2023 Best Value Colleges for Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies (Income $30-$48k) in the Southeast Region
142
Ranked Colleges
19,760
Degrees Awarded
$9,300
Avg Net Price*
With all of the options students have for higher education today, it can be tough to choose which direction to take. 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 the Southeast Region For Those Making $30-$48k” ranking.
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 the Southeast region, there were 19,760 parks, recreation, leisure, and fitness studies graduates with average earnings and debt of $30,102 and $25,352 respectively.
This year’s “Best Value Parks & Rec Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $30-$48k” ranking analyzed 142 colleges that offered 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. For more information, check out our ranking methodology.
More Ways to Rank Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Schools
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 the Southeast Region For Those Making $30-$48k” list, to help you choose the best school for you.
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. Go ahead and give it a try, or bookmark the link so you can check it out later.
Best Value Parks & Rec Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $30-$48k
The following schools top our list of the Best Best Value Parks & Rec Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $30-$48k.
Top 25 Best Value Colleges for Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies (Income $30-$48k) in the Southeast Region
You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend University of Florida. It ranked #1 on our 2023 Best Value Parks & Rec Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. Located in Gainesville, Florida, this large public school handed out 306 diplomas to qualified ’s parks and rec students in 2020-2021.
UF also made our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Schools in the Southeast Region” list, coming in at #4. The yearly cost to attend University of Florida is $2,857 for southeast region parks & rec students whose families make $30-$48k.
With a freshman retention rate of 97%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. The low undergrad student loan default rate of 1.7% 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 Florida Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Report
You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. The school came in at #2 for the Best Value Parks & Rec Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $30-$48k. University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill is a large public school situated in Chapel Hill, North Carolina. It awarded 401 ’s parks and rec degrees in 2020-2021.
UNC Chapel Hill not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #6 on our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Schools in the Southeast Region” list. It costs about $5,729 for Southeast Region Parks & Rec students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend University of North Carolina at 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%. With a freshman retention rate of 95%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.
Full UNC Chapel Hill Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Report
Out of the 142 schools in the Best Value Parks & Rec Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $30-$48k that were part of this year’s ranking, William & Mary landed the #3 spot on the list. William & Mary is a public institution located in Williamsburg, Virginia. The school has a medium-sized population, and it awarded 125 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.
William & Mary did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #14 on our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Schools in the Southeast Region” list. The estimated yearly cost for William & Mary is $7,507 for Southeast Region Parks & Rec students whose families make $30-$48k.
The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 0.7%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%. With a freshman retention rate of 93%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.
Full William & Mary Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Report
Out of the 142 schools in the Best Value Parks & Rec Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $30-$48k that were part of this year’s ranking, Emory University landed the #4 spot on the list. Located in Atlanta, Georgia, this fairly large private not-for-profit school awarded 91 degrees to qualified ’s parks and rec students in 2020-2021.
Emory not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #1 on our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Schools in the Southeast Region” list. It costs about $8,976 for Southeast Region Parks & Rec students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend Emory.
The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 1.4%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 93%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. The impressive undergraduate student-to-faculty ratio of 9 to 1 means that students may have more opportunities to work more closely with their professors than they would at other schools.
Read more about Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies at Emory University
You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend The University of West Florida. It ranked #5 on our 2023 Best Value Parks & Rec Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. UWF is a public institution located in Pensacola, Florida. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 147 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.
The yearly cost to attend UWF is $3,827 for Southeast Region Parks & Rec students whose families make $30-$48k.
Read full report on Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies at UWF
Wake Forest University ranked #6 on this year’s Best Value Parks & Rec Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. Wake Forest University is located in Winston-Salem, North Carolina and, has a medium-sized student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 69 ’s parks and rec degrees to qualified students.
Wake Forest University did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #21 on our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Schools in the Southeast Region” list. It costs about $5,612 for southeast region parks & rec students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend Wake Forest University.
With a freshman retention rate of 95%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 0.6%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.
Full Wake Forest University Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Report
Florida International University came in at #7 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Parks & Rec Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Miami, Florida is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s parks and rec degrees to 274 students in 2020-2021.
FIU did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #16 on our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Schools in the Southeast Region” list. The yearly cost to attend FIU is $4,882 for Southeast Region Parks & Rec students whose families make $30-$48k.
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%. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 91%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.
Read more about Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies at FIU
American Public University System came in at #8 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Parks & Rec Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. American Military University is a large school located in Charles Town, West Virginia that handed out 683 ’s parks and rec degrees in 2020-2021.
American Military University did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #3 on our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Schools in the Southeast Region” list. The estimated yearly cost for American Public University System is $10,885 for Southeast Region Parks & Rec students whose families make $30-$48k.
With a freshman retention rate of 98%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.
Full American Military University Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Report
Florida State University ranked #9 on this year’s Best Value Parks & Rec Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. Florida State is located in Tallahassee, Florida and, has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 219 ’s parks and rec degrees to qualified students.
Florida State not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #19 on our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Schools in the Southeast Region” list. It costs about $7,349 for Southeast Region Parks & Rec students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend Florida State.
The low undergrad student loan default rate of 2.8% 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.
Read full report on Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies at Florida State University
With a ranking of #10, University of Georgia did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Parks & Rec Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. This large school is located in Athens, Georgia, and it awarded 303 ’s parks and rec degrees in 2020-2021.
UGA also made our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Schools in the Southeast Region” list, coming in at #7. The estimated yearly cost for University of Georgia is $10,688 for Southeast Region Parks & Rec students whose families make $30-$48k.
The low undergrad 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%. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 94%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.
Read more about Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies at UGA
University of South Florida - Main Campus came in at #11 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Parks & Rec Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. University of South Florida - Main Campus is a public institution located in Tampa, Florida. The school has a large population, and it awarded 53 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.
The estimated yearly cost for USF Tampa is $5,632 for Southeast Region Parks & Rec students whose families make $30-$48k.
The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 3.3%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 92%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.
Read more about Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies at USF Tampa
With a ranking of #12, North Carolina State University did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Parks & Rec Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. This large school is located in Raleigh, North Carolina, and it awarded 193 ’s parks and rec degrees in 2020-2021.
NC State did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #12 on our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Schools in the Southeast Region” list. It costs about $9,448 for southeast region parks & rec students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend NC State.
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%. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 94%.
Read more about Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies at North Carolina State University
With a ranking of #13, Citadel Military College of South Carolina did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Parks & Rec Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. The Citadel is a small school located in Charleston, South Carolina that handed out 58 ’s parks and rec degrees in 2020-2021.
The Citadel also made our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Schools in the Southeast Region” list, coming in at #10. The yearly cost to attend Citadel Military College of South Carolina is $12,364 for Southeast Region Parks & Rec students whose families make $30-$48k.
With a freshman retention rate of 87%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. 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%.
Read full report on Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies at Citadel Military College of South Carolina
University of Virginia - Main Campus ranked #14 on this year’s Best Value Parks & Rec Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. University of Virginia - Main Campus is located in Charlottesville, Virginia and, has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 117 ’s parks and rec degrees to qualified students.
In addition to being on our southeast region parks & rec students whose families make $30-$48k list, University of Virginia has also earned the #9 rank in our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Schools in the Southeast Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend University of Virginia is $10,063 for southeast region parks & rec students whose families make $30-$48k.
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 low undergrad student loan default rate of 0.7% 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 University of Virginia
Clemson University did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Parks & Rec Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #15. Clemson is a large school located in Clemson, South Carolina that handed out 227 ’s parks and rec degrees in 2020-2021.
Clemson also made our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Schools in the Southeast Region” list, coming in at #2. The yearly cost to attend Clemson University is $16,650 for Southeast Region Parks & Rec students whose families make $30-$48k.
The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 1.7%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 94%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.
Read more about Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies at Clemson University
Florida Atlantic University landed the #16 spot on the 2023 Best Value Parks & Rec Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. FAU is a large school located in Boca Raton, Florida that handed out 189 ’s parks and rec degrees in 2020-2021.
It costs about $8,262 for Southeast Region Parks & Rec students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend Florida Atlantic University.
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%.
Read full report on Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies at FAU
The University of Tennessee - Knoxville did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Parks & Rec Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #17. UT Knoxville is a large public school situated in Knoxville, Tennessee. It awarded 414 ’s parks and rec degrees in 2020-2021.
UT Knoxville also made our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Schools in the Southeast Region” list, coming in at #8. It costs about $13,970 for southeast region parks & rec students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend UT Knoxville.
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%. With a freshman retention rate of 89%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.
Read more about Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies at The University of Tennessee - Knoxville
West Virginia University came in at #18 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Parks & Rec Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Located in Morgantown, West Virginia, this large public school handed out 261 degrees to qualified ’s parks and rec students in 2020-2021.
WVU also took the #25 spot in our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Schools in the Southeast Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend West Virginia University is $10,250 for Southeast Region Parks & Rec students whose families make $30-$48k.
Read full report on Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies at West Virginia University
University of North Florida came in at #19 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Parks & Rec Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. UNF is located in Jacksonville, Florida and, has a fairly large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 90 ’s parks and rec degrees to qualified students.
The yearly cost to attend UNF is $6,074 for southeast region parks & rec students whose families make $30-$48k.
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%.
Full University of North Florida Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Report
University of Mississippi ranked #20 on this year’s Best Value Parks & Rec Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. University, Mississippi is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s parks and rec degrees to 232 students in 2020-2021.
Ole Miss did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #22 on our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Schools in the Southeast Region” list. The estimated yearly cost for University of Mississippi is $9,489 for southeast region parks & rec students whose families make $30-$48k.
With a freshman retention rate of 86%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.
Read more about Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies at Ole Miss
Middle Tennessee State University came in at #21 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Parks & Rec Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Located in Murfreesboro, Tennessee, this large public school awarded 212 degrees to qualified ’s parks and rec students in 2020-2021.
It costs about $10,661 for Southeast Region Parks & Rec students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend Middle Tennessee State University.
Full Middle Tennessee State University Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Report
James Madison University landed the #22 spot on the 2023 Best Value Parks & Rec Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Harrisonburg, Virginia is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s parks and rec degrees to 326 students in 2020-2021.
In addition to being on our southeast region parks & rec students whose families make $30-$48k list, JMU has also earned the #5 rank in our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Schools in the Southeast Region” ranking. It costs about $14,985 for southeast region parks & rec students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend JMU.
Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 89%. The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 2.0%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.
Full James Madison University Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Report
University of Arkansas did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Parks & Rec Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #23. UARK is a large school located in Fayetteville, Arkansas that handed out 296 ’s parks and rec degrees in 2020-2021.
UARK did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #15 on our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Schools in the Southeast Region” list. It costs about $13,690 for Southeast Region Parks & Rec students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend UARK.
The low undergrad student loan default rate of 4.1% 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%. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 85%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.
Read more about Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies at University of Arkansas
Appalachian State University ranked #24 on this year’s Best Value Parks & Rec Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. Boone, North Carolina is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s parks and rec degrees to 308 students in 2020-2021.
It costs about $9,940 for southeast region parks & rec students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend Appalachian State University.
With a freshman retention rate of 86%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 3.6%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.
Read full report on Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies at Appalachian State
Arkansas State University - Main Campus came in at #25 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Parks & Rec Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Jonesboro, Arkansas is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s parks and rec degrees to 276 students in 2020-2021.
On top of its placing in this ranking, A-State also did well on our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Schools in the Southeast Region” list. It’s in the top [COLLEGE_QUALITY_PECTENTILE_ALL_LEVES]% of all schools in this category. The estimated yearly cost for A-State is $12,019 for southeast region parks & rec students whose families make $30-$48k.
The low undergrad student loan default rate of 3.3% 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%.
Full A-State Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Report
