2022 Best Value Parks & Rec Schools for a Doctorate in the Southeast Region
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” 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 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.
This year’s “Best Value Parks & Rec Schools for a Doctorate in the Southeast Region” ranking looked at 17 colleges that offer degrees in a bachelor’s 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.
Some of the factors we look at when determining these rankings are overall quality of the parks, recreation, leisure, and fitness studies program at the school and the cost of the school after aid is awarded among other things. See our ranking methodology to learn more.
Featured schools near , edit
More Ways to Rank Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Schools
The parks & rec school you choose to invest your time and money in matters. To help you make the decision that is right for you, we’ve developed a number of major-specific rankings, including this list of “Best Value Parks & Rec Schools for a Doctorate in the Southeast Region”.
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. Test it out when you get a chance! You may also want to bookmark the link and share it with others who are trying to make the college decision.
Best Value Parks & Rec Schools for a Doctorate in the Southeast Region
The colleges and universities below are the best for southeast region doctor’s degree parks & rec students.
Top 17 Best Value Doctor’s Degree Colleges for Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies in the Southeast Region
You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Clemson University. It ranked #1 on our 2022 Best Value Parks & Rec Schools for a Doctorate in the Southeast Region list. Clemson is a large public school situated in Clemson, South Carolina. It awarded 14 doctorate’s parks and rec degrees in 2019-2020.
As a testament to the quality of education offered at Clemson, the school also landed 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 are $23,246, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.
Full Clemson Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Report
Out of the 17 schools in the Best Value Parks & Rec Schools for a Doctorate in the Southeast Region that were part of this year’s ranking, United States Sports Academy landed the #2 spot on the list. Located in Daphne, Alabama, this small private not-for-profit school awarded 10 degrees to qualified doctorate’s parks and rec students in 2019-2020.
The Academy also took the #11 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 The Academy are $19,440.
Full United States Sports Academy Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Report
You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend North Carolina State University. It ranked #3 on our 2022 Best Value Parks & Rec Schools for a Doctorate in the Southeast Region list. North Carolina State University is a public institution located in Raleigh, North Carolina. The school has a large population, and it awarded 4 doctorate’s degrees in 2019-2020.
NC State not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #2 on our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Doctor’s Degree Schools in the Southeast Region” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at North Carolina State University are $28,999, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.
Read more about Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies at North Carolina State University
You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend University of North Carolina at Greensboro. The school came in at #4 for the Best Value Parks & Rec Schools for a Doctorate in the Southeast Region. Located in Greensboro, North Carolina, this fairly large public school handed out 12 diplomas to qualified doctorate’s parks and rec students in 2019-2020.
UNC Greensboro also took the #12 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 North Carolina at Greensboro are $21,918, but some majors have different tuition rates.
Out of the 17 schools in the Best Value Parks & Rec Schools for a Doctorate in the Southeast Region that were part of this year’s ranking, University of Georgia landed the #5 spot on the list. 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 did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #6 on our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Doctor’s Degree Schools in the Southeast Region” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at University of Georgia are $27,476, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.
Read full report on Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies at University of Georgia
University of Arkansas landed the #6 spot on the 2022 Best Value Parks & Rec Schools for a Doctorate in the Southeast Region ranking. UARK is a public institution located in Fayetteville, Arkansas. The school has a large population, and it awarded 1 doctorate’s degrees in 2019-2020.
UARK also made our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Doctor’s Degree Schools in the Southeast Region” list, coming in at #10. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at University of Arkansas are $22,121.
Read full report on Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies at University of Arkansas
With a ranking of #7, Troy University did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Parks & Rec Schools for a Doctorate in the Southeast Region list. Located in Troy, Alabama, this fairly large public school handed out 1 degrees to qualified doctorate’s parks and rec students in 2019-2020.
In addition to being on our southeast region doctor’s degree parks & rec students list, TROY has also earned the #17 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 Troy University are $16,156.
Full TROY Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Report
University of South Carolina - Columbia landed the #8 spot on the 2022 Best Value Parks & Rec Schools for a Doctorate in the Southeast Region ranking. University of South Carolina - Columbia is a large public school situated in Columbia, South Carolina. It awarded 5 doctorate’s parks and rec degrees in 2019-2020.
UofSC also took the #4 spot 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 you may pay more or less depending on your major.
Read full report on Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies at UofSC
Middle Tennessee State University landed the #9 spot on the 2022 Best Value Parks & Rec Schools for a Doctorate in the Southeast Region ranking. 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 did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #9 on our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Doctor’s Degree Schools in the Southeast Region” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at Middle Tennessee State University are $26,172, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.
Full Middle Tennessee State University Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Report
East Tennessee State University landed the #10 spot on the 2022 Best Value Parks & Rec Schools for a Doctorate in the Southeast Region ranking. ETSU 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.
As a testament to the quality of education offered at ETSU, the school also landed the #13 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 ETSU are $25,679.
Full ETSU Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Report
West Virginia University did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Parks & Rec Schools for a Doctorate in the Southeast Region ranking, coming in at #11. 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. Average graduate tuition and fees at West Virginia University are $26,154, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.
Full WVU Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Report
The University of Tennessee - Knoxville came in at #12 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Parks & Rec Schools for a Doctorate in the Southeast Region ranking. This large school is located in Knoxville, Tennessee, and it awarded 11 doctorate’s parks and rec degrees in 2019-2020.
UT Knoxville also took the #3 spot in our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Doctor’s Degree Schools in the Southeast Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at UT Knoxville are $31,798, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.
Read full report on Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies at UT Knoxville
With a ranking of #13, University of Mississippi did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Parks & Rec Schools for a Doctorate in the Southeast Region list. 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 did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #14 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 Ole Miss are $25,099.
Full University of Mississippi Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Report
The University of Alabama ranked #14 on this year’s Best Value Parks & Rec Schools for a Doctorate in the Southeast Region list. Located in Tuscaloosa, Alabama, this large public school handed out 7 degrees to qualified doctorate’s parks and rec students in 2019-2020.
In addition to being on our southeast region doctor’s degree parks & rec students 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. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at UA are $30,940.
Read full report on Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies at UA
With a ranking of #15, University of Kentucky did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Parks & Rec Schools for a Doctorate in the Southeast Region list. University of Kentucky is a large school located in Lexington, Kentucky that handed out 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 UK are $33,216, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.
Read more about Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies at University of Kentucky
Georgia State University did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Parks & Rec Schools for a Doctorate in the Southeast Region ranking, coming in at #16. Atlanta, 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.
Georgia State also made our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Doctor’s Degree Schools in the Southeast Region” list, coming in at #16. Average graduate tuition and fees at Georgia State University are $24,790, but some majors have different tuition rates.
Read more about Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies at Georgia State University
Old Dominion University ranked #17 on this year’s Best Value Parks & Rec Schools for a Doctorate in the Southeast Region list. Located in Norfolk, Virginia, this large public school handed out 1 degrees to qualified doctorate’s parks and rec students in 2019-2020.
Old Dominion also took 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 University are $33,288, but some majors have different tuition rates.
Read full report on Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies at Old Dominion
Focus on a Specific Degree Level
All Degree Levels
Best Value Colleges for Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies in the Southeast Region
Bachelors
Best Value Bachelor's Degree Colleges for Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies in the Southeast Region
Doctorate
Best Value Doctor's Degree Colleges for Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies in the Southeast Region
Narrow Results by Region
Southeast
Best Value Doctor's Degree Colleges for Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies in the Southeast Region
Rocky Mountains
Best Value Doctor's Degree Colleges for Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies in the Rocky Mountains Region
Middle Atlantic
Best Value Doctor's Degree Colleges for Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies in the Middle Atlantic Region
Southwest
Best Value Doctor's Degree Colleges for Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies in the Southwest Region
New England
Best Value Doctor's Degree Colleges for Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies in the New England Region
Plains States
Best Value Doctor's Degree Colleges for Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies in the Plains States Region
Far Western US
Best Value Doctor's Degree Colleges for Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies in the Far Western US Region
Great Lakes
Best Value Doctor's Degree Colleges for Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies in the Great Lakes Region
Narrow Results by State
North Carolina
Best Value Doctor's Degree Colleges for Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies in North Carolina
Alabama
Best Value Doctor's Degree Colleges for Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies in Alabama
Georgia
Best Value Doctor's Degree Colleges for Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies in Georgia
Mississippi
Best Value Doctor's Degree Colleges for Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies in Mississippi
Virginia
Best Value Doctor's Degree Colleges for Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies in Virginia
West Virginia
Best Value Doctor's Degree Colleges for Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies in West Virginia
Kentucky
Best Value Doctor's Degree Colleges for Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies in Kentucky
Tennessee
Best Value Doctor's Degree Colleges for Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies in Tennessee
South Carolina
Best Value Doctor's Degree Colleges for Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies in South Carolina
Arkansas
Best Value Doctor's Degree Colleges for Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies in Arkansas
Switch to a Different Ranking Method
Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Doctor's Degree Schools in the Southeast Region
Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies students in the Southeast Region
Most Focused Doctor's Degree Colleges for Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies in the Southeast Region
Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies students in the Southeast Region
Most Popular Doctor's Degree Online Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Schools
Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies students in the Southeast Region
Best Value Doctor's Degree Colleges for Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies (Income $0-$30k) in the Southeast Region
Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies students with family income less than $30k in the Southeast Region
Best Value Doctor's Degree Colleges for Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies (Income $48-$75k) in the Southeast Region
Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies students with family income $48-$75k in the Southeast Region
Best Value Doctor's Degree Colleges for Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies (Income Over $110k) in the Southeast Region
Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies students with family income exceeding $110k in the Southeast Region
Highest Paid Doctor's Degree Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Graduates in the Southeast Region
Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies students in the Southeast Region
Most Popular Doctor's Degree Colleges for Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies in the Southeast Region
Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies students in the Southeast Region
Best Value Doctor's Degree Colleges for Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies in the Southeast Region (With Aid)
Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies students getting aid in the Southeast Region
Best Value Doctor's Degree Colleges for Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies (Income $30-$48k) in the Southeast Region
Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies students with family income $30-$48k in the Southeast Region
Best Value Doctor's Degree Colleges for Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies (Income $75-$110k) in the Southeast Region
Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies students with family income $75-$110k in the Southeast Region
Best Value Doctor's Degree Colleges for Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies in the Southeast Region
Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies students in the Southeast Region
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
- Credit for the banner image above goes to NPS Photo/Zurbuch.
Featured Athletic Training Schools
Request Info |
Southern New Hampshire University
You have goals. Southern New Hampshire University can help you get there. Whether you need a bachelor's degree to get into a career or want a master's degree to move up in your current career, SNHU has an online program for you. Find your degree from over 200 online programs ... Learn More > |