College Factual  by our College Data Analytics Team
       Unbiased Factual Guarantee

2023 Most Popular Colleges for Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies in the Middle Atlantic Region

195 Ranked Colleges
8,010 Degrees Awarded
$30,600 Avg Cost*
Most Well Attended Parks & Rec Major in the Middle Atlantic Region

When pursuing a degree in today’s world, students have many different options to choose from. At College Factual, we’re committed to helping you make that decision by providing information such as that found in our “Most Well Attended Parks & Rec Major in the Middle Atlantic Region” 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 the Middle Atlantic region, there were 8,010 parks, recreation, leisure, and fitness studies graduates with average earnings and debt of $32,049 and $25,045 respectively.

For this year’s “Most Well Attended Parks & Rec Major in the Middle Atlantic Region” ranking, we looked at 195 colleges that offer a degree in parks, recreation, leisure, and fitness studies. The schools that top this list are recognized because they have one of the most popular parks, recreation, leisure, and fitness studies programs in the United States.

For more information, check out our ranking methodology.

One Size Does Not Fit All

Rankings by Degree Other Award Levels
Rankings by Location Check Out Other Locales
More Parks & Rec Rankings Other Ranking Categories

Since the program you select can have a significant impact on your future, we’ve developed a number of rankings, including this “Most Well Attended Parks & Rec Major in the Middle Atlantic Region” list, to help you choose the best school for you.

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. Test it out by comparing your favorite schools against others you are considering, or bookmark the tool so you can experiment with it later.

Most Well Attended Parks & Rec Major in the Middle Atlantic Region

The following schools top our list of the Best “Most Well Attended Parks & Rec Major in the Middle Atlantic Region”.

1
Rutgers New Brunswick crest
Rutgers University - New Brunswick
New Brunswick, New Jersey

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Rutgers University - New Brunswick. It ranked #1 on our 2023 Most Well Attended Parks & Rec Major in the Middle Atlantic Region list. Rutgers New Brunswick is a large school located in New Brunswick, New Jersey that handed out 456 ’s parks and rec degrees in 2020-2021.

The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 93%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 2.6%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies at Rutgers University - New Brunswick

2

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend California University of Pennsylvania. The school came in at #2 for the Most Well Attended Parks & Rec Major in the Middle Atlantic Region. This medium-sized school is located in California, Pennsylvania, and it awarded 374 ’s parks and rec degrees in 2020-2021.

Read more about Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies at California University of Pennsylvania

3
SUNY Cortland crest
SUNY Cortland
Cortland, New York

Out of the 195 schools in the Most Well Attended Parks & Rec Major in the Middle Atlantic Region that were part of this year’s ranking, SUNY Cortland landed the #3 spot on the list. SUNY Cortland is located in Cortland, New York and, has a medium-sized student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 349 ’s parks and rec degrees to qualified students.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 3.5%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%. 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 SUNY Cortland

4
Temple crest
Temple University
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Out of the 195 schools in the Most Well Attended Parks & Rec Major in the Middle Atlantic Region that were part of this year’s ranking, Temple University landed the #4 spot on the list. Located in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, this large public school handed out 299 degrees to qualified ’s parks and rec students in 2020-2021.

The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 87%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 3.5%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

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

5
Towson crest
Towson University
Towson, Maryland

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Towson University. The school came in at #5 for the Most Well Attended Parks & Rec Major in the Middle Atlantic Region. This large school is located in Towson, Maryland, and it awarded 251 ’s parks and rec degrees in 2020-2021.

Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 85%. The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 2.7%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Full Towson University Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Report

6

University of Maryland - College Park did quite well in the 2023 Most Well Attended Parks & Rec Major in the Middle Atlantic Region ranking, coming in at #6. This large school is located in College Park, Maryland, and it awarded 239 ’s parks and rec degrees in 2020-2021.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 1.8%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%. With a freshman retention rate of 95%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.

Read full report on Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies at University of Maryland - College Park

7
WCUPA crest
West Chester University of Pennsylvania
West Chester, Pennsylvania

West Chester University of Pennsylvania ranked #7 on this year’s Most Well Attended Parks & Rec Major in the Middle Atlantic Region list. Located in West Chester, Pennsylvania, this fairly large public school handed out 214 degrees to qualified ’s parks and rec students in 2020-2021.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 3.4%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 85%.

Read full report on Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies at West Chester University of Pennsylvania

8
UD crest
University of Delaware
Newark, Delaware

University of Delaware came in at #8 in this year’s edition of the Most Well Attended Parks & Rec Major in the Middle Atlantic Region ranking. This large school is located in Newark, Delaware, and it awarded 188 ’s parks and rec degrees in 2020-2021.

With a freshman retention rate of 90%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 2.1%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

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

9
SUNY Brockport crest
The College at Brockport
Brockport, New York

The College at Brockport ranked #9 on this year’s Most Well Attended Parks & Rec Major in the Middle Atlantic Region list. The College at Brockport is located in Brockport, New York and, has a medium-sized student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 185 ’s parks and rec degrees to qualified students.

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 more about Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies at The College at Brockport

10
Georgetown crest
Georgetown University
Washington, District of Columbia

Georgetown University did quite well in the 2023 Most Well Attended Parks & Rec Major in the Middle Atlantic Region ranking, coming in at #10. Located in Washington, District of Columbia, this large private not-for-profit school awarded 150 degrees to qualified ’s parks and rec students in 2020-2021.

With a freshman retention rate of 94%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 0.7%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

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

10
Syracuse crest
Syracuse University
Syracuse, New York

Syracuse University ranked #10 on this year’s Most Well Attended Parks & Rec Major in the Middle Atlantic Region list. Syracuse University is a private not-for-profit institution located in Syracuse, New York. The school has a large population, and it awarded 150 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 2.7%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%. With a freshman retention rate of 89%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.

Full Syracuse University Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Report

12

St John’s University - New York came in at #12 in this year’s edition of the Most Well Attended Parks & Rec Major in the Middle Atlantic Region ranking. This fairly large school is located in Queens, New York, and it awarded 132 ’s parks and rec degrees in 2020-2021.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 4.3%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Full St John’s University - New York Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Report

13
East Stroudsburg University crest
East Stroudsburg University of Pennsylvania
East Stroudsburg, Pennsylvania

East Stroudsburg University of Pennsylvania landed the #13 spot on the 2023 Most Well Attended Parks & Rec Major in the Middle Atlantic Region ranking. East Stroudsburg University is a medium-sized school located in East Stroudsburg, Pennsylvania that handed out 131 ’s parks and rec degrees in 2020-2021.

Read more about Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies at East Stroudsburg University of Pennsylvania

14
Montclair State crest
Montclair State University
Montclair, New Jersey

Montclair State University landed the #14 spot on the 2023 Most Well Attended Parks & Rec Major in the Middle Atlantic Region ranking. This large school is located in Montclair, New Jersey, and it awarded 120 ’s parks and rec degrees in 2020-2021.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 4.3%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

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

15
Canisius crest
Canisius College
Buffalo, New York

Canisius College ranked #15 on this year’s Most Well Attended Parks & Rec Major in the Middle Atlantic Region list. This small school is located in Buffalo, New York, and it awarded 115 ’s parks and rec degrees in 2020-2021.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 3.8%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

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

16
LHU crest
Lock Haven University
Lock Haven, Pennsylvania

Lock Haven University landed the #16 spot on the 2023 Most Well Attended Parks & Rec Major in the Middle Atlantic Region ranking. Lock Haven, Pennsylvania is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s parks and rec degrees to 113 students in 2020-2021.

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

17

Indiana University of Pennsylvania - Main Campus landed the #17 spot on the 2023 Most Well Attended Parks & Rec Major in the Middle Atlantic Region ranking. This medium-sized school is located in Indiana, Pennsylvania, and it awarded 112 ’s parks and rec degrees in 2020-2021.

Full Indiana University of Pennsylvania - Main Campus Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Report

18
Salisbury crest
Salisbury University
Salisbury, Maryland

With a ranking of #18, Salisbury University did quite well on the 2023 Most Well Attended Parks & Rec Major in the Middle Atlantic Region list. Salisbury University is a public institution located in Salisbury, Maryland. The school has a medium-sized population, and it awarded 111 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 3.6%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

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

19

William Paterson University of New Jersey did quite well in the 2023 Most Well Attended Parks & Rec Major in the Middle Atlantic Region ranking, coming in at #19. William Paterson University of New Jersey is a medium-sized school located in Wayne, New Jersey that handed out 107 ’s parks and rec degrees in 2020-2021.

The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 90%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.

Read full report on Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies at William Paterson University of New Jersey

20
SRU crest
Slippery Rock University of Pennsylvania
Slippery Rock, Pennsylvania

Slippery Rock University of Pennsylvania came in at #20 in this year’s edition of the Most Well Attended Parks & Rec Major in the Middle Atlantic Region ranking. Slippery Rock University of Pennsylvania is located in Slippery Rock, Pennsylvania and, has a medium-sized student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 104 ’s parks and rec degrees to qualified students.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 4.6% 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 SRU

21

Kutztown University of Pennsylvania landed the #21 spot on the 2023 Most Well Attended Parks & Rec Major in the Middle Atlantic Region ranking. Kutztown University is located in Kutztown, Pennsylvania and, has a medium-sized student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 95 ’s parks and rec degrees to qualified students.

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

22
Adelphi crest
Adelphi University
Garden City, New York

Adelphi University came in at #22 in this year’s edition of the Most Well Attended Parks & Rec Major in the Middle Atlantic Region ranking. Adelphi University is a private not-for-profit institution located in Garden City, New York. The school has a medium-sized population, and it awarded 93 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 2.4%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Full Adelphi University Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Report

23
Howard crest
Howard University
Washington, District of Columbia

Howard University landed the #23 spot on the 2023 Most Well Attended Parks & Rec Major in the Middle Atlantic Region ranking. This fairly large school is located in Washington, District of Columbia, and it awarded 92 ’s parks and rec degrees in 2020-2021.

The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 90%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.

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

23
Lehman crest
Lehman College
Bronx, New York

Lehman College landed the #23 spot on the 2023 Most Well Attended Parks & Rec Major in the Middle Atlantic Region ranking. This fairly large school is located in Bronx, New York, and it awarded 92 ’s parks and rec degrees in 2020-2021.

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

25
Monroe College crest
Monroe College
Bronx, New York

With a ranking of #25, Monroe College did quite well on the 2023 Most Well Attended Parks & Rec Major in the Middle Atlantic Region list. Located in Bronx, New York, this medium-sized private for-profit school awarded 91 degrees to qualified ’s parks and rec students in 2020-2021.

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

Rest of the Best 30 in Most Well Attended Parks & Rec Major in the Middle Atlantic Region

Not only did these schools make the top 30 list, but they also landed in the top 15% of this year’s ranking:

26
SUNY Oswego crest
SUNY Oswego
Oswego, New York
27
QC crest
Queens College
Queens, New York
28
LVC crest
Lebanon Valley College
Annville, Pennsylvania
29
Brooklyn College crest
Brooklyn College
Brooklyn, New York
30

Switch to a Different Ranking Method

Notes and References

References

Read more about our data sources and methodologies

Footnotes

Credits

Popular Reports

College Rankings
Best by Location
Degree Guides by Major
Graduate Programs

Compare Your School Options