2027 Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies Schools in Massachusetts
Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies degree programs prepare students for a range of careers in the field. While the number of schools offering the program varies, there are still top-quality ones to be found.
For its 2027 ranking, College Factual looked at 22 schools in the United States to determine which ones were the best for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies students pursuing a degree.
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Best Schools for Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies in Massachusetts
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest overall parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies education in Massachusetts.
Top Schools in Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies
Boston College is one of the finest schools in the country for getting a degree in parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies. Set in the city of Chestnut Hill, Boston College is a large private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 91% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 83 parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies students who graduated with this degree at Boston College in the most recent data 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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University Of Massachusetts Amherst is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies, ranking #2. 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. University Of Massachusetts Amherst awarded about 141 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 Massachusetts Amherst earn around $36,419 in the first couple years of their career. University Of Massachusetts Amherst graduates carry a median of $26,227 in student loans.
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Students looking for a strong parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies program will find one at University Of Massachusetts Lowell, which ranked #3. This very large public university is located in the suburb of Lowell. About 65% of students finish within six years. About 65 parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degrees were awarded at University Of Massachusetts Lowell in the most recent year. Graduates of the parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies program make about $66,985 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $25,574 to complete this degree.
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Northeastern University Global Network 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 Boston, Northeastern University Global Network is a large private not-for-profit university. Northeastern University Global Network awarded about 50 parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degrees in the most recent data year. Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies graduates of Northeastern University Global Network earn a median of $53,373 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $26,331.
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Merrimack College is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies, landing the #5 spot this year. Located in the suburb of North Andover, Merrimack College is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. Merrimack College graduates 70% of students within six years. 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. Merrimack College graduates carry a median of $26,913 in student loans.
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Endicott College earned the #6 position for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies this year. Located in the suburb of Beverly, Endicott College is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. About 75% of students finish within six years. Endicott College awarded about 121 parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degrees 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. Typical student debt for the program is $27,000.
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University Of Massachusetts Boston ranked #7 on our 2027 list of the best parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies schools. This large public university is located in the city of Boston. University Of Massachusetts Boston graduates 49% of students within six years. About 153 parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degrees were awarded at University Of Massachusetts Boston in the most recent year. Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies graduates of University Of Massachusetts Boston earn a median of $37,703 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $26,808 to complete this degree.
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Springfield College came in at #8 for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies this year. This mid-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Springfield. Springfield College graduates 74% of students within six years. Springfield College awarded about 148 parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degree recipients from Springfield College generally make around $39,402. Typical student debt for the program is $27,000.
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Simmons College came in at #9 for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies this year. Located in the city of Boston, Simmons College is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. Simmons College graduates 72% of students within six years. Simmons College awarded about 21 parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degree recipients from Simmons College generally make around $48,876. Simmons College graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans.
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Westfield State University landed the #10 spot for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies this year. Set in the suburb of Westfield, Westfield State University is a moderately-sized public institution. Westfield State University graduates 54% of students within six years. About 46 parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degrees were awarded at Westfield State University in the most recent year. Students who receive their parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degree from Westfield State University earn around $32,456 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $27,000.
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Smith College came in at #11 for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies this year. This mid-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Northampton. Roughly 89% of students complete a degree within six years here. Smith College awarded about 14 parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degree from Smith College earn around $43,642 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $18,941 to complete this degree.
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Fitchburg State University placed #12 among the best parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies schools. Set in the suburb of Fitchburg, Fitchburg State University is a moderately-sized public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 55%. There were roughly 14 parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies students who graduated with this degree at Fitchburg State University in the most recent data year. Graduates of the parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies program make about $37,218 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete this degree.
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Curry College earned the #13 position for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies this year. Set in the suburb of Milton, Curry College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 51% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 13 parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degrees were awarded at Curry College in the most recent year. Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies graduates of Curry College earn a median of $59,338 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $26,571.
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Nichols College ranked #14 on our 2027 list of the best parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies schools. This small private not-for-profit university is located in the suburb of Dudley. Roughly 63% of students complete a degree within six years here. Nichols 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 Nichols College generally make around $32,564. Nichols College graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans.
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Springfield College School Of Professional And Continuing Studies ranked #15 on our 2027 list of the best parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies schools. This small private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Springfield. There were roughly 30 parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies students who graduated with this degree at Springfield College School Of Professional And Continuing Studies in the most recent data year. Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies graduates of Springfield College School Of Professional And Continuing Studies earn a median of $39,402 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $27,000.
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Lasell College ranked #16 on our 2027 list of the best parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies schools. This small private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Newton. The six-year graduation rate is 59%. About 53 parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degrees were awarded at Lasell College in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degree recipients from Lasell College generally make around $40,486. Lasell College graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans.
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Salem State University placed #17 among the best parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies schools. Salem State University is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Salem. Roughly 50% of students complete a degree within six years here. Salem State University awarded about 30 parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies program make about $31,755 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $27,000.
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Western New England University placed #18 among the best parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies schools. Western New England University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Springfield. Western New England University graduates 64% of students within six years. Western New England University awarded about 40 parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies program make about $26,544 in their early career. Western New England University graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans.
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American International College landed the #19 spot for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies this year. Set in the city of Springfield, American International College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 46%. American International College awarded about 22 parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degrees in the most recent data year. Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies graduates of American International College earn a median of $66,104 early in their careers. American International College graduates carry a median of $30,390 in student loans.
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Dean College came in at #20 for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies this year. Dean College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Franklin. The six-year graduation rate is 46%. Dean College awarded about 43 parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degrees in the most recent data year. Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies graduates of Dean College earn a median of $28,609 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $27,000.
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Fisher College landed the #21 spot for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies this year. Located in the city of Boston, Fisher College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. The six-year graduation rate is 25%. About 13 parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degrees were awarded at Fisher College in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degree recipients from Fisher College generally make around $44,872. Typical student debt for the program is $28,590.
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Regis College earned the #22 position for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies this year. Set in the suburb of Weston, Regis College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 71% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 12 parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies students who graduated with this degree at Regis College in the most recent data year. Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies graduates of Regis College earn a median of $69,483 early in their careers. Regis College graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans.
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Notes and References
This ranking is produced 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 · 22 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.