2022 Best Value Colleges for Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies (Income $0-$30k) in Massachusetts
When pursuing a degree in today’s world, students have many different options to choose from. At College Factual, we’re committed to helping you make that decision by providing information such as that found in our “Best Value Parks & Rec Schools in Massachusetts For Those Making $0-$30k” ranking.
Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies is the 15th most popular major in the country with 72,122 degrees awarded in 2019-2020. In 2017-2018, parks, recreation, leisure, and fitness studies graduates who were awarded their degree in 2015-2017, earned an average of $29,823 and had an average of $24,576 in loans still to pay off.
Across Massachusetts, there were 1,102 parks, recreation, leisure, and fitness studies graduates with average earnings and debt of $35,071 and $25,549 respectively.
For this year’s “Best Value Parks & Rec Schools in Massachusetts For Those Making $0-$30k” ranking, we looked at 14 colleges that offer a degree in parks, recreation, leisure, and fitness studies. This ranking identifies schools with high-quality parks, recreation, leisure, and fitness studies programs that also have a lower cost than schools of similar quality.
When determining these rankings, we looked at things such as overall quality of the parks, recreation, leisure, and fitness studies program at the school and the cost to attend the school once aid has been awarded. See our ranking methodology to learn more.
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One Size Does Not Fit All
The parks & rec school you choose to invest your time and money in matters. To help you make the decision that is right for you, we’ve developed a number of major-specific rankings, including this list of “Best Value Parks & Rec Schools in Massachusetts For Those Making $0-$30k”.
To further help you make the college decision, we’ve developed a unique tool called College Combat that allows you to compare schools based on the factors that matter the most to you. Go ahead and give it a try, or bookmark the link so you can check it out later.
Best Value Parks & Rec Schools in Massachusetts For Those Making $0-$30k
The following schools top our list of the Best Best Value Parks & Rec Schools in Massachusetts For Those Making $0-$30k.
Top 14 Best Value Colleges for Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies (Income $0-$30k) in Massachusetts
You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend University of Massachusetts Amherst. The school came in at #1 for the Best Value Parks & Rec Schools in Massachusetts For Those Making $0-$30k. Located in Amherst, Massachusetts, this large public school awarded 156 degrees to qualified ’s parks and rec students in 2019-2020.
UMass Amherst also took the #1 spot in our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Schools in Massachusetts” ranking. It costs about $13,137 for massachusetts parks & rec students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend University of Massachusetts Amherst.
The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 89%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. The school has an impressive student loan default rate. It’s only 2.8%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.
Full University of Massachusetts Amherst Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Report
Out of the 14 schools in the Best Value Parks & Rec Schools in Massachusetts For Those Making $0-$30k that were part of this year’s ranking, Smith College landed the #2 spot on the list. Smith College is located in Northampton, Massachusetts and, has a small student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 13 ’s parks and rec degrees to qualified students.
In addition to being on our massachusetts parks & rec students whose families make $0-$30k list, Smith has also earned the #4 rank in our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Schools in Massachusetts” ranking. It costs about $6,075 for massachusetts parks & rec students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend Smith College.
With a student-to-faculty ratio of 7 to 1, it’s easy to see that the school is committed to helping their undergraduates succeed. The student loan default rate at the school is 1.1%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.
Read more about Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies at Smith
You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Northeastern University. The school came in at #3 for the Best Value Parks & Rec Schools in Massachusetts For Those Making $0-$30k. Located in Boston, Massachusetts, this large private not-for-profit school awarded 6 degrees to qualified ’s parks and rec students in 2019-2020.
In addition to being on our massachusetts parks & rec students whose families make $0-$30k list, Northeastern has also earned the #3 rank in our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Schools in Massachusetts” ranking. It costs about $10,239 for Massachusetts Parks & Rec students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend Northeastern University.
The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 97%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. The student loan default rate at the school is 2.2%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.
Read more about Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies at Northeastern University
Out of the 14 schools in the Best Value Parks & Rec Schools in Massachusetts For Those Making $0-$30k that were part of this year’s ranking, Westfield State University landed the #4 spot on the list. Westfield is located in Westfield, Massachusetts and, has a medium-sized student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 67 ’s parks and rec degrees to qualified students.
As a testament to the quality of education offered at Westfield, the school also landed the #6 spot in our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Schools in Massachusetts” ranking. It costs about $12,672 for Massachusetts Parks & Rec students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend Westfield State University.
The low student loan default rate of 4.3% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.
Read full report on Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies at Westfield
Out of the 14 schools in the Best Value Parks & Rec Schools in Massachusetts For Those Making $0-$30k that were part of this year’s ranking, Fitchburg State University landed the #5 spot on the list. Fitchburg State University is a medium-sized school located in Fitchburg, Massachusetts that handed out 2 ’s parks and rec degrees in 2019-2020.
As a testament to the quality of education offered at Fitchburg State, the school also landed the #10 spot in our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Schools in Massachusetts” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Fitchburg State University is $11,770 for Massachusetts Parks & Rec students whose families make $0-$30k.
Read more about Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies at Fitchburg State
University of Massachusetts - Boston ranked #6 on this year’s Best Value Parks & Rec Schools in Massachusetts For Those Making $0-$30k list. Located in Boston, Massachusetts, this fairly large public school awarded 153 diplomas to qualified ’s parks and rec students in 2019-2020.
As a testament to the quality of education offered at UMass Boston, the school also landed the #8 spot in our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Schools in Massachusetts” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for UMass Boston is $13,859 for Massachusetts Parks & Rec students whose families make $0-$30k.
Salem State University ranked #7 on this year’s Best Value Parks & Rec Schools in Massachusetts For Those Making $0-$30k list. Salem State University is located in Salem, Massachusetts and, has a medium-sized student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 58 ’s parks and rec degrees to qualified students.
As a testament to the quality of education offered at Salem State, the school also landed the #9 spot in our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Schools in Massachusetts” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Salem State University is $14,593 for Massachusetts Parks & Rec students whose families make $0-$30k.
Read more about Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies at Salem State
Springfield College landed the #8 spot on the 2022 Best Value Parks & Rec Schools in Massachusetts For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. This small school is located in Springfield, Massachusetts, and it awarded 118 ’s parks and rec degrees in 2019-2020.
Springfield College also took the #5 spot in our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Schools in Massachusetts” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Springfield College is $19,586 for Massachusetts Parks & Rec students whose families make $0-$30k.
Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 85%.
Full Springfield College Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Report
Lasell University came in at #9 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Parks & Rec Schools in Massachusetts For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Lasell University is a small school located in Newton, Massachusetts that handed out 55 ’s parks and rec degrees in 2019-2020.
As a testament to the quality of education offered at Lasell, the school also landed the #7 spot in our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Schools in Massachusetts” ranking. It costs about $23,873 for massachusetts parks & rec students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend Lasell.
Read full report on Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies at Lasell
Endicott College landed the #10 spot on the 2022 Best Value Parks & Rec Schools in Massachusetts For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Located in Beverly, Massachusetts, this small private not-for-profit school handed out 91 degrees to qualified ’s parks and rec students in 2019-2020.
Endicott did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #2 on our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Schools in Massachusetts” list. The yearly cost to attend Endicott College is $27,432 for massachusetts parks & rec students whose families make $0-$30k.
The student loan default rate at the school is 3.2%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.
Full Endicott Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Report
Gordon College came in at #11 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Parks & Rec Schools in Massachusetts For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Gordon College is located in Wenham, Massachusetts and, has a small student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 15 ’s parks and rec degrees to qualified students.
Gordon College not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #11 on our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Schools in Massachusetts” list. The yearly cost to attend Gordon College is $22,732 for Massachusetts Parks & Rec students whose families make $0-$30k.
Since the school has a student-to-faculty ratio of 10 to 1, those pursuing a degree will have more opportunities to interact with their professors. The student loan default rate at the school is 2.4%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.
Read more about Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies at Gordon College
Nichols College landed the #12 spot on the 2022 Best Value Parks & Rec Schools in Massachusetts For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Nichols is a small private not-for-profit school situated in Dudley, Massachusetts. It awarded 48 ’s parks and rec degrees in 2019-2020.
Nichols also took the #12 spot in our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Schools in Massachusetts” ranking. It costs about $23,206 for Massachusetts Parks & Rec students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend Nichols.
Full Nichols Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Report
Regis College landed the #13 spot on the 2022 Best Value Parks & Rec Schools in Massachusetts For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Regis College is a small private not-for-profit school situated in Weston, Massachusetts. It awarded 11 ’s parks and rec degrees in 2019-2020.
In addition to being on our massachusetts parks & rec students whose families make $0-$30k list, Regis College has also earned the #13 rank in our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Schools in Massachusetts” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Regis College is $23,281 for massachusetts parks & rec students whose families make $0-$30k.
Since the school has a student-to-faculty ratio of 10 to 1, those pursuing a degree will have more opportunities to interact with their professors.
Read full report on Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies at Regis College
With a ranking of #14, Becker College did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Parks & Rec Schools in Massachusetts For Those Making $0-$30k list. This small school is located in Worcester, Massachusetts, and it awarded 14 ’s parks and rec degrees in 2019-2020.
Becker College not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #14 on our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Schools in Massachusetts” list. The yearly cost to attend Becker College is $29,189 for massachusetts parks & rec students whose families make $0-$30k.
Read full report on Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies at Becker College
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Best Value Colleges for Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies (Income $0-$30k) in New Hampshire
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Notes and References
References
- 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).
- Information about the national average student loan default rate is from the U.S. Department of Education and refers to data about the 2016 borrower cohort tracking period for which the cohort default rate (CDR) was 10.1%.
Read more about our data sources and methodologies
Footnotes
- *Average salary, average net price, and average tuition and fees are for the top schools only.
- Some schools otherwise deserving of recognition may have been removed from this ranking in the event that new data identified post-publication warranted it, or at the request of the school.
Credits
- Credit for the banner image above goes to NPS Photo/Zurbuch.
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