2027 Best Value Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies Schools in New York
[Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies](/majors/parks-recreation-fitness/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies education at a price that pays off.
College Factual analyzed 47 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 York
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies Schools
Our analysis ranked Cuny Brooklyn College the best value for a degree in parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies in New York. Cuny Brooklyn College is a large public school located in the city of Brooklyn. Students from in state pay about $7,452 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $15,402. Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies graduates carry a median of $13,629 in student loans. Early-career parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies graduates make about $50,584. That is a strong return on a $13,629 median debt. Cuny Brooklyn College admits about 58% of applicants.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Cuny Lehman College earned it the #2 place for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies. Located in the city of Bronx, Cuny Lehman College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,410, compared with $15,360 for out-of-state students. Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies graduates carry a median of $10,861 in student loans. Soon after graduation, parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degree recipients from Cuny Lehman College generally make around $29,583. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 57%.
Cuny Queens College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies, landing the #3 spot this year. Cuny Queens College is a large public school located in the city of Queens. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,538, compared with $15,488 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies graduates is $5,500. Early-career parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies graduates make about $16,236. That is a strong return on a $5,500 median debt. The acceptance rate is 64%.
Students looking for strong value in parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies will find it at Suffolk County Community College, which ranked #4. Located in the suburb of Selden, Suffolk County Community College is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $6,630 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $12,460. Typical student debt for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies graduates is $11,246. Early-career parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies graduates make about $35,667. Set against $11,246 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Students looking for strong value in parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies will find it at Cuny Bronx Community College, which ranked #5. Located in the city of Bronx, Cuny Bronx Community College is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,206, with out-of-state students paying around $8,086. Typical student debt for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies graduates is $8,224. Early-career parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies graduates make about $35,768. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Cuny Kingsborough Community College placed #6 among the best values for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies. Located in the city of Brooklyn, Cuny Kingsborough Community College is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,252, compared with $8,132 for out-of-state students. Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies graduates carry a median of $7,858 in student loans. Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies graduates of Cuny Kingsborough Community College earn a median of $35,562 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Monroe Community College earned the #7 position for value in parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies this year. Monroe Community College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Rochester. Students from in state pay about $6,006 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $11,056. Students borrow a median of $12,921 to complete the parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies program here. Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies graduates of Monroe Community College earn a median of $38,757 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Hudson Valley Community College placed #8 among the best values for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies. Set in the city of Troy, Hudson Valley Community College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,796, compared with $11,852 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $12,868 to complete the parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies program here. Soon after graduation, parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degree recipients from Hudson Valley Community College generally make around $43,989. That is a strong return on a $12,868 median debt.
Niagara County Community College came in at #9 for value in parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies this year. Set in the rural area of Sanborn, Niagara County Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $6,894 in tuition and fees, compared with $12,030 for out-of-state students. Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies graduates carry a median of $13,970 in student loans. Soon after graduation, parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degree recipients from Niagara County Community College generally make around $36,258. Set against $13,970 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Erie Community College ranked #10 on our 2027 list of the best value parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies schools. Erie Community College is a large public school located in the city of Buffalo. Students from in state pay about $6,100 in tuition and fees, compared with $11,300 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies graduates is $12,580. Soon after graduation, parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degree recipients from Erie Community College generally make around $37,069. Set against $12,580 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Farmingdale State College earned the #11 position for value in parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies this year. Located in the suburb of Farmingdale, Farmingdale State College is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,626, compared with $18,536 for out-of-state students. Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies graduates carry a median of $18,500 in student loans. Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies graduates of Farmingdale State College earn a median of $29,717 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 63% of applicants are accepted.
Suny Westchester Community College came in at #12 for value in parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies this year. Suny Westchester Community College is a large public school located in the suburb of Valhalla. In-state tuition and fees average $5,948, while out-of-state students pay about $12,486. Students borrow a median of $8,764 to complete the parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies program here. Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies graduates of Suny Westchester Community College earn a median of $57,520 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $8,764 median debt.
Mohawk Valley Community College ranked #13 on our 2027 list of the best value parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies schools. Located in the city of Utica, Mohawk Valley Community College is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $6,218 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $8,851. Typical student debt for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies graduates is $11,900. Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies graduates of Mohawk Valley Community College earn a median of $38,373 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $11,900 median debt.
Jamestown Community College placed #14 among the best values for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies. Jamestown Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Jamestown. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,840. Students borrow a median of $12,800 to complete the parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies program here. Soon after graduation, parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degree recipients from Jamestown Community College generally make around $35,520. Set against $12,800 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Jefferson Community College earned the #15 position for value in parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies this year. Located in the city of Watertown, Jefferson Community College is a mid-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,264, with out-of-state students paying around $11,700. Students borrow a median of $14,804 to complete the parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies program here. Soon after graduation, parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degree recipients from Jefferson Community College generally make around $35,033. That is a strong return on a $14,804 median debt.
Rockland Community College landed the #16 spot for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies value this year. Located in the suburb of Suffern, Rockland Community College is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $6,862. Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies graduates carry a median of $11,167 in student loans. Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies graduates of Rockland Community College earn a median of $41,799 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $11,167 median debt.
Suny College Of Technology At Alfred landed the #17 spot for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies value this year. Set in the rural area of Alfred, Suny College Of Technology At Alfred is a mid-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $8,892 in tuition and fees, compared with $16,837 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $19,721 to complete the parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies program here. Soon after graduation, parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degree recipients from Suny College Of Technology At Alfred generally make around $43,831. That is a strong return on a $19,721 median debt. Roughly 76% of applicants are accepted.
Suny College At Potsdam ranked #18 on our 2027 list of the best value parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies schools. Located in the town of Potsdam, Suny College At Potsdam is a mid-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,768, while out-of-state students pay about $18,678. Students borrow a median of $26,540 to complete the parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies program here. Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies graduates of Suny College At Potsdam earn a median of $32,485 early in their careers. Set against $26,540 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 78% of applicants are accepted.
Herkimer County Community College earned the #19 position for value in parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies this year. Located in the town of Herkimer, Herkimer County Community College is a mid-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,776. Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies graduates carry a median of $16,400 in student loans. Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies graduates of Herkimer County Community College earn a median of $31,468 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $16,400 median debt.
Finger Lakes Community College earned the #20 position for value in parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies this year. Finger Lakes Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the rural area of Canandaigua. In-state tuition and fees average $6,258, compared with $8,442 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies graduates is $16,736. Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies graduates of Finger Lakes Community College earn a median of $40,467 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Suny At Fredonia came in at #21 for value in parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies this year. Suny At Fredonia is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Fredonia. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,831, with out-of-state students paying around $19,771. Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies graduates carry a median of $26,000 in student loans. Early-career parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies graduates make about $31,013. That is a strong return on a $26,000 median debt. Roughly 78% of applicants are accepted.
Mercy College ranked #22 on our 2027 list of the best value parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies schools. Set in the suburb of Dobbs Ferry, Mercy College is a large private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $22,880. Typical student debt for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies graduates is $25,520. Early-career parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies graduates make about $23,094. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.
Suny College Of Technology At Canton placed #23 among the best values for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies. Set in the town of Canton, Suny College Of Technology At Canton is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,742, with out-of-state students paying around $15,769. Typical student debt for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies graduates is $23,640. Early-career parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies graduates make about $46,515. That is a strong return on a $23,640 median debt. Roughly 92% of applicants are accepted.
Monroe College Main Campus placed #24 among the best values for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies. Located in the city of Bronx, Monroe College Main Campus is a large private for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $18,464. Typical student debt for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies graduates is $14,122. Early-career parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies graduates make about $19,520. That is a strong return on a $14,122 median debt. Roughly 68% of applicants are accepted.
Suny College At Brockport came in at #25 for value in parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies this year. Suny College At Brockport is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Brockport. In-state tuition and fees average $8,752, with out-of-state students paying around $15,822. Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies graduates carry a median of $26,402 in student loans. Early-career parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies graduates make about $26,313. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Suny College At Brockport admits about 71% of applicants.
Rest of the Top 47 Best Value Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies Schools
Not far behind, these schools also offered excellent value in parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies:
More Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies Rankings
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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 · 47 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 47 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.
