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

[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.
To produce this 2027 ranking, College Factual evaluated 8 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies students.
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2027 Best Value Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies Schools in New Hampshire
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 Keene State College, our #1 best value for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies in New Hampshire. Located in the town of Keene, Keene State College is a mid-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $14,784, compared with $26,840 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $26,892 to complete the parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies program here. Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies graduates of Keene State College earn a median of $29,990 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $26,892 median debt. The acceptance rate is 90%.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Plymouth State University earned it the #2 place for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies. Plymouth State University is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Plymouth. In-state tuition and fees average $14,626, compared with $25,566 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 Plymouth State University earn a median of $51,687 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 88%.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at University Of New Hampshire Main Campus earned it the #3 place for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies. Set in the town of Durham, University Of New Hampshire Main Campus is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $19,202, with out-of-state students paying around $39,852. Typical student debt for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies graduates is $27,000. Early-career parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies graduates make about $33,807. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of New Hampshire Main Campus admits about 88% of applicants.
New England College came in at #4 on our 2027 list of the best value parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies schools. Set in the rural area of Henniker, New England College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $27,474. Students borrow a median of $35,038 to complete the parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies program here. Early-career parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies graduates make about $68,950. That is a strong return on a $35,038 median debt. The acceptance rate is 92%.
A rank of #5 makes Franklin Pierce University one of the best values for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies. Set in the rural area of Rindge, Franklin Pierce University is a small private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $46,442 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies graduates is $26,937. Early-career parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies graduates make about $59,350. That is a strong return on a $26,937 median debt. The acceptance rate is 94%.
Colby Sawyer College landed the #6 spot for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies value this year. Colby Sawyer College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the rural area of New London. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $19,125. 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 $30,804. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 80% of applicants are accepted.
Rivier College ranked #7 on our 2027 list of the best value parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies schools. Located in the city of Nashua, Rivier College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $39,488 in tuition and fees. Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies graduates carry a median of $28,917 in student loans. Early-career parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies graduates make about $60,796. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 83% of applicants are accepted.
Southern New Hampshire University landed the #8 spot for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies value this year. Set in the suburb of Manchester, Southern New Hampshire University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $17,200. 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 $43,677. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Southern New Hampshire University admits about 100% of applicants.
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Notes and References
This ranking is produced 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 · 8 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 8 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.