2023 Best Value Colleges for Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies (Income $0-$30k) in North Carolina
28
Ranked Colleges
3,565
Degrees Awarded
$13,700
Avg Net Price*
Students have lots of options to chooose from today when trying to decide which college to attend. 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 North Carolina For Those Making $0-$30k” ranking is part of that endeavor.
In 2020-2021, 73,813 people earned their degree in parks, recreation, leisure, and fitness studies, making the major the 15th most popular in the United States. 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 North Carolina, there were 3,565 parks, recreation, leisure, and fitness studies graduates with average earnings and debt of $27,466 and $26,583 respectively.
For this year’s “Best Value Parks & Rec Schools in North Carolina For Those Making $0-$30k” ranking, we looked at 28 colleges that offer a degree in parks, recreation, leisure, and fitness studies. The schools that top this list are recognized because they have great parks, recreation, leisure, and fitness studies programs and cost less that 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. Check out our ranking methodology for more information.
More Ways to Rank Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Schools
When choosing the right school for you, it’s important to arm yourself with all the facts you can. To that end, we’ve created a number of major-specific rankings, including this “Best Value Parks & Rec Schools in North Carolina For Those Making $0-$30k” list to help you make the college decision.
In addition to College Factual’s rankings, you may want to take a look at College Combat, our unique tool that lets you pit your favorite schools head-to-head and compare how they rate on factors that most interest 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 North Carolina For Those Making $0-$30k
The following schools top our list of the Best Best Value Parks & Rec Schools in North Carolina For Those Making $0-$30k.
Top 25 Best Value Colleges for Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies (Income $0-$30k) in North Carolina
You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. It ranked #1 on our 2023 Best Value Parks & Rec Schools in North Carolina For Those Making $0-$30k list. UNC Chapel Hill is a large public school situated in Chapel Hill, North Carolina. It awarded 401 ’s parks and rec degrees in 2020-2021.
As a testament to the quality of education offered at UNC Chapel Hill, the school also landed the #1 spot in our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Schools in North Carolina” ranking. It costs about $3,753 for North Carolina Parks & Rec students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend UNC Chapel Hill.
The low undergrad student loan default rate of 1.4% 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%. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 95%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.
Read full report on Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies at UNC Chapel Hill
Out of the 28 schools in the Best Value Parks & Rec Schools in North Carolina For Those Making $0-$30k that were part of this year’s ranking, Wake Forest University landed the #2 spot on the list. Wake Forest University is a medium-sized school located in Winston-Salem, North Carolina that handed out 69 ’s parks and rec degrees in 2020-2021.
Wake Forest University also made our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Schools in North Carolina” list, coming in at #3. It costs about $10,401 for north carolina parks & rec students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend Wake Forest University.
The low undergrad student loan default rate of 0.6% 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%. With a freshman retention rate of 95%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.
Full Wake Forest University Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Report
Out of the 28 schools in the Best Value Parks & Rec Schools in North Carolina For Those Making $0-$30k that were part of this year’s ranking, North Carolina State University landed the #3 spot on the list. North Carolina State University is a large public school situated in Raleigh, North Carolina. It awarded 193 ’s parks and rec degrees in 2020-2021.
NC State not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #2 on our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Schools in North Carolina” list. The estimated yearly cost for North Carolina State University is $7,283 for north carolina parks & rec students whose families make $0-$30k.
The low undergrad student loan default rate of 2.0% 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%. With a freshman retention rate of 94%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.
Full North Carolina State University Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Report
Out of the 28 schools in the Best Value Parks & Rec Schools in North Carolina For Those Making $0-$30k that were part of this year’s ranking, Appalachian State University landed the #4 spot on the list. Appalachian State University is a large school located in Boone, North Carolina that handed out 308 ’s parks and rec degrees in 2020-2021.
Appalachian State not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #6 on our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Schools in North Carolina” list. It costs about $7,354 for North Carolina Parks & Rec students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend Appalachian State University.
The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 86%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. The low undergrad student loan default rate of 3.6% 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 Appalachian State University
You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend University of North Carolina at Greensboro. It ranked #5 on our 2023 Best Value Parks & Rec Schools in North Carolina For Those Making $0-$30k list. University of North Carolina at Greensboro is a public institution located in Greensboro, North Carolina. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 314 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.
UNC Greensboro did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #7 on our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Schools in North Carolina” list. The estimated yearly cost for University of North Carolina at Greensboro is $7,645 for north carolina parks & rec students whose families make $0-$30k.
Read more about Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies at University of North Carolina at Greensboro
University of North Carolina at Wilmington did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Parks & Rec Schools in North Carolina For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #6. University of North Carolina at Wilmington is a fairly large public school situated in Wilmington, North Carolina. It awarded 244 ’s parks and rec degrees in 2020-2021.
UNCW also made our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Schools in North Carolina” list, coming in at #4. The estimated yearly cost for UNCW is $11,710 for North Carolina Parks & Rec students whose families make $0-$30k.
The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 3.1%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.
Read more about Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies at UNCW
East Carolina University did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Parks & Rec Schools in North Carolina For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #7. ECU is located in Greenville, North Carolina and, has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 194 ’s parks and rec degrees to qualified students.
ECU also took the #5 spot in our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Schools in North Carolina” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for ECU is $11,260 for North Carolina Parks & Rec students whose families make $0-$30k.
Read full report on Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies at East Carolina University
Western Carolina University came in at #8 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Parks & Rec Schools in North Carolina For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Western Carolina University is a fairly large public school situated in Cullowhee, North Carolina. It awarded 99 ’s parks and rec degrees in 2020-2021.
As a testament to the quality of education offered at WCU, the school also landed the #14 spot in our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Schools in North Carolina” ranking. It costs about $9,305 for north carolina parks & rec students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend WCU.
Full WCU Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Report
North Carolina A & T State University did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Parks & Rec Schools in North Carolina For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #9. NC A&T is a fairly large public school situated in Greensboro, North Carolina. It awarded 152 ’s parks and rec degrees in 2020-2021.
In addition to being on our north carolina parks & rec students whose families make $0-$30k list, NC A&T has also earned the #23 rank in our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Schools in North Carolina” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for NC A&T is $7,827 for North Carolina Parks & Rec students whose families make $0-$30k.
Read more about Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies at NC A&T
With a ranking of #10, Winston - Salem State University did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Parks & Rec Schools in North Carolina For Those Making $0-$30k list. Winston-Salem, North Carolina is the setting for this medium-sized institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s parks and rec degrees to 105 students in 2020-2021.
WSSU not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #19 on our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Schools in North Carolina” list. The yearly cost to attend WSSU is $10,304 for North Carolina Parks & Rec students whose families make $0-$30k.
Full Winston - Salem State University Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Report
With a ranking of #11, University of North Carolina at Pembroke did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Parks & Rec Schools in North Carolina For Those Making $0-$30k list. This medium-sized school is located in Pembroke, North Carolina, and it awarded 117 ’s parks and rec degrees in 2020-2021.
The estimated yearly cost for University of North Carolina at Pembroke is $8,412 for north carolina parks & rec students whose families make $0-$30k.
Read more about Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies at University of North Carolina at Pembroke
University of North Carolina at Charlotte came in at #12 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Parks & Rec Schools in North Carolina For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. This large school is located in Charlotte, North Carolina, and it awarded 124 ’s parks and rec degrees in 2020-2021.
In addition to being on our north carolina parks & rec students whose families make $0-$30k list, UNC Charlotte has also earned the #16 rank in our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Schools in North Carolina” ranking. It costs about $12,751 for north carolina parks & rec students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend UNC Charlotte.
The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 4.4%, 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%.
Read full report on Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies at UNC Charlotte
Wingate University came in at #13 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Parks & Rec Schools in North Carolina For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Wingate is a private not-for-profit institution located in Wingate, North Carolina. The school has a small population, and it awarded 118 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.
Wingate not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #11 on our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Schools in North Carolina” list. The yearly cost to attend Wingate University is $18,721 for North Carolina Parks & Rec students whose families make $0-$30k.
The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 4.0%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.
Read full report on Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies at Wingate
With a ranking of #14, Lenoir - Rhyne University did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Parks & Rec Schools in North Carolina For Those Making $0-$30k list. Lenoir - Rhyne University is a small school located in Hickory, North Carolina that handed out 52 ’s parks and rec degrees in 2020-2021.
Lenoir - Rhyne University also made our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Schools in North Carolina” list, coming in at #9. It costs about $16,337 for north carolina parks & rec students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend Lenoir - Rhyne University.
Read more about Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies at Lenoir - Rhyne University
Catawba College landed the #15 spot on the 2023 Best Value Parks & Rec Schools in North Carolina For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Salisbury, North Carolina is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out ’s parks and rec degrees to 29 students in 2020-2021.
In addition to being on our north carolina parks & rec students whose families make $0-$30k list, Catawba has also earned the #12 rank in our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Schools in North Carolina” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Catawba is $15,146 for north carolina parks & rec students whose families make $0-$30k.
Full Catawba College Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Report
North Carolina Central University landed the #16 spot on the 2023 Best Value Parks & Rec Schools in North Carolina For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. This medium-sized school is located in Durham, North Carolina, and it awarded 82 ’s parks and rec degrees in 2020-2021.
North Carolina Central University not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #24 on our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Schools in North Carolina” list. The yearly cost to attend North Carolina Central University is $12,249 for north carolina parks & rec students whose families make $0-$30k.
Read more about Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies at North Carolina Central University
With a ranking of #17, Gardner - Webb University did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Parks & Rec Schools in North Carolina For Those Making $0-$30k list. Boiling Springs, North Carolina is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out ’s parks and rec degrees to 19 students in 2020-2021.
Gardner - Webb not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #13 on our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Schools in North Carolina” list. It costs about $18,796 for North Carolina Parks & Rec students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend Gardner - Webb University.
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 Gardner - Webb University
Johnson & Wales University - Charlotte did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Parks & Rec Schools in North Carolina For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #18. This small school is located in Charlotte, North Carolina, and it awarded 25 ’s parks and rec degrees in 2020-2021.
JWU Charlotte also took the #8 spot in our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Schools in North Carolina” ranking. It costs about $24,288 for North Carolina Parks & Rec students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend Johnson & Wales University - Charlotte.
Read more about Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies at JWU Charlotte
Campbell University ranked #19 on this year’s Best Value Parks & Rec Schools in North Carolina For Those Making $0-$30k list. Campbell University is a medium-sized private not-for-profit school situated in Buies Creek, North Carolina. It awarded 82 ’s parks and rec degrees in 2020-2021.
Campbell also took the #10 spot in our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Schools in North Carolina” ranking. It costs about $21,152 for North Carolina Parks & Rec students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend Campbell University.
The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 3.5%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.
Full Campbell University Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Report
University of Mount Olive ranked #20 on this year’s Best Value Parks & Rec Schools in North Carolina For Those Making $0-$30k list. UMO is a small school located in Mount Olive, North Carolina that handed out 30 ’s parks and rec degrees in 2020-2021.
UMO not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #25 on our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Schools in North Carolina” list. The estimated yearly cost for UMO is $14,460 for north carolina parks & rec students whose families make $0-$30k.
Read full report on Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies at UMO
Belmont Abbey College landed the #21 spot on the 2023 Best Value Parks & Rec Schools in North Carolina For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. BAC is a small private not-for-profit school situated in Belmont, North Carolina. It awarded 39 ’s parks and rec degrees in 2020-2021.
BAC also took the #21 spot in our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Schools in North Carolina” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for BAC is $18,108 for North Carolina Parks & Rec students whose families make $0-$30k.
Full Belmont Abbey College Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Report
With a ranking of #22, Lees - McRae College did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Parks & Rec Schools in North Carolina For Those Making $0-$30k list. This small school is located in Banner Elk, North Carolina, and it awarded 21 ’s parks and rec degrees in 2020-2021.
Lees - McRae College did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #22 on our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Schools in North Carolina” list. It costs about $18,739 for north carolina parks & rec students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend Lees - McRae College.
Full Lees - McRae College Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Report
Chowan University came in at #23 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Parks & Rec Schools in North Carolina For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. This small school is located in Murfreesboro, North Carolina, and it awarded 38 ’s parks and rec degrees in 2020-2021.
The yearly cost to attend Chowan University is $15,263 for north carolina parks & rec students whose families make $0-$30k.
Read full report on Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies at Chowan University
Guilford College did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Parks & Rec Schools in North Carolina For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #24. Guilford is a small private not-for-profit school situated in Greensboro, North Carolina. It awarded 38 ’s parks and rec degrees in 2020-2021.
In addition to being on our north carolina parks & rec students whose families make $0-$30k list, Guilford has also earned the #18 rank in our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Schools in North Carolina” ranking. It costs about $20,704 for north carolina parks & rec students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend Guilford.
Read full report on Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies at Guilford College
Brevard College did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Parks & Rec Schools in North Carolina For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #25. Brevard College is located in Brevard, North Carolina and, has a small student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 22 ’s parks and rec degrees to qualified students.
Brevard College not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #20 on our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Schools in North Carolina” list. It costs about $21,086 for North Carolina Parks & Rec students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend Brevard College.
Full Brevard College Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Report
