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Most Popular Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Schools in the Middle Atlantic Region

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2023 Most Popular Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Schools in the Middle Atlantic Region

205 Colleges
$32,049 Avg Salary
$25,045 Avg Student Debt

Finding the Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies School for You

Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies is the #15 most popular major in the country with 73,813 degrees and certificates awarded in 2020-2021.

Today's students have lots of options to pick from when considering higher education opportunities. Along with traditional schools that require in-person attendence, you can attend one of many reputable online schools. Some programs even offer a hybrid experience. Alternatively, you may choose a trade school that prepares you to enter the workforce with knowledge in a specific field.

To help you arm yourself with the information you need to make your decision, Course Advisor has developed this Most Popular Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Schools in the Middle Atlantic Region ranking. This report analyzed 205 schools in the Middle Atlantic Region to see which ones were the most popular programs for students. To create this ranking we looked at how many students graduated from the Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies program at each school on the list.

The following schools top our list of the Most Popular Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Colleges.

Our analysis found Rutgers University - New Brunswick to be the most popular school for parks, recreation, leisure, and fitness studies students who want to pursue a degree in the Middle Atlantic Region . Located in the city of New Brunswick, Rutgers New Brunswick is a public college with a very large student population.

On average, parks and rec graduates from Rutgers New Brunswick take out $25,913 in student loans while working on their degree. When it comes time to repay the loan, graduates who are on a 10-year repayment plan pay an average monthly payment of $313.

Read full report on Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies at Rutgers University - New Brunswick

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend California University of Pennsylvania. It ranked #2 on our 2023 Most Popular Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Schools in the Middle Atlantic Region list. Cal U is a medium-sized public school located in the small suburb of California.

After completing their degree, parks and rec graduates from Cal U carry an average student debt load of $32,130. The average monthly payment of a loan this size is about $169, assuming that the borrower is on a 10-year repayment plan.

Full Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies at California University of Pennsylvania Report

#3

SUNY Cortland

Cortland, NY

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around you if you attend SUNY Cortland. The school came in at #3 on this year’s Most Popular Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Schools in the Middle Atlantic Region list. Located in the town of Cortland, SUNY Cortland is a public school with a moderately-sized student population.

The average amount in student loans that parks and rec majors at SUNY Cortland take out is $25,974. The average monthly payment of a loan this size is about $301, assuming that the borrower is on a 10-year repayment plan.

Read full report on Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies at SUNY Cortland

#4

Temple University

Philadelphia, PA

The excellent programs at Temple University helped the school earn the #4 place on this year’s ranking of the best parks, recreation, leisure, and fitness studies schools in the Middle Atlantic Region . Located in the city of Philadelphia, Temple is a public school with a fairly large student population.

The average amount in student loans that parks and rec majors at Temple take out is $26,000. The average monthly payment of a loan this size is about $384, assuming that the borrower is on a 10-year repayment plan.

Full Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies at Temple University Report

#5

Towson University

Towson, MD

A rank of #5 on this year’s list means Towson University is a great place for parks, recreation, leisure, and fitness studies students. Located in the small city of Towson, Towson is a public school with a fairly large student population.

While working on their degree, parks and rec majors at Towson accumulate an average of around $20,664 in student debt. Assuming that a graduate chooses a 10-year repayment plan, the average monthly loan payment is $270.

Read full report on Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies at Towson University

University of Maryland - College Park did quite well in this year’s ranking of the most popular schools for parks, recreation, leisure, and fitness studies students. It came in at #6 on the list. Located in the large suburb of College Park, UMCP is a public school with a very large student population.

While working on their degree, parks and rec majors at UMCP accumulate an average of around $21,615 in student debt. Assuming that a graduate chooses a 10-year repayment plan, the average monthly loan payment is $366.

Full Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies at University of Maryland - College Park Report

West Chester University of Pennsylvania did quite well in this year’s ranking of the most popular schools for parks, recreation, leisure, and fitness studies students. It came in at #7 on the list. Located in the suburb of West Chester, WCUPA is a public college with a large student population.

Read full report on Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies at West Chester University of Pennsylvania

With a ranking of #8, University of Delaware did quite well on this year’s most popular schools for parks, recreation, leisure, and fitness studies students. UD is a fairly large public school located in the large suburb of Newark.

Parks & Rec majors at UD take out an average of $24,786 in student loans while working on their egree. Assuming that a graduate chooses a 10-year repayment plan, the average monthly loan payment is $510.

Read More…

#9

The College at Brockport

Brockport, NY

The College at Brockport ranked #9 on this year’s Most Popular Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Schools in the Middle Atlantic Region list. Located in the town of Brockport, SUNY Brockport is a public college with a medium-sized student population.

Parks & Rec majors at SUNY Brockport take out an average of $25,654 in student loans while working on their egree. For students who choose a 10-year repayment plan, the average monthly student loan payment is $226.

Read full report on Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies at The College at Brockport

#10

Syracuse University

Syracuse, NY

Syracuse University did quite well in this year’s ranking of the most popular schools for parks, recreation, leisure, and fitness studies students. It came in at #10 on the list. Syracuse is a fairly large private not-for-profit school located in the midsize city of Syracuse.

While working on their degree, parks and rec majors at Syracuse accumulate an average of around $27,000 in student debt. The average monthly payment of a loan this size is about $555, assuming that the borrower is on a 10-year repayment plan.

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#10

Georgetown University

Washington, DC

Georgetown University ranked #10 on this year’s Most Popular Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Schools in the Middle Atlantic Region list. Located in the large city of Washington, Georgetown is a private not-for-profit school with a very large student population.

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St John’s University - New York did quite well in this year’s ranking of the most popular schools for parks, recreation, leisure, and fitness studies students. It came in at #12 on the list. Located in the large city of Queens, STJ is a private not-for-profit college with a large student population.

Parks & Rec majors at STJ take out an average of $25,750 in student loans while working on their egree. The average monthly payment of a loan this size is about $693, assuming that the borrower is on a 10-year repayment plan.

Full Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies at St John’s University - New York Report

East Stroudsburg University of Pennsylvania landed the #13 spot in the 2023 rankings for the most popular parks, recreation, leisure, and fitness studies programs. East Stroudsburg University is a medium-sized public school located in the city of East Stroudsburg.

Parks & Rec majors at East Stroudsburg University take out an average of $25,500 in student loans while working on their egree. For students who choose a 10-year repayment plan, the average monthly student loan payment is $314.

Read full report on Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies at East Stroudsburg University of Pennsylvania

Focus Personal Training Institute did quite well in this year’s ranking of the most popular schools for parks, recreation, leisure, and fitness studies students. It came in at #14 on the list. FPTI is a fairly small private for-profit school located in the large city of New York.

On average, parks and rec graduates from FPTI take out $7,355 in student loans while working on their degree.

Full Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies at Focus Personal Training Institute Report

#15

Montclair State University

Montclair, NJ

Montclair State University came in at #15 in this year’s edition of the Most Popular Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Schools in the Middle Atlantic Region ranking. Montclair State is a very large public school located in the suburb of Montclair.

On average, parks and rec graduates from Montclair State take out $26,191 in student loans while working on their degree. The average monthly payment of a loan this size is about $229, assuming that the borrower is on a 10-year repayment plan.

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#16

Canisius College

Buffalo, NY

Canisius College landed the #16 spot in the 2023 rankings for the most popular parks, recreation, leisure, and fitness studies programs. Canisius is a small private not-for-profit school located in the large city of Buffalo.

Parks & Rec majors at Canisius take out an average of $26,000 in student loans while working on their egree. For students who choose a 10-year repayment plan, the average monthly student loan payment is $345.

Read More…

#17

Lock Haven University

Lock Haven, PA

Lock Haven University came in at #17 in this year’s edition of the Most Popular Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Schools in the Middle Atlantic Region ranking. Located in the town of Lock Haven, LHU is a public school with a small student population.

Parks & Rec majors at LHU take out an average of $27,000 in student loans while working on their egree. This translates to an average monthly loan payment of $254, based on a 10-year repayment plan.

Full Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies at Lock Haven University Report

With a ranking of #18, Indiana University of Pennsylvania - Main Campus did quite well on this year’s most popular schools for parks, recreation, leisure, and fitness studies students. IUP is a medium-sized public school located in the town of Indiana.

While working on their degree, parks and rec majors at IUP accumulate an average of around $27,000 in student debt. The average monthly payment of a loan this size is about $269, assuming that the borrower is on a 10-year repayment plan.

Read full report on Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies at Indiana University of Pennsylvania - Main Campus

#19

Salisbury University

Salisbury, MD

With a ranking of #19, Salisbury University did quite well on this year’s most popular schools for parks, recreation, leisure, and fitness studies students. Salisbury is a medium-sized public school located in the small suburb of Salisbury.

The average amount in student loans that parks and rec majors at Salisbury take out is $21,604. The average monthly payment of a loan this size is about $377, assuming that the borrower is on a 10-year repayment plan.

Read full report on Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies at Salisbury University

William Paterson University of New Jersey did quite well in this year’s ranking of the most popular schools for parks, recreation, leisure, and fitness studies students. It came in at #20 on the list. Located in the suburb of Wayne, William Paterson University is a public school with a moderately-sized student population.

Parks & Rec majors at William Paterson University take out an average of $29,987 in student loans while working on their egree. This translates to an average monthly loan payment of $268, based on a 10-year repayment plan.

Read full report on Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies at William Paterson University of New Jersey

Slippery Rock University of Pennsylvania landed the #21 spot in the 2023 rankings for the most popular parks, recreation, leisure, and fitness studies programs. SRU is a moderately-sized public school located in the distant town of Slippery Rock.

While working on their degree, parks and rec majors at SRU accumulate an average of around $26,500 in student debt. For students who choose a 10-year repayment plan, the average monthly student loan payment is $375.

Read full report on Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies at Slippery Rock University of Pennsylvania

Kutztown University of Pennsylvania ranked #22 on this year’s Most Popular Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Schools in the Middle Atlantic Region list. Kutztown University is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Kutztown.

While working on their degree, parks and rec majors at Kutztown University accumulate an average of around $26,999 in student debt. For students who choose a 10-year repayment plan, the average monthly student loan payment is $197.

Read full report on Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies at Kutztown University of Pennsylvania

#23

Adelphi University

Garden City, NY

Adelphi University came in at #23 in this year’s edition of the Most Popular Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Schools in the Middle Atlantic Region ranking. Adelphi is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the large suburb of Garden City.

On average, parks and rec graduates from Adelphi take out $26,000 in student loans while working on their degree. The average monthly payment of a loan this size is about $704, assuming that the borrower is on a 10-year repayment plan.

Read More…

#24

Lehman College

Bronx, NY

Lehman College ranked #24 on this year’s Most Popular Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Schools in the Middle Atlantic Region list. Lehman is a large public school located in the large city of Bronx.

On average, parks and rec graduates from Lehman take out $7,457 in student loans while working on their degree.

Read full report on Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies at Lehman College

#24

Howard University

Washington, DC

With a ranking of #24, Howard University did quite well on this year’s most popular schools for parks, recreation, leisure, and fitness studies students. Located in the large city of Washington, Howard is a private not-for-profit school with a fairly large student population.

After completing their degree, parks and rec graduates from Howard carry an average student debt load of $24,250. When it comes time to repay the loan, graduates who are on a 10-year repayment plan pay an average monthly payment of $1,114.

Full Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies at Howard University Report

#26

Monroe College

Bronx, NY
#27

SUNY Oswego

Oswego, NY
#28

Queens College

Queens, NY
#29

Lebanon Valley College

Annville, PA
#30

Brooklyn College

Brooklyn, NY

Honorable Mentions

These are some additional schools worth mentioning that are also popular but just didn't quite make the cut to earn our top Most Popular Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Schools in the Middle Atlantic Region award.

Rank College Location
31 Columbia University in the City of New York New York, NY
32 Delaware State University Dover, DE
33 University of Scranton Scranton, PA
34 Frostburg State University Frostburg, MD
35 Hudson Valley Community College Troy, NY
36 Farmingdale State College Farmingdale, NY
36 Gannon University Erie, PA
36 Manhattanville College Purchase, NY
39 Rowan University Glassboro, NJ
40 Bloomsburg University of Pennsylvania Bloomsburg, PA
41 Kingsborough Community College Brooklyn, NY
41 Wesley College Dover, DE

Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Colleges by State

Explore the best parks, recreation, leisure, and fitness studies schools for a specific state in the Middle Atlantic region.

State Degrees Awarded
New Jersey 1,047
Pennsylvania 2,734
New York 2,477
Maryland 832
Delaware 342
District of Columbia 319

Parks & Rec Majors to Study

Major Annual Graduates
Health & Physical Education 67,146
Recreation Administration 3,122
Parks, Recreation & Leisure Studies 3,106
Outdoor Education 265
Other Parks, Recreation & Leisure Studies 174

Related Major Annual Graduates
Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting 142,610
Public Administration & Social Service 98,583
Legal Professions 61,055
Military Technologies & Applied Sciences 4,477

Notes and References

*These averages are for the top 25 schools only.

  • 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 the rest 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).
  • Credit for the banner image above goes to NPS Photo/Zurbuch.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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