College Factual  by our College Data Analytics Team
       Unbiased Factual Guarantee

2023 Best Value Parks & Rec Schools in North Carolina For Those Making $48-$75k

28 Ranked Colleges
3,565 Degrees Awarded
Best Value Parks & Rec Schools in North Carolina For Those Making $48-$75k

When pursuing a degree in today’s world, students have many different options to choose from. 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 North Carolina For Those Making $48-$75k” ranking is part of that endeavor.

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 North Carolina, there were 3,565 parks, recreation, leisure, and fitness studies graduates with average earnings and debt of $27,466 and $26,583 respectively.

For this year’s “Best Value Parks & Rec Schools in North Carolina For Those Making $48-$75k” ranking, we looked at 28 colleges that offer a degree 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.

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.

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

Rankings by Degree Other Award Levels
Rankings by Location Check Out Other Locales
More Parks & Rec Rankings Other Ranking Categories

When choosing the right school for you, it’s important to arm yourself with all the facts you can. To that end, we’ve created a number of major-specific rankings, including this “Best Value Parks & Rec Schools in North Carolina For Those Making $48-$75k” list to help you make the college decision.

You can create your own custom comparison that focuses on the factors most important to you using our tool, College Combat. We encourage you to try it out and pit your favorite colleges and universities head to head! If you don’t have time right now, you can bookmark it for later.

Best Value Parks & Rec Schools in North Carolina For Those Making $48-$75k

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

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

1

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 in North Carolina For Those Making $48-$75k. 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.

In addition to being on our north carolina parks & rec students whose families make $48-$75k list, UNC Chapel Hill has also earned the #1 rank in our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Schools in North Carolina” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for UNC Chapel Hill is $11,619 for North Carolina Parks & Rec students whose families make $48-$75k.

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%. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 95%.

Read full report on Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies at UNC Chapel Hill

2
Wake Forest University crest
Wake Forest University
Winston-Salem, North Carolina

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 in North Carolina For Those Making $48-$75k. Located in Winston-Salem, North Carolina, this medium-sized private not-for-profit school handed out 69 degrees to qualified ’s parks and rec students in 2020-2021.

In addition to being on our north carolina parks & rec students whose families make $48-$75k list, Wake Forest University has also earned the #3 rank in our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Schools in North Carolina” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Wake Forest University is $10,228 for North Carolina Parks & Rec students whose families make $48-$75k.

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

3
NC State crest
North Carolina State University
Raleigh, North Carolina

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend North Carolina State University. The school came in at #3 for the Best Value Parks & Rec Schools in North Carolina For Those Making $48-$75k. North Carolina State University is a public institution located in Raleigh, North Carolina. The school has a large population, and it awarded 193 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

NC State not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #2 on our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Schools in North Carolina” list. The yearly cost to attend NC State is $14,424 for north carolina 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 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%.

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

4
Appalachian State crest
Appalachian State University
Boone, North Carolina

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Appalachian State University. The school came in at #4 for the Best Value Parks & Rec Schools in North Carolina For Those Making $48-$75k. Located in Boone, North Carolina, this large public school handed out 308 degrees to qualified ’s parks and rec students in 2020-2021.

In addition to being on our north carolina parks & rec students whose families make $48-$75k list, Appalachian State has also earned the #6 rank in our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Schools in North Carolina” ranking. It costs about $13,769 for North Carolina Parks & Rec students whose families make $48-$75k per year to attend Appalachian State.

With a freshman retention rate of 86%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 3.6%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

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

5

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend University of North Carolina at Greensboro. It ranked #5 on our 2023 Best Value Parks & Rec Schools in North Carolina For Those Making $48-$75k list. University of North Carolina at Greensboro is a fairly large school located in Greensboro, North Carolina that handed out 314 ’s parks and rec degrees in 2020-2021.

UNC Greensboro also made our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Schools in North Carolina” list, coming in at #7. It costs about $13,214 for North Carolina Parks & Rec students whose families make $48-$75k per year to attend University of North Carolina at Greensboro.

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

6
ECU crest
East Carolina University
Greenville, North Carolina

East Carolina University landed the #6 spot on the 2023 Best Value Parks & Rec Schools in North Carolina For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. Greenville, North Carolina is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s parks and rec degrees to 194 students in 2020-2021.

ECU did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #5 on our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Schools in North Carolina” list. It costs about $16,654 for North Carolina Parks & Rec students whose families make $48-$75k per year to attend East Carolina University.

Full East Carolina University Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Report

7
WCU crest
Western Carolina University
Cullowhee, North Carolina

With a ranking of #7, Western Carolina University did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Parks & Rec Schools in North Carolina For Those Making $48-$75k list. Located in Cullowhee, North Carolina, this fairly large public school awarded 99 diplomas to qualified ’s parks and rec students in 2020-2021.

In addition to being on our north carolina parks & rec students whose families make $48-$75k list, WCU has also earned the #14 rank in our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Schools in North Carolina” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Western Carolina University is $14,701 for North Carolina Parks & Rec students whose families make $48-$75k.

Full Western Carolina University Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Report

8

University of North Carolina at Wilmington came in at #8 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Parks & Rec Schools in North Carolina For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. University of North Carolina at Wilmington is located in Wilmington, North Carolina and, has a fairly large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 244 ’s parks and rec degrees to qualified students.

UNCW did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #4 on our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Schools in North Carolina” list. The estimated yearly cost for University of North Carolina at Wilmington is $19,195 for North Carolina Parks & Rec students whose families make $48-$75k.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 3.1%, 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 ranked #9 on this year’s Best Value Parks & Rec Schools in North Carolina For Those Making $48-$75k list. Pembroke, North Carolina is the setting for this medium-sized institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s parks and rec degrees to 117 students in 2020-2021.

The estimated yearly cost for UNC Pembroke is $12,263 for North Carolina Parks & Rec students whose families make $48-$75k.

Full UNC Pembroke Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Report

10
NC A&T crest
North Carolina A & T State University
Greensboro, North Carolina

North Carolina A & T State University came in at #10 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Parks & Rec Schools in North Carolina For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. North Carolina A & T State University is a fairly large public school situated in Greensboro, North Carolina. It awarded 152 ’s parks and rec degrees in 2020-2021.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at NC A&T, the school also landed the #23 spot in our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Schools in North Carolina” ranking. It costs about $12,647 for North Carolina Parks & Rec students whose families make $48-$75k per year to attend NC A&T.

Read more about Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies at North Carolina A & T State University

11
Lenoir - Rhyne University crest
Lenoir - Rhyne University
Hickory, North Carolina

Lenoir - Rhyne University landed the #11 spot on the 2023 Best Value Parks & Rec Schools in North Carolina For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. Located in Hickory, North Carolina, this small private not-for-profit school handed out 52 diplomas to qualified ’s parks and rec students in 2020-2021.

Lenoir - Rhyne University also made our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Schools in North Carolina” list, coming in at #9. The yearly cost to attend Lenoir - Rhyne University is $17,738 for North Carolina Parks & Rec students whose families make $48-$75k.

Read full report on Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies at Lenoir - Rhyne University

12
Wingate crest
Wingate University
Wingate, North Carolina

Wingate University came in at #12 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Parks & Rec Schools in North Carolina For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. Located in Wingate, North Carolina, this small private not-for-profit school awarded 118 diplomas to qualified ’s parks and rec students in 2020-2021.

Wingate not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #11 on our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Schools in North Carolina” list. The yearly cost to attend Wingate University is $19,638 for north carolina parks & rec students whose families make $48-$75k.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 4.0%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Full Wingate University Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Report

13
WSSU crest
Winston - Salem State University
Winston-Salem, North Carolina

Winston - Salem State University came in at #13 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Parks & Rec Schools in North Carolina For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. This medium-sized school is located in Winston-Salem, North Carolina, and it awarded 105 ’s parks and rec degrees in 2020-2021.

In addition to being on our north carolina parks & rec students whose families make $48-$75k list, WSSU has also earned the #19 rank in our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Schools in North Carolina” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Winston - Salem State University is $15,119 for North Carolina Parks & Rec students whose families make $48-$75k.

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

14

University of North Carolina at Charlotte came in at #14 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Parks & Rec Schools in North Carolina For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. University of North Carolina at Charlotte is located in Charlotte, North Carolina and, has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 124 ’s parks and rec degrees to qualified students.

UNC Charlotte also took the #16 spot in our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Schools in North Carolina” ranking. It costs about $16,938 for north carolina parks & rec students whose families make $48-$75k per year to attend University of North Carolina at Charlotte.

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%. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 85%.

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

15
Catawba crest
Catawba College
Salisbury, North Carolina

With a ranking of #15, Catawba College did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Parks & Rec Schools in North Carolina For Those Making $48-$75k list. Catawba College is a private not-for-profit institution located in Salisbury, North Carolina. The school has a small population, and it awarded 29 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

Catawba not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #12 on our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Schools in North Carolina” list. The estimated yearly cost for Catawba College is $17,449 for north carolina parks & rec students whose families make $48-$75k.

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

16
Gardner - Webb crest
Gardner - Webb University
Boiling Springs, North Carolina

Gardner - Webb University ranked #16 on this year’s Best Value Parks & Rec Schools in North Carolina For Those Making $48-$75k list. Located in Boiling Springs, North Carolina, this small private not-for-profit school awarded 19 degrees to qualified ’s parks and rec students in 2020-2021.

Gardner - Webb also made our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Schools in North Carolina” list, coming in at #13. It costs about $18,333 for north carolina parks & rec students whose families make $48-$75k per year to attend Gardner - Webb University.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 3.7%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

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

17
UMO crest
University of Mount Olive
Mount Olive, North Carolina

University of Mount Olive did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Parks & Rec Schools in North Carolina For Those Making $48-$75k ranking, coming in at #17. University of Mount Olive is located in Mount Olive, North Carolina and, has a small student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 30 ’s parks and rec degrees to qualified students.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at UMO, the school also landed the #25 spot in our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Schools in North Carolina” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for University of Mount Olive is $16,682 for north carolina parks & rec students whose families make $48-$75k.

Full University of Mount Olive Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Report

18
BAC crest
Belmont Abbey College
Belmont, North Carolina

Belmont Abbey College did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Parks & Rec Schools in North Carolina For Those Making $48-$75k ranking, coming in at #18. Belmont Abbey College is located in Belmont, North Carolina and, has a small student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 39 ’s parks and rec degrees to qualified students.

In addition to being on our north carolina parks & rec students whose families make $48-$75k list, BAC has also earned the #21 rank in our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Schools in North Carolina” ranking. It costs about $19,456 for North Carolina Parks & Rec students whose families make $48-$75k per year to attend Belmont Abbey College.

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

19
Guilford crest
Guilford College
Greensboro, North Carolina

Guilford College came in at #19 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Parks & Rec Schools in North Carolina For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. Located in Greensboro, North Carolina, this small private not-for-profit school handed out 38 degrees to qualified ’s parks and rec students in 2020-2021.

In addition to being on our north carolina parks & rec students whose families make $48-$75k list, Guilford has also earned the #18 rank in our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Schools in North Carolina” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Guilford College is $21,683 for north carolina parks & rec students whose families make $48-$75k.

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

20
Campbell crest
Campbell University
Buies Creek, North Carolina

Campbell University did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Parks & Rec Schools in North Carolina For Those Making $48-$75k ranking, coming in at #20. This medium-sized school is located in Buies Creek, North Carolina, and it awarded 82 ’s parks and rec degrees in 2020-2021.

Campbell not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #10 on our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Schools in North Carolina” list. It costs about $22,356 for North Carolina Parks & Rec students whose families make $48-$75k per year to attend Campbell University.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 3.5%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Full Campbell University Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Report

21
North Carolina Central University crest
North Carolina Central University
Durham, North Carolina

With a ranking of #21, North Carolina Central University did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Parks & Rec Schools in North Carolina For Those Making $48-$75k list. North Carolina Central University is located in Durham, North Carolina and, has a medium-sized student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 82 ’s parks and rec degrees to qualified students.

North Carolina Central University also made our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Schools in North Carolina” list, coming in at #24. The estimated yearly cost for North Carolina Central University is $17,208 for North Carolina Parks & Rec students whose families make $48-$75k.

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

22
Lees - McRae College crest
Lees - McRae College
Banner Elk, North Carolina

Lees - McRae College ranked #22 on this year’s Best Value Parks & Rec Schools in North Carolina For Those Making $48-$75k list. Banner Elk, North Carolina is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out ’s parks and rec degrees to 21 students in 2020-2021.

Lees - McRae College also took the #22 spot in our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Schools in North Carolina” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Lees - McRae College is $21,655 for North Carolina Parks & Rec students whose families make $48-$75k.

Full Lees - McRae College Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Report

23
Chowan University crest
Chowan University
Murfreesboro, North Carolina

Chowan University came in at #23 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Parks & Rec Schools in North Carolina For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. Chowan University is located in Murfreesboro, North Carolina and, has a small student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 38 ’s parks and rec degrees to qualified students.

The estimated yearly cost for Chowan University is $17,576 for north carolina parks & rec students whose families make $48-$75k.

Full Chowan University Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Report

24
JWU Charlotte crest
Johnson & Wales University - Charlotte
Charlotte, North Carolina

Johnson & Wales University - Charlotte came in at #24 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Parks & Rec Schools in North Carolina For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. JWU Charlotte is a small school located in Charlotte, North Carolina that handed out 25 ’s parks and rec degrees in 2020-2021.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at JWU Charlotte, the school also landed the #8 spot in our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Schools in North Carolina” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Johnson & Wales University - Charlotte is $26,572 for north carolina parks & rec students whose families make $48-$75k.

Read more about Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies at Johnson & Wales University - Charlotte

25
Shaw University crest
Shaw University
Raleigh, North Carolina

With a ranking of #25, Shaw University did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Parks & Rec Schools in North Carolina For Those Making $48-$75k list. Shaw University is a small school located in Raleigh, North Carolina that handed out 20 ’s parks and rec degrees in 2020-2021.

It costs about $27,220 for North Carolina Parks & Rec students whose families make $48-$75k per year to attend Shaw University.

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

Switch to a Different Ranking Method

Notes and References

References

Read more about our data sources and methodologies

Footnotes

Credits

Popular Reports

College Rankings
Best by Location
Degree Guides by Major
Graduate Programs

Compare Your School Options