2027 Best Value Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies Schools in Massachusetts
[Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies](/majors/parks-recreation-fitness/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
For its 2027 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 20 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 Massachusetts
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
Leading the list is Fitchburg State University, our #1 best value for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies in Massachusetts. Set in the suburb of Fitchburg, Fitchburg State University is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,346, while out-of-state students pay about $17,426. 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 $37,218. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Fitchburg State University admits about 87% of applicants.
Students looking for strong value in parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies will find it at University Of Massachusetts Lowell, which ranked #2. Set in the suburb of Lowell, University Of Massachusetts Lowell is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $16,966, with out-of-state students paying around $36,264. Students borrow a median of $25,574 to complete the parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies program here. Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies graduates of University Of Massachusetts Lowell earn a median of $66,985 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 83% of applicants are accepted.
Salem State University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies, landing the #3 spot this year. Located in the suburb of Salem, Salem State University is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $12,338 in tuition and fees, compared with $19,531 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies graduates is $27,000. Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies graduates of Salem State University earn a median of $31,755 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Roughly 96% of applicants are accepted.
Students looking for strong value in parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies will find it at Westfield State University, which ranked #4. Westfield State University is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Westfield. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,179, with out-of-state students paying around $18,259. Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies graduates of Westfield State University earn a median of $32,456 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Westfield State University admits about 81% of applicants.
University Of Massachusetts Amherst came in at #5 on our 2027 list of the best value parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies schools. Set in the city of Amherst, University Of Massachusetts Amherst is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $17,772 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $40,449. Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies graduates carry a median of $26,227 in student loans. Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies graduates of University Of Massachusetts Amherst earn a median of $36,419 early in their careers. Set against $26,227 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 60%.
University Of Massachusetts Boston earned the #6 position for value in parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies this year. Set in the city of Boston, University Of Massachusetts Boston is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $15,898, with out-of-state students paying around $38,115. Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies graduates carry a median of $26,808 in student loans. Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies graduates of University Of Massachusetts Boston earn a median of $37,703 early in their careers. Set against $26,808 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 84%.
American International College ranked #7 on our 2027 list of the best value parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies schools. Set in the city of Springfield, American International College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $44,230 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies graduates is $30,390. Soon after graduation, parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degree recipients from American International College generally make around $66,104. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. American International College admits about 100% of applicants.
Simmons College landed the #8 spot for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies value this year. Simmons College is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Boston. In-state tuition and fees average $46,874. 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 Simmons College generally make around $48,876. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 70%.
Fisher College ranked #9 on our 2027 list of the best value parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies schools. Fisher College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Boston. Students from in state pay about $35,689 in tuition and fees. Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies graduates carry a median of $28,590 in student loans. Soon after graduation, parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degree recipients from Fisher College generally make around $44,872. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Fisher College admits about 71% of applicants.
Western New England University landed the #10 spot for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies value this year. Set in the city of Springfield, Western New England University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $47,820. 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 $26,544. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 84%.
Lasell College landed the #11 spot for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies value this year. Located in the city of Newton, Lasell College is a small private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $27,040. 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 $40,486. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 81% of applicants are accepted.
Smith College landed the #12 spot for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies value this year. Located in the city of Northampton, Smith College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $65,178. Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies graduates carry a median of $18,941 in student loans. Soon after graduation, parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degree recipients from Smith College generally make around $43,642. Set against $18,941 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 21%.
Regis College landed the #13 spot for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies value this year. Set in the suburb of Weston, Regis College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $49,680. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies program here. Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies graduates of Regis College earn a median of $69,483 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 70%.
Curry College landed the #14 spot for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies value this year. Curry College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Milton. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $47,570. Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies graduates carry a median of $26,571 in student loans. Soon after graduation, parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degree recipients from Curry College generally make around $59,338. Set against $26,571 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 88% of applicants are accepted.
Springfield College landed the #15 spot for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies value this year. Springfield College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Springfield. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $44,974. Typical student debt for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies graduates is $27,000. Early-career parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies graduates make about $39,402. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 72% of applicants are accepted.
Dean College ranked #16 on our 2027 list of the best value parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies schools. Located in the suburb of Franklin, Dean College is a small private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $46,526. 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 Dean College generally make around $28,609. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Dean College admits about 74% of applicants.
Nichols College landed the #17 spot for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies value this year. Nichols College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Dudley. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $42,705. Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Early-career parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies graduates make about $32,564. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Nichols College admits about 81% of applicants.
Merrimack College placed #18 among the best values for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies. Set in the suburb of North Andover, Merrimack College is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $53,962. Students borrow a median of $26,913 to complete the parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies program here. Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies graduates of Merrimack College earn a median of $50,506 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $26,913 median debt. The acceptance rate is 70%.
Endicott College came in at #19 for value in parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies this year. Set in the suburb of Beverly, Endicott College is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $40,650. Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies graduates of Endicott College earn a median of $30,338 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 71%.
Boston College ranked #20 on our 2027 list of the best value parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies schools. Located in the city of Chestnut Hill, Boston College is a large private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $70,702. Students borrow a median of $18,101 to complete the parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies program here. Soon after graduation, parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degree recipients from Boston College generally make around $51,092. That is a strong return on a $18,101 median debt. Boston College admits about 16% of applicants.
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Notes and References
This list is compiled 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 · 20 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 20 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.
