Find Schools

Study Area & Zipcode

Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies

Find Schools Near

2022 Best Value Bachelor’s Degree Colleges for Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies (Income $0-$30k) in North Carolina

36 Ranked Colleges
3,100 Degrees Awarded
$12,700 Avg Net Price*
Best Value Parks & Rec Schools for a Bachelor's in North Carolina For Those Making $0-$30k

When it comes to choosing a college, students have a lot of options - but not all of them are good. One of our goals at College Factual is to give you as much information as we can - such as our “Best Value Parks & Rec Schools for a Bachelor’s in North Carolina For Those Making $0-$30k” ranking - to help you make that decision.

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 North Carolina, there were 3,567 parks, recreation, leisure, and fitness studies graduates with average earnings and debt of $26,371 and $26,986 respectively. At the bachelor’s degree level specifically, there were 3,100 parks, recreation, leisure, and fitness studies graduates with average earnings and debt of $35,192 and $24,368 respectively.

For this year’s “Best Value Parks & Rec Schools for a Bachelor’s in North Carolina For Those Making $0-$30k” ranking, we looked at 36 colleges that offer a degree in parks, recreation, leisure, and fitness studies. Not only do the schools that top this list have excellent parks, recreation, leisure, and fitness studies programs, but they also cost less that 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. Check out our ranking methodology for more information.

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 for a Bachelor’s in North Carolina For Those Making $0-$30k” 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. We encourage you to try it out and pit your favorite colleges and universities head to head! If you don’t have time right now, you can bookmark it for later.

Best Value Parks & Rec Schools for a Bachelor’s in North Carolina For Those Making $0-$30k

The colleges and universities below are the best for north carolina bachelor’s degree parks & rec students whose families make $0-$30k.

Top 25 Best Value Bachelor’s Degree Colleges for Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies (Income $0-$30k) in North Carolina

#1

University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

Chapel Hill, North Carolina
#2 in overall quality

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. It ranked #1 on our 2022 Best Value Parks & Rec Schools for a Bachelor’s in North Carolina For Those Making $0-$30k list. University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill is located in Chapel Hill, North Carolina and, has a large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 346 bachelors’s parks and rec degrees to qualified students.

UNC Chapel Hill also took the #2 spot in our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Bachelor’s Degree Schools in North Carolina” ranking. It costs about $4,026 for north carolina bachelor’s degree parks & rec students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend UNC Chapel Hill.

Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 95%. The low student loan default rate of 1.9% 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 UNC Chapel Hill Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Report

#2

North Carolina State University

Raleigh, North Carolina
#3 in overall quality

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend North Carolina State University. The school came in at #2 for the Best Value Parks & Rec Schools for a Bachelor’s in North Carolina For Those Making $0-$30k. North Carolina State University is a public institution located in Raleigh, North Carolina. The school has a large population, and it awarded 137 bachelors’s degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at NC State, the school also landed the #3 spot in our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Bachelor’s Degree Schools in North Carolina” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for NC State is $7,285 for north carolina bachelor’s degree parks & rec students whose families make $0-$30k.

The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 94%, 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 2.9%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies at NC State

#3

Elizabeth City State University

Elizabeth City, North Carolina
#22 in overall quality

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Elizabeth City State University. It ranked #3 on our 2022 Best Value Parks & Rec Schools for a Bachelor’s in North Carolina For Those Making $0-$30k list. ECSU is located in Elizabeth City, North Carolina and, has a small student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 19 bachelors’s parks and rec degrees to qualified students.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at ECSU, the school also landed the #22 spot in our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Bachelor’s Degree Schools in North Carolina” ranking. It costs about $1,217 for north carolina bachelor’s degree parks & rec students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend Elizabeth City State University.

Read more about Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies at Elizabeth City State University

#4

Wake Forest University

Winston-Salem, North Carolina
#4 in overall quality

Out of the 36 schools in the Best Value Parks & Rec Schools for a Bachelor’s in North Carolina For Those Making $0-$30k that were part of this year’s ranking, Wake Forest University landed the #4 spot on the list. Wake Forest University is located in Winston-Salem, North Carolina and, has a medium-sized student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 70 bachelors’s parks and rec degrees to qualified students.

Wake Forest University did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #4 on our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Bachelor’s Degree Schools in North Carolina” list. The yearly cost to attend Wake Forest University is $5,250 for north carolina bachelor’s degree parks & rec students whose families make $0-$30k.

The school has an impressive student loan default rate. It’s only 1.6%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 95%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.

Full Wake Forest University Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Report

#5

Appalachian State University

Boone, North Carolina
#7 in overall quality

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Appalachian State University. It ranked #5 on our 2022 Best Value Parks & Rec Schools for a Bachelor’s in North Carolina For Those Making $0-$30k list. Appalachian State University is a large public school situated in Boone, North Carolina. It awarded 368 bachelors’s parks and rec degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Appalachian State, the school also landed the #7 spot in our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Bachelor’s Degree Schools in North Carolina” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Appalachian State is $7,169 for north carolina bachelor’s degree parks & rec students whose families make $0-$30k.

With a freshman retention rate of 86%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its students. The student loan default rate at the school is 3.9%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

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

#6

University of North Carolina at Greensboro

Greensboro, North Carolina
#10 in overall quality

University of North Carolina at Greensboro came in at #6 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Parks & Rec Schools for a Bachelor’s in North Carolina For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. UNC Greensboro is located in Greensboro, North Carolina and, has a fairly large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 215 bachelors’s parks and rec degrees to qualified students.

In addition to being on our north carolina bachelor’s degree parks & rec students whose families make $0-$30k list, UNC Greensboro has also earned the #10 rank in our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Bachelor’s Degree Schools in North Carolina” ranking. The yearly cost to attend University of North Carolina at Greensboro is $8,853 for north carolina bachelor’s degree parks & rec students whose families make $0-$30k.

Read more about Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies at UNC Greensboro

#7

University of North Carolina at Wilmington

Wilmington, North Carolina
#5 in overall quality

University of North Carolina at Wilmington ranked #7 on this year’s Best Value Parks & Rec Schools for a Bachelor’s in North Carolina For Those Making $0-$30k list. Wilmington, North Carolina is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out bachelors’s parks and rec degrees to 229 students in 2019-2020.

UNCW did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #5 on our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Bachelor’s Degree Schools in North Carolina” list. It costs about $12,229 for north carolina bachelor’s degree parks & rec students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend University of North Carolina at Wilmington.

The school has an impressive student loan default rate. It’s only 3.9%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

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

#8

North Carolina A & T State University

Greensboro, North Carolina
#17 in overall quality

With a ranking of #8, North Carolina A & T State University did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Parks & Rec Schools for a Bachelor’s in North Carolina For Those Making $0-$30k list. This fairly large school is located in Greensboro, North Carolina, and it awarded 142 bachelors’s parks and rec degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at NC A&T, the school also landed the #17 spot in our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Bachelor’s Degree Schools in North Carolina” ranking. It costs about $7,493 for North Carolina Bachelor’s Degree Parks & Rec students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend NC A&T.

Read more about Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies at North Carolina A & T State University

#9

East Carolina University

Greenville, North Carolina
#9 in overall quality

East Carolina University came in at #9 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Parks & Rec Schools for a Bachelor’s in North Carolina For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. ECU is a large school located in Greenville, North Carolina that handed out 156 bachelors’s parks and rec degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our north carolina bachelor’s degree parks & rec students whose families make $0-$30k list, ECU has also earned the #9 rank in our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Bachelor’s Degree Schools in North Carolina” ranking. The yearly cost to attend ECU is $11,026 for north carolina bachelor’s degree parks & rec students whose families make $0-$30k.

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

#10

Western Carolina University

Cullowhee, North Carolina
#16 in overall quality

Western Carolina University ranked #10 on this year’s Best Value Parks & Rec Schools for a Bachelor’s in North Carolina For Those Making $0-$30k list. WCU is a fairly large school located in Cullowhee, North Carolina that handed out 68 bachelors’s parks and rec degrees in 2019-2020.

WCU did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #16 on our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Bachelor’s Degree Schools in North Carolina” list. The estimated yearly cost for Western Carolina University is $9,188 for North Carolina Bachelor’s Degree Parks & Rec students whose families make $0-$30k.

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

#11

University of North Carolina at Pembroke

Pembroke, North Carolina
#20 in overall quality

University of North Carolina at Pembroke ranked #11 on this year’s Best Value Parks & Rec Schools for a Bachelor’s in North Carolina For Those Making $0-$30k list. University of North Carolina at Pembroke is a medium-sized public school situated in Pembroke, North Carolina. It awarded 101 bachelors’s parks and rec degrees in 2019-2020.

UNC Pembroke also made our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Bachelor’s Degree Schools in North Carolina” list, coming in at #20. The estimated yearly cost for UNC Pembroke is $8,282 for North Carolina Bachelor’s Degree Parks & Rec students whose families make $0-$30k.

Full University of North Carolina at Pembroke Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Report

#12

University of North Carolina at Charlotte

Charlotte, North Carolina
#8 in overall quality

University of North Carolina at Charlotte came in at #12 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Parks & Rec Schools for a Bachelor’s in North Carolina For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. University of North Carolina at Charlotte is a large school located in Charlotte, North Carolina that handed out 190 bachelors’s parks and rec degrees in 2019-2020.

UNC Charlotte not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #8 on our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Bachelor’s Degree Schools in North Carolina” list. It costs about $11,991 for North Carolina Bachelor’s Degree Parks & Rec students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend University of North Carolina at Charlotte.

With a freshman retention rate of 85%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its students.

Full University of North Carolina at Charlotte Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Report

#13

Winston - Salem State University

Winston-Salem, North Carolina
#23 in overall quality

Winston - Salem State University came in at #13 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Parks & Rec Schools for a Bachelor’s in North Carolina For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Located in Winston-Salem, North Carolina, this medium-sized public school awarded 101 diplomas to qualified bachelors’s parks and rec students in 2019-2020.

WSSU also made our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Bachelor’s Degree Schools in North Carolina” list, coming in at #23. The estimated yearly cost for WSSU is $10,541 for north carolina bachelor’s degree parks & rec students whose families make $0-$30k.

Read more about Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies at WSSU

#14

North Carolina Central University

Durham, North Carolina

With a ranking of #14, North Carolina Central University did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Parks & Rec Schools for a Bachelor’s in North Carolina For Those Making $0-$30k list. Durham, North Carolina is the setting for this medium-sized institution of higher learning. The public school handed out bachelors’s parks and rec degrees to 96 students in 2019-2020.

The yearly cost to attend North Carolina Central University is $12,882 for North Carolina Bachelor’s Degree Parks & Rec students whose families make $0-$30k.

Full North Carolina Central University Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Report

#15

Greensboro College

Greensboro, North Carolina

Greensboro College did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Parks & Rec Schools for a Bachelor’s in North Carolina For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #15. This small school is located in Greensboro, North Carolina, and it awarded 30 bachelors’s parks and rec degrees in 2019-2020.

The estimated yearly cost for Greensboro College is $15,244 for North Carolina Bachelor’s Degree Parks & Rec students whose families make $0-$30k.

Since the school has a student-to-faculty ratio of 8 to 1, those pursuing a degree will have more opportunities to interact with their professors.

Full Greensboro College Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Report

#16

Catawba College

Salisbury, North Carolina
#18 in overall quality

Catawba College did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Parks & Rec Schools for a Bachelor’s in North Carolina For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #16. This small school is located in Salisbury, North Carolina, and it awarded 22 bachelors’s parks and rec degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our north carolina bachelor’s degree parks & rec students whose families make $0-$30k list, Catawba has also earned the #18 rank in our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Bachelor’s Degree Schools in North Carolina” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Catawba is $16,210 for North Carolina Bachelor’s Degree Parks & Rec students whose families make $0-$30k.

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

#17

Lenoir - Rhyne University

Hickory, North Carolina
#14 in overall quality

Lenoir - Rhyne University did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Parks & Rec Schools for a Bachelor’s in North Carolina For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #17. This small school is located in Hickory, North Carolina, and it awarded 45 bachelors’s parks and rec degrees in 2019-2020.

Lenoir - Rhyne University also took the #14 spot in our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Bachelor’s Degree Schools in North Carolina” ranking. It costs about $16,921 for north carolina bachelor’s degree parks & rec students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend Lenoir - Rhyne University.

Full Lenoir - Rhyne University Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Report

#18

University of Mount Olive

Mount Olive, North Carolina
#21 in overall quality

University of Mount Olive came in at #18 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Parks & Rec Schools for a Bachelor’s in North Carolina For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. University of Mount Olive is a private not-for-profit institution located in Mount Olive, North Carolina. The school has a small population, and it awarded 35 bachelors’s degrees in 2019-2020.

UMO did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #21 on our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Bachelor’s Degree Schools in North Carolina” list. It costs about $14,912 for north carolina bachelor’s degree parks & rec students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend University of Mount Olive.

Full UMO Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Report

#19

Elon University

Elon, North Carolina
#1 in overall quality

Elon University landed the #19 spot on the 2022 Best Value Parks & Rec Schools for a Bachelor’s in North Carolina For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Elon, North Carolina is the setting for this medium-sized institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out bachelors’s parks and rec degrees to 70 students in 2019-2020.

Elon not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #1 on our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Bachelor’s Degree Schools in North Carolina” list. The yearly cost to attend Elon University is $24,593 for north carolina bachelor’s degree parks & rec students whose families make $0-$30k.

The low student loan default rate of 1.2% 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 90%.

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

#20

Johnson & Wales University - Charlotte

Charlotte, North Carolina
#6 in overall quality

Johnson & Wales University - Charlotte ranked #20 on this year’s Best Value Parks & Rec Schools for a Bachelor’s in North Carolina For Those Making $0-$30k list. Located in Charlotte, North Carolina, this small private not-for-profit school handed out 34 diplomas to qualified bachelors’s parks and rec students in 2019-2020.

JWU Charlotte did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #6 on our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Bachelor’s Degree Schools in North Carolina” list. The estimated yearly cost for JWU Charlotte is $20,455 for north carolina bachelor’s degree parks & rec students whose families make $0-$30k.

Read more about Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies at Johnson & Wales University - Charlotte

#21

Wingate University

Wingate, North Carolina
#24 in overall quality

Wingate University ranked #21 on this year’s Best Value Parks & Rec Schools for a Bachelor’s in North Carolina For Those Making $0-$30k list. Wingate is a private not-for-profit institution located in Wingate, North Carolina. The school has a small population, and it awarded 68 bachelors’s degrees in 2019-2020.

Wingate also made our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Bachelor’s Degree Schools in North Carolina” list, coming in at #24. The yearly cost to attend Wingate University is $15,876 for North Carolina Bachelor’s Degree Parks & Rec students whose families make $0-$30k.

The student loan default rate at the school is 3.9%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

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

#22

Barton College

Wilson, North Carolina
#19 in overall quality

Barton College did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Parks & Rec Schools for a Bachelor’s in North Carolina For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #22. Located in Wilson, North Carolina, this small private not-for-profit school handed out 31 degrees to qualified bachelors’s parks and rec students in 2019-2020.

Barton College also took the #19 spot in our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Bachelor’s Degree Schools in North Carolina” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Barton College is $20,169 for North Carolina Bachelor’s Degree Parks & Rec students whose families make $0-$30k.

The student loan default rate at the school is 4.5%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

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

#23

Chowan University

Murfreesboro, North Carolina

Chowan University came in at #23 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Parks & Rec Schools for a Bachelor’s in North Carolina For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Chowan University is a small school located in Murfreesboro, North Carolina that handed out 41 bachelors’s parks and rec degrees in 2019-2020.

The estimated yearly cost for Chowan University is $15,853 for north carolina bachelor’s degree parks & rec students whose families make $0-$30k.

Read more about Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies at Chowan University

#24

Queens University of Charlotte

Charlotte, North Carolina
#11 in overall quality

Queens University of Charlotte did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Parks & Rec Schools for a Bachelor’s in North Carolina For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #24. Queens is a small school located in Charlotte, North Carolina that handed out 23 bachelors’s parks and rec degrees in 2019-2020.

Queens not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #11 on our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Bachelor’s Degree Schools in North Carolina” list. It costs about $20,485 for North Carolina Bachelor’s Degree Parks & Rec students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend Queens.

The student loan default rate at the school is 3.4%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%. The impressive student-to-faculty ratio of 10 to 1 means that students may have more opportunities to work more closely with their professors than they would at other schools.

Full Queens University of Charlotte Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Report

#25

Guilford College

Greensboro, North Carolina
#15 in overall quality

Guilford College did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Parks & Rec Schools for a Bachelor’s in North Carolina For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #25. Guilford College is a small school located in Greensboro, North Carolina that handed out 35 bachelors’s parks and rec degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our north carolina bachelor’s degree parks & rec students whose families make $0-$30k list, Guilford has also earned the #15 rank in our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Bachelor’s Degree Schools in North Carolina” ranking. It costs about $19,885 for North Carolina Bachelor’s Degree Parks & Rec students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend Guilford College.

Read more about Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies at Guilford College

Narrow Results by State

Switch to a Different Ranking Method

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

Featured Athletic Training Schools

Find Schools Near You