2023 Best Value Colleges for Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies (Income $0-$30k) in the Southeast Region
142
Ranked Colleges
19,760
Degrees Awarded
$8,200
Avg Net Price*
With all of the options students have for higher education today, it can be tough to choose which direction to take. One of our goals at College Factual is to give you as much information as we can - such as our “Best Value Parks & Rec Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $0-$30k” ranking - to help you make that decision.
Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies is the 15th most popular major in the country with 73,813 degrees awarded in 2020-2021. In 2019-2020, parks, recreation, leisure, and fitness studies graduates who were awarded their degree in 2017-2019, earned an average of $31,423 and had an average of $24,388 in loans still to pay off.
Across the Southeast region, there were 19,760 parks, recreation, leisure, and fitness studies graduates with average earnings and debt of $30,102 and $25,352 respectively.
For this year’s “Best Value Parks & Rec Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $0-$30k” ranking, we looked at 142 colleges that offer a degree in parks, recreation, leisure, and fitness studies. This ranking identifies schools with high-quality parks, recreation, leisure, and fitness studies programs that also have a lower cost than schools of similar quality.
When determining these rankings, we looked at things such as overall quality of the parks, recreation, leisure, and fitness studies program at the school and the cost to attend the school once aid has been awarded. For more information, check out our ranking methodology.
One Size Does Not Fit All
The parks & rec school you choose to invest your time and money in matters. To help you make the decision that is right for you, we’ve developed a number of major-specific rankings, including this list of “Best Value Parks & Rec Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $0-$30k”.
In addition to our rankings, you can take two colleges and compare them based on the criteria that matters most to you in our unique tool, College Combat. If you’re torn between two schools, you can use it to help you see how they stack up against one another. Bookmark it so you can compare any new schools that might interest you.
Best Value Parks & Rec Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $0-$30k
The following schools top our list of the Best Best Value Parks & Rec Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $0-$30k.
Top 25 Best Value Colleges for Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies (Income $0-$30k) in the Southeast Region
You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend University of Florida. It ranked #1 on our 2023 Best Value Parks & Rec Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. University of Florida is a large school located in Gainesville, Florida that handed out 306 ’s parks and rec degrees in 2020-2021.
UF also made our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Schools in the Southeast Region” list, coming in at #4. It costs about $65 for southeast region parks & rec students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend University of Florida.
The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 1.7%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%. With a freshman retention rate of 97%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.
Full UF Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Report
Out of the 142 schools in the Best Value Parks & Rec Schools 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. UNC Chapel Hill is located in Chapel Hill, North Carolina and, has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 401 ’s parks and rec degrees to qualified students.
UNC Chapel Hill also took the #6 spot in our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Schools in the Southeast Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for UNC Chapel Hill is $3,753 for Southeast Region Parks & Rec students whose families make $0-$30k.
The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 1.4%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 95%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.
Full University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Report
Out of the 142 schools in the Best Value Parks & Rec Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $0-$30k that were part of this year’s ranking, William & Mary landed the #3 spot on the list. Williamsburg, Virginia is the setting for this medium-sized institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s parks and rec degrees to 125 students in 2020-2021.
William & Mary not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #14 on our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Schools in the Southeast Region” list. The yearly cost to attend William & Mary is $5,972 for southeast region parks & rec students whose families make $0-$30k.
The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 93%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. The low undergrad student loan default rate of 0.7% 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 William & Mary Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Report
Out of the 142 schools in the Best Value Parks & Rec Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $0-$30k that were part of this year’s ranking, University of Georgia landed the #4 spot on the list. University of Georgia is a large school located in Athens, Georgia that handed out 303 ’s parks and rec degrees in 2020-2021.
UGA also took the #7 spot in our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Schools in the Southeast Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend UGA is $8,303 for southeast region parks & rec students whose families make $0-$30k.
With a freshman retention rate of 94%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 1.9%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.
Read more about Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies at UGA
Out of the 142 schools in the Best Value Parks & Rec Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $0-$30k that were part of this year’s ranking, Florida International University landed the #5 spot on the list. FIU is a public institution located in Miami, Florida. The school has a large population, and it awarded 274 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.
As a testament to the quality of education offered at FIU, the school also landed the #16 spot in our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Schools in the Southeast Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend FIU is $3,196 for southeast region parks & rec students whose families make $0-$30k.
The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 91%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 4.4%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.
Read more about Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies at FIU
Citadel Military College of South Carolina came in at #6 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Parks & Rec Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. The Citadel is a small school located in Charleston, South Carolina that handed out 58 ’s parks and rec degrees in 2020-2021.
The Citadel also took the #10 spot in our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Schools in the Southeast Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Citadel Military College of South Carolina is $7,451 for southeast region parks & rec students whose families make $0-$30k.
The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 3.1%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 87%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.
Read more about Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies at Citadel Military College of South Carolina
American Public University System ranked #7 on this year’s Best Value Parks & Rec Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. American Public University System is a private for-profit institution located in Charles Town, West Virginia. The school has a large population, and it awarded 683 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.
In addition to being on our southeast region parks & rec students whose families make $0-$30k list, American Military University has also earned the #3 rank in our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Schools in the Southeast Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend American Public University System is $9,660 for southeast region parks & rec students whose families make $0-$30k.
With a freshman retention rate of 98%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.
Full American Public University System Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Report
With a ranking of #8, Wake Forest University did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Parks & Rec Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. Located in Winston-Salem, North Carolina, this medium-sized private not-for-profit school handed out 69 diplomas to qualified ’s parks and rec students in 2020-2021.
Wake Forest University not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #21 on our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Schools in the Southeast Region” list. The estimated yearly cost for Wake Forest University is $10,401 for Southeast Region Parks & Rec students whose families make $0-$30k.
The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 95%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 0.6%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.
Full Wake Forest University Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Report
Florida State University came in at #9 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Parks & Rec Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. This large school is located in Tallahassee, Florida, and it awarded 219 ’s parks and rec degrees in 2020-2021.
In addition to being on our southeast region parks & rec students whose families make $0-$30k list, Florida State has also earned the #19 rank in our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Schools in the Southeast Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Florida State is $4,950 for southeast region parks & rec students whose families make $0-$30k.
The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 2.8%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 95%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.
Read more about Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies at Florida State
Emory University ranked #10 on this year’s Best Value Parks & Rec Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. Located in Atlanta, Georgia, this fairly large private not-for-profit school handed out 91 diplomas to qualified ’s parks and rec students in 2020-2021.
Emory also made our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Schools in the Southeast Region” list, coming in at #1. The yearly cost to attend Emory University is $8,538 for Southeast Region Parks & Rec students whose families make $0-$30k.
The impressive undergraduate student-to-faculty ratio of 9 to 1 means that students may have more opportunities to work more closely with their professors than they would at other schools. The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 1.4%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 93%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.
Full Emory University Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Report
North Carolina State University landed the #11 spot on the 2023 Best Value Parks & Rec Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Located in Raleigh, North Carolina, this large public school awarded 193 diplomas to qualified ’s parks and rec students in 2020-2021.
As a testament to the quality of education offered at NC State, the school also landed the #12 spot in our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Schools in the Southeast Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for North Carolina State University is $7,283 for southeast region parks & rec students whose families make $0-$30k.
The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 2.0%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 94%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.
Read more about Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies at North Carolina State University
University of Virginia - Main Campus ranked #12 on this year’s Best Value Parks & Rec Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. University of Virginia is located in Charlottesville, Virginia and, has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 117 ’s parks and rec degrees to qualified students.
In addition to being on our southeast region parks & rec students whose families make $0-$30k list, University of Virginia has also earned the #9 rank in our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Schools in the Southeast Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend University of Virginia - Main Campus is $12,476 for Southeast Region Parks & Rec students whose families make $0-$30k.
Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 97%. The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 0.7%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.
Full University of Virginia - Main Campus Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Report
The University of West Florida came in at #13 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Parks & Rec Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. The University of West Florida is located in Pensacola, Florida and, has a fairly large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 147 ’s parks and rec degrees to qualified students.
It costs about $4,288 for southeast region parks & rec students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend UWF.
Read more about Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies at The University of West Florida
With a ranking of #14, University of South Florida - Main Campus did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Parks & Rec Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. Located in Tampa, Florida, this large public school handed out 53 diplomas to qualified ’s parks and rec students in 2020-2021.
The estimated yearly cost for USF Tampa is $4,176 for Southeast Region Parks & Rec students whose families make $0-$30k.
Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 92%. The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 3.3%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.
Read full report on Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies at USF Tampa
The University of Tennessee - Knoxville came in at #15 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Parks & Rec Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. UT Knoxville is a public institution located in Knoxville, Tennessee. The school has a large population, and it awarded 414 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.
In addition to being on our southeast region parks & rec students whose families make $0-$30k list, UT Knoxville has also earned the #8 rank in our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Schools in the Southeast Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for UT Knoxville is $10,433 for Southeast Region Parks & Rec students whose families make $0-$30k.
With a freshman retention rate of 89%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. The low undergrad student loan default rate of 3.1% 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 Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies at The University of Tennessee - Knoxville
Clemson University landed the #16 spot on the 2023 Best Value Parks & Rec Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Located in Clemson, South Carolina, this large public school handed out 227 degrees to qualified ’s parks and rec students in 2020-2021.
As a testament to the quality of education offered at Clemson, the school also landed the #2 spot in our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Schools in the Southeast Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Clemson University is $13,744 for Southeast Region Parks & Rec students whose families make $0-$30k.
Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 94%. The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 1.7%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.
Read more about Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies at Clemson University
With a ranking of #17, University of Mississippi did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Parks & Rec Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. Ole Miss is located in University, Mississippi and, has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 232 ’s parks and rec degrees to qualified students.
Ole Miss not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #22 on our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Schools in the Southeast Region” list. It costs about $7,764 for southeast region parks & rec students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend Ole Miss.
Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 86%.
Full Ole Miss Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Report
University of South Carolina - Columbia landed the #18 spot on the 2023 Best Value Parks & Rec Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. UofSC is a large public school situated in Columbia, South Carolina. It awarded 275 ’s parks and rec degrees in 2020-2021.
UofSC did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #11 on our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Schools in the Southeast Region” list. The yearly cost to attend University of South Carolina - Columbia is $12,130 for Southeast Region Parks & Rec students whose families make $0-$30k.
The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 3.1%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 90%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.
Full UofSC Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Report
James Madison University did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Parks & Rec Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #19. Located in Harrisonburg, Virginia, this large public school handed out 326 diplomas to qualified ’s parks and rec students in 2020-2021.
JMU also took the #5 spot in our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Schools in the Southeast Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend James Madison University is $14,288 for Southeast Region Parks & Rec students whose families make $0-$30k.
The low undergrad student loan default rate of 2.0% 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%. With a freshman retention rate of 89%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.
Full James Madison University Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Report
Florida Atlantic University landed the #20 spot on the 2023 Best Value Parks & Rec Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. FAU is located in Boca Raton, Florida and, has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 189 ’s parks and rec degrees to qualified students.
The estimated yearly cost for Florida Atlantic University is $6,726 for Southeast Region Parks & Rec students whose families make $0-$30k.
The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 4.4%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.
Read full report on Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies at FAU
West Virginia University came in at #21 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Parks & Rec Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. This large school is located in Morgantown, West Virginia, and it awarded 261 ’s parks and rec degrees in 2020-2021.
WVU did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #25 on our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Schools in the Southeast Region” list. It costs about $10,014 for Southeast Region Parks & Rec students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend West Virginia University.
Full WVU Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Report
Appalachian State University came in at #22 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Parks & Rec Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Appalachian State University is a large public school situated in Boone, North Carolina. It awarded 308 ’s parks and rec degrees in 2020-2021.
The estimated yearly cost for Appalachian State University is $7,354 for southeast region parks & rec students whose families make $0-$30k.
Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 86%. The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 3.6%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.
Read more about Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies at Appalachian State University
Middle Tennessee State University did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Parks & Rec Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #23. Middle Tennessee State University is located in Murfreesboro, Tennessee and, has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 212 ’s parks and rec degrees to qualified students.
It costs about $8,763 for southeast region parks & rec students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend Middle Tennessee State University.
Read more about Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies at Middle Tennessee State University
Louisiana State University and Agricultural & Mechanical College came in at #24 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Parks & Rec Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Louisiana State University is a public institution located in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. The school has a large population, and it awarded 178 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.
The yearly cost to attend Louisiana State University is $11,318 for southeast region parks & rec students whose families make $0-$30k.
With a freshman retention rate of 86%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. The low undergrad student loan default rate of 4.0% 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 more about Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies at Louisiana State University and Agricultural & Mechanical College
University of Arkansas landed the #25 spot on the 2023 Best Value Parks & Rec Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Located in Fayetteville, Arkansas, this large public school handed out 296 diplomas to qualified ’s parks and rec students in 2020-2021.
In addition to being on our southeast region parks & rec students whose families make $0-$30k list, UARK has also earned the #15 rank in our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Schools in the Southeast Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend University of Arkansas is $12,003 for southeast region parks & rec students whose families make $0-$30k.
Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 85%. The low undergrad student loan default rate of 4.1% 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 more about Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies at UARK
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