2027 Best Value Parks, Recreation & Leisure Studies Schools in the Southeast Region
[Parks, Recreation & Leisure Studies](/majors/parks-recreation-fitness/parks-recreation-leisure-studies/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
College Factual analyzed 11 schools to build this 2027 ranking of the best value parks, recreation & leisure studies schools.
What’s on this page:
2027 Best Value Parks, Recreation & Leisure Studies Schools in the Southeast Region
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the parks, recreation & leisure studies degrees they offer, see the list below.
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, compared with $7,202 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $10,423 to complete the parks, recreation & leisure studies program here. Early-career parks, recreation & leisure studies graduates make about $40,497. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College earned it the #2 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. Students borrow a median of $11,653 to complete the parks, recreation & leisure studies program here. Parks, Recreation & Leisure Studies graduates of Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College earn a median of $34,214 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $11,653 median debt.
Students looking for strong value in parks, recreation & leisure studies will find it at University Of North Carolina At Greensboro, which ranked #3. University Of North Carolina At Greensboro is a very large public school located in the city of Greensboro. Students from in state pay about $7,661 in tuition and fees, compared with $24,012 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for parks, recreation & leisure studies graduates is $26,000. Parks, Recreation & Leisure Studies graduates of University Of North Carolina At Greensboro earn a median of $31,561 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $26,000 median debt. Roughly 88% of applicants are accepted.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Shepherd University earned it the #4 place 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, compared with $19,082 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $24,950 to complete the parks, recreation & leisure studies program here. Early-career parks, recreation & leisure studies graduates make about $34,287. Set against $24,950 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 97% of applicants are accepted.
Jacksonville State University came in at #5 on our 2027 list of the best value parks, recreation & leisure studies schools. Jacksonville State University is a large public school located in the suburb of Jacksonville. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,894, while out-of-state students pay about $23,334. Parks, Recreation & Leisure Studies graduates carry a median of $21,500 in student loans. Early-career parks, recreation & leisure studies graduates make about $31,303. That is a strong return on a $21,500 median debt. Jacksonville State University admits about 78% of applicants.
Radford University came in at #6 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, while out-of-state students pay about $25,633. Typical student debt for parks, recreation & leisure studies graduates is $26,000. Early-career parks, recreation & leisure studies graduates make about $30,145. That is a strong return on a $26,000 median debt. Radford University admits about 90% of applicants.
Georgia Southern University earned the #7 position for value in parks, recreation & leisure studies this year. Located in the town of Statesboro, Georgia Southern University is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $6,022 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $17,734. Students borrow a median of $24,936 to complete the parks, recreation & leisure studies program here. 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. The acceptance rate is 88%.
East Carolina University placed #8 among the best values for parks, recreation & leisure studies. Located in the city of Greenville, East Carolina University is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,361, compared with $23,638 for out-of-state students. Parks, Recreation & Leisure Studies graduates carry a median of $19,587 in student loans. Soon after graduation, parks, recreation & leisure studies degree recipients from East Carolina University generally make around $34,751. That is a strong return on a $19,587 median debt. The acceptance rate is 89%.
University Of Arkansas ranked #9 on our 2027 list of the best value parks, recreation & leisure studies schools. University Of Arkansas is a very large public school located in the city of Fayetteville. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,104, compared with $29,966 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $23,310 to complete the parks, recreation & leisure studies program here. Parks, Recreation & Leisure Studies graduates of University Of Arkansas earn a median of $31,567 early in their careers. Set against $23,310 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 74% of applicants are accepted.
University Of South Alabama placed #10 among the best values for parks, recreation & leisure studies. University Of South Alabama is a large public school located in the city of Mobile. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,116, with out-of-state students paying around $19,092. Typical student debt for parks, recreation & leisure studies graduates is $26,750. Early-career parks, recreation & leisure studies graduates make about $33,557. That is a strong return on a $26,750 median debt. University Of South Alabama admits about 71% of applicants.
Grambling State University landed the #11 spot for parks, recreation & leisure studies value this year. Located in the town of Grambling, Grambling State University is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $7,683 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $16,706. Students borrow a median of $41,750 to complete the parks, recreation & leisure studies program here. Early-career parks, recreation & leisure studies graduates make about $19,830. That is a strong return on a $41,750 median debt. Roughly 45% of applicants are accepted.
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Notes and References
The ranking above is published by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 edition. The methodology weighs the cost of a degree against the earnings graduates go on to achieve, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 11 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.
