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2022 Best Value Parks & Rec Schools for a Bachelor’s in North Carolina For Those Making $48-$75k

36 Ranked Colleges
3,100 Degrees Awarded
$25,727 Avg Salary
Best Value Parks & Rec Schools for a Bachelor's in North Carolina For Those Making $48-$75k

When it comes to choosing a college, students have a lot of options - but not all of them are good. Our mission at College Factual is to arm you with as much information as we can to help you make that decision. Our “Best Value Parks & Rec Schools for a Bachelor’s in North Carolina For Those Making $48-$75k” ranking is one tool we have developed to help in this regard.

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 North Carolina, there were 3,567 parks, recreation, leisure, and fitness studies graduates with average earnings and debt of $26,371 and $26,986 respectively. At the bachelor’s degree level specifically, there were 3,100 parks, recreation, leisure, and fitness studies graduates with average earnings and debt of $35,192 and $24,368 respectively.

This year’s “Best Value Parks & Rec Schools for a Bachelor’s in North Carolina For Those Making $48-$75k” ranking looked at 36 colleges that offer degrees in a bachelor’s 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.

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. See our ranking methodology to learn more.

One Size Does Not Fit All

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 Bachelor’s in North Carolina For Those Making $48-$75k” list, to help you choose the best school for you.

In addition to College Factual’s rankings, you may want to take a look at College Combat, our unique tool that lets you pit your favorite schools head-to-head and compare how they rate on factors that most interest you. When you have some time, check it out - you may want to bookmark the link so you don’t forget it.

Best Value Parks & Rec Schools for a Bachelor’s in North Carolina For Those Making $48-$75k

The following schools top our list of the Best Best Value Parks & Rec Schools for a Bachelor’s in North Carolina For Those Making $48-$75k.

Top 25 Best Value Bachelor’s Degree Colleges for Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies (Income $48-$75k) in North Carolina

#1

University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

Chapel Hill, North Carolina
#2 in overall quality

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. The school came in at #1 for the Best Value Parks & Rec Schools for a Bachelor’s in North Carolina For Those Making $48-$75k. University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill is located in Chapel Hill, North Carolina and, has a large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 346 bachelors’s parks and rec degrees to qualified students.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at UNC Chapel Hill, the school also landed the #2 spot in our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Bachelor’s Degree Schools in North Carolina” ranking. It costs about $11,060 for north carolina bachelor’s degree parks & rec students whose families make $48-$75k per year to attend University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.

The school has an impressive student loan default rate. It’s only 1.9%, 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 full report on Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies at UNC Chapel Hill

#2

Wake Forest University

Winston-Salem, North Carolina
#4 in overall quality

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Wake Forest University. The school came in at #2 for the Best Value Parks & Rec Schools for a Bachelor’s in North Carolina For Those Making $48-$75k. Winston-Salem, North Carolina is the setting for this medium-sized institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out bachelors’s parks and rec degrees to 70 students in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Wake Forest University, the school also landed the #4 spot in our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Bachelor’s Degree Schools in North Carolina” ranking. It costs about $12,004 for north carolina bachelor’s degree parks & rec students whose families make $48-$75k per year to attend Wake Forest University.

The low student loan default rate of 1.6% 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 95%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its students.

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

#3

North Carolina State University

Raleigh, North Carolina
#3 in overall quality

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend North Carolina State University. It ranked #3 on our 2022 Best Value Parks & Rec Schools for a Bachelor’s in North Carolina For Those Making $48-$75k list. Located in Raleigh, North Carolina, this large public school handed out 137 degrees to qualified bachelors’s parks and rec students in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at NC State, the school also landed the #3 spot in our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Bachelor’s Degree Schools in North Carolina” ranking. It costs about $15,084 for North Carolina Bachelor’s Degree Parks & Rec students whose families make $48-$75k per year to attend NC State.

The low student loan default rate of 2.9% 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 94%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its students.

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

#4

Elizabeth City State University

Elizabeth City, North Carolina
#22 in overall quality

Out of the 36 schools in the Best Value Parks & Rec Schools for a Bachelor’s in North Carolina For Those Making $48-$75k that were part of this year’s ranking, Elizabeth City State University landed the #4 spot on the list. Located in Elizabeth City, North Carolina, this small public school handed out 19 degrees to qualified bachelors’s parks and rec students in 2019-2020.

ECSU also took the #22 spot in our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Bachelor’s Degree Schools in North Carolina” ranking. The yearly cost to attend ECSU is $3,930 for north carolina bachelor’s degree parks & rec students whose families make $48-$75k.

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

#5

Appalachian State University

Boone, North Carolina
#7 in overall quality

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Appalachian State University. The school came in at #5 for the Best Value Parks & Rec Schools for a Bachelor’s in North Carolina For Those Making $48-$75k. Appalachian State University is a large school located in Boone, North Carolina that handed out 368 bachelors’s parks and rec degrees in 2019-2020.

Appalachian State also took the #7 spot in our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Bachelor’s Degree Schools in North Carolina” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Appalachian State is $13,827 for north carolina bachelor’s degree parks & rec students whose families make $48-$75k.

The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 86%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. The low student loan default rate of 3.9% 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 Appalachian State University

#6

University of North Carolina at Greensboro

Greensboro, North Carolina
#10 in overall quality

With a ranking of #6, University of North Carolina at Greensboro did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Parks & Rec Schools for a Bachelor’s in North Carolina For Those Making $48-$75k list. This fairly large school is located in Greensboro, North Carolina, and it awarded 215 bachelors’s parks and rec degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at UNC Greensboro, the school also landed the #10 spot in our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Bachelor’s Degree Schools in North Carolina” ranking. The yearly cost to attend University of North Carolina at Greensboro is $14,166 for north carolina bachelor’s degree parks & rec students whose families make $48-$75k.

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

#7

North Carolina A & T State University

Greensboro, North Carolina
#17 in overall quality

North Carolina A & T State University did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Parks & Rec Schools for a Bachelor’s in North Carolina For Those Making $48-$75k ranking, coming in at #7. NC A&T is a fairly large public school situated in Greensboro, North Carolina. It awarded 142 bachelors’s parks and rec degrees in 2019-2020.

NC A&T also made our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Bachelor’s Degree Schools in North Carolina” list, coming in at #17. It costs about $13,038 for north carolina bachelor’s degree parks & rec students whose families make $48-$75k per year to attend NC A&T.

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

#8

University of North Carolina at Wilmington

Wilmington, North Carolina
#5 in overall quality

University of North Carolina at Wilmington did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Parks & Rec Schools for a Bachelor’s in North Carolina For Those Making $48-$75k ranking, coming in at #8. Located in Wilmington, North Carolina, this fairly large public school handed out 229 diplomas to qualified bachelors’s parks and rec students in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our north carolina bachelor’s degree parks & rec students whose families make $48-$75k list, UNCW has also earned the #5 rank in our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Bachelor’s Degree Schools in North Carolina” ranking. It costs about $19,592 for North Carolina Bachelor’s Degree Parks & Rec students whose families make $48-$75k per year to attend University of North Carolina at Wilmington.

The school has an impressive student loan default rate. It’s only 3.9%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

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

#9

University of North Carolina at Pembroke

Pembroke, North Carolina
#20 in overall quality

University of North Carolina at Pembroke came in at #9 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Parks & Rec Schools for a Bachelor’s in North Carolina For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. UNC Pembroke is a medium-sized public school situated in Pembroke, North Carolina. It awarded 101 bachelors’s parks and rec degrees in 2019-2020.

UNC Pembroke also made our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Bachelor’s Degree Schools in North Carolina” list, coming in at #20. The estimated yearly cost for University of North Carolina at Pembroke is $11,423 for north carolina bachelor’s degree parks & rec students whose families make $48-$75k.

Read more about Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies at UNC Pembroke

#10

University of North Carolina at Charlotte

Charlotte, North Carolina
#8 in overall quality

University of North Carolina at Charlotte came in at #10 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Parks & Rec Schools for a Bachelor’s in North Carolina For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. UNC Charlotte is a large school located in Charlotte, North Carolina that handed out 190 bachelors’s parks and rec degrees in 2019-2020.

UNC Charlotte not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #8 on our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Bachelor’s Degree Schools in North Carolina” list. The yearly cost to attend UNC Charlotte is $16,299 for North Carolina Bachelor’s Degree Parks & Rec students whose families make $48-$75k.

The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 85%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.

Full University of North Carolina at Charlotte Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Report

#11

East Carolina University

Greenville, North Carolina
#9 in overall quality

East Carolina University did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Parks & Rec Schools for a Bachelor’s in North Carolina For Those Making $48-$75k ranking, coming in at #11. Located in Greenville, North Carolina, this large public school handed out 156 degrees to qualified bachelors’s parks and rec students in 2019-2020.

ECU also took the #9 spot in our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Bachelor’s Degree Schools in North Carolina” ranking. It costs about $15,784 for North Carolina Bachelor’s Degree Parks & Rec students whose families make $48-$75k per year to attend East Carolina University.

Read full report on Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies at East Carolina University

#12

Western Carolina University

Cullowhee, North Carolina
#16 in overall quality

With a ranking of #12, Western Carolina University did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Parks & Rec Schools for a Bachelor’s in North Carolina For Those Making $48-$75k list. Western Carolina University is a public institution located in Cullowhee, North Carolina. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 68 bachelors’s degrees in 2019-2020.

WCU also took the #16 spot in our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Bachelor’s Degree Schools in North Carolina” ranking. It costs about $14,063 for North Carolina Bachelor’s Degree Parks & Rec students whose families make $48-$75k per year to attend Western Carolina University.

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

#13

Winston - Salem State University

Winston-Salem, North Carolina
#23 in overall quality

With a ranking of #13, Winston - Salem State University did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Parks & Rec Schools for a Bachelor’s in North Carolina For Those Making $48-$75k list. Winston - Salem State University is a medium-sized school located in Winston-Salem, North Carolina that handed out 101 bachelors’s parks and rec degrees in 2019-2020.

WSSU also made our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Bachelor’s Degree Schools in North Carolina” list, coming in at #23. The yearly cost to attend WSSU is $15,422 for north carolina bachelor’s degree parks & rec students whose families make $48-$75k.

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

#14

Lenoir - Rhyne University

Hickory, North Carolina
#14 in overall quality

Lenoir - Rhyne University ranked #14 on this year’s Best Value Parks & Rec Schools for a Bachelor’s in North Carolina For Those Making $48-$75k list. Lenoir - Rhyne University is located in Hickory, North Carolina and, has a small student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 45 bachelors’s parks and rec degrees to qualified students.

Lenoir - Rhyne University also made our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Bachelor’s Degree Schools in North Carolina” list, coming in at #14. The yearly cost to attend Lenoir - Rhyne University is $18,056 for north carolina bachelor’s degree parks & rec students whose families make $48-$75k.

Full Lenoir - Rhyne University Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Report

#15

Greensboro College

Greensboro, North Carolina

Greensboro College ranked #15 on this year’s Best Value Parks & Rec Schools for a Bachelor’s in North Carolina For Those Making $48-$75k list. Greensboro College is a small private not-for-profit school situated in Greensboro, North Carolina. It awarded 30 bachelors’s parks and rec degrees in 2019-2020.

The yearly cost to attend Greensboro College is $16,367 for North Carolina Bachelor’s Degree Parks & Rec students whose families make $48-$75k.

Since the school has a student-to-faculty ratio of 8 to 1, those pursuing a degree will have more opportunities to interact with their professors.

Full Greensboro College Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Report

#16

Catawba College

Salisbury, North Carolina
#18 in overall quality

Catawba College did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Parks & Rec Schools for a Bachelor’s in North Carolina For Those Making $48-$75k ranking, coming in at #16. Salisbury, North Carolina is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out bachelors’s parks and rec degrees to 22 students in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Catawba, the school also landed the #18 spot in our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Bachelor’s Degree Schools in North Carolina” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Catawba College is $18,134 for North Carolina Bachelor’s Degree Parks & Rec students whose families make $48-$75k.

Read more about Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies at Catawba College

#17

University of Mount Olive

Mount Olive, North Carolina
#21 in overall quality

With a ranking of #17, University of Mount Olive did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Parks & Rec Schools for a Bachelor’s in North Carolina For Those Making $48-$75k list. Located in Mount Olive, North Carolina, this small private not-for-profit school handed out 35 degrees to qualified bachelors’s parks and rec students in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our north carolina bachelor’s degree parks & rec students whose families make $48-$75k list, UMO has also earned the #21 rank in our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Bachelor’s Degree Schools in North Carolina” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for UMO is $16,869 for North Carolina Bachelor’s Degree Parks & Rec students whose families make $48-$75k.

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

#18

Elon University

Elon, North Carolina
#1 in overall quality

Elon University did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Parks & Rec Schools for a Bachelor’s in North Carolina For Those Making $48-$75k ranking, coming in at #18. Elon University is a medium-sized school located in Elon, North Carolina that handed out 70 bachelors’s parks and rec degrees in 2019-2020.

Elon did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #1 on our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Bachelor’s Degree Schools in North Carolina” list. The yearly cost to attend Elon is $28,861 for north carolina bachelor’s degree parks & rec students whose families make $48-$75k.

The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 90%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. The school has an impressive student loan default rate. It’s only 1.2%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

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

#19

North Carolina Central University

Durham, North Carolina

With a ranking of #19, North Carolina Central University did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Parks & Rec Schools for a Bachelor’s in North Carolina For Those Making $48-$75k list. North Carolina Central University is a medium-sized school located in Durham, North Carolina that handed out 96 bachelors’s parks and rec degrees in 2019-2020.

It costs about $18,263 for North Carolina Bachelor’s Degree Parks & Rec students whose families make $48-$75k per year to attend North Carolina Central University.

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

#20

Johnson & Wales University - Charlotte

Charlotte, North Carolina
#6 in overall quality

Johnson & Wales University - Charlotte did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Parks & Rec Schools for a Bachelor’s in North Carolina For Those Making $48-$75k ranking, coming in at #20. Johnson & Wales University - Charlotte is located in Charlotte, North Carolina and, has a small student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 34 bachelors’s parks and rec degrees to qualified students.

JWU Charlotte also took the #6 spot in our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Bachelor’s Degree Schools in North Carolina” ranking. It costs about $24,733 for north carolina bachelor’s degree parks & rec students whose families make $48-$75k per year to attend Johnson & Wales University - Charlotte.

Read more about Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies at JWU Charlotte

#21

Gardner - Webb University

Boiling Springs, North Carolina
#25 in overall quality

Gardner - Webb University came in at #21 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Parks & Rec Schools for a Bachelor’s in North Carolina For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. Gardner - Webb is a small private not-for-profit school situated in Boiling Springs, North Carolina. It awarded 16 bachelors’s parks and rec degrees in 2019-2020.

Gardner - Webb did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #25 on our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Bachelor’s Degree Schools in North Carolina” list. It costs about $19,951 for North Carolina Bachelor’s Degree Parks & Rec students whose families make $48-$75k per year to attend Gardner - Webb University.

Full Gardner - Webb Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Report

#22

Wingate University

Wingate, North Carolina
#24 in overall quality

Wingate University ranked #22 on this year’s Best Value Parks & Rec Schools for a Bachelor’s in North Carolina For Those Making $48-$75k list. Located in Wingate, North Carolina, this small private not-for-profit school awarded 68 degrees to qualified bachelors’s parks and rec students in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our north carolina bachelor’s degree parks & rec students whose families make $48-$75k list, Wingate has also earned the #24 rank in our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Bachelor’s Degree Schools in North Carolina” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Wingate is $17,415 for North Carolina Bachelor’s Degree Parks & Rec students whose families make $48-$75k.

The school has an impressive student loan default rate. It’s only 3.9%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

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

#23

Guilford College

Greensboro, North Carolina
#15 in overall quality

Guilford College did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Parks & Rec Schools for a Bachelor’s in North Carolina For Those Making $48-$75k ranking, coming in at #23. Guilford is a small school located in Greensboro, North Carolina that handed out 35 bachelors’s parks and rec degrees in 2019-2020.

Guilford did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #15 on our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Bachelor’s Degree Schools in North Carolina” list. The estimated yearly cost for Guilford College is $20,349 for North Carolina Bachelor’s Degree Parks & Rec students whose families make $48-$75k.

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

#24

Campbell University

Buies Creek, North Carolina
#13 in overall quality

Campbell University came in at #24 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Parks & Rec Schools for a Bachelor’s in North Carolina For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. Campbell University is a private not-for-profit institution located in Buies Creek, North Carolina. The school has a medium-sized population, and it awarded 94 bachelors’s degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Campbell, the school also landed the #13 spot in our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Bachelor’s Degree Schools in North Carolina” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Campbell is $22,838 for north carolina bachelor’s degree parks & rec students whose families make $48-$75k.

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

#25

North Carolina Wesleyan College

Rocky Mount, North Carolina

North Carolina Wesleyan College did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Parks & Rec Schools for a Bachelor’s in North Carolina For Those Making $48-$75k ranking, coming in at #25. Rocky Mount, North Carolina is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out bachelors’s parks and rec degrees to 9 students in 2019-2020.

It costs about $14,233 for North Carolina Bachelor’s Degree Parks & Rec students whose families make $48-$75k per year to attend North Carolina Wesleyan College.

Full North Carolina Wesleyan College 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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