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2027 Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies Schools in the New England Region

53 Colleges in the United States
2,780 Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies Degrees Awarded
$42,280 Avg Early-Career Salary

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

1
Providence College crest
Providence College
Providence, RI

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. See the full parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies program report for Providence College

2
Boston College crest
Boston College
Chestnut Hill, MA

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. More information about a degree in parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies from Boston College

3

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. Read more about the parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies program at University Of Rhode Island

4

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. See the full parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies program report for University Of Connecticut

5

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. See the full parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies program report for University Of Massachusetts Amherst

6

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. Read more about the parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies program at University Of Massachusetts Lowell

7

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. See the full parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies program report for Northeastern University Global Network

8
Merrimack College crest
Merrimack College
North Andover, MA

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. See the full parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies program report for Merrimack College

9
University Of Hartford crest
University Of Hartford
West Hartford, CT

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. See the full parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies program report for University Of Hartford

10

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. Read more about the parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies program at University Of New Hampshire Main Campus

11
Endicott College crest
Endicott College
Beverly, MA

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. See the full parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies program report for Endicott College

12
University Of Vermont crest
University Of Vermont
Burlington, VT

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. See the full parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies program report for University Of Vermont

13

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. See the full parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies program report for University Of Massachusetts Boston

14

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. Get the full parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies details for Vermont Technical College

15
Springfield College crest
Springfield College
Springfield, MA

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. Get the full parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies details for Springfield College

16
Simmons College crest
Simmons College
Boston, MA

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. See the full parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies program report for Simmons College

17

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. More information about a degree in parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies from Central Connecticut State University

18

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. More information about a degree in parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies from Westfield State University

19

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. More information about a degree in parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies from University Of Maine

20
Husson University crest
Husson University
Bangor, ME

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. See the full parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies program report for Husson University

21
Smith College crest
Smith College
Northampton, MA

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. See the full parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies program report for Smith College

22

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. Get the full parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies details for Plymouth State University

23

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. Get the full parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies details for Fitchburg State University

24

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. Get the full parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies details for Southern New Hampshire University

25

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. Get the full parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies details for University Of New England

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:

26
Rivier College crest
Rivier College
Nashua, NH
27
28
29
30
Curry College crest
Curry College
Milton, MA
31
Nichols College crest
Nichols College
Dudley, MA
32
33
34
Rhode Island College crest
Rhode Island College
Providence, RI
35
36
37
Lasell College crest
Lasell College
Newton, MA
38
39
40
41
42
Norwich University crest
Norwich University
Northfield, VT
43
44
Colby Sawyer College crest
Colby Sawyer College
New London, NH
45
46
47
Dean College crest
Dean College
Franklin, MA
48
New England College crest
New England College
Henniker, NH
49
Fisher College crest
Fisher College
Boston, MA
50
Mitchell College crest
Mitchell College
New London, CT

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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.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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