree Schools in the Middle Atlantic Region” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at Columbia are $51,194, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

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

#4

Frostburg State University

Frostburg, Maryland
#18 in overall quality

Out of the 33 schools in the Best Value Parks & Rec Schools for a Master’s in the Middle Atlantic Region For Those Getting Aid that were part of this year’s ranking, Frostburg State University landed the #4 spot on the list. Frostburg State University is a small public school situated in Frostburg, Maryland. It awarded 10 masters’s parks and rec degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our middle atlantic region master’s degree parks & rec students with aid list, Frostburg State has also earned the #18 rank in our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Master’s Degree Schools in the Middle Atlantic Region” ranking. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at Frostburg State are $12,790.

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

#5

Slippery Rock University of Pennsylvania

Slippery Rock, Pennsylvania
#10 in overall quality

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Slippery Rock University of Pennsylvania. The school came in at #5 for the Best Value Parks & Rec Schools for a Master’s in the Middle Atlantic Region For Those Getting Aid. Slippery Rock, Pennsylvania is the setting for this medium-sized institution of higher learning. The public school handed out masters’s parks and rec degrees to 15 students in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at SRU, the school also landed the #10 spot in our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Master’s Degree Schools in the Middle Atlantic Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at Slippery Rock University of Pennsylvania are $17,652, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

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

#6

University of Maryland - College Park

College Park, Maryland

University of Maryland - College Park did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Parks & Rec Schools for a Master’s in the Middle Atlantic Region For Those Getting Aid ranking, coming in at #6. This large school is located in College Park, Maryland, and it awarded 4 masters’s parks and rec degrees in 2019-2020.

UMCP not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #0 on our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Master’s Degree Schools in the Middle Atlantic Region” list. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at UMCP are $30,885.

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

#7

Canisius College

Buffalo, New York
#3 in overall quality

Canisius College did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Parks & Rec Schools for a Master’s in the Middle Atlantic Region For Those Getting Aid ranking, coming in at #7. This small school is located in Buffalo, New York, and it awarded 70 masters’s parks and rec degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Canisius, the school also landed the #3 spot in our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Master’s Degree Schools in the Middle Atlantic Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at Canisius are $15,870, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

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

#8

SUNY Cortland

Cortland, New York
#6 in overall quality

SUNY Cortland did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Parks & Rec Schools for a Master’s in the Middle Atlantic Region For Those Getting Aid ranking, coming in at #8. Located in Cortland, New York, this medium-sized public school awarded 65 degrees to qualified masters’s parks and rec students in 2019-2020.

SUNY Cortland also took the #6 spot in our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Master’s Degree Schools in the Middle Atlantic Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at SUNY Cortland are $24,707, but some majors have different tuition rates.

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

#9

Kean University

Union, New Jersey
#24 in overall quality

Kean University did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Parks & Rec Schools for a Master’s in the Middle Atlantic Region For Those Getting Aid ranking, coming in at #9. Kean University is a public institution located in Union, New Jersey. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 17 masters’s degrees in 2019-2020.

Kean also made our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Master’s Degree Schools in the Middle Atlantic Region” list, coming in at #24. Average graduate tuition and fees at Kean are $22,318, but some majors have different tuition rates.

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

#10

Rutgers University - New Brunswick

New Brunswick, New Jersey
#8 in overall quality

Rutgers University - New Brunswick came in at #10 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Parks & Rec Schools for a Master’s in the Middle Atlantic Region For Those Getting Aid ranking. New Brunswick, New Jersey is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out masters’s parks and rec degrees to 29 students in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Rutgers New Brunswick, the school also landed the #8 spot in our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Master’s Degree Schools in the Middle Atlantic Region” ranking. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at Rutgers University - New Brunswick are $32,132.

Full Rutgers University - New Brunswick Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Report

Fairleigh Dickinson University - Metropolitan Campus ranked #11 on this year’s Best Value Parks & Rec Schools for a Master’s in the Middle Atlantic Region For Those Getting Aid list. Fairleigh Dickinson University - Metropolitan Campus is a medium-sized private not-for-profit school situated in Teaneck, New Jersey. It awarded 21 masters’s parks and rec degrees in 2019-2020.

Average graduate tuition and fees at FDU are $10,656, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Full Fairleigh Dickinson University - Metropolitan Campus Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Report

#12

California University of Pennsylvania

California, Pennsylvania
#5 in overall quality

California University of Pennsylvania landed the #12 spot on the 2022 Best Value Parks & Rec Schools for a Master’s in the Middle Atlantic Region For Those Getting Aid ranking. California University of Pennsylvania is a medium-sized public school situated in California, Pennsylvania. It awarded 248 masters’s parks and rec degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Cal U, the school also landed the #5 spot in our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Master’s Degree Schools in the Middle Atlantic Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at California University of Pennsylvania are $18,508, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

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

#13

Lock Haven University

Lock Haven, Pennsylvania
#13 in overall quality

With a ranking of #13, Lock Haven University did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Parks & Rec Schools for a Master’s in the Middle Atlantic Region For Those Getting Aid list. This small school is located in Lock Haven, Pennsylvania, and it awarded 41 masters’s parks and rec degrees in 2019-2020.

LHU did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #13 on our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Master’s Degree Schools in the Middle Atlantic Region” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at LHU are $17,379, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Full Lock Haven University Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Report

#14

University of Delaware

Newark, Delaware

University of Delaware did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Parks & Rec Schools for a Master’s in the Middle Atlantic Region For Those Getting Aid ranking, coming in at #14. UD is a public institution located in Newark, Delaware. The school has a large population, and it awarded 1 masters’s degrees in 2019-2020.

UD did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #0 on our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Master’s Degree Schools in the Middle Atlantic Region” list. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at UD are $35,192.

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

#15

Niagara University

Niagara University, New York
#23 in overall quality

Niagara University came in at #15 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Parks & Rec Schools for a Master’s in the Middle Atlantic Region For Those Getting Aid ranking. Niagara is located in Niagara University, New York and, has a small student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 7 masters’s parks and rec degrees to qualified students.

In addition to being on our middle atlantic region master’s degree parks & rec students with aid list, Niagara has also earned the #23 rank in our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Master’s Degree Schools in the Middle Atlantic Region” ranking. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at Niagara are $14,893.

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

#25 in overall quality

William Paterson University of New Jersey did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Parks & Rec Schools for a Master’s in the Middle Atlantic Region For Those Getting Aid ranking, coming in at #16. William Paterson University of New Jersey is a medium-sized school located in Wayne, New Jersey that handed out 8 masters’s parks and rec degrees in 2019-2020.

William Paterson University also took the #25 spot in our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Master’s Degree Schools in the Middle Atlantic Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at William Paterson University of New Jersey are $20,970, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Full William Paterson University of New Jersey Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Report

#17

West Chester University of Pennsylvania

West Chester, Pennsylvania
#15 in overall quality

West Chester University of Pennsylvania did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Parks & Rec Schools for a Master’s in the Middle Atlantic Region For Those Getting Aid ranking, coming in at #17. West Chester, Pennsylvania is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out masters’s parks and rec degrees to 8 students in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our middle atlantic region master’s degree parks & rec students with aid list, WCUPA has also earned the #15 rank in our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Master’s Degree Schools in the Middle Atlantic Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at WCUPA are $16,758, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read full report on Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies at West Chester University of Pennsylvania

#18

Delaware State University

Dover, Delaware

Delaware State University did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Parks & Rec Schools for a Master’s in the Middle Atlantic Region For Those Getting Aid ranking, coming in at #18. This small school is located in Dover, Delaware, and it awarded 11 masters’s parks and rec degrees in 2019-2020.

Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at Del State are $11,726.

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

#19

Georgetown University

Washington, District of Columbia
#2 in overall quality

Georgetown University ranked #19 on this year’s Best Value Parks & Rec Schools for a Master’s in the Middle Atlantic Region For Those Getting Aid list. Georgetown is a fairly large school located in Washington, District of Columbia that handed out 123 masters’s parks and rec degrees in 2019-2020.

Georgetown also took the #2 spot in our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Master’s Degree Schools in the Middle Atlantic Region” ranking. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at Georgetown University are $53,591.

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

#20

East Stroudsburg University of Pennsylvania

East Stroudsburg, Pennsylvania
#17 in overall quality

East Stroudsburg University of Pennsylvania did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Parks & Rec Schools for a Master’s in the Middle Atlantic Region For Those Getting Aid ranking, coming in at #20. East Stroudsburg University is a public institution located in East Stroudsburg, Pennsylvania. The school has a medium-sized population, and it awarded 24 masters’s degrees in 2019-2020.

East Stroudsburg University did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #17 on our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Master’s Degree Schools in the Middle Atlantic Region” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at East Stroudsburg University of Pennsylvania are $16,898, but some majors have different tuition rates.

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

#21

Bloomsburg University of Pennsylvania

Bloomsburg, Pennsylvania

Bloomsburg University of Pennsylvania did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Parks & Rec Schools for a Master’s in the Middle Atlantic Region For Those Getting Aid ranking, coming in at #21. Bloomsburg University of Pennsylvania is a public institution located in Bloomsburg, Pennsylvania. The school has a medium-sized population, and it awarded 11 masters’s degrees in 2019-2020.

Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at Bloomsburg University of Pennsylvania are $16,862.

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

#22

Temple University

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
#4 in overall quality

Temple University ranked #22 on this year’s Best Value Parks & Rec Schools for a Master’s in the Middle Atlantic Region For Those Getting Aid list. Temple University is a public institution located in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The school has a large population, and it awarded 72 masters’s degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Temple, the school also landed the #4 spot in our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Master’s Degree Schools in the Middle Atlantic Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at Temple University are $24,236, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

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

#23

Millersville University of Pennsylvania

Millersville, Pennsylvania

With a ranking of #23, Millersville University of Pennsylvania did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Parks & Rec Schools for a Master’s in the Middle Atlantic Region For Those Getting Aid list. Millersville University of Pennsylvania is a medium-sized public school situated in Millersville, Pennsylvania. It awarded 9 masters’s parks and rec degrees in 2019-2020.

Average graduate tuition and fees at Millersville are $16,350, but some majors have different tuition rates.

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

#21 in overall quality

Indiana University of Pennsylvania - Main Campus landed the #24 spot on the 2022 Best Value Parks & Rec Schools for a Master’s in the Middle Atlantic Region For Those Getting Aid ranking. Indiana University of Pennsylvania - Main Campus is a fairly large school located in Indiana, Pennsylvania that handed out 61 masters’s parks and rec degrees in 2019-2020.

IUP did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #21 on our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Master’s Degree Schools in the Middle Atlantic Region” list. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at IUP are $18,207.

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

#25

Manhattanville College

Purchase, New York
#16 in overall quality

Manhattanville College ranked #25 on this year’s Best Value Parks & Rec Schools for a Master’s in the Middle Atlantic Region For Those Getting Aid list. Purchase, New York is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out masters’s parks and rec degrees to 22 students in 2019-2020.

Manhattanville also took the #16 spot in our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Master’s Degree Schools in the Middle Atlantic Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at Manhattanville are $17,670, but some majors have different tuition rates.

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

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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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