2027 Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies Schools in the Middle Atlantic Region
Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies is a field worth a close look when choosing where to study. A focused field like this rewards careful comparison of the schools that offer it.
College Factual analyzed 136 schools to build this 2027 ranking of the best parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies schools.
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Best Schools for Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies in the Middle Atlantic Region
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest overall parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies education in the Middle Atlantic Region.
Top Schools in Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies
Leading the list is Georgetown University, our #1 school for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies. Located in the city of Washington, Georgetown University is a very large private not-for-profit university. Georgetown University graduates 95% of students within six years. About 161 parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degrees were awarded at Georgetown University in the most recent year. Students who receive their parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degree from Georgetown University earn around $54,668 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $16,483.
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George Washington University is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies, ranking #2. This very large private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Washington. Roughly 84% of students complete a degree within six years here. George Washington University awarded about 43 parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degree recipients from George Washington University generally make around $73,749. Typical student debt for the program is $22,910.
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A rank of #3 makes The College Of New Jersey one of the top schools for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies. Located in the suburb of Ewing, The College Of New Jersey is a large public university. The six-year graduation rate is 86%. The College Of New Jersey awarded about 51 parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies program make about $56,617 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $24,429.
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Columbia University In The City Of New York is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies, landing the #4 spot this year. Columbia University In The City Of New York is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of New York. The six-year graduation rate is 96%. About 69 parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degrees were awarded at Columbia University In The City Of New York in the most recent year. Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies graduates of Columbia University In The City Of New York earn a median of $63,418 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $23,258.
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Rowan University is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies, ranking #5. Set in the suburb of Glassboro, Rowan University is a very large public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 67%. There were roughly 20 parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies students who graduated with this degree at Rowan University in the most recent data year. Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies graduates of Rowan University earn a median of $52,031 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $24,488.
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University Of Maryland College Park placed #6 among the best parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies schools. This very large public university is located in the suburb of College Park. The six-year graduation rate is 89%. About 228 parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degrees were awarded at University Of Maryland College Park in the most recent year. Students who receive their parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degree from University Of Maryland College Park earn around $31,403 in the first couple years of their career. University Of Maryland College Park graduates carry a median of $23,138 in student loans.
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Suny College At Oneonta came in at #7 for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies this year. Set in the town of Oneonta, Suny College At Oneonta is a moderately-sized public institution. About 69% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 80 parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies students who graduated with this degree at Suny College At Oneonta in the most recent data year. Students who receive their parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degree from Suny College At Oneonta earn around $36,119 in the first couple years of their career. Suny College At Oneonta graduates carry a median of $22,600 in student loans.
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Saint Josephs University landed the #8 spot for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies this year. Located in the city of Philadelphia, Saint Josephs University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. The six-year graduation rate is 79%. About 13 parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degrees were awarded at Saint Josephs University in the most recent year. Students who receive their parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degree from Saint Josephs University earn around $65,421 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $26,426 to complete this degree.
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Rutgers University New Brunswick ranked #9 on our 2027 list of the best parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies schools. Located in the city of New Brunswick, Rutgers University New Brunswick is a very large public university. Roughly 84% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 297 parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies students who graduated with this degree at Rutgers University New Brunswick in the most recent data year. Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies graduates of Rutgers University New Brunswick earn a median of $39,484 early in their careers. Rutgers University New Brunswick graduates carry a median of $26,000 in student loans.
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The Richard Stockton College Of New Jersey earned the #10 position for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies this year. Located in the rural area of Galloway, The Richard Stockton College Of New Jersey is a large public university. About 68% of students finish within six years. The Richard Stockton College Of New Jersey awarded about 49 parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degree from The Richard Stockton College Of New Jersey earn around $43,490 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $24,990 to complete this degree.
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West Chester University Of Pennsylvania came in at #11 for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies this year. Set in the suburb of West Chester, West Chester University Of Pennsylvania is a large public institution. Roughly 70% of students complete a degree within six years here. West Chester University Of Pennsylvania awarded about 171 parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degrees in the most recent data year.
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Thomas Jefferson University landed the #12 spot for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies this year. This moderately-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Philadelphia. About 69% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 13 parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies students who graduated with this degree at Thomas Jefferson University in the most recent data year. Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies graduates of Thomas Jefferson University earn a median of $64,243 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $32,256.
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Towson University earned the #13 position for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies this year. Located in the city of Towson, Towson University is a very large public university. The six-year graduation rate is 70%. Towson University awarded about 244 parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degrees in the most recent data year. Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies graduates of Towson University earn a median of $32,101 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $22,250 to complete this degree.
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Syracuse University ranked #14 on our 2027 list of the best parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies schools. Located in the city of Syracuse, Syracuse University is a very large private not-for-profit university. About 84% of students finish within six years. Syracuse University awarded about 178 parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies program make about $34,821 in their early career. Syracuse University graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans.
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Pennsylvania State University Main Campus placed #15 among the best parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies schools. Set in the city of University Park, Pennsylvania State University Main Campus is a very large public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 86%. About 329 parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degrees were awarded at Pennsylvania State University Main Campus in the most recent year. Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies graduates of Pennsylvania State University Main Campus earn a median of $30,677 early in their careers. Pennsylvania State University Main Campus graduates carry a median of $26,482 in student loans.
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University Of Delaware placed #16 among the best parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies schools. University Of Delaware is a very large public school located in the suburb of Newark. University Of Delaware graduates 82% of students within six years. There were roughly 234 parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies students who graduated with this degree at University Of Delaware in the most recent data year. Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies graduates of University Of Delaware earn a median of $26,555 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $25,336 to complete this degree.
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Manhattan College earned the #17 position for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies this year. Manhattan College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Riverdale. Manhattan College graduates 64% of students within six years. Manhattan College awarded about 37 parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degrees in the most recent data year. Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies graduates of Manhattan College earn a median of $61,065 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $25,968.
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Saint John Fisher College came in at #18 for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies this year. Located in the suburb of Rochester, Saint John Fisher College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Roughly 74% of students complete a degree within six years here. Saint John Fisher College awarded about 45 parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degree recipients from Saint John Fisher College generally make around $36,273. Saint John Fisher College graduates carry a median of $23,364 in student loans.
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Elizabethtown College came in at #19 for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies this year. This mid-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the suburb of Elizabethtown. Elizabethtown College graduates 76% of students within six years. There were roughly 15 parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies students who graduated with this degree at Elizabethtown College in the most recent data year. Students who receive their parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degree from Elizabethtown College earn around $57,397 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $26,599.
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Seton Hall University earned the #20 position for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies this year. Seton Hall University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of South Orange. Roughly 70% of students complete a degree within six years here. Seton Hall University awarded about 26 parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degree recipients from Seton Hall University generally make around $39,333. Seton Hall University graduates carry a median of $24,125 in student loans.
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University Of Scranton placed #21 among the best parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies schools. Set in the city of Scranton, University Of Scranton is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. About 80% of students finish within six years. University Of Scranton awarded about 59 parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degree recipients from University Of Scranton generally make around $56,861. Typical student debt for the program is $27,000.
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Rider University ranked #22 on our 2027 list of the best parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies schools. Rider University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Lawrenceville. Rider University graduates 61% of students within six years. There were roughly 16 parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies students who graduated with this degree at Rider University in the most recent data year. Students who receive their parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degree from Rider University earn around $48,601 in the first couple years of their career. Rider University graduates carry a median of $26,241 in student loans.
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Farmingdale State College earned the #23 position for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies this year. Set in the suburb of Farmingdale, Farmingdale State College is a large public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 57%. Farmingdale State College awarded about 46 parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degree from Farmingdale State College earn around $29,717 in the first couple years of their career. Farmingdale State College graduates carry a median of $18,500 in student loans.
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Lebanon Valley College placed #24 among the best parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies schools. This mid-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the suburb of Annville. Lebanon Valley College graduates 65% of students within six years. There were roughly 76 parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies students who graduated with this degree at Lebanon Valley College in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degree recipients from Lebanon Valley College generally make around $39,243. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete this degree.
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Temple University ranked #25 on our 2027 list of the best parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies schools. Located in the city of Philadelphia, Temple University is a very large public university. The six-year graduation rate is 75%. There were roughly 176 parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies students who graduated with this degree at Temple University in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degree recipients from Temple University generally make around $37,260. Typical student debt for the program is $26,000.
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Rest of the Top 50 Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies Schools
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Notes and References
The ranking above is published by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 edition. Schools are scored on a blend of student outcomes (graduation rate, post-graduation earnings), affordability, and program focus, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Top Ranked · 136 schools evaluated.
- 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.