2027 Best Value Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies Schools in New Jersey
[Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies](/majors/parks-recreation-fitness/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
College Factual analyzed 24 schools to build this 2027 ranking of the best value parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies schools.
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2027 Best Value Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies Schools in New Jersey
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
Middlesex County College earned the #1 spot for value among parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies schools in New Jersey. Set in the suburb of Edison, Middlesex County College is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $4,764 in tuition and fees, compared with $7,356 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies graduates is $9,514. Soon after graduation, parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degree recipients from Middlesex County College generally make around $37,975. That is a strong return on a $9,514 median debt.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Mercer County Community College earned it the #2 place for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies. Mercer County Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the rural area of West Windsor. Students from in state pay about $5,310 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $9,174. Typical student debt for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies graduates is $12,250. Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies graduates of Mercer County Community College earn a median of $45,389 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $12,250 median debt.
Students looking for strong value in parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies will find it at Burlington County College, which ranked #3. Located in the suburb of Mount Laurel, Burlington County College is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,990, with out-of-state students paying around $9,495. Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies graduates carry a median of $12,488 in student loans. Soon after graduation, parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degree recipients from Burlington County College generally make around $52,240. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Raritan Valley Community College came in at #4 on our 2027 list of the best value parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies schools. Located in the rural area of Branchburg, Raritan Valley Community College is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,664, with out-of-state students paying around $7,584. Typical student debt for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies graduates is $9,668. Early-career parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies graduates make about $47,248. That is a strong return on a $9,668 median debt.
County College Of Morris is a great value for students pursuing a degree in parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies, landing the #5 spot this year. Located in the suburb of Randolph, County College Of Morris is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $6,210, compared with $14,310 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $7,000 to complete the parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies program here. Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies graduates of County College Of Morris earn a median of $30,966 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $7,000 median debt.
Union County College placed #6 among the best values for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies. Set in the suburb of Cranford, Union County College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,280, compared with $9,500 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $14,218 to complete the parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies program here. Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies graduates of Union County College earn a median of $38,168 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Hudson County Community College placed #7 among the best values for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies. Located in the city of Jersey City, Hudson County Community College is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,384, while out-of-state students pay about $9,248. Students borrow a median of $10,671 to complete the parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies program here. Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies graduates of Hudson County Community College earn a median of $35,909 early in their careers. Set against $10,671 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Sussex County Community College placed #8 among the best values for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies. Sussex County Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the rural area of Newton. Students from in state pay about $5,544 in tuition and fees, compared with $9,024 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies graduates is $10,750. Soon after graduation, parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degree recipients from Sussex County Community College generally make around $27,179. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Gloucester County College came in at #9 for value in parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies this year. Located in the suburb of Sewell, Gloucester County College is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $5,160, with out-of-state students paying around $6,000. Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies graduates carry a median of $13,236 in student loans. Soon after graduation, parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degree recipients from Gloucester County College generally make around $38,274. That is a strong return on a $13,236 median debt.
Kean University placed #10 among the best values for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies. Set in the suburb of Union, Kean University is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $14,299, compared with $22,446 for out-of-state students. Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies graduates carry a median of $27,625 in student loans. Soon after graduation, parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degree recipients from Kean University generally make around $37,884. Set against $27,625 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Kean University admits about 76% of applicants.
Fairleigh Dickinson University Metropolitan Campus landed the #11 spot for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies value this year. Set in the suburb of Teaneck, Fairleigh Dickinson University Metropolitan Campus is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $37,010 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $24,770 to complete the parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies program here. Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies graduates of Fairleigh Dickinson University Metropolitan Campus earn a median of $46,126 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $24,770 median debt. Fairleigh Dickinson University Metropolitan Campus admits about 91% of applicants.
Saint Peters College ranked #12 on our 2027 list of the best value parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies schools. Located in the city of Jersey City, Saint Peters College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $42,552. Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies graduates carry a median of $25,051 in student loans. Soon after graduation, parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degree recipients from Saint Peters College generally make around $19,735. Set against $25,051 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 90%.
Montclair State University landed the #13 spot for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies value this year. Set in the suburb of Montclair, Montclair State University is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $15,912, while out-of-state students pay about $26,022. Students borrow a median of $26,949 to complete the parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies program here. Early-career parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies graduates make about $29,907. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 88% of applicants are accepted.
New Jersey City University came in at #14 for value in parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies this year. Set in the city of Jersey City, New Jersey City University is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $14,460. Students borrow a median of $22,107 to complete the parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies program here. Soon after graduation, parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degree recipients from New Jersey City University generally make around $47,083. Set against $22,107 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 98%.
William Paterson University Of New Jersey earned the #15 position for value in parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies this year. Located in the suburb of Wayne, William Paterson University Of New Jersey is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $15,704 in tuition and fees, compared with $25,344 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies graduates is $29,189. Soon after graduation, parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degree recipients from William Paterson University Of New Jersey generally make around $31,382. That is a strong return on a $29,189 median debt. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.
The Richard Stockton College Of New Jersey placed #16 among the best values for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies. The Richard Stockton College Of New Jersey is a large public school located in the rural area of Galloway. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $16,266, with out-of-state students paying around $24,524. Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies graduates carry a median of $24,990 in student loans. Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies graduates of The Richard Stockton College Of New Jersey earn a median of $43,490 early in their careers. Set against $24,990 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The Richard Stockton College Of New Jersey admits about 89% of applicants.
Rowan University ranked #17 on our 2027 list of the best value parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies schools. Located in the suburb of Glassboro, Rowan University is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $16,574, with out-of-state students paying around $26,932. Students borrow a median of $24,488 to complete the parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies program here. Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies graduates of Rowan University earn a median of $52,031 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $24,488 median debt. Roughly 78% of applicants are accepted.
Georgian Court University came in at #18 for value in parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies this year. Set in the city of Lakewood, Georgian Court University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $37,110. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies program here. Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies graduates of Georgian Court University earn a median of $54,707 early in their careers. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 79% of applicants are accepted.
Rutgers University New Brunswick ranked #19 on our 2027 list of the best value parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies schools. Located in the city of New Brunswick, Rutgers University New Brunswick is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $17,929, with out-of-state students paying around $37,441. Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies graduates carry a median of $26,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degree recipients from Rutgers University New Brunswick generally make around $39,484. Set against $26,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 58%.
Caldwell College placed #20 among the best values for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies. Caldwell College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Caldwell. In-state tuition and fees average $40,848. Students borrow a median of $26,188 to complete the parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies program here. Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies graduates of Caldwell College earn a median of $48,400 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Caldwell College admits about 71% of applicants.
Rider University came in at #21 for value in parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies this year. Set in the suburb of Lawrenceville, Rider University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $41,120 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies graduates is $26,241. Soon after graduation, parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degree recipients from Rider University generally make around $48,601. That is a strong return on a $26,241 median debt. The acceptance rate is 79%.
The College Of New Jersey ranked #22 on our 2027 list of the best value parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies schools. The College Of New Jersey is a large public school located in the suburb of Ewing. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $19,632, compared with $25,752 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $24,429 to complete the parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies program here. Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies graduates of The College Of New Jersey earn a median of $56,617 early in their careers. Set against $24,429 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 62% of applicants are accepted.
Monmouth University earned the #23 position for value in parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies this year. Set in the suburb of West Long Branch, Monmouth University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $46,552. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies program here. Soon after graduation, parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degree recipients from Monmouth University generally make around $27,907. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 89%.
Seton Hall University earned the #24 position for value in parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies this year. Located in the suburb of South Orange, Seton Hall University is a large private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $53,170. Typical student debt for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies graduates is $24,125. Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies graduates of Seton Hall University earn a median of $39,333 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 73%.
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Notes and References
The ranking above is published by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 edition. The methodology weighs the cost of a degree against the earnings graduates go on to achieve, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 24 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 24 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.
