College Factual  by our College Data Analytics Team
       Unbiased Factual Guarantee

2026 Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies Schools in Connecticut

4 Colleges in the United States
386 Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies Degrees Awarded
$41,188 Avg Early-Career Salary

Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies programs are offered at a focused set of schools across the country. A focused field like this rewards careful comparison of the schools that offer it.

College Factual analyzed 14 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies schools.

What’s on this page:

Best Schools for Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies in Connecticut

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

No school ranked higher than University Of Connecticut this year for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies. This very large public university is located in the town of Storrs. University Of Connecticut graduates 83% of students within six years. University Of Connecticut awarded about 93 parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies program make about $40,704 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $23,125 to complete this degree. Read more about the parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies program at University Of Connecticut

2
University Of Hartford crest
University Of Hartford
West Hartford, CT

Students looking for a strong parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies program will find one at University Of Hartford, which ranked #2. Set in the city of West Hartford, University Of Hartford is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. University Of Hartford graduates 58% of students within six years. About 26 parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degrees were awarded at University Of Hartford in the most recent year. Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies graduates of University Of Hartford earn a median of $51,123 early in their careers. University Of Hartford graduates carry a median of $25,648 in student loans. See the full parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies program report for University Of Hartford

3
University Of New Haven crest
University Of New Haven
West Haven, CT

University Of New Haven came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies schools. Located in the suburb of West Haven, University Of New Haven is a large private not-for-profit university. University Of New Haven graduates 63% of students within six years. University Of New Haven awarded about 13 parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degrees in the most recent data year. Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies graduates of University Of New Haven earn a median of $49,615 early in their careers. University Of New Haven graduates carry a median of $26,244 in student loans. Read more about the parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies program at University Of New Haven

4
Saint Joseph College crest
Saint Joseph College
West Hartford, CT

Saint Joseph College is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies, ranking #4. Located in the city of West Hartford, Saint Joseph College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Roughly 64% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 18 parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degrees were awarded at Saint Joseph College in the most recent year. Students who receive their parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degree from Saint Joseph College earn around $75,782 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $27,798. See the full parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies program report for Saint Joseph College

5

Eastern Connecticut State University is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies, ranking #5. This mid-sized public university is located in the town of Willimantic. The six-year graduation rate is 57%. About 23 parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degrees were awarded at Eastern Connecticut State University in the most recent year. Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies graduates of Eastern Connecticut State University earn a median of $34,132 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $25,500. See the full parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies program report for Eastern Connecticut State University

6

Central Connecticut State University earned the #6 position for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies this year. Set in the suburb of New Britain, Central Connecticut State University is a large public institution. Roughly 48% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 41 parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degrees were awarded at Central Connecticut State University in the most recent 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. See the full parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies program report for Central Connecticut State University

7

Capital Community College placed #7 among the best parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies schools. This very large public university is located in the city of New Britain. Capital Community College awarded about 13 parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies program make about $43,086 in their early career. Capital Community College graduates carry a median of $12,059 in student loans. More information about a degree in parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies from Capital Community College

8

Southern Connecticut State University came in at #8 for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies this year. Southern Connecticut State University is a large public school located in the city of New Haven. About 50% of students finish within six years. Southern Connecticut State University awarded about 115 parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degree recipients from Southern Connecticut State University generally make around $25,141. Southern Connecticut State University graduates carry a median of $25,800 in student loans. Get the full parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies details for Southern Connecticut State University

9
Mitchell College crest
Mitchell College
New London, CT

Mitchell College ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the best parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies schools. Located in the city of New London, Mitchell College is a small private not-for-profit university. Roughly 41% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 15 parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies students who graduated with this degree at Mitchell College in the most recent data year. Students who receive their parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degree from Mitchell College earn around $27,007 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $26,500. More information about a degree in parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies from Mitchell College

10
Post University crest
Post University
Waterbury, CT

Post University landed the #10 spot for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies this year. Set in the city of Waterbury, Post University is a very large private for-profit institution. Roughly 24% of students complete a degree within six years here. Post University awarded about 29 parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies program make about $29,592 in their early career. Post University graduates carry a median of $31,250 in student loans. See the full parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies program report for Post University

View All Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies Rankings >

Notes and References

The ranking above is published by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 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 · 14 schools evaluated.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

Popular Reports

College Rankings
Best by Location
Degree Guides by Major
Graduate Programs

Compare Your School Options