2023 Best Value Parks & Rec Schools in Pennsylvania For Those Getting Aid
22
Ranked Colleges
2,752
Degrees Awarded
$23,900
Avg Net Price*
When it comes to choosing a college, students have a lot of options - but not all of them are good. College Factual was founded, in part, to help students make the decision as to what would be the best school for them. Our “Best Value Parks & Rec Schools in Pennsylvania For Those Getting Aid” ranking is part of that endeavor.
Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies is the 15th most popular major in the country with 73,813 degrees awarded in 2020-2021. In 2019-2020, parks, recreation, leisure, and fitness studies graduates who were awarded their degree in 2017-2019, earned an average of $31,423 and had an average of $24,388 in loans still to pay off.
Across Pennsylvania, there were 2,752 parks, recreation, leisure, and fitness studies graduates with average earnings and debt of $31,681 and $27,043 respectively.
This year’s “Best Value Parks & Rec Schools in Pennsylvania For Those Getting Aid” ranking looked at 22 colleges that offer degrees in a bachelor’s 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.
To come up with these rankings, we looked at factors such as the cost to attend the school after aid is awarded and overall quality of the parks, recreation, leisure, and fitness studies program at the school. For more information, check out our ranking methodology.
One Size Does Not Fit All
Since the program you select can have a significant impact on your future, we’ve developed a number of rankings, including this “Best Value Parks & Rec Schools in Pennsylvania For Those Getting Aid” list, to help you choose the best school for you.
One of our other unique offerings is College Combat. This tool lets you build your own customized comparisons utilizing the factors that are most important to you. If you’re torn between two schools, you can use it to help you see how they stack up against one another. Bookmark it so you can compare any new schools that might interest you.
Best Value Parks & Rec Schools in Pennsylvania For Those Getting Aid
The following schools top our list of the Best Best Value Parks & Rec Schools in Pennsylvania For Those Getting Aid.
Top 22 Best Value Colleges for Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies in Pennsylvania (With Aid)
Out of the 22 schools in the Best Value Parks & Rec Schools in Pennsylvania For Those Getting Aid that were part of this year’s ranking, California University of Pennsylvania landed the #1 spot on the list. California, Pennsylvania is the setting for this medium-sized institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s parks and rec degrees to 374 students in 2020-2021.
As a testament to the quality of education offered at Cal U, the school also landed the #3 spot in our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Schools in Pennsylvania” ranking. The yearly cost to attend California University of Pennsylvania is $19,117 for Pennsylvania Parks & Rec students with aid.
Read more about Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies at California University of Pennsylvania
Out of the 22 schools in the Best Value Parks & Rec Schools in Pennsylvania For Those Getting Aid that were part of this year’s ranking, West Chester University of Pennsylvania landed the #2 spot on the list. Located in West Chester, Pennsylvania, this fairly large public school handed out 214 degrees to qualified ’s parks and rec students in 2020-2021.
WCUPA did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #2 on our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Schools in Pennsylvania” list. It costs about $21,484 for pennsylvania parks & rec students with aid per year to attend WCUPA.
The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 3.4%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 85%.
Full West Chester University of Pennsylvania Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Report
You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Slippery Rock University of Pennsylvania. The school came in at #3 for the Best Value Parks & Rec Schools in Pennsylvania For Those Getting Aid. Slippery Rock University of Pennsylvania is located in Slippery Rock, Pennsylvania and, has a medium-sized student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 104 ’s parks and rec degrees to qualified students.
SRU not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #5 on our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Schools in Pennsylvania” list. It costs about $19,927 for pennsylvania parks & rec students with aid per year to attend SRU.
The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 4.6%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.
Read more about Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies at Slippery Rock University of Pennsylvania
You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Temple University. The school came in at #4 for the Best Value Parks & Rec Schools in Pennsylvania For Those Getting Aid. Located in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, this large public school awarded 299 diplomas to qualified ’s parks and rec students in 2020-2021.
As a testament to the quality of education offered at Temple, the school also landed the #1 spot in our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Schools in Pennsylvania” ranking. It costs about $23,888 for pennsylvania parks & rec students with aid per year to attend Temple University.
The low undergrad student loan default rate of 3.5% 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%. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 87%.
Read full report on Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies at Temple University
You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend East Stroudsburg University of Pennsylvania. It ranked #5 on our 2023 Best Value Parks & Rec Schools in Pennsylvania For Those Getting Aid list. East Stroudsburg University is a medium-sized public school situated in East Stroudsburg, Pennsylvania. It awarded 131 ’s parks and rec degrees in 2020-2021.
East Stroudsburg University not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #6 on our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Schools in Pennsylvania” list. It costs about $20,141 for Pennsylvania Parks & Rec students with aid per year to attend East Stroudsburg University.
Read full report on Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies at East Stroudsburg University of Pennsylvania
Edinboro University of Pennsylvania came in at #6 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Parks & Rec Schools in Pennsylvania For Those Getting Aid ranking. Located in Edinboro, Pennsylvania, this small public school handed out 29 degrees to qualified ’s parks and rec students in 2020-2021.
Edinboro did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #16 on our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Schools in Pennsylvania” list. It costs about $16,363 for pennsylvania parks & rec students with aid per year to attend Edinboro University of Pennsylvania.
Read full report on Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies at Edinboro
With a ranking of #7, Lock Haven University did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Parks & Rec Schools in Pennsylvania For Those Getting Aid list. Lock Haven, Pennsylvania is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s parks and rec degrees to 113 students in 2020-2021.
LHU not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #7 on our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Schools in Pennsylvania” list. The yearly cost to attend LHU is $21,245 for Pennsylvania Parks & Rec students with aid.
Read more about Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies at LHU
Bloomsburg University of Pennsylvania did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Parks & Rec Schools in Pennsylvania For Those Getting Aid ranking, coming in at #8. Bloomsburg is a medium-sized public school situated in Bloomsburg, Pennsylvania. It awarded 53 ’s parks and rec degrees in 2020-2021.
Bloomsburg also made our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Schools in Pennsylvania” list, coming in at #9. The estimated yearly cost for Bloomsburg University of Pennsylvania is $20,639 for pennsylvania parks & rec students with aid.
Full Bloomsburg University of Pennsylvania Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Report
Gannon University came in at #9 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Parks & Rec Schools in Pennsylvania For Those Getting Aid ranking. Gannon is a private not-for-profit institution located in Erie, Pennsylvania. The school has a small population, and it awarded 57 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.
As a testament to the quality of education offered at Gannon, the school also landed the #8 spot in our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Schools in Pennsylvania” ranking. It costs about $22,473 for Pennsylvania Parks & Rec students with aid per year to attend Gannon University.
The low undergrad student loan default rate of 3.1% 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%. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 85%.
Read more about Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies at Gannon
University of Pittsburgh - Bradford did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Parks & Rec Schools in Pennsylvania For Those Getting Aid ranking, coming in at #10. Bradford, Pennsylvania is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s parks and rec degrees to 23 students in 2020-2021.
Pitt Bradford also took the #19 spot in our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Schools in Pennsylvania” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Pitt Bradford is $16,003 for pennsylvania parks & rec students with aid.
The low undergrad student loan default rate of 2.9% 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%.
Full Pitt Bradford Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Report
Indiana University of Pennsylvania - Main Campus ranked #11 on this year’s Best Value Parks & Rec Schools in Pennsylvania For Those Getting Aid list. Located in Indiana, Pennsylvania, this medium-sized public school awarded 112 degrees to qualified ’s parks and rec students in 2020-2021.
IUP not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #12 on our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Schools in Pennsylvania” list. The estimated yearly cost for Indiana University of Pennsylvania - Main Campus is $22,828 for Pennsylvania Parks & Rec students with aid.
Full Indiana University of Pennsylvania - Main Campus Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Report
Shippensburg University of Pennsylvania ranked #12 on this year’s Best Value Parks & Rec Schools in Pennsylvania For Those Getting Aid list. Shippensburg University of Pennsylvania is a medium-sized public school situated in Shippensburg, Pennsylvania. It awarded 35 ’s parks and rec degrees in 2020-2021.
Ship not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #20 on our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Schools in Pennsylvania” list. The estimated yearly cost for Ship is $23,006 for pennsylvania parks & rec students with aid.
The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 4.8%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.
Read more about Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies at Ship
Kutztown University of Pennsylvania ranked #13 on this year’s Best Value Parks & Rec Schools in Pennsylvania For Those Getting Aid list. Kutztown, Pennsylvania is the setting for this medium-sized institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s parks and rec degrees to 95 students in 2020-2021.
As a testament to the quality of education offered at Kutztown University, the school also landed the #11 spot in our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Schools in Pennsylvania” ranking. It costs about $23,227 for Pennsylvania Parks & Rec students with aid per year to attend Kutztown University.
Full Kutztown University of Pennsylvania Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Report
With a ranking of #14, York College of Pennsylvania did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Parks & Rec Schools in Pennsylvania For Those Getting Aid list. Located in York, Pennsylvania, this small private not-for-profit school awarded 35 degrees to qualified ’s parks and rec students in 2020-2021.
In addition to being on our pennsylvania parks & rec students with aid list, YCP has also earned the #17 rank in our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Schools in Pennsylvania” ranking. It costs about $22,233 for Pennsylvania Parks & Rec students with aid per year to attend York College of Pennsylvania.
The low undergrad student loan default rate of 3.4% 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 more about Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies at YCP
Seton Hill University came in at #15 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Parks & Rec Schools in Pennsylvania For Those Getting Aid ranking. Located in Greensburg, Pennsylvania, this small private not-for-profit school awarded 27 diplomas to qualified ’s parks and rec students in 2020-2021.
Seton Hill also made our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Schools in Pennsylvania” list, coming in at #13. The estimated yearly cost for Seton Hill University is $23,328 for Pennsylvania Parks & Rec students with aid.
The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 3.9%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.
Full Seton Hill Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Report
Neumann University came in at #16 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Parks & Rec Schools in Pennsylvania For Those Getting Aid ranking. Neumann is a small private not-for-profit school situated in Aston, Pennsylvania. It awarded 25 ’s parks and rec degrees in 2020-2021.
Neumann did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #18 on our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Schools in Pennsylvania” list. It costs about $27,871 for Pennsylvania Parks & Rec students with aid per year to attend Neumann University.
Read full report on Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies at Neumann University
With a ranking of #17, Robert Morris University did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Parks & Rec Schools in Pennsylvania For Those Getting Aid list. This small school is located in Moon Township, Pennsylvania, and it awarded 36 ’s parks and rec degrees in 2020-2021.
In addition to being on our pennsylvania parks & rec students with aid list, RMU has also earned the #15 rank in our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Schools in Pennsylvania” ranking. The yearly cost to attend RMU is $27,954 for pennsylvania parks & rec students with aid.
The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 3.7%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.
Read more about Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies at Robert Morris University
Keystone College came in at #18 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Parks & Rec Schools in Pennsylvania For Those Getting Aid ranking. Keystone College is a small school located in La Plume, Pennsylvania that handed out 19 ’s parks and rec degrees in 2020-2021.
In addition to being on our pennsylvania parks & rec students with aid list, Keystone College has also earned the #21 rank in our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Schools in Pennsylvania” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Keystone College is $25,268 for pennsylvania parks & rec students with aid.
Read more about Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies at Keystone College
DeSales University ranked #19 on this year’s Best Value Parks & Rec Schools in Pennsylvania For Those Getting Aid list. DeSales is a small private not-for-profit school situated in Center Valley, Pennsylvania. It awarded 28 ’s parks and rec degrees in 2020-2021.
DeSales also took the #14 spot in our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Schools in Pennsylvania” ranking. The yearly cost to attend DeSales is $29,547 for Pennsylvania Parks & Rec students with aid.
The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 2.8%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.
Full DeSales University Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Report
Drexel University landed the #20 spot on the 2023 Best Value Parks & Rec Schools in Pennsylvania For Those Getting Aid ranking. Located in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, this large private not-for-profit school awarded 39 degrees to qualified ’s parks and rec students in 2020-2021.
As a testament to the quality of education offered at Drexel, the school also landed the #4 spot in our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Schools in Pennsylvania” ranking. It costs about $35,963 for pennsylvania parks & rec students with aid per year to attend Drexel.
The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 1.9%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 88%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.
Read more about Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies at Drexel
Immaculata University came in at #21 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Parks & Rec Schools in Pennsylvania For Those Getting Aid ranking. Immaculata University is a private not-for-profit institution located in Immaculata, Pennsylvania. The school has a small population, and it awarded 33 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.
Immaculata did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #22 on our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Schools in Pennsylvania” list. The estimated yearly cost for Immaculata is $28,547 for pennsylvania parks & rec students with aid.
With a undergrad student-to-faculty ratio of 10 to 1, it’s easy to see that the school is committed to helping their undergraduates succeed. The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 3.5%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.
Read more about Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies at Immaculata University
University of Scranton ranked #22 on this year’s Best Value Parks & Rec Schools in Pennsylvania For Those Getting Aid list. Scranton, Pennsylvania is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out ’s parks and rec degrees to 63 students in 2020-2021.
University of Scranton not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #10 on our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Schools in Pennsylvania” list. It costs about $34,378 for Pennsylvania Parks & Rec students with aid per year to attend University of Scranton.
Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 89%. The low undergrad student loan default rate of 1.5% 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%.
Full University of Scranton Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Report
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Best Value Colleges for Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies in Pennsylvania
Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies students in Pennsylvania
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
- *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
