2027 Best Value Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies Schools in Maryland

[Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies](/majors/parks-recreation-fitness/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
For its 2027 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 12 schools to find the best return on investment for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies students.
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2027 Best Value Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies Schools in Maryland
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degrees they offer, see the list below.
Best Value Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies Schools
Hagerstown Community College tops our 2027 list of the best value parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies schools in Maryland. Located in the suburb of Hagerstown, Hagerstown Community College is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,320, with out-of-state students paying around $8,190. Students borrow a median of $15,126 to complete the parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies program here. Early-career parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies graduates make about $46,478. That is a strong return on a $15,126 median debt.
Harford Community College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies, landing the #2 spot this year. Located in the rural area of Bel Air, Harford Community College is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,032, while out-of-state students pay about $8,832. Typical student debt for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies graduates is $12,624. Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies graduates of Harford Community College earn a median of $50,636 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $12,624 median debt.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at The Community College Of Baltimore County earned it the #3 place for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies. The Community College Of Baltimore County is a very large public school located in the suburb of Baltimore. In-state tuition and fees average $4,110, while out-of-state students pay about $10,182. Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies graduates carry a median of $18,038 in student loans. Early-career parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies graduates make about $52,440. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
University Of Maryland College Park came in at #4 on our 2027 list of the best value parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies schools. Located in the suburb of College Park, University Of Maryland College Park is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,809, while out-of-state students pay about $41,186. Typical student debt for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies graduates is $23,138. Soon after graduation, parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degree recipients from University Of Maryland College Park generally make around $31,403. Set against $23,138 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 45%.
Anne Arundel Community College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies, landing the #5 spot this year. Anne Arundel Community College is a large public school located in the suburb of Arnold. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,322, while out-of-state students pay about $11,522. Typical student debt for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies graduates is $13,947. Soon after graduation, parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degree recipients from Anne Arundel Community College generally make around $59,894. Set against $13,947 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
University Of Maryland Eastern Shore came in at #6 for value in parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies this year. Set in the town of Princess Anne, University Of Maryland Eastern Shore is a mid-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,076, while out-of-state students pay about $20,122. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies program here. Early-career parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies graduates make about $30,407. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 96%.
Towson University placed #7 among the best values for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies. Located in the city of Towson, Towson University is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $11,728, with out-of-state students paying around $29,820. Typical student debt for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies graduates is $22,250. Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies graduates of Towson University earn a median of $32,101 early in their careers. Set against $22,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Towson University admits about 82% of applicants.
Frostburg State University placed #8 among the best values for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies. Frostburg State University is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Frostburg. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,220, while out-of-state students pay about $25,814. Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies graduates carry a median of $26,500 in student loans. Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies graduates of Frostburg State University earn a median of $23,624 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $26,500 median debt. Frostburg State University admits about 89% of applicants.
Salisbury University landed the #9 spot for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies value this year. Salisbury University is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Salisbury. Students from in state pay about $11,084 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $22,174. Students borrow a median of $25,000 to complete the parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies program here. Soon after graduation, parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degree recipients from Salisbury University generally make around $29,344. Set against $25,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Salisbury University admits about 88% of applicants.
Bowie State University ranked #10 on our 2027 list of the best value parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies schools. Set in the suburb of Bowie, Bowie State University is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $9,218, compared with $19,938 for out-of-state students. Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies graduates carry a median of $26,250 in student loans. Early-career parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies graduates make about $36,381. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 72% of applicants are accepted.
Mcdaniel College placed #11 among the best values for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies. Mcdaniel College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the town of Westminster. Students from in state pay about $52,081 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $25,697 to complete the parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies program here. Early-career parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies graduates make about $38,122. That is a strong return on a $25,697 median debt. Roughly 78% of applicants are accepted.
Mount St Marys University came in at #12 for value in parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies this year. Located in the rural area of Emmitsburg, Mount St Marys University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $48,630. Students borrow a median of $23,539 to complete the parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies program here. Early-career parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies graduates make about $50,657. Set against $23,539 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 74% of applicants are accepted.
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Notes and References
This list is compiled by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 edition. Schools are scored on the balance of cost (tuition and student debt) against student outcomes (post-graduation earnings) — a measure of return on investment, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 12 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 12 ranked schools only.
- 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).
More about our data sources and methodologies.