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2022 Best Value Parks & Rec Schools for a Master’s in the Southeast Region For Those Making $0-$30k

89 Ranked Colleges
2,885 Degrees Awarded
$24,600 Avg Grad Tuition & Fees*
Best Value Parks & Rec Schools for a Master's in the Southeast Region For Those Making $0-$30k

When it comes to choosing a college, students have a lot of options - but not all of them are good. College Factual has developed its “Best Value Parks & Rec Schools for a Master’s in the Southeast Region For Those Making $0-$30k” ranking as one item you can use to help make this decision.

Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies is the 15th most popular major in the country with 72,122 degrees awarded in 2019-2020. In 2017-2018, parks, recreation, leisure, and fitness studies graduates who were awarded their degree in 2015-2017, earned an average of $29,823 and had an average of $24,576 in loans still to pay off.

Across the Southeast region, there were 19,063 parks, recreation, leisure, and fitness studies graduates with average earnings and debt of $28,950 and $25,504 respectively. At the master’s degree level specifically, there were 2,885 parks, recreation, leisure, and fitness studies graduates with average earnings and debt of $53,950 and $43,286 respectively.

This year’s “Best Value Parks & Rec Schools for a Master’s in the Southeast Region For Those Making $0-$30k” ranking looked at 89 colleges that offer degrees in a bachelor’s in parks, recreation, leisure, and fitness studies. The schools that top this list are recognized because they have great parks, recreation, leisure, and fitness studies programs and cost less that schools of similar quality.

Some of the factors we look at when determining these rankings are overall quality of the parks, recreation, leisure, and fitness studies program at the school and the cost of the school after aid is awarded among other things. Check out our ranking methodology for more information.

More Ways to Rank Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Schools

Since the program you select can have a significant impact on your future, we’ve developed a number of rankings, including this “Best Value Parks & Rec Schools for a Master’s in the Southeast Region For Those Making $0-$30k” list, to help you choose the best school for you.

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 when you get a chance! You may also want to bookmark the link and share it with others who are trying to make the college decision.

Best Value Parks & Rec Schools for a Master’s in the Southeast Region For Those Making $0-$30k

The colleges and universities below are the best for southeast region master’s degree parks & rec students whose families make $0-$30k.

Top 25 Best Value Master’s Degree Colleges for Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies (Income $0-$30k) in the Southeast Region

#1

University of Florida

Gainesville, Florida
#2 in overall quality

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend University of Florida. It ranked #1 on our 2022 Best Value Parks & Rec Schools for a Master’s in the Southeast Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. UF is a large public school situated in Gainesville, Florida. It awarded 67 masters’s parks and rec degrees in 2019-2020.

UF not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #2 on our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Master’s Degree Schools in the Southeast Region” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at UF are $30,130, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Full University of Florida Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Report

#2

University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

Chapel Hill, North Carolina
#7 in overall quality

Out of the 89 schools in the Best Value Parks & Rec Schools for a Master’s in the Southeast Region For Those Making $0-$30k that were part of this year’s ranking, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill landed the #2 spot on the list. This large school is located in Chapel Hill, North Carolina, and it awarded 37 masters’s parks and rec degrees in 2019-2020.

UNC Chapel Hill also took the #7 spot in our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Master’s Degree Schools in the Southeast Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at UNC Chapel Hill are $30,248, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Full UNC Chapel Hill Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Report

#3

North Carolina State University

Raleigh, North Carolina
#1 in overall quality

Out of the 89 schools in the Best Value Parks & Rec Schools for a Master’s in the Southeast Region For Those Making $0-$30k that were part of this year’s ranking, North Carolina State University landed the #3 spot on the list. NC State is a large public school situated in Raleigh, North Carolina. It awarded 37 masters’s parks and rec degrees in 2019-2020.

NC State did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #1 on our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Master’s Degree Schools in the Southeast Region” list. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at North Carolina State University are $28,999.

Full North Carolina State University Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Report

#22 in overall quality

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend University of South Florida - Main Campus. It ranked #4 on our 2022 Best Value Parks & Rec Schools for a Master’s in the Southeast Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. University of South Florida - Main Campus is located in Tampa, Florida and, has a large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 56 masters’s parks and rec degrees to qualified students.

USF Tampa not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #22 on our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Master’s Degree Schools in the Southeast Region” list. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at University of South Florida - Main Campus are $21,126.

Read full report on Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies at USF Tampa

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Florida International University. It ranked #5 on our 2022 Best Value Parks & Rec Schools for a Master’s in the Southeast Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. Miami, Florida is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out masters’s parks and rec degrees to 24 students in 2019-2020.

Average graduate tuition and fees at FIU are $24,211, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Full FIU Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Report

#6

Florida State University

Tallahassee, Florida
#13 in overall quality

Florida State University came in at #6 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Parks & Rec Schools for a Master’s in the Southeast Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. This large school is located in Tallahassee, Florida, and it awarded 61 masters’s parks and rec degrees in 2019-2020.

Florida State also took the #13 spot in our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Master’s Degree Schools in the Southeast Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at Florida State are $26,707, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read more about Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies at Florida State University

University of Central Florida ranked #7 on this year’s Best Value Parks & Rec Schools for a Master’s in the Southeast Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. UCF is located in Orlando, Florida and, has a large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 27 masters’s parks and rec degrees to qualified students.

Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at University of Central Florida are $28,657.

Full UCF Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Report

#8

University of Georgia

Athens, Georgia
#4 in overall quality

University of Georgia ranked #8 on this year’s Best Value Parks & Rec Schools for a Master’s in the Southeast Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. University of Georgia is located in Athens, Georgia and, has a large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 41 masters’s parks and rec degrees to qualified students.

In addition to being on our southeast region master’s degree parks & rec students whose families make $0-$30k list, UGA has also earned the #4 rank in our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Master’s Degree Schools in the Southeast Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at UGA are $27,476, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read more about Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies at UGA

#9

The University of West Florida

Pensacola, Florida

With a ranking of #9, The University of West Florida did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Parks & Rec Schools for a Master’s in the Southeast Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. Located in Pensacola, Florida, this fairly large public school awarded 17 degrees to qualified masters’s parks and rec students in 2019-2020.

Average graduate tuition and fees at UWF are $24,894, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read full report on Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies at UWF

#10

American Public University System

Charles Town, West Virginia
#5 in overall quality

With a ranking of #10, American Public University System did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Parks & Rec Schools for a Master’s in the Southeast Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. Charles Town, West Virginia is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The private for-profit school handed out masters’s parks and rec degrees to 143 students in 2019-2020.

American Military University not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #5 on our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Master’s Degree Schools in the Southeast Region” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at American Military University are $7,050, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read full report on Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies at American Military University

#11

Citadel Military College of South Carolina

Charleston, South Carolina
#12 in overall quality

Citadel Military College of South Carolina did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Parks & Rec Schools for a Master’s in the Southeast Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #11. The Citadel is a small public school situated in Charleston, South Carolina. It awarded 19 masters’s parks and rec degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at The Citadel, the school also landed the #12 spot in our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Master’s Degree Schools in the Southeast Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at Citadel Military College of South Carolina are $18,540, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Full The Citadel Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Report

#12

Appalachian State University

Boone, North Carolina

Appalachian State University ranked #12 on this year’s Best Value Parks & Rec Schools for a Master’s in the Southeast Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. Appalachian State University is a large public school situated in Boone, North Carolina. It awarded 26 masters’s parks and rec degrees in 2019-2020.

Average graduate tuition and fees at Appalachian State University are $21,439, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read full report on Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies at Appalachian State University

#13

University of Virginia - Main Campus

Charlottesville, Virginia
#11 in overall quality

University of Virginia - Main Campus did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Parks & Rec Schools for a Master’s in the Southeast Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #13. University of Virginia is a large public school situated in Charlottesville, Virginia. It awarded 22 masters’s parks and rec degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our southeast region master’s degree parks & rec students whose families make $0-$30k list, University of Virginia has also earned the #11 rank in our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Master’s Degree Schools in the Southeast Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at University of Virginia - Main Campus are $32,394, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read more about Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies at University of Virginia - Main Campus

#14

Wake Forest University

Winston-Salem, North Carolina
#16 in overall quality

Wake Forest University ranked #14 on this year’s Best Value Parks & Rec Schools for a Master’s in the Southeast Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. Located in Winston-Salem, North Carolina, this medium-sized private not-for-profit school awarded 7 diplomas to qualified masters’s parks and rec students in 2019-2020.

Wake Forest University not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #16 on our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Master’s Degree Schools in the Southeast Region” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at Wake Forest University are $39,216, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read more about Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies at Wake Forest University

#9 in overall quality

The University of Tennessee - Knoxville landed the #15 spot on the 2022 Best Value Parks & Rec Schools for a Master’s in the Southeast Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Knoxville, Tennessee is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out masters’s parks and rec degrees to 57 students in 2019-2020.

UT Knoxville also made our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Master’s Degree Schools in the Southeast Region” list, coming in at #9. Average graduate tuition and fees at UT Knoxville are $31,798, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Full UT Knoxville Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Report

#16

University of Mississippi

University, Mississippi
#25 in overall quality

University of Mississippi ranked #16 on this year’s Best Value Parks & Rec Schools for a Master’s in the Southeast Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. University, Mississippi is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out masters’s parks and rec degrees to 11 students in 2019-2020.

Ole Miss did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #25 on our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Master’s Degree Schools in the Southeast Region” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at Ole Miss are $25,099, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read more about Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies at Ole Miss

#17

Florida Atlantic University

Boca Raton, Florida

Florida Atlantic University ranked #17 on this year’s Best Value Parks & Rec Schools for a Master’s in the Southeast Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. FAU is a public institution located in Boca Raton, Florida. The school has a large population, and it awarded 27 masters’s degrees in 2019-2020.

Average graduate tuition and fees at Florida Atlantic University are $18,482, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read full report on Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies at FAU

#18

University of South Carolina - Columbia

Columbia, South Carolina
#15 in overall quality

University of South Carolina - Columbia ranked #18 on this year’s Best Value Parks & Rec Schools for a Master’s in the Southeast Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. UofSC is a public institution located in Columbia, South Carolina. The school has a large population, and it awarded 36 masters’s degrees in 2019-2020.

UofSC also made our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Master’s Degree Schools in the Southeast Region” list, coming in at #15. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at UofSC are $30,160.

Read full report on Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies at University of South Carolina - Columbia

#19

Middle Tennessee State University

Murfreesboro, Tennessee

With a ranking of #19, Middle Tennessee State University did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Parks & Rec Schools for a Master’s in the Southeast Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. Middle Tennessee State University is a public institution located in Murfreesboro, Tennessee. The school has a large population, and it awarded 29 masters’s degrees in 2019-2020.

Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at Middle Tennessee State University are $26,172.

Read more about Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies at Middle Tennessee State University

#20

McNeese State University

Lake Charles, Louisiana

McNeese State University landed the #20 spot on the 2022 Best Value Parks & Rec Schools for a Master’s in the Southeast Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Lake Charles, Louisiana is the setting for this medium-sized institution of higher learning. The public school handed out masters’s parks and rec degrees to 24 students in 2019-2020.

Average graduate tuition and fees at McNeese State University are $16,386, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Full McNeese State University Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Report

#21

University of North Carolina at Greensboro

Greensboro, North Carolina

University of North Carolina at Greensboro landed the #21 spot on the 2022 Best Value Parks & Rec Schools for a Master’s in the Southeast Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. UNC Greensboro is located in Greensboro, North Carolina and, has a fairly large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 31 masters’s parks and rec degrees to qualified students.

Average graduate tuition and fees at UNC Greensboro are $21,918, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read more about Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies at University of North Carolina at Greensboro

#22

Clemson University

Clemson, South Carolina
#6 in overall quality

Clemson University ranked #22 on this year’s Best Value Parks & Rec Schools for a Master’s in the Southeast Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. Clemson is a large public school situated in Clemson, South Carolina. It awarded 86 masters’s parks and rec degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Clemson, the school also landed the #6 spot in our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Master’s Degree Schools in the Southeast Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at Clemson are $23,246, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read more about Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies at Clemson

#23

Marshall University

Huntington, West Virginia

Marshall University came in at #23 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Parks & Rec Schools for a Master’s in the Southeast Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Marshall University is a public institution located in Huntington, West Virginia. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 11 masters’s degrees in 2019-2020.

Average graduate tuition and fees at Marshall University are $21,162, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read more about Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies at Marshall University

#24

Western Kentucky University

Bowling Green, Kentucky
#10 in overall quality

Western Kentucky University landed the #24 spot on the 2022 Best Value Parks & Rec Schools for a Master’s in the Southeast Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Western Kentucky University is a public institution located in Bowling Green, Kentucky. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 66 masters’s degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at WKU, the school also landed the #10 spot in our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Master’s Degree Schools in the Southeast Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at WKU are $18,340, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read full report on Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies at Western Kentucky University

#25

Western Carolina University

Cullowhee, North Carolina

Western Carolina University did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Parks & Rec Schools for a Master’s in the Southeast Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #25. This fairly large school is located in Cullowhee, North Carolina, and it awarded 24 masters’s parks and rec degrees in 2019-2020.

Average graduate tuition and fees at WCU are $17,821, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Full WCU Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Report

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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

Footnotes

  • *Average salary, average net price, and average tuition and fees 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.

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