2023 Best Parks, Recreation & Leisure Studies Colleges for Veterans in the Southeast Region
15
Ranked Colleges
568
Degrees Awarded
$24,100
Avg Cost*
Veterans have lots of options to chooose from today when trying to decide which college to attend. College Factual was founded, in part, to help students make the decision as to what would be the best school for them. Our “Most Veteran Friendly in the Southeast Region for Parks & Rec” ranking is part of that endeavor.
In 2020-2021, 3,106 people earned their degree in parks, recreation and leisure studies, making the major the 166th most popular in the United States. In 2019-2020, parks, recreation and leisure studies graduates who were awarded their degree in 2017-2019, earned an average of $31,801 and had an average of $23,333 in loans still to pay off.
Across the Southeast region, there were 568 parks, recreation and leisure studies graduates with average earnings and debt of $28,183 and $28,553 respectively.
This year’s “Most Veteran Friendly in the Southeast Region for Parks & Rec” ranking looked at 15 colleges that offer degrees in a bachelor’s in parks, recreation and leisure studies. This ranking identifies schools with high-quality parks, recreation and leisure studies programs as well as strong veteran support.
When determining these rankings, we looked at things such as overall quality of the parks, recreation and leisure studies program at the school, veteran affordability, and veteran satisfaction. See our ranking methodology to learn more.
One Size Does Not Fit All
Since picking the right college can be one of the most important decisions of your life, we’ve developed the “Most Veteran Friendly in the Southeast Region for Parks & Rec” ranking, along with many other major-related rankings, to help you make that decision.
We’ve created a tool called College Combat that lets you create your own customized comparisons 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.
Most Veteran Friendly in the Southeast Region for Parks & Rec
The following schools top our list of the Best “Most Veteran Friendly in the Southeast Region for Parks & Rec”.
Top 15 Best Parks, Recreation & Leisure Studies Colleges for Veterans in the Southeast Region
Out of the 15 schools in the Most Veteran Friendly in the Southeast Region for Parks & Rec that were part of this year’s ranking, University of Arkansas landed the #1 spot on the list. Located in Fayetteville, Arkansas, this large public school handed out 77 degrees to qualified ’s parks and rec students in 2020-2021.
UARK not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #[COLLEGE_QUALITY_RANK_ALL_LEVELS] on our “[COLLEGE_QUALITY_NAME_ALL_LEVELS]” list.According to our most recent data, University of Arkansas supports 27,562 students, and 11 of those are GI Bill® students, of which 11 are Post-9/11 GI Bill® recipients. The average Post-9/11 GI Bill® award for tuition and fees at the school was $4,975. To help with additional expenses, 0 students qualified for the Yellow Ribbon Program. Students may be able to receive credit for their military training, depending on their background.
The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is [DEFAULT_RATE_STRING]%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 85%.
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Out of the 15 schools in the Most Veteran Friendly in the Southeast Region for Parks & Rec that were part of this year’s ranking, East Carolina University landed the #2 spot on the list. East Carolina University is a large public school situated in Greenville, North Carolina. It awarded 37 ’s parks and rec degrees in 2020-2021.
In addition to being on our southeast region vets studying parks & rec list, ECU has also earned the #[COLLEGE_QUALITY_RANK_ALL_LEVELS] rank in our “[COLLEGE_QUALITY_NAME_ALL_LEVELS]” ranking.According to our most recent data, ECU supports 28,798 students, and 8 of those are GI Bill® students, of which 4 are Post-9/11 GI Bill® recipients. The average Post-9/11 GI Bill® award for tuition and fees at the school was $11,409. During this same period, 0 students received funds through the Yellow Ribbon Program. Eligible students may be able to receive credit for their military training.
[Read full report on veteran student life at ECU]](/colleges/east-carolina-university/student-life/veterans/)
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 #3 for the Most Veteran Friendly in the Southeast Region for Parks & Rec. This fairly large school is located in Greensboro, North Carolina, and it awarded 64 ’s parks and rec degrees in 2020-2021.
UNC Greensboro also took the #[COLLEGE_QUALITY_RANK_ALL_LEVELS] spot in our “[COLLEGE_QUALITY_NAME_ALL_LEVELS]” ranking.Our most recent data shows that 885 of the 19,764 students enrolled at University of North Carolina at Greensboro were GI Bill® students, of which 329 were Post-9/11 GI Bill® recipients. The average Post-9/11 GI Bill® award for tuition and fees at the school was $5,723. To help with additional expenses, 14 students qualified for the Yellow Ribbon Program. University of North Carolina at Greensboro does offer credit for military training for eligible students.
[Read full report on veteran student life at UNC Greensboro]](/colleges/university-of-north-carolina-at-greensboro/student-life/veterans/)
You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend University of Southern Mississippi. It ranked #4 on our 2023 Most Veteran Friendly in the Southeast Region for Parks & Rec list. Southern Miss is a fairly large public school situated in Hattiesburg, Mississippi. It awarded 14 ’s parks and rec degrees in 2020-2021.
As a testament to the quality of education offered at Southern Miss, the school also landed the #[COLLEGE_QUALITY_RANK_ALL_LEVELS] spot in our “[COLLEGE_QUALITY_NAME_ALL_LEVELS]” ranking.Our most recent data shows that 351 of the 14,606 students enrolled at Southern Miss were GI Bill® students, of which 226 were Post-9/11 GI Bill® recipients. The average tuition and fees award for the Post-9/11 GI Bill® recipients was $3,605. During this same period, 0 students received scholarships through the Yellow Ribbon Program. Eligible students may be able to receive credit for their military training.
[Read full report on veteran student life at University of Southern Mississippi]](/colleges/university-of-southern-mississippi/student-life/veterans/)
You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Georgia Southern University. It ranked #5 on our 2023 Most Veteran Friendly in the Southeast Region for Parks & Rec list. Located in Statesboro, Georgia, this large public school awarded 51 diplomas to qualified ’s parks and rec students in 2020-2021.
GaSou did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #[COLLEGE_QUALITY_RANK_ALL_LEVELS] on our “[COLLEGE_QUALITY_NAME_ALL_LEVELS]” list.Our most recent data shows that 1,102 of the 26,949 students enrolled at GaSou were GI Bill® students, of which 406 were Post-9/11 GI Bill® recipients. The average tuition and fees award for the Post-9/11 GI Bill® recipients was $3,665. On top of their other funding sources, 0 students received scholarships through the Yellow Ribbon Program. GaSou offers credit for military training for eligible students.
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Radford University came in at #6 in this year’s edition of the Most Veteran Friendly in the Southeast Region for Parks & Rec ranking. This medium-sized school is located in Radford, Virginia, and it awarded 41 ’s parks and rec degrees in 2020-2021.
Radford not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #[COLLEGE_QUALITY_RANK_ALL_LEVELS] on our “[COLLEGE_QUALITY_NAME_ALL_LEVELS]” list.Among the 10,695 students enrolled at Radford, 460 are GI Bill® students, according to our most recent data. Out of that number, 225 were Post-9/11 GI Bill® recipients. The average tuition and fees award for the Post-9/11 GI Bill® recipients was $8,142. In addition to receiving other benefits, 0 students received scholarships through the Yellow Ribbon Program. Students may be able to receive credit for their military training, depending on their background.
Full Radford University Veteran Student Life Report
University of South Alabama did quite well in the 2023 Most Veteran Friendly in the Southeast Region for Parks & Rec ranking, coming in at #7. University of South Alabama is located in Mobile, Alabama and, has a fairly large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 31 ’s parks and rec degrees to qualified students.
USA also made our “[COLLEGE_QUALITY_NAME_ALL_LEVELS]” list, coming in at #[COLLEGE_QUALITY_RANK_ALL_LEVELS].Among the 14,224 students enrolled at University of South Alabama, 868 are GI Bill® students, according to our most recent data. Out of that number, 411 were Post-9/11 GI Bill® recipients. The average Post-9/11 GI Bill® award for tuition and fees at the school was $7,549. In addition to receiving other benefits, 11 students received scholarships through the Yellow Ribbon Program. Eligible students may be able to receive credit for their military training.
[Read full report on veteran student life at USA]](/colleges/university-of-south-alabama/student-life/veterans/)
Jacksonville State University came in at #8 in this year’s edition of the Most Veteran Friendly in the Southeast Region for Parks & Rec ranking. Jacksonville State University is a public institution located in Jacksonville, Alabama. The school has a medium-sized population, and it awarded 34 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.
Jacksonville State University not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #[COLLEGE_QUALITY_RANK_ALL_LEVELS] on our “[COLLEGE_QUALITY_NAME_ALL_LEVELS]” list.Among the 9,238 students enrolled at Jacksonville State University, 371 are GI Bill® students, according to our most recent data. Out of that number, 125 were Post-9/11 GI Bill® recipients. The average tuition and fees award for the Post-9/11 GI Bill® recipients was $4,159. To help with additional expenses, 0 students qualified for the Yellow Ribbon Program. Eligible students may be able to receive credit for their military training.
[Read full report on veteran student life at Jacksonville State University]](/colleges/jacksonville-state-university/student-life/veterans/)
Shepherd University did quite well in the 2023 Most Veteran Friendly in the Southeast Region for Parks & Rec ranking, coming in at #9. Shepherd University is a small public school situated in Shepherdstown, West Virginia. It awarded 27 ’s parks and rec degrees in 2020-2021.
Shepherd University also took the #[COLLEGE_QUALITY_RANK_ALL_LEVELS] spot in our “[COLLEGE_QUALITY_NAME_ALL_LEVELS]” ranking.According to our most recent data, Shepherd University supports 3,159 students, and 152 of those are GI Bill® students, of which 78 are Post-9/11 GI Bill® recipients. The average Post-9/11 GI Bill® award for tuition and fees at the school was $6,177. In addition to receiving other benefits, 20 students received scholarships through the Yellow Ribbon Program. Shepherd University offers credit for military training for eligible students.
[Read full report on veteran student life at Shepherd University]](/colleges/shepherd-university/student-life/veterans/)
Newberry College landed the #10 spot on the 2023 Most Veteran Friendly in the Southeast Region for Parks & Rec ranking. This small school is located in Newberry, South Carolina, and it awarded 6 ’s parks and rec degrees in 2020-2021.
Newberry College also made our “[COLLEGE_QUALITY_NAME_ALL_LEVELS]” list, coming in at #[COLLEGE_QUALITY_RANK_ALL_LEVELS].Our most recent data shows that 49 of the 1,256 students enrolled at Newberry College were GI Bill® students, of which 23 were Post-9/11 GI Bill® recipients. The average Post-9/11 GI Bill® award for tuition and fees at the school was $18,610. During this same period, 9 students received funds through the Yellow Ribbon Program. Newberry College offers credit for military training for eligible students.
[Read full report on veteran student life at Newberry College]](/colleges/newberry-college/student-life/veterans/)
With a ranking of #11, Georgia College & State University did quite well on the 2023 Most Veteran Friendly in the Southeast Region for Parks & Rec list. Georgia College is a public institution located in Milledgeville, Georgia. The school has a medium-sized population, and it awarded 7 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.
Georgia College not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #[COLLEGE_QUALITY_RANK_ALL_LEVELS] on our “[COLLEGE_QUALITY_NAME_ALL_LEVELS]” list.Among the 6,873 students enrolled at Georgia College & State University, 125 are GI Bill® students, according to our most recent data. Out of that number, 57 were Post-9/11 GI Bill® recipients. The average Post-9/11 GI Bill® award for tuition and fees at the school was $4,100. In addition to receiving other benefits, 0 students received funds through the Yellow Ribbon Program. Georgia College & State University does offer credit for military training for eligible students.
The low undergrad student loan default rate of [DEFAULT_RATE_STRING]% 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 Georgia College & State University Veteran Student Life Report
Grambling State University did quite well in the 2023 Most Veteran Friendly in the Southeast Region for Parks & Rec ranking, coming in at #12. Grambling, Louisiana is the setting for this medium-sized institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s parks and rec degrees to 25 students in 2020-2021.
GSU also took the #[COLLEGE_QUALITY_RANK_ALL_LEVELS] spot in our “[COLLEGE_QUALITY_NAME_ALL_LEVELS]” ranking.According to our most recent data, Grambling State University supports 5,438 students, and 189 of those are GI Bill® students, of which 31 are Post-9/11 GI Bill® recipients. The average Post-9/11 GI Bill® award for tuition and fees at the school was $4,974. To help with additional expenses, 0 students qualified for the Yellow Ribbon Program. Grambling State University does offer credit for military training for eligible students.
[Read full report on veteran student life at Grambling State University]](/colleges/grambling-state-university/student-life/veterans/)
North Greenville University landed the #13 spot on the 2023 Most Veteran Friendly in the Southeast Region for Parks & Rec ranking. Located in Tigerville, South Carolina, this small private not-for-profit school awarded 7 diplomas to qualified ’s parks and rec students in 2020-2021.
North Greenville also took the #[COLLEGE_QUALITY_RANK_ALL_LEVELS] spot in our “[COLLEGE_QUALITY_NAME_ALL_LEVELS]” ranking.Among the 2,280 students enrolled at North Greenville University, 70 are GI Bill® students, according to our most recent data. Out of that number, 40 were Post-9/11 GI Bill® recipients. The average Post-9/11 GI Bill® award for tuition and fees at the school was $11,696. In addition to receiving other benefits, 1 students qualified for the Yellow Ribbon Program. Students may be able to receive credit for their military training, depending on their background.
The low undergrad student loan default rate of [DEFAULT_RATE_STRING]% 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 veteran student life at North Greenville]](/colleges/north-greenville-university/student-life/veterans/)
With a ranking of #14, Shaw University did quite well on the 2023 Most Veteran Friendly in the Southeast Region for Parks & Rec list. Shaw University is a small school located in Raleigh, North Carolina that handed out 6 ’s parks and rec degrees in 2020-2021.
Shaw University also made our “[COLLEGE_QUALITY_NAME_ALL_LEVELS]” list, coming in at #[COLLEGE_QUALITY_RANK_ALL_LEVELS].According to our most recent data, Shaw University supports 1,283 students, and 71 of those are GI Bill® students, of which 22 are Post-9/11 GI Bill® recipients. The average tuition and fees award for the Post-9/11 GI Bill® recipients was $10,999. To help with additional expenses, 0 students received funds through the Yellow Ribbon Program. Shaw University does offer credit for military training for eligible students.
Full Shaw University Veteran Student Life Report
University of Mount Olive landed the #15 spot on the 2023 Most Veteran Friendly in the Southeast Region for Parks & Rec ranking. University of Mount Olive is a small private not-for-profit school situated in Mount Olive, North Carolina. It awarded 9 ’s parks and rec degrees in 2020-2021.
As a testament to the quality of education offered at UMO, the school also landed the #[COLLEGE_QUALITY_RANK_ALL_LEVELS] spot in our “[COLLEGE_QUALITY_NAME_ALL_LEVELS]” ranking.Our most recent data shows that 267 of the 2,536 students enrolled at University of Mount Olive were GI Bill® students, of which 180 were Post-9/11 GI Bill® recipients. The average tuition and fees award for the Post-9/11 GI Bill® recipients was $7,106. To help with additional expenses, 0 students received scholarships through the Yellow Ribbon Program. Eligible students may be able to receive credit for their military training.
Full University of Mount Olive Veteran Student Life Report
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