2023 Best Value Parks & Rec Schools in the Middle Atlantic Region
62
Ranked Colleges
8,010
Degrees Awarded
$18,700
Avg Net Price*
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 Middle Atlantic Region” 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 Middle Atlantic region, there were 8,010 parks, recreation, leisure, and fitness studies graduates with average earnings and debt of $32,049 and $25,045 respectively.
This year’s “Best Value Parks & Rec Schools in the Middle Atlantic Region” ranking looked at 62 colleges that offer degrees in a bachelor’s in parks, recreation, leisure, and fitness studies. Not only do the schools that top this list have excellent parks, recreation, leisure, and fitness studies programs, but they also cost less that schools of similar quality.
Some of the factors we look at when determining these rankings are overall quality of the parks, recreation, leisure, and fitness studies program at the school and the cost of the school after aid is awarded among other things. For more information, check out our ranking methodology.
More Ways to Rank Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Schools
Since the program you select can have a significant impact on your future, we’ve developed a number of rankings, including this “Best Value Parks & Rec Schools in the Middle Atlantic Region” list, to help you choose the best school for you.
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. When you have some time, check it out - you may want to bookmark the link so you don’t forget it.
Best Value Parks & Rec Schools in the Middle Atlantic Region
The following schools top our list of the Best Best Value Parks & Rec Schools in the Middle Atlantic Region.
Top 25 Best Value Colleges for Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies in the Middle Atlantic Region
You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Slippery Rock University of Pennsylvania. The school came in at #1 for the Best Value Parks & Rec Schools in the Middle Atlantic Region. Slippery Rock University of Pennsylvania is located in Slippery Rock, Pennsylvania and, has a medium-sized student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 104 ’s parks and rec degrees to qualified students.
As a testament to the quality of education offered at SRU, the school also landed the #15 spot in our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Schools in the Middle Atlantic Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend SRU is $19,927 for Middle Atlantic Region Parks & Rec students.
The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 4.6%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.
Read more about Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies at Slippery Rock University of Pennsylvania
You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend California University of Pennsylvania. The school came in at #2 for the Best Value Parks & Rec Schools in the Middle Atlantic Region. Located in California, Pennsylvania, this medium-sized public school awarded 374 diplomas to qualified ’s parks and rec students in 2020-2021.
Cal U also made our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Schools in the Middle Atlantic Region” list, coming in at #11. The yearly cost to attend California University of Pennsylvania is $19,117 for Middle Atlantic Region Parks & Rec students.
Full California University of Pennsylvania Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Report
You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend SUNY Cortland. It ranked #3 on our 2023 Best Value Parks & Rec Schools in the Middle Atlantic Region list. This medium-sized school is located in Cortland, New York, and it awarded 349 ’s parks and rec degrees in 2020-2021.
SUNY Cortland also made our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Schools in the Middle Atlantic Region” list, coming in at #10. It costs about $19,273 for Middle Atlantic Region Parks & Rec students per year to attend SUNY Cortland.
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 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%.
Full SUNY Cortland Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Report
Out of the 62 schools in the Best Value Parks & Rec Schools in the Middle Atlantic Region that were part of this year’s ranking, East Stroudsburg University of Pennsylvania landed the #4 spot on the list. This medium-sized school is located in East Stroudsburg, Pennsylvania, and it awarded 131 ’s parks and rec degrees in 2020-2021.
East Stroudsburg University did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #18 on our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Schools in the Middle Atlantic Region” list. The estimated yearly cost for East Stroudsburg University of Pennsylvania is $20,141 for Middle Atlantic Region Parks & Rec students.
Full East Stroudsburg University of Pennsylvania Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Report
Out of the 62 schools in the Best Value Parks & Rec Schools in the Middle Atlantic Region that were part of this year’s ranking, West Chester University of Pennsylvania landed the #5 spot on the list. WCUPA is a public institution located in West Chester, Pennsylvania. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 214 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.
In addition to being on our middle atlantic region parks & rec students list, WCUPA has also earned the #9 rank in our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Schools in the Middle Atlantic Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend West Chester University of Pennsylvania is $21,484 for middle atlantic region parks & rec students.
Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 85%. 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%.
Full WCUPA Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Report
The College at Brockport ranked #6 on this year’s Best Value Parks & Rec Schools in the Middle Atlantic Region list. The College at Brockport is a medium-sized public school situated in Brockport, New York. It awarded 185 ’s parks and rec degrees in 2020-2021.
As a testament to the quality of education offered at SUNY Brockport, the school also landed the #17 spot in our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Schools in the Middle Atlantic Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend The College at Brockport is $16,532 for middle atlantic region parks & rec students.
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 SUNY Brockport
Lock Haven University landed the #7 spot on the 2023 Best Value Parks & Rec Schools in the Middle Atlantic Region ranking. LHU is a public institution located in Lock Haven, Pennsylvania. The school has a small population, and it awarded 113 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.
In addition to being on our middle atlantic region parks & rec students list, LHU has also earned the #21 rank in our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Schools in the Middle Atlantic Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Lock Haven University is $21,245 for middle atlantic region parks & rec students.
Read more about Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies at LHU
With a ranking of #8, Canisius College did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Parks & Rec Schools in the Middle Atlantic Region list. Located in Buffalo, New York, this small private not-for-profit school handed out 115 diplomas to qualified ’s parks and rec students in 2020-2021.
In addition to being on our middle atlantic region parks & rec students list, Canisius has also earned the #13 rank in our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Schools in the Middle Atlantic Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Canisius College is $18,602 for Middle Atlantic Region Parks & Rec students.
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 Canisius
Kutztown University of Pennsylvania ranked #9 on this year’s Best Value Parks & Rec Schools in the Middle Atlantic Region list. Kutztown University is located in Kutztown, Pennsylvania and, has a medium-sized student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 95 ’s parks and rec degrees to qualified students.
It costs about $23,227 for middle atlantic region parks & rec students per year to attend Kutztown University of Pennsylvania.
Full Kutztown University Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Report
Towson University did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Parks & Rec Schools in the Middle Atlantic Region ranking, coming in at #10. Towson is a large public school situated in Towson, Maryland. It awarded 251 ’s parks and rec degrees in 2020-2021.
Towson also made our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Schools in the Middle Atlantic Region” list, coming in at #8. The estimated yearly cost for Towson University is $18,105 for middle atlantic region parks & rec students.
The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 2.7%, 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 Towson University
With a ranking of #11, Edinboro University of Pennsylvania did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Parks & Rec Schools in the Middle Atlantic Region list. Edinboro is a small public school situated in Edinboro, Pennsylvania. It awarded 29 ’s parks and rec degrees in 2020-2021.
The yearly cost to attend Edinboro is $16,363 for middle atlantic region parks & rec students.
Full Edinboro University of Pennsylvania Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Report
Shippensburg University of Pennsylvania ranked #12 on this year’s Best Value Parks & Rec Schools in the Middle Atlantic Region list. Ship is a medium-sized public school situated in Shippensburg, Pennsylvania. It awarded 35 ’s parks and rec degrees in 2020-2021.
It costs about $23,006 for middle atlantic region parks & rec students per year to attend Shippensburg University of Pennsylvania.
The low undergrad student loan default rate of 4.8% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.
Read full report on Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies at Shippensburg University of Pennsylvania
Salisbury University came in at #13 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Parks & Rec Schools in the Middle Atlantic Region ranking. Salisbury is a public institution located in Salisbury, Maryland. The school has a medium-sized population, and it awarded 111 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.
The yearly cost to attend Salisbury University is $18,402 for Middle Atlantic Region Parks & Rec students.
The low undergrad student loan default rate of 3.6% 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 Salisbury University Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Report
Delaware State University ranked #14 on this year’s Best Value Parks & Rec Schools in the Middle Atlantic Region list. This medium-sized school is located in Dover, Delaware, and it awarded 69 ’s parks and rec degrees in 2020-2021.
It costs about $14,866 for middle atlantic region parks & rec students per year to attend Del State.
Read full report on Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies at Delaware State University
Indiana University of Pennsylvania - Main Campus came in at #15 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Parks & Rec Schools in the Middle Atlantic Region ranking. Indiana, Pennsylvania is the setting for this medium-sized institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s parks and rec degrees to 112 students in 2020-2021.
It costs about $22,828 for middle atlantic region parks & rec students per year to attend IUP.
Full IUP Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Report
Brooklyn College did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Parks & Rec Schools in the Middle Atlantic Region ranking, coming in at #16. Brooklyn College is a fairly large school located in Brooklyn, New York that handed out 83 ’s parks and rec degrees in 2020-2021.
As a testament to the quality of education offered at Brooklyn College, the school also landed the #25 spot in our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Schools in the Middle Atlantic Region” ranking. It costs about $3,067 for middle atlantic region parks & rec students per year to attend Brooklyn College.
The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 4.5%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.
Full Brooklyn College Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Report
Temple University ranked #17 on this year’s Best Value Parks & Rec Schools in the Middle Atlantic Region list. Philadelphia, Pennsylvania is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s parks and rec degrees to 299 students in 2020-2021.
Temple also made our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Schools in the Middle Atlantic Region” list, coming in at #6. The yearly cost to attend Temple University is $23,888 for Middle Atlantic Region Parks & Rec students.
The low undergrad student loan default rate of 3.5% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 87%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.
Full Temple University Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Report
With a ranking of #18, Bloomsburg University of Pennsylvania did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Parks & Rec Schools in the Middle Atlantic Region list. Bloomsburg University of Pennsylvania is a medium-sized public school situated in Bloomsburg, Pennsylvania. It awarded 53 ’s parks and rec degrees in 2020-2021.
The yearly cost to attend Bloomsburg University of Pennsylvania is $20,639 for Middle Atlantic Region Parks & Rec students.
Full Bloomsburg University of Pennsylvania Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Report
With a ranking of #19, Millersville University of Pennsylvania did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Parks & Rec Schools in the Middle Atlantic Region list. Millersville is located in Millersville, Pennsylvania and, has a medium-sized student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 18 ’s parks and rec degrees to qualified students.
It costs about $23,133 for Middle Atlantic Region Parks & Rec students per year to attend Millersville University of Pennsylvania.
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 more about Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies at Millersville University of Pennsylvania
William Paterson University of New Jersey did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Parks & Rec Schools in the Middle Atlantic Region ranking, coming in at #20. William Paterson University of New Jersey is a public institution located in Wayne, New Jersey. The school has a medium-sized population, and it awarded 107 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.
The estimated yearly cost for William Paterson University of New Jersey is $18,498 for middle atlantic region parks & rec students.
The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 90%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.
Full William Paterson University of New Jersey Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Report
Fairleigh Dickinson University - Metropolitan Campus ranked #21 on this year’s Best Value Parks & Rec Schools in the Middle Atlantic Region list. Teaneck, New Jersey is the setting for this medium-sized institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out ’s parks and rec degrees to 19 students in 2020-2021.
The estimated yearly cost for Fairleigh Dickinson University - Metropolitan Campus is $12,069 for Middle Atlantic Region Parks & Rec students.
Read full report on Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies at FDU
Rutgers University - New Brunswick did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Parks & Rec Schools in the Middle Atlantic Region ranking, coming in at #22. Rutgers New Brunswick is a large public school situated in New Brunswick, New Jersey. It awarded 456 ’s parks and rec degrees in 2020-2021.
Rutgers New Brunswick also took the #5 spot in our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Schools in the Middle Atlantic Region” ranking. It costs about $23,035 for middle atlantic region parks & rec students per year to attend Rutgers New Brunswick.
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%. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 93%.
Read more about Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies at Rutgers University - New Brunswick
Queens College landed the #23 spot on the 2023 Best Value Parks & Rec Schools in the Middle Atlantic Region ranking. Located in Queens, New York, this fairly large public school handed out 86 diplomas to qualified ’s parks and rec students in 2020-2021.
The yearly cost to attend QC is $3,469 for middle atlantic region parks & rec students.
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%.
Read more about Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies at QC
With a ranking of #24, Keystone College did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Parks & Rec Schools in the Middle Atlantic Region list. Keystone College is located in La Plume, Pennsylvania and, has a small student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 19 ’s parks and rec degrees to qualified students.
The yearly cost to attend Keystone College is $25,268 for Middle Atlantic Region Parks & Rec students.
Read full report on Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies at Keystone College
York College of Pennsylvania did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Parks & Rec Schools in the Middle Atlantic Region ranking, coming in at #25. York, Pennsylvania is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out ’s parks and rec degrees to 35 students in 2020-2021.
It costs about $22,233 for Middle Atlantic Region Parks & Rec students per year to attend York College of Pennsylvania.
The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 3.4%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.
Full York College of Pennsylvania Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Report
