2026 Best Value Parks, Recreation & Leisure Studies Schools in the Southeast Region
[Parks, Recreation & Leisure Studies](/majors/parks-recreation-fitness/parks-recreation-leisure-studies/parks-recreation-and-leisure-studies/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
College Factual analyzed 34 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best value parks, recreation & leisure studies schools.
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2026 Best Value Parks, Recreation & Leisure Studies Schools in the Southeast Region
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in parks, recreation & leisure studies, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Parks, Recreation & Leisure Studies Schools
South Georgia Technical College earned the #1 spot for value among parks, recreation & leisure studies schools in the Southeast Region. Located in the town of Americus, South Georgia Technical College is a mid-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $3,992, while out-of-state students pay about $7,202. Students borrow a median of $10,423 to complete the parks, recreation & leisure studies program here. Parks, Recreation & Leisure Studies graduates of South Georgia Technical College earn a median of $40,497 early in their careers. Set against $10,423 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at University Of North Carolina At Greensboro earned it the #2 place for parks, recreation & leisure studies. University Of North Carolina At Greensboro is a large public school located in the city of Greensboro. In-state tuition and fees average $7,661, compared with $24,012 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $26,000 to complete the parks, recreation & leisure studies program here. Soon after graduation, parks, recreation & leisure studies degree recipients from University Of North Carolina At Greensboro generally make around $31,561. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 88%.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College earned it the #3 place for parks, recreation & leisure studies. Located in the rural area of Perkinston, Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,250, while out-of-state students pay about $7,850. Typical student debt for parks, recreation & leisure studies graduates is $11,653. Early-career parks, recreation & leisure studies graduates make about $34,214. Set against $11,653 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
A rank of #4 makes Shepherd University one of the best values for parks, recreation & leisure studies. Located in the rural area of Shepherdstown, Shepherd University is a mid-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,056, while out-of-state students pay about $19,082. Students borrow a median of $24,950 to complete the parks, recreation & leisure studies program here. Soon after graduation, parks, recreation & leisure studies degree recipients from Shepherd University generally make around $34,287. That is a strong return on a $24,950 median debt. Roughly 97% of applicants are accepted.
Students looking for strong value in parks, recreation & leisure studies will find it at Jacksonville State University, which ranked #5. Located in the suburb of Jacksonville, Jacksonville State University is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,894, while out-of-state students pay about $23,334. Students borrow a median of $21,500 to complete the parks, recreation & leisure studies program here. Parks, Recreation & Leisure Studies graduates of Jacksonville State University earn a median of $31,303 early in their careers. Set against $21,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 78% of applicants are accepted.
East Carolina University landed the #6 spot for parks, recreation & leisure studies value this year. Set in the city of Greenville, East Carolina University is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,361, while out-of-state students pay about $23,638. Students borrow a median of $19,587 to complete the parks, recreation & leisure studies program here. Early-career parks, recreation & leisure studies graduates make about $34,751. Set against $19,587 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. East Carolina University admits about 89% of applicants.
Georgia Southern University earned the #7 position for value in parks, recreation & leisure studies this year. Set in the town of Statesboro, Georgia Southern University is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $6,022 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $17,734. Parks, Recreation & Leisure Studies graduates carry a median of $24,936 in student loans. Soon after graduation, parks, recreation & leisure studies degree recipients from Georgia Southern University generally make around $31,086. Set against $24,936 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 88% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Arkansas ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best value parks, recreation & leisure studies schools. Located in the city of Fayetteville, University Of Arkansas is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,104, with out-of-state students paying around $29,966. Typical student debt for parks, recreation & leisure studies graduates is $23,310. Early-career parks, recreation & leisure studies graduates make about $31,567. That is a strong return on a $23,310 median debt. The acceptance rate is 74%.
University Of South Alabama came in at #9 for value in parks, recreation & leisure studies this year. Located in the city of Mobile, University Of South Alabama is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $10,116 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $19,092. Parks, Recreation & Leisure Studies graduates carry a median of $26,750 in student loans. Parks, Recreation & Leisure Studies graduates of University Of South Alabama earn a median of $33,557 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 71%.
Radford University earned the #10 position for value in parks, recreation & leisure studies this year. Radford University is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Radford. In-state tuition and fees average $12,548, with out-of-state students paying around $25,633. Students borrow a median of $26,000 to complete the parks, recreation & leisure studies program here. Soon after graduation, parks, recreation & leisure studies degree recipients from Radford University generally make around $30,145. Set against $26,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.
Grambling State University ranked #11 on our 2026 list of the best value parks, recreation & leisure studies schools. Grambling State University is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Grambling. In-state tuition and fees average $7,683, compared with $16,706 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for parks, recreation & leisure studies graduates is $41,750. Soon after graduation, parks, recreation & leisure studies degree recipients from Grambling State University generally make around $19,830. That is a strong return on a $41,750 median debt. Grambling State University admits about 45% of applicants.
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Notes and References
The ranking above is published by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. Schools are scored on the balance of cost (tuition and student debt) against student outcomes (post-graduation earnings) — a measure of return on investment, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 34 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 11 ranked schools only.
- 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).
More about our data sources and methodologies.
