2027 Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies Schools in the New England Region
Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies is a field worth a close look when choosing where to study. While the number of schools offering the program varies, there are still top-quality ones to be found.
College Factual analyzed 53 schools to build this 2027 ranking of the best parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies schools.
What’s on this page:
Best Schools for Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies in the New England Region
If you are not interested in a particular degree level and want to know which schools are the overall best at delivering an education for the parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degrees they offer, see the list below.
Top Schools in Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies
Providence College is one of the finest schools in the country for getting a degree in parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies. Located in the city of Providence, Providence College is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. Roughly 86% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 22 parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies students who graduated with this degree at Providence College in the most recent data year. Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies graduates of Providence College earn a median of $53,208 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $26,833.
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A rank of #2 makes Boston College one of the top schools for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies. Located in the city of Chestnut Hill, Boston College is a large private not-for-profit university. The six-year graduation rate is 91%. About 83 parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degrees were awarded at Boston College in the most recent year. Students who receive their parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degree from Boston College earn around $51,092 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $18,101.
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A rank of #3 makes University Of Rhode Island one of the top schools for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies. Located in the suburb of Kingston, University Of Rhode Island is a very large public university. About 72% of students finish within six years. About 154 parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degrees were awarded at University Of Rhode Island in the most recent year. Graduates of the parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies program make about $52,821 in their early career. University Of Rhode Island graduates carry a median of $23,432 in student loans.
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University Of Connecticut is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies, landing the #4 spot this year. University Of Connecticut is a very large public school located in the town of Storrs. The six-year graduation rate is 83%. University Of Connecticut awarded about 96 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 Connecticut generally make around $40,704. University Of Connecticut graduates carry a median of $23,125 in student loans.
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A rank of #5 makes University Of Massachusetts Amherst one of the top schools for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies. Set in the city of Amherst, University Of Massachusetts Amherst is a very large public institution. University Of Massachusetts Amherst graduates 83% of students within six years. There were roughly 141 parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies students who graduated with this degree at University Of Massachusetts Amherst in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degree recipients from University Of Massachusetts Amherst generally make around $36,419. Typical student debt for the program is $26,227.
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University Of Massachusetts Lowell came in at #6 for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies this year. Located in the suburb of Lowell, University Of Massachusetts Lowell is a very large public university. University Of Massachusetts Lowell graduates 65% of students within six years. University Of Massachusetts Lowell awarded about 65 parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degrees in the most recent data year. Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies graduates of University Of Massachusetts Lowell earn a median of $66,985 early in their careers. University Of Massachusetts Lowell graduates carry a median of $25,574 in student loans.
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Northeastern University Global Network came in at #7 for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies this year. Northeastern University Global Network is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Boston. There were roughly 50 parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies students who graduated with this degree at Northeastern University Global Network in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degree recipients from Northeastern University Global Network generally make around $53,373. Northeastern University Global Network graduates carry a median of $26,331 in student loans.
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Merrimack College placed #8 among the best parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies schools. Set in the suburb of North Andover, Merrimack College is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 70%. There were roughly 50 parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies students who graduated with this degree at Merrimack College in the most recent data year. Graduates of the parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies program make about $50,506 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $26,913 to complete this degree.
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University Of Hartford earned the #9 position for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies this year. University Of Hartford is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of West Hartford. Roughly 58% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 41 parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degrees were awarded at University Of Hartford in the most recent year. Students who receive their parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degree from University Of Hartford earn around $51,123 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $25,648 to complete this degree.
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University Of New Hampshire Main Campus placed #10 among the best parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies schools. This large public university is located in the town of Durham. Roughly 76% of students complete a degree within six years here. University Of New Hampshire Main Campus awarded about 153 parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degrees in the most recent data year. Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies graduates of University Of New Hampshire Main Campus earn a median of $33,807 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $27,000.
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Endicott College ranked #11 on our 2027 list of the best parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies schools. This moderately-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the suburb of Beverly. The six-year graduation rate is 75%. There were roughly 121 parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies students who graduated with this degree at Endicott College in the most recent data year. Students who receive their parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degree from Endicott College earn around $30,338 in the first couple years of their career. Endicott College graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans.
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University Of Vermont came in at #12 for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies this year. University Of Vermont is a large public school located in the city of Burlington. University Of Vermont graduates 79% of students within six years. About 50 parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degrees were awarded at University Of Vermont in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degree recipients from University Of Vermont generally make around $27,835. Typical student debt for the program is $22,163.
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University Of Massachusetts Boston ranked #13 on our 2027 list of the best parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies schools. Located in the city of Boston, University Of Massachusetts Boston is a large public university. The six-year graduation rate is 49%. About 153 parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degrees were awarded at University Of Massachusetts Boston in the most recent year. Graduates of the parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies program make about $37,703 in their early career. University Of Massachusetts Boston graduates carry a median of $26,808 in student loans.
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Vermont Technical College ranked #14 on our 2027 list of the best parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies schools. This moderately-sized public university is located in the rural area of Randolph. Roughly 44% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 86 parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies students who graduated with this degree at Vermont Technical College in the most recent data year. Students who receive their parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degree from Vermont Technical College earn around $37,493 in the first couple years of their career. Vermont Technical College graduates carry a median of $24,208 in student loans.
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Springfield College landed the #15 spot for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies this year. Set in the city of Springfield, Springfield College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Springfield College graduates 74% of students within six years. About 148 parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degrees were awarded at Springfield College in the most recent year. Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies graduates of Springfield College earn a median of $39,402 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $27,000.
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Simmons College landed the #16 spot for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies this year. This moderately-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Boston. The six-year graduation rate is 72%. About 21 parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degrees were awarded at Simmons College in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degree recipients from Simmons College generally make around $48,876. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete this degree.
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Central Connecticut State University landed the #17 spot for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies this year. This large public university is located in the suburb of New Britain. The six-year graduation rate is 48%. There were roughly 37 parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies students who graduated with this degree at Central Connecticut State University in the most recent data year. Students who receive their parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degree from Central Connecticut State University earn around $35,701 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $26,000 to complete this degree.
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Westfield State University came in at #18 for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies this year. Located in the suburb of Westfield, Westfield State University is a moderately-sized public university. About 54% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 46 parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies students who graduated with this degree at Westfield State University in the most recent data year. Graduates of the parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies program make about $32,456 in their early career. Westfield State University graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans.
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University Of Maine ranked #19 on our 2027 list of the best parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies schools. This large public university is located in the suburb of Orono. Roughly 55% of students complete a degree within six years here. University Of Maine awarded about 31 parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degree from University Of Maine earn around $47,975 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $25,984.
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Husson University earned the #20 position for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies this year. Husson University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Bangor. The six-year graduation rate is 59%. About 76 parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degrees were awarded at Husson University in the most recent year. Graduates of the parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies program make about $37,993 in their early career. Husson University graduates carry a median of $28,769 in student loans.
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Smith College ranked #21 on our 2027 list of the best parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies schools. Set in the city of Northampton, Smith College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Smith College graduates 89% of students within six years. There were roughly 14 parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies students who graduated with this degree at Smith College in the most recent data year. Graduates of the parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies program make about $43,642 in their early career. Smith College graduates carry a median of $18,941 in student loans.
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Plymouth State University placed #22 among the best parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies schools. Plymouth State University is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Plymouth. Roughly 52% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 91 parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies students who graduated with this degree at Plymouth State University in the most recent data year. Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies graduates of Plymouth State University earn a median of $51,687 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete this degree.
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Fitchburg State University came in at #23 for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies this year. Fitchburg State University is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Fitchburg. About 55% of students finish within six years. Fitchburg State University awarded about 14 parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degrees in the most recent data year. Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies graduates of Fitchburg State University earn a median of $37,218 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete this degree.
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Southern New Hampshire University placed #24 among the best parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies schools. Southern New Hampshire University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Manchester. About 44% of students finish within six years. Southern New Hampshire University awarded about 238 parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies program make about $43,677 in their early career. Southern New Hampshire University graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans.
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University Of New England placed #25 among the best parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies schools. This large private not-for-profit university is located in the suburb of Biddeford. University Of New England graduates 70% of students within six years. About 38 parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degrees were awarded at University Of New England in the most recent year. Graduates of the parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies program make about $31,749 in their early career. University Of New England graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans.
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Rest of the Top 50 Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies Schools
Not far behind, these schools also delivered a strong parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies education:
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Notes and References
This list is compiled by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 edition. The methodology weighs graduation rate, post-graduation earnings, cost, and program quality, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Top Ranked · 53 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.