2023 Most Focused Doctor’s Degree Colleges for Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies in the Southeast Region
22
Ranked Colleges
137
Degrees Awarded
$69,500
Avg Salary
When it comes to choosing a college, students have a lot of options - but not all of them are good. At College Factual, we’re committed to helping you make that decision by providing information such as that found in our “Schools for a Doctorate Highly Focused on Parks & Rec Major in the Southeast Region” ranking.
Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies is the 15th most popular major in the country with 72,741 degrees awarded in 2021-2022. In , parks, recreation, leisure, & fitness studies graduates who were awarded their degree in , earned an average of $31,466 and had an average of $24,117 in loans still to pay off.
Across the Southeast region, there were 19,934 parks, recreation, leisure, & fitness studies graduates with average earnings and debt of $30,110 and $25,086 respectively. At the doctor’s degree level specifically, there were 137 parks, recreation, leisure, & fitness studies graduates with average earnings and debt of $74,674 and $121,130 respectively.
For this year’s “Schools for a Doctorate Highly Focused on Parks & Rec Major in the Southeast Region” ranking, we looked at 22 colleges that offer a degree in parks, recreation, leisure, & fitness studies. This a ranking of the schools where the largest percentage of students has enrolled in parks, recreation, leisure, & fitness studies.
See our ranking methodology to learn more.
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 “Schools for a Doctorate Highly Focused on Parks & Rec Major in the Southeast Region” list to help you make the college decision.
To further help you make the college decision, we’ve developed a unique tool called College Combat that allows you to compare schools based on the factors that matter the most to you. Test it out by comparing your favorite schools against others you are considering, or bookmark the tool so you can experiment with it later.
Schools for a Doctorate Highly Focused on Parks & Rec Major in the Southeast Region
The following schools top our list of the Best “Schools for a Doctorate Highly Focused on Parks & Rec Major in the Southeast Region”.
Top 22 Most Focused Doctor’s Degree Colleges for Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies in the Southeast Region
You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend United States Sports Academy. The school came in at #1 for the Schools for a Doctorate Highly Focused on Parks & Rec Major in the Southeast Region. The Academy is a small school located in Daphne, Alabama that handed out 16 doctorate’s parks & rec degrees in 2021-2022.
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%. With a undergrad student-to-faculty ratio of 9 to 1, it’s easy to see that the school is committed to helping their undergraduates succeed.
Read more about Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies at The Academy
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 #2 for the Schools for a Doctorate Highly Focused on Parks & Rec Major in the Southeast Region. Located in Greensboro, North Carolina, this fairly large public school handed out 26 diplomas to qualified doctorate’s parks & rec students in 2021-2022.
The low undergrad student loan default rate of 2.7% 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 full report on Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies at University of North Carolina at Greensboro
You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Troy University. It ranked #3 on our 2023 Schools for a Doctorate Highly Focused on Parks & Rec Major in the Southeast Region list. TROY is a fairly large public school situated in Troy, Alabama. It awarded 3 doctorate’s parks & rec degrees in 2021-2022.
The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 2.6%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.
Full Troy University Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Report
You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend East Tennessee State University. It ranked #4 on our 2023 Schools for a Doctorate Highly Focused on Parks & Rec Major in the Southeast Region list. ETSU is a fairly large school located in Johnson City, Tennessee that handed out 6 doctorate’s parks & rec degrees in 2021-2022.
The low undergrad student loan default rate of 2.5% 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 East Tennessee State University Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Report
Out of the 22 schools in the Schools for a Doctorate Highly Focused on Parks & Rec Major in the Southeast Region that were part of this year’s ranking, University of Alabama at Birmingham landed the #5 spot on the list. UAB is located in Birmingham, Alabama and, has a large student population. In 2021-2022, this school awarded 0 doctorate’s parks & rec degrees to qualified students.
The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 1.2%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.
Read more about Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies at University of Alabama at Birmingham
The University of Tennessee - Knoxville ranked #6 on this year’s Schools for a Doctorate Highly Focused on Parks & Rec Major in the Southeast Region list. The University of Tennessee - Knoxville is a public institution located in Knoxville, Tennessee. The school has a large population, and it awarded 9 doctorate’s degrees in 2021-2022.
The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 88%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 1.1%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.
Full The University of Tennessee - Knoxville Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Report
The University of Alabama ranked #7 on this year’s Schools for a Doctorate Highly Focused on Parks & Rec Major in the Southeast Region list. UA is a large public school situated in Tuscaloosa, Alabama. It awarded 8 doctorate’s parks & rec degrees in 2021-2022.
With a freshman retention rate of 89%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 1.2%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.
Full The University of Alabama Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Report
Clemson University landed the #8 spot on the 2023 Schools for a Doctorate Highly Focused on Parks & Rec Major in the Southeast Region ranking. Clemson is a large school located in Clemson, South Carolina that handed out 8 doctorate’s parks & rec degrees in 2021-2022.
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%. With a freshman retention rate of 94%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.
Read more about Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies at Clemson University
Middle Tennessee State University landed the #9 spot on the 2023 Schools for a Doctorate Highly Focused on Parks & Rec Major in the Southeast Region ranking. Middle Tennessee State University is a large school located in Murfreesboro, Tennessee that handed out 13 doctorate’s parks & rec degrees in 2021-2022.
The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 2.3%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.
Full Middle Tennessee State University Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Report
Georgia State University ranked #10 on this year’s Schools for a Doctorate Highly Focused on Parks & Rec Major in the Southeast Region list. This large school is located in Atlanta, Georgia, and it awarded 2 doctorate’s parks & rec degrees in 2021-2022.
The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 2.3%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.
Read full report on Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies at Georgia State University
West Virginia University came in at #11 in this year’s edition of the Schools for a Doctorate Highly Focused on Parks & Rec Major in the Southeast Region ranking. WVU is a large public school situated in Morgantown, West Virginia. It awarded 1 doctorate’s parks & rec degrees in 2021-2022.
The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 2.9%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.
Full WVU Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Report
Mississippi State University came in at #12 in this year’s edition of the Schools for a Doctorate Highly Focused on Parks & Rec Major in the Southeast Region ranking. Mississippi State University is a public institution located in Mississippi State, Mississippi. The school has a large population, and it awarded 6 doctorate’s degrees in 2021-2022.
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%.
Full Mississippi State Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Report
University of Georgia ranked #13 on this year’s Schools for a Doctorate Highly Focused on Parks & Rec Major in the Southeast Region list. UGA is a public institution located in Athens, Georgia. The school has a large population, and it awarded 18 doctorate’s degrees in 2021-2022.
The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 95%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 0.8%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.
Read more about Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies at UGA
Old Dominion University did quite well in the 2023 Schools for a Doctorate Highly Focused on Parks & Rec Major in the Southeast Region ranking, coming in at #14. Located in Norfolk, Virginia, this large public school handed out 2 diplomas to qualified doctorate’s parks & rec students in 2021-2022.
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%.
Read full report on Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies at Old Dominion University
University of Kentucky landed the #15 spot on the 2023 Schools for a Doctorate Highly Focused on Parks & Rec Major in the Southeast Region ranking. UK is located in Lexington, Kentucky and, has a large student population. In 2021-2022, this school awarded 2 doctorate’s parks & rec degrees to qualified students.
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 undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 1.6%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.
Read full report on Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies at UK
University of Mississippi ranked #16 on this year’s Schools for a Doctorate Highly Focused on Parks & Rec Major in the Southeast Region list. University of Mississippi is located in University, Mississippi and, has a large student population. In 2021-2022, this school awarded 3 doctorate’s parks & rec degrees to qualified students.
With a freshman retention rate of 88%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. The low undergrad student loan default rate of 2.2% 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%.
Read full report on Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies at University of Mississippi
Florida State University ranked #17 on this year’s Schools for a Doctorate Highly Focused on Parks & Rec Major in the Southeast Region list. Located in Tallahassee, Florida, this large public school handed out 5 degrees to qualified doctorate’s parks & rec students in 2021-2022.
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 low undergrad student loan default rate of 1.0% 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%.
Read full report on Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies at Florida State
University of South Carolina - Columbia ranked #18 on this year’s Schools for a Doctorate Highly Focused on Parks & Rec Major in the Southeast Region list. UofSC is a large public school situated in Columbia, South Carolina. It awarded 2 doctorate’s parks & rec degrees in 2021-2022.
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 1.6% 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 full report on Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies at University of South Carolina - Columbia
University of Southern Mississippi did quite well in the 2023 Schools for a Doctorate Highly Focused on Parks & Rec Major in the Southeast Region ranking, coming in at #19. University of Southern Mississippi is a fairly large public school situated in Hattiesburg, Mississippi. It awarded 1 doctorate’s parks & rec degrees in 2021-2022.
The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 2.9%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.
Read full report on Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies at Southern Miss
North Carolina State University did quite well in the 2023 Schools for a Doctorate Highly Focused on Parks & Rec Major in the Southeast Region ranking, coming in at #20. This large school is located in Raleigh, North Carolina, and it awarded 6 doctorate’s parks & rec degrees in 2021-2022.
The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 1.0%, 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 94%.
Full North Carolina State University Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Report
University of Arkansas did quite well in the 2023 Schools for a Doctorate Highly Focused on Parks & Rec Major in the Southeast Region ranking, coming in at #21. This large school is located in Fayetteville, Arkansas, and it awarded 241 doctorate’s parks & rec degrees in 2021-2022.
The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 1.2%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%. With a freshman retention rate of 87%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.
Read full report on Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies at UARK
University of North Alabama came in at #22 in this year’s edition of the Schools for a Doctorate Highly Focused on Parks & Rec Major in the Southeast Region ranking. UNA is a medium-sized public school situated in Florence, Alabama. It awarded 115 doctorate’s parks & rec degrees in 2021-2022.
The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 4.0%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.
Full UNA Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Report
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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
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
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
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
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
- *Avg Salary and Avg 4-Year Grad Rate 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
