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2022 Best Value Doctor’s Degree Colleges for Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies (Income $48-$75k) in the Southeast Region

16 Ranked Colleges
112 Degrees Awarded
$26,800 Avg Grad Tuition & Fees*
Best Value Parks & Rec Schools for a Doctorate in the Southeast Region For Those Making $48-$75k

It’s not easy to decide which college to attend when there so many options available for students. 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 Doctorate in the Southeast Region For Those Making $48-$75k” ranking - to help you make that decision.

In 2019-2020, 72,122 people earned their degree in parks, recreation, leisure, and fitness studies, making the major the 15th most popular in the United States. 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 the Southeast region, there were 19,063 parks, recreation, leisure, and fitness studies graduates with average earnings and debt of $28,950 and $25,504 respectively. At the doctor’s degree level specifically, there were 112 parks, recreation, leisure, and fitness studies graduates with average earnings and debt of $71,978 and $116,300 respectively.

For this year’s “Best Value Parks & Rec Schools for a Doctorate in the Southeast Region For Those Making $48-$75k” ranking, we looked at 16 colleges that offer 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. Check out our ranking methodology for more information.

One Size Does Not Fit All

Since picking the right college can be one of the most important decisions of your life, we’ve developed the “Best Value Parks & Rec Schools for a Doctorate in the Southeast Region For Those Making $48-$75k” ranking, along with many other major-related rankings, to help you make that decision.

In addition to our rankings, you can take two colleges and compare them based on the criteria that matters most to you in our unique tool, College Combat. When you have some time, check it out - you may want to bookmark the link so you don’t forget it.

Best Value Parks & Rec Schools for a Doctorate in the Southeast Region For Those Making $48-$75k

The colleges and universities below are the best for southeast region doctor’s degree parks & rec students whose families make $48-$75k.

Top 16 Best Value Doctor’s Degree Colleges for Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies (Income $48-$75k) in the Southeast Region

#1

North Carolina State University

Raleigh, North Carolina
#2 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 #1 for the Best Value Parks & Rec Schools for a Doctorate in the Southeast Region For Those Making $48-$75k. Located in Raleigh, North Carolina, this large public school handed out 4 diplomas to qualified doctorate’s parks and rec students in 2019-2020.

NC State also made our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Doctor’s Degree Schools in the Southeast Region” list, coming in at #2. Average graduate tuition and fees at NC State are $28,999, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Full NC State Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Report

#2

West Virginia University

Morgantown, West Virginia
#8 in overall quality

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend West Virginia University. The school came in at #2 for the Best Value Parks & Rec Schools for a Doctorate in the Southeast Region For Those Making $48-$75k. This large school is located in Morgantown, West Virginia, and it awarded 6 doctorate’s parks and rec degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at WVU, the school also landed the #8 spot in our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Doctor’s Degree Schools in the Southeast Region” ranking. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at WVU are $26,154.

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

#3

University of North Carolina at Greensboro

Greensboro, North Carolina
#12 in overall quality

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend University of North Carolina at Greensboro. It ranked #3 on our 2022 Best Value Parks & Rec Schools for a Doctorate in the Southeast Region For Those Making $48-$75k list. This fairly large school is located in Greensboro, North Carolina, and it awarded 12 doctorate’s parks and rec degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at UNC Greensboro, the school also landed the #12 spot in our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Doctor’s Degree Schools in the Southeast Region” ranking. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at UNC Greensboro are $21,918.

Read more about Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies at University of North Carolina at Greensboro

#4

Clemson University

Clemson, South Carolina
#1 in overall quality

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Clemson University. It ranked #4 on our 2022 Best Value Parks & Rec Schools for a Doctorate in the Southeast Region For Those Making $48-$75k list. Located in Clemson, South Carolina, this large public school handed out 14 degrees to qualified doctorate’s parks and rec students in 2019-2020.

Clemson also took the #1 spot in our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Doctor’s Degree Schools in the Southeast Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at Clemson University are $23,246, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Full Clemson University Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Report

#5

University of Georgia

Athens, Georgia
#6 in overall quality

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend University of Georgia. The school came in at #5 for the Best Value Parks & Rec Schools for a Doctorate in the Southeast Region For Those Making $48-$75k. Athens, Georgia is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out doctorate’s parks and rec degrees to 5 students in 2019-2020.

UGA not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #6 on our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Doctor’s Degree Schools in the Southeast Region” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at UGA are $27,476, but some majors have different tuition rates.

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

#6

University of South Carolina - Columbia

Columbia, South Carolina
#4 in overall quality

University of South Carolina - Columbia landed the #6 spot on the 2022 Best Value Parks & Rec Schools for a Doctorate in the Southeast Region For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. Columbia, South Carolina is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out doctorate’s parks and rec degrees to 5 students in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our southeast region doctor’s degree parks & rec students whose families make $48-$75k list, UofSC has also earned the #4 rank in our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Doctor’s Degree Schools in the Southeast Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at UofSC are $30,160, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read full report on Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies at University of South Carolina - Columbia

#7

Middle Tennessee State University

Murfreesboro, Tennessee
#9 in overall quality

With a ranking of #7, Middle Tennessee State University did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Parks & Rec Schools for a Doctorate in the Southeast Region For Those Making $48-$75k list. Middle Tennessee State University is a public institution located in Murfreesboro, Tennessee. The school has a large population, and it awarded 5 doctorate’s degrees in 2019-2020.

Middle Tennessee State University not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #9 on our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Doctor’s Degree Schools in the Southeast Region” list. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at Middle Tennessee State University are $26,172.

Read more about Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies at Middle Tennessee State University

#8

University of Kentucky

Lexington, Kentucky
#7 in overall quality

University of Kentucky came in at #8 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Parks & Rec Schools for a Doctorate in the Southeast Region For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. This large school is located in Lexington, Kentucky, and it awarded 4 doctorate’s parks and rec degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at UK, the school also landed the #7 spot in our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Doctor’s Degree Schools in the Southeast Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at University of Kentucky are $33,216, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

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

#9

University of Arkansas

Fayetteville, Arkansas
#10 in overall quality

University of Arkansas ranked #9 on this year’s Best Value Parks & Rec Schools for a Doctorate in the Southeast Region For Those Making $48-$75k list. UARK is located in Fayetteville, Arkansas and, has a large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 1 doctorate’s parks and rec degrees to qualified students.

UARK not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #10 on our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Doctor’s Degree Schools in the Southeast Region” list. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at UARK are $22,121.

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

#10

The University of Alabama

Tuscaloosa, Alabama
#5 in overall quality

The University of Alabama ranked #10 on this year’s Best Value Parks & Rec Schools for a Doctorate in the Southeast Region For Those Making $48-$75k list. Tuscaloosa, Alabama is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out doctorate’s parks and rec degrees to 7 students in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our southeast region doctor’s degree parks & rec students whose families make $48-$75k list, UA has also earned the #5 rank in our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Doctor’s Degree Schools in the Southeast Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at UA are $30,940, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

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

#11

University of Mississippi

University, Mississippi
#14 in overall quality

University of Mississippi landed the #11 spot on the 2022 Best Value Parks & Rec Schools for a Doctorate in the Southeast Region For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. Ole Miss is a large public school situated in University, Mississippi. It awarded 1 doctorate’s parks and rec degrees in 2019-2020.

Ole Miss not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #14 on our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Doctor’s Degree Schools in the Southeast Region” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at Ole Miss are $25,099, but some majors have different tuition rates.

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

#12

East Tennessee State University

Johnson City, Tennessee
#13 in overall quality

East Tennessee State University did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Parks & Rec Schools for a Doctorate in the Southeast Region For Those Making $48-$75k ranking, coming in at #12. East Tennessee State University is a public institution located in Johnson City, Tennessee. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 9 doctorate’s degrees in 2019-2020.

ETSU also made our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Doctor’s Degree Schools in the Southeast Region” list, coming in at #13. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at ETSU are $25,679.

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

#3 in overall quality

With a ranking of #13, The University of Tennessee - Knoxville did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Parks & Rec Schools for a Doctorate in the Southeast Region For Those Making $48-$75k list. The University of Tennessee - Knoxville is a large school located in Knoxville, Tennessee that handed out 11 doctorate’s parks and rec degrees in 2019-2020.

UT Knoxville also made our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Doctor’s Degree Schools in the Southeast Region” list, coming in at #3. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at The University of Tennessee - Knoxville are $31,798.

Read more about Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies at The University of Tennessee - Knoxville

#14

Georgia State University

Atlanta, Georgia
#16 in overall quality

With a ranking of #14, Georgia State University did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Parks & Rec Schools for a Doctorate in the Southeast Region For Those Making $48-$75k list. Georgia State University is a large public school situated in Atlanta, Georgia. It awarded 5 doctorate’s parks and rec degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our southeast region doctor’s degree parks & rec students whose families make $48-$75k list, Georgia State has also earned the #16 rank in our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Doctor’s Degree Schools in the Southeast Region” ranking. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at Georgia State are $24,790.

Full Georgia State University Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Report

#15

Old Dominion University

Norfolk, Virginia
#15 in overall quality

Old Dominion University landed the #15 spot on the 2022 Best Value Parks & Rec Schools for a Doctorate in the Southeast Region For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. Norfolk, Virginia is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out doctorate’s parks and rec degrees to 1 students in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Old Dominion, the school also landed the #15 spot in our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Doctor’s Degree Schools in the Southeast Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at Old Dominion are $33,288, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Full Old Dominion Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Report

#16

Troy University

Troy, Alabama
#17 in overall quality

Troy University did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Parks & Rec Schools for a Doctorate in the Southeast Region For Those Making $48-$75k ranking, coming in at #16. TROY is a fairly large school located in Troy, Alabama that handed out 1 doctorate’s parks and rec degrees in 2019-2020.

TROY did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #17 on our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Doctor’s Degree Schools in the Southeast Region” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at TROY are $16,156, but some majors have different tuition rates.

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

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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.

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