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2027 Best Parks, Recreation & Leisure Studies Schools in the Southeast Region

11 Colleges in the United States
336 Parks, Recreation & Leisure Studies Degrees Awarded
$32,073 Avg Early-Career Salary

Parks, Recreation & Leisure Studies is a field worth a close look when choosing where to study. A focused field like this rewards careful comparison of the schools that offer it.

For its 2027 ranking, College Factual looked at 11 schools in the United States to determine which ones were the best for parks, recreation & leisure studies students pursuing a degree.

What’s on this page:

Best Schools for Parks, Recreation & Leisure Studies in the Southeast Region

Below are the schools that deliver the strongest overall parks, recreation & leisure studies education in the Southeast Region.

Top Schools in Parks, Recreation & Leisure Studies

1
University Of Arkansas crest
University Of Arkansas
Fayetteville, AR

University Of Arkansas is one of the finest schools in the country for getting a degree in parks, recreation & leisure studies. Set in the city of Fayetteville, University Of Arkansas is a very large public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 70%. About 96 parks, recreation & leisure studies degrees were awarded at University Of Arkansas in the most recent year. Students who receive their parks, recreation & leisure studies degree from University Of Arkansas earn around $31,567 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $23,310 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in parks, recreation & leisure studies from University Of Arkansas

2

East Carolina University is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in parks, recreation & leisure studies, ranking #2. East Carolina University is a very large public school located in the city of Greenville. About 63% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 18 parks, recreation & leisure studies students who graduated with this degree at East Carolina University in the most recent data year. Parks, Recreation & Leisure Studies graduates of East Carolina University earn a median of $34,751 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $19,587 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in parks, recreation & leisure studies from East Carolina University

3

Students looking for a strong parks, recreation & leisure studies program will find one at Georgia Southern University, which ranked #3. Located in the town of Statesboro, Georgia Southern University is a very large public university. The six-year graduation rate is 55%. About 24 parks, recreation & leisure studies degrees were awarded at Georgia Southern University in the most recent year. Graduates of the parks, recreation & leisure studies program make about $31,086 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $24,936. Read more about the parks, recreation & leisure studies program at Georgia Southern University

4

A rank of #4 makes University Of North Carolina At Greensboro one of the top schools for parks, recreation & leisure studies. This very large public university is located in the city of Greensboro. Roughly 56% of students complete a degree within six years here. University Of North Carolina At Greensboro awarded about 34 parks, recreation & leisure studies degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the parks, recreation & leisure studies program make about $31,561 in their early career. University Of North Carolina At Greensboro graduates carry a median of $26,000 in student loans. More information about a degree in parks, recreation & leisure studies from University Of North Carolina At Greensboro

5
Radford University crest
Radford University
Radford, VA

Radford University came in at #5 on our 2027 list of the best parks, recreation & leisure studies schools. Located in the town of Radford, Radford University is a moderately-sized public university. The six-year graduation rate is 49%. Radford University awarded about 23 parks, recreation & leisure studies degrees in the most recent data year. Parks, Recreation & Leisure Studies graduates of Radford University earn a median of $30,145 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $26,000 to complete this degree. See the full parks, recreation & leisure studies program report for Radford University

6

Jacksonville State University ranked #6 on our 2027 list of the best parks, recreation & leisure studies schools. Set in the suburb of Jacksonville, Jacksonville State University is a large public institution. Jacksonville State University graduates 55% of students within six years. Jacksonville State University awarded about 29 parks, recreation & leisure studies degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their parks, recreation & leisure studies degree from Jacksonville State University earn around $31,303 in the first couple years of their career. Jacksonville State University graduates carry a median of $21,500 in student loans. Read more about the parks, recreation & leisure studies program at Jacksonville State University

7

South Georgia Technical College landed the #7 spot for parks, recreation & leisure studies this year. Located in the town of Americus, South Georgia Technical College is a mid-sized public university. South Georgia Technical College awarded about 22 parks, recreation & leisure studies degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the parks, recreation & leisure studies program make about $40,497 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $10,423. Get the full parks, recreation & leisure studies details for South Georgia Technical College

8
Shepherd University crest
Shepherd University
Shepherdstown, WV

Shepherd University landed the #8 spot for parks, recreation & leisure studies this year. Shepherd University is a mid-sized public school located in the rural area of Shepherdstown. Shepherd University graduates 51% of students within six years. There were roughly 13 parks, recreation & leisure studies students who graduated with this degree at Shepherd University in the most recent data year. Parks, Recreation & Leisure Studies graduates of Shepherd University earn a median of $34,287 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $24,950 to complete this degree. Get the full parks, recreation & leisure studies details for Shepherd University

9

Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College landed the #9 spot for parks, recreation & leisure studies this year. This large public university is located in the rural area of Perkinston. About 44 parks, recreation & leisure studies degrees were awarded at Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College in the most recent year. Parks, Recreation & Leisure Studies graduates of Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College earn a median of $34,214 early in their careers. Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College graduates carry a median of $11,653 in student loans. Read more about the parks, recreation & leisure studies program at Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College

10

University Of South Alabama came in at #10 for parks, recreation & leisure studies this year. This large public university is located in the city of Mobile. University Of South Alabama graduates 52% of students within six years. There were roughly 11 parks, recreation & leisure studies students who graduated with this degree at University Of South Alabama in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, parks, recreation & leisure studies degree recipients from University Of South Alabama generally make around $33,557. University Of South Alabama graduates carry a median of $26,750 in student loans. Get the full parks, recreation & leisure studies details for University Of South Alabama

11

Grambling State University earned the #11 position for parks, recreation & leisure studies this year. Grambling State University is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Grambling. Roughly 36% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 22 parks, recreation & leisure studies students who graduated with this degree at Grambling State University in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, parks, recreation & leisure studies degree recipients from Grambling State University generally make around $19,830. Typical student debt for the program is $41,750. See the full parks, recreation & leisure studies program report for Grambling State University

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Notes and References

This list is compiled by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 edition. Schools are scored on a blend of student outcomes (graduation rate, post-graduation earnings), affordability, and program focus, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).

Ranking method: College Major Top Ranked · 11 schools evaluated.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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