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2023 Most Focused Colleges for Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies in Massachusetts

34 Ranked Colleges
1,210 Degrees Awarded
$34,500 Avg Cost*
Schools Highly Focused on Parks & Rec Major in Massachusetts

Students have lots of options to chooose from today when trying to decide which college to attend. At College Factual, we’re committed to helping you make that decision by providing information such as that found in our “Schools Highly Focused on Parks & Rec Major in Massachusetts” ranking.

In 2020-2021, 73,813 people earned their degree in parks, recreation, leisure, and fitness studies, making the major the 15th most popular in the United States. In 2019-2020, parks, recreation, leisure, and fitness studies graduates who were awarded their degree in 2017-2019, earned an average of $31,423 and had an average of $24,388 in loans still to pay off.

Across Massachusetts, there were 1,210 parks, recreation, leisure, and fitness studies graduates with average earnings and debt of $33,408 and $25,263 respectively.

This year’s “Schools Highly Focused on Parks & Rec Major in Massachusetts” ranking analyzed 34 colleges that offered a degree in parks, recreation, leisure, and fitness studies. This a ranking of the schools where the largest percentage of students has enrolled in parks, recreation, leisure, and fitness studies.

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Since picking the right college can be one of the most important decisions of your life, we’ve developed the “Schools Highly Focused on Parks & Rec Major in Massachusetts” ranking, along with many other major-related rankings, to help you make that decision.

In addition to College Factual’s rankings, you may want to take a look at College Combat, our unique tool that lets you pit your favorite schools head-to-head and compare how they rate on factors that most interest you. We encourage you to try it out and pit your favorite colleges and universities head to head! If you don’t have time right now, you can bookmark it for later.

Schools Highly Focused on Parks & Rec Major in Massachusetts

The colleges and universities below are the best for massachusetts parks & rec students.

Top 25 Most Focused Colleges for Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies in Massachusetts

1
Springfield College crest
Springfield College
Springfield, Massachusetts

Out of the 34 schools in the Schools Highly Focused on Parks & Rec Major in Massachusetts that were part of this year’s ranking, Springfield College landed the #1 spot on the list. This small school is located in Springfield, Massachusetts, and it awarded 129 ’s parks and rec degrees in 2020-2021.

The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 85%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.

Read more about Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies at Springfield College

2
Lasell crest
Lasell University
Newton, Massachusetts

Out of the 34 schools in the Schools Highly Focused on Parks & Rec Major in Massachusetts that were part of this year’s ranking, Lasell University landed the #2 spot on the list. Lasell is a small private not-for-profit school situated in Newton, Massachusetts. It awarded 80 ’s parks and rec degrees in 2020-2021.

Read more about Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies at Lasell University

3
Dean College crest
Dean College
Franklin, Massachusetts

Out of the 34 schools in the Schools Highly Focused on Parks & Rec Major in Massachusetts that were part of this year’s ranking, Dean College landed the #3 spot on the list. Dean College is a private not-for-profit institution located in Franklin, Massachusetts. The school has a small population, and it awarded 32 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

Read more about Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies at Dean College

4
Nichols crest
Nichols College
Dudley, Massachusetts

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Nichols College. It ranked #4 on our 2023 Schools Highly Focused on Parks & Rec Major in Massachusetts list. Nichols College is a small private not-for-profit school situated in Dudley, Massachusetts. It awarded 47 ’s parks and rec degrees in 2020-2021.

Read full report on Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies at Nichols College

5
Endicott crest
Endicott College
Beverly, Massachusetts

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Endicott College. It ranked #5 on our 2023 Schools Highly Focused on Parks & Rec Major in Massachusetts list. Beverly, Massachusetts is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out ’s parks and rec degrees to 102 students in 2020-2021.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 2.8%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Full Endicott College Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Report

6
ENC crest
Eastern Nazarene College
Quincy, Massachusetts

Eastern Nazarene College landed the #6 spot on the 2023 Schools Highly Focused on Parks & Rec Major in Massachusetts ranking. Located in Quincy, Massachusetts, this small private not-for-profit school handed out 10 degrees to qualified ’s parks and rec students in 2020-2021.

The undergraduate student-to-faculty ratio of 10 to 1 is a sign that students will have more opportunities to engage with their professors one-on-one.

Read full report on Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies at ENC

7
Westfield crest
Westfield State University
Westfield, Massachusetts

Westfield State University landed the #7 spot on the 2023 Schools Highly Focused on Parks & Rec Major in Massachusetts ranking. Located in Westfield, Massachusetts, this medium-sized public school awarded 56 degrees to qualified ’s parks and rec students in 2020-2021.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 3.8% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.

Read full report on Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies at Westfield State University

8

University of Massachusetts - Boston did quite well in the 2023 Schools Highly Focused on Parks & Rec Major in Massachusetts ranking, coming in at #8. Boston, Massachusetts is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s parks and rec degrees to 143 students in 2020-2021.

Read full report on Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies at UMass Boston

9
Fisher College crest
Fisher College
Boston, Massachusetts

Fisher College did quite well in the 2023 Schools Highly Focused on Parks & Rec Major in Massachusetts ranking, coming in at #9. Boston, Massachusetts is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out ’s parks and rec degrees to 12 students in 2020-2021.

Read more about Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies at Fisher College

10
Western New England crest
Western New England University
Springfield, Massachusetts

Western New England University did quite well in the 2023 Schools Highly Focused on Parks & Rec Major in Massachusetts ranking, coming in at #10. Western New England is located in Springfield, Massachusetts and, has a small student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 39 ’s parks and rec degrees to qualified students.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 3.2%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies at Western New England University

11

Springfield College - School of Professional and Continuing Studies landed the #11 spot on the 2023 Schools Highly Focused on Parks & Rec Major in Massachusetts ranking. Springfield College - School of Professional and Continuing Studies is a small school located in Springfield, Massachusetts that handed out 7 ’s parks and rec degrees in 2020-2021.

The impressive undergraduate student-to-faculty ratio of 9 to 1 means that students may have more opportunities to work more closely with their professors than they would at other schools.

Read more about Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies at Springfield College - School of Professional and Continuing Studies

12
Merrimack crest
Merrimack College
North Andover, Massachusetts

Merrimack College landed the #12 spot on the 2023 Schools Highly Focused on Parks & Rec Major in Massachusetts ranking. Merrimack is a medium-sized school located in North Andover, Massachusetts that handed out 45 ’s parks and rec degrees in 2020-2021.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 3.3% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.

Full Merrimack Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Report

13
AIC crest
American International College
Springfield, Massachusetts

American International College ranked #13 on this year’s Schools Highly Focused on Parks & Rec Major in Massachusetts list. American International College is located in Springfield, Massachusetts and, has a small student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 22 ’s parks and rec degrees to qualified students.

Full AIC Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Report

14
Emmanuel Boston crest
Emmanuel College Massachusetts
Boston, Massachusetts

Emmanuel College Massachusetts ranked #14 on this year’s Schools Highly Focused on Parks & Rec Major in Massachusetts list. Boston, Massachusetts is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out ’s parks and rec degrees to 12 students in 2020-2021.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 4.4% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.

Full Emmanuel Boston Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Report

15
Gordon College crest
Gordon College
Wenham, Massachusetts

With a ranking of #15, Gordon College did quite well on the 2023 Schools Highly Focused on Parks & Rec Major in Massachusetts list. This small school is located in Wenham, Massachusetts, and it awarded 13 ’s parks and rec degrees in 2020-2021.

Since the school has a undergrad student-to-faculty ratio of 10 to 1, those pursuing a degree will have more opportunities to interact with their professors. The low undergrad student loan default rate of 3.4% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.

Full Gordon College Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Report

16
Elms College crest
Elms College
Chicopee, Massachusetts

Elms College did quite well in the 2023 Schools Highly Focused on Parks & Rec Major in Massachusetts ranking, coming in at #16. Elms College is a private not-for-profit institution located in Chicopee, Massachusetts. The school has a small population, and it awarded 9 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 4.6%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies at Elms College

17

University of Massachusetts - Lowell ranked #17 on this year’s Schools Highly Focused on Parks & Rec Major in Massachusetts list. Located in Lowell, Massachusetts, this fairly large public school handed out 89 degrees to qualified ’s parks and rec students in 2020-2021.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 3.5%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies at UMass Lowell

18
Salem State crest
Salem State University
Salem, Massachusetts

Salem State University landed the #18 spot on the 2023 Schools Highly Focused on Parks & Rec Major in Massachusetts ranking. Salem State is a public institution located in Salem, Massachusetts. The school has a medium-sized population, and it awarded 35 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

Full Salem State University Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Report

19
UMass Amherst crest
University of Massachusetts Amherst
Amherst, Massachusetts

University of Massachusetts Amherst did quite well in the 2023 Schools Highly Focused on Parks & Rec Major in Massachusetts ranking, coming in at #19. University of Massachusetts Amherst is located in Amherst, Massachusetts and, has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 144 ’s parks and rec degrees to qualified students.

Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 89%. The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 1.9%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Full University of Massachusetts Amherst Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Report

20
Greenfield Community College crest
Greenfield Community College
Greenfield, Massachusetts

With a ranking of #20, Greenfield Community College did quite well on the 2023 Schools Highly Focused on Parks & Rec Major in Massachusetts list. Greenfield Community College is a small school located in Greenfield, Massachusetts that handed out 12 ’s parks and rec degrees in 2020-2021.

Full Greenfield Community College Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Report

21
Regis College crest
Regis College
Weston, Massachusetts

Regis College ranked #21 on this year’s Schools Highly Focused on Parks & Rec Major in Massachusetts list. Regis College is a small school located in Weston, Massachusetts that handed out 16 ’s parks and rec degrees in 2020-2021.

The impressive undergraduate student-to-faculty ratio of 10 to 1 means that students may have more opportunities to work more closely with their professors than they would at other schools. The low undergrad student loan default rate of 3.9% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.

Read full report on Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies at Regis College

22
Holyoke Community College crest
Holyoke Community College
Holyoke, Massachusetts

With a ranking of #22, Holyoke Community College did quite well on the 2023 Schools Highly Focused on Parks & Rec Major in Massachusetts list. Holyoke Community College is a public institution located in Holyoke, Massachusetts. The school has a small population, and it awarded 10 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

Full Holyoke Community College Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Report

23
Smith crest
Smith College
Northampton, Massachusetts

Smith College landed the #23 spot on the 2023 Schools Highly Focused on Parks & Rec Major in Massachusetts ranking. Smith College is a small private not-for-profit school situated in Northampton, Massachusetts. It awarded 10 ’s parks and rec degrees in 2020-2021.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 1.1%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%. The impressive undergraduate student-to-faculty ratio of 7 to 1 means that students may have more opportunities to work more closely with their professors than they would at other schools.

Read more about Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies at Smith

24

With a ranking of #24, Northeastern University Professional Advancement Network did quite well on the 2023 Schools Highly Focused on Parks & Rec Major in Massachusetts list. This fairly large school is located in Boston, Massachusetts, and it awarded 35 ’s parks and rec degrees in 2020-2021.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 1.5%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies at Northeastern University Professional Advancement Network

25
Simmons crest
Simmons University
Boston, Massachusetts

Simmons University ranked #25 on this year’s Schools Highly Focused on Parks & Rec Major in Massachusetts list. Located in Boston, Massachusetts, this medium-sized private not-for-profit school handed out 24 degrees to qualified ’s parks and rec students in 2020-2021.

The impressive undergraduate student-to-faculty ratio of 9 to 1 means that students may have more opportunities to work more closely with their professors than they would at other schools. The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 1.4%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies at Simmons

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