2023 Best Value Colleges for Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies (Income $48-$75k) in the Southeast Region
142
Ranked Colleges
19,760
Degrees Awarded
Students 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 “Best Value Parks & Rec Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $48-$75k” ranking is part of that endeavor.
In 2020-2021, 73,813 people earned their degree in parks, recreation, leisure, and fitness studies, making the major the 15th most popular in the United States. 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 $48-$75k” 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.
To come up with these rankings, we looked at factors such as the cost to attend the school after aid is awarded and overall quality of the parks, recreation, leisure, and fitness studies program at the school. Check out our ranking methodology for more information.
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 $48-$75k”.
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. 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 $48-$75k
The following schools top our list of the Best Best Value Parks & Rec Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $48-$75k.
Top 25 Best Value Colleges for Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies (Income $48-$75k) in the Southeast Region
You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend American Public University System. The school came in at #1 for the Best Value Parks & Rec Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $48-$75k. American Public University System is located in Charles Town, West Virginia and, has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 683 ’s parks and rec degrees to qualified students.
American Military University did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #3 on our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Schools in the Southeast Region” list. The estimated yearly cost for American Military University is $13,536 for Southeast Region Parks & Rec students whose families make $48-$75k.
The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 98%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.
Read full report on Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies at American Public University System
You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend University of Florida. The school came in at #2 for the Best Value Parks & Rec Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $48-$75k. Located in Gainesville, Florida, this large public school handed out 306 diplomas to qualified ’s parks and rec students in 2020-2021.
UF not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #4 on our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Schools in the Southeast Region” list. The estimated yearly cost for University of Florida is $8,394 for Southeast Region Parks & Rec students whose families make $48-$75k.
Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 97%. The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 1.7%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.
Read full report on Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies at University of Florida
You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. It ranked #3 on our 2023 Best Value Parks & Rec Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $48-$75k list. Chapel Hill, North Carolina is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s parks and rec degrees to 401 students in 2020-2021.
UNC Chapel Hill not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #6 on our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Schools in the Southeast Region” list. The estimated yearly cost for University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill is $11,619 for Southeast Region Parks & Rec students whose families make $48-$75k.
The low undergrad student loan default rate of 1.4% 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%. 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 University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend The University of West Florida. The school came in at #4 for the Best Value Parks & Rec Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $48-$75k. UWF 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 $7,301 for southeast region parks & rec students whose families make $48-$75k per year to attend The University of West Florida.
Read full report on Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies at UWF
You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Florida International University. It ranked #5 on our 2023 Best Value Parks & Rec Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $48-$75k list. FIU is located in Miami, Florida and, has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 274 ’s parks and rec degrees to qualified students.
FIU not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #16 on our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Schools in the Southeast Region” list. The estimated yearly cost for Florida International University is $7,292 for southeast region parks & rec students whose families make $48-$75k.
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 school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 4.4%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.
Read full report on Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies at FIU
With a ranking of #6, Florida State University did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Parks & Rec Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $48-$75k list. Florida State is a large school located in Tallahassee, Florida that handed out 219 ’s parks and rec degrees in 2020-2021.
Florida State also took the #19 spot in our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Schools in the Southeast Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Florida State is $11,506 for Southeast Region Parks & Rec students whose families make $48-$75k.
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%. With a freshman retention rate of 95%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.
Read more about Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies at Florida State University
William & Mary came in at #7 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Parks & Rec Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. William & Mary is a medium-sized school located in Williamsburg, Virginia that handed out 125 ’s parks and rec degrees 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 $10,995 for southeast region parks & rec students whose families make $48-$75k.
Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 93%. 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 William & Mary Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Report
University of Georgia ranked #8 on this year’s Best Value Parks & Rec Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $48-$75k list. Athens, Georgia is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s parks and rec degrees to 303 students in 2020-2021.
As a testament to the quality of education offered at UGA, the school also landed the #7 spot in our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Schools in the Southeast Region” ranking. It costs about $15,037 for southeast region parks & rec students whose families make $48-$75k per year to attend University of Georgia.
The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 94%, 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 1.9%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.
Read full report on Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies at University of Georgia
Wake Forest University ranked #9 on this year’s Best Value Parks & Rec Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $48-$75k list. This medium-sized school is located in Winston-Salem, North Carolina, and it awarded 69 ’s parks and rec degrees in 2020-2021.
Wake Forest University also took the #21 spot in our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Schools in the Southeast Region” ranking. It costs about $10,228 for Southeast Region Parks & Rec students whose families make $48-$75k per year to attend Wake Forest University.
Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 95%. The low undergrad student loan default rate of 0.6% 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%.
Read full report on Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies at Wake Forest University
University of Virginia - Main Campus landed the #10 spot on the 2023 Best Value Parks & Rec Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. Located in Charlottesville, Virginia, this large public school awarded 117 degrees to qualified ’s parks and rec students in 2020-2021.
University of Virginia not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #9 on our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Schools in the Southeast Region” list. It costs about $16,019 for southeast region parks & rec students whose families make $48-$75k per year to attend University of Virginia - Main Campus.
The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 0.7%, 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 97%.
Read full report on Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies at University of Virginia
University of South Florida - Main Campus did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Parks & Rec Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $48-$75k ranking, coming in at #11. This large school is located in Tampa, Florida, and it awarded 53 ’s parks and rec degrees in 2020-2021.
The yearly cost to attend University of South Florida - Main Campus is $9,669 for southeast region parks & rec students whose families make $48-$75k.
With a freshman retention rate of 92%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 3.3%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.
Read full report on Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies at University of South Florida - Main Campus
Citadel Military College of South Carolina landed the #12 spot on the 2023 Best Value Parks & Rec Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. This small school is located in Charleston, South Carolina, and it awarded 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. It costs about $13,358 for southeast region parks & rec students whose families make $48-$75k per year to attend Citadel Military College of South Carolina.
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%. With a freshman retention rate of 87%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.
Read full report on Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies at Citadel Military College of South Carolina
With a ranking of #13, North Carolina State University did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Parks & Rec Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $48-$75k list. NC State is a large public school situated in Raleigh, North Carolina. It awarded 193 ’s parks and rec degrees in 2020-2021.
In addition to being on our southeast region parks & rec students whose families make $48-$75k list, NC State has also earned the #12 rank in our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Schools in the Southeast Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for NC State is $14,424 for Southeast Region Parks & Rec students whose families make $48-$75k.
The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 94%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 2.0%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.
Read more about Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies at North Carolina State University
Clemson University came in at #14 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Parks & Rec Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. Clemson is a public institution located in Clemson, South Carolina. The school has a large population, and it awarded 227 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.
Clemson also took the #2 spot in our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Schools in the Southeast Region” ranking. It costs about $20,797 for Southeast Region Parks & Rec students whose families make $48-$75k per year to attend Clemson University.
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 full report on Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies at Clemson University
West Virginia University came in at #15 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Parks & Rec Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. WVU is located in Morgantown, West Virginia and, has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 261 ’s parks and rec degrees to qualified students.
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. The yearly cost to attend WVU is $13,077 for southeast region parks & rec students whose families make $48-$75k.
Read more about Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies at WVU
Emory University ranked #16 on this year’s Best Value Parks & Rec Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $48-$75k list. Emory is a private not-for-profit institution located in Atlanta, Georgia. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 91 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.
Emory not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #1 on our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Schools in the Southeast Region” list. The yearly cost to attend Emory is $16,646 for Southeast Region Parks & Rec students whose families make $48-$75k.
With a undergrad student-to-faculty ratio of 9 to 1, it’s easy to see that the school is committed to helping their undergraduates succeed. With a freshman retention rate of 93%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. 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%.
Read more about Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies at Emory University
Florida Atlantic University ranked #17 on this year’s Best Value Parks & Rec Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $48-$75k list. Florida Atlantic University is a large public school situated in Boca Raton, Florida. It awarded 189 ’s parks and rec degrees in 2020-2021.
The estimated yearly cost for FAU is $12,323 for Southeast Region Parks & Rec students whose families make $48-$75k.
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 FAU
Marshall University came in at #18 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Parks & Rec Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. Marshall University is a fairly large public school situated in Huntington, West Virginia. It awarded 65 ’s parks and rec degrees in 2020-2021.
The yearly cost to attend Marshall University is $9,256 for southeast region parks & rec students whose families make $48-$75k.
Read full report on Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies at Marshall University
University of Louisville landed the #19 spot on the 2023 Best Value Parks & Rec Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. UofL is located in Louisville, Kentucky and, has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 271 ’s parks and rec degrees to qualified students.
UofL did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #13 on our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Schools in the Southeast Region” list. The estimated yearly cost for University of Louisville is $17,380 for Southeast Region Parks & Rec students whose families make $48-$75k.
The low undergrad student loan default rate of 4.4% 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 UofL
University of Arkansas did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Parks & Rec Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $48-$75k ranking, coming in at #20. UARK is a large public school situated in Fayetteville, Arkansas. It awarded 296 ’s parks and rec degrees in 2020-2021.
In addition to being on our southeast region parks & rec students whose families make $48-$75k list, UARK has also earned the #15 rank in our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Schools in the Southeast Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for UARK is $16,256 for Southeast Region Parks & Rec students whose families make $48-$75k.
With a freshman retention rate of 85%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 4.1%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.
Read more about Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies at University of Arkansas
Arkansas State University - Main Campus ranked #21 on this year’s Best Value Parks & Rec Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $48-$75k list. A-State is a fairly large public school situated in Jonesboro, Arkansas. It awarded 276 ’s parks and rec degrees in 2020-2021.
A-State also claimed a top spot on our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Schools in the Southeast Region” list. It’s ranked in the top 20% of all schools on our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Schools in the Southeast Region” list. The yearly cost to attend Arkansas State University - Main Campus is $14,698 for Southeast Region Parks & Rec students whose families make $48-$75k.
The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 3.3%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.
Full A-State Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Report
James Madison University ranked #22 on this year’s Best Value Parks & Rec Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $48-$75k list. JMU is a large public school situated in Harrisonburg, Virginia. It awarded 326 ’s parks and rec degrees in 2020-2021.
As a testament to the quality of education offered at JMU, the school also landed the #5 spot in our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Schools in the Southeast Region” ranking. It costs about $19,216 for Southeast Region Parks & Rec students whose families make $48-$75k per year to attend JMU.
With a freshman retention rate of 89%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. 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%.
Full James Madison University Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Report
Augusta University landed the #23 spot on the 2023 Best Value Parks & Rec Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. Augusta University is a medium-sized public school situated in Augusta, Georgia. It awarded 85 ’s parks and rec degrees in 2020-2021.
It costs about $13,276 for Southeast Region Parks & Rec students whose families make $48-$75k per year to attend Augusta University.
The low undergrad student loan default rate of 3.5% 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 Augusta University
Middle Tennessee State University ranked #24 on this year’s Best Value Parks & Rec Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $48-$75k list. Murfreesboro, Tennessee is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s parks and rec degrees to 212 students in 2020-2021.
The yearly cost to attend Middle Tennessee State University is $14,498 for Southeast Region Parks & Rec students whose families make $48-$75k.
Read full report on Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies at Middle Tennessee State University
Bob Jones University came in at #25 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Parks & Rec Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. Bob Jones University is a private not-for-profit institution located in Greenville, South Carolina. The school has a small population, and it awarded 31 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.
The yearly cost to attend Bob Jones University is $12,281 for Southeast Region 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 undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 1.6%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.
Read full report on Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies at Bob Jones University
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