2023 Best Value Parks & Rec Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $75-$110k
140
Ranked Colleges
19,760
Degrees Awarded
$17,400
Avg Net Price*
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 $75-$110k” 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 $75-$110k” ranking, we looked at 140 colleges that offer a degree in parks, recreation, leisure, and fitness studies. Not only do the schools that top this list have excellent parks, recreation, leisure, and fitness studies programs, but they also 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. See our ranking methodology to learn more.
One Size Does Not Fit All
Since picking the right college can be one of the most important decisions of your life, we’ve developed the “Best Value Parks & Rec Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $75-$110k” ranking, along with many other major-related rankings, to help you make that decision.
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. Test it out by comparing your favorite schools against others you are considering, or bookmark the tool so you can experiment with it later.
Best Value Parks & Rec Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $75-$110k
The colleges and universities below are the best for southeast region parks & rec students whose families make $75-$110k.
Top 25 Best Value Colleges for Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies (Income $75-$110k) in the Southeast Region
You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend University of Florida. The school came in at #1 for the Best Value Parks & Rec Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $75-$110k. University of Florida is a large public school situated in Gainesville, Florida. It awarded 306 ’s parks and rec degrees in 2020-2021.
UF did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #4 on our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Schools in the Southeast Region” list. The yearly cost to attend UF is $12,874 for Southeast Region Parks & Rec students whose families make $75-$110k.
The low undergrad student loan default rate of 1.7% 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%. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 97%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.
Read more about Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies at UF
You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Florida International University. The school came in at #2 for the Best Value Parks & Rec Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $75-$110k. FIU is a large school located in Miami, Florida that handed out 274 ’s parks and rec degrees in 2020-2021.
In addition to being on our southeast region parks & rec students whose families make $75-$110k list, FIU has also earned the #16 rank in our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Schools in the Southeast Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Florida International University is $12,817 for southeast region parks & rec students whose families make $75-$110k.
With a freshman retention rate of 91%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. 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 FIU
Out of the 140 schools in the Best Value Parks & Rec Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $75-$110k that were part of this year’s ranking, University of Georgia landed the #3 spot on the list. University of Georgia is located in Athens, Georgia and, has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 303 ’s parks and rec degrees to qualified students.
In addition to being on our southeast region parks & rec students whose families make $75-$110k list, UGA has also earned the #7 rank in our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Schools in the Southeast Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend University of Georgia is $17,630 for southeast region parks & rec students whose families make $75-$110k.
The low undergrad student loan default rate of 1.9% 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%. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 94%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.
Full UGA Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Report
Out of the 140 schools in the Best Value Parks & Rec Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $75-$110k that were part of this year’s ranking, The University of West Florida landed the #4 spot on the list. Pensacola, Florida is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s parks and rec degrees to 147 students in 2020-2021.
The estimated yearly cost for UWF is $11,870 for Southeast Region Parks & Rec students whose families make $75-$110k.
Full UWF Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Report
You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. It ranked #5 on our 2023 Best Value Parks & Rec Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $75-$110k list. This large school is located in Chapel Hill, North Carolina, and it awarded 401 ’s parks and rec degrees 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. It costs about $19,088 for southeast region parks & rec students whose families make $75-$110k per year to attend UNC Chapel Hill.
Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 95%. 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%.
Full UNC Chapel Hill Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Report
Florida State University did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Parks & Rec Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $75-$110k ranking, coming in at #6. Located in Tallahassee, Florida, this large public school awarded 219 diplomas to qualified ’s parks and rec students in 2020-2021.
Florida State did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #19 on our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Schools in the Southeast Region” list. The yearly cost to attend Florida State is $15,203 for southeast region parks & rec students whose families make $75-$110k.
Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 95%. 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%.
Read more about Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies at Florida State
University of South Florida - Main Campus came in at #7 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Parks & Rec Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $75-$110k ranking. USF Tampa is a public institution located in Tampa, Florida. The school has a large population, and it awarded 53 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.
It costs about $14,349 for southeast region parks & rec students whose families make $75-$110k per year to attend University of South Florida - Main Campus.
The low undergrad student loan default rate of 3.3% 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%. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 92%.
Read more about Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies at USF Tampa
Western Kentucky University ranked #8 on this year’s Best Value Parks & Rec Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $75-$110k list. Located in Bowling Green, Kentucky, this fairly large public school handed out 258 diplomas to qualified ’s parks and rec students in 2020-2021.
On top of its placing in this ranking, WKU also did well on our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Schools in the Southeast Region” list. It’s in the top 20% of all schools reviewed in that analysis. It costs about $16,529 for Southeast Region Parks & Rec students whose families make $75-$110k per year to attend Western Kentucky University.
Read full report on Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies at Western Kentucky University
Arkansas State University - Main Campus came in at #9 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Parks & Rec Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $75-$110k ranking. Located in Jonesboro, Arkansas, this fairly large public school handed out 276 diplomas to qualified ’s parks and rec students in 2020-2021.
In addition to being on this list, A-State is in the top on our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Schools in the Southeast Region” list. It’s in the top [COLLEGE_QUALITY_PECTENTILE_ALL_LEVES]% of all schools in this category. The estimated yearly cost for Arkansas State University - Main Campus is $16,946 for Southeast Region Parks & Rec students whose families make $75-$110k.
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 more about Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies at Arkansas State University - Main Campus
West Virginia University did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Parks & Rec Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $75-$110k ranking, coming in at #10. WVU is a large school located in Morgantown, West Virginia that handed out 261 ’s parks and rec degrees in 2020-2021.
As a testament to the quality of education offered at WVU, the school also landed the #25 spot in our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Schools in the Southeast Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend WVU is $16,324 for southeast region parks & rec students whose families make $75-$110k.
Read full report on Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies at WVU
Clemson University did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Parks & Rec Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $75-$110k ranking, coming in at #11. Clemson University is a large public school situated in Clemson, South Carolina. It awarded 227 ’s parks and rec degrees in 2020-2021.
Clemson did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #2 on our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Schools in the Southeast Region” list. The yearly cost to attend Clemson University is $23,993 for southeast region parks & rec students whose families make $75-$110k.
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 #12, William Carey University did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Parks & Rec Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $75-$110k list. Hattiesburg, Mississippi is the setting for this medium-sized institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out ’s parks and rec degrees to 34 students in 2020-2021.
The yearly cost to attend William Carey University is $10,384 for Southeast Region Parks & Rec students whose families make $75-$110k.
Read full report on Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies at William Carey University
North Carolina State University came in at #13 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Parks & Rec Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $75-$110k ranking. Raleigh, North Carolina is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s parks and rec degrees to 193 students in 2020-2021.
NC State also made our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Schools in the Southeast Region” list, coming in at #12. The yearly cost to attend NC State is $19,833 for Southeast Region Parks & Rec students whose families make $75-$110k.
With a freshman retention rate of 94%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. 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%.
Read more about Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies at North Carolina State University
Augusta University did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Parks & Rec Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $75-$110k ranking, coming in at #14. Located in Augusta, Georgia, this medium-sized public school handed out 85 diplomas to qualified ’s parks and rec students in 2020-2021.
It costs about $15,102 for southeast region parks & rec students whose families make $75-$110k per year to attend Augusta University.
The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 3.5%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.
Read more about Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies at Augusta University
University of Arkansas landed the #15 spot on the 2023 Best Value Parks & Rec Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $75-$110k ranking. Located in Fayetteville, Arkansas, this large public school awarded 296 degrees to qualified ’s parks and rec students in 2020-2021.
In addition to being on our southeast region parks & rec students whose families make $75-$110k list, UARK has also earned the #15 rank in our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Schools in the Southeast Region” ranking. It costs about $19,053 for southeast region parks & rec students whose families make $75-$110k per year to attend UARK.
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%. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 85%.
Read more about Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies at UARK
Middle Tennessee State University did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Parks & Rec Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $75-$110k ranking, coming in at #16. Middle Tennessee State University is a public institution located in Murfreesboro, Tennessee. The school has a large population, and it awarded 212 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.
It costs about $16,941 for Southeast Region Parks & Rec students whose families make $75-$110k per year to attend Middle Tennessee State University.
Full Middle Tennessee State University Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Report
University of Virginia - Main Campus came in at #17 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Parks & Rec Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $75-$110k ranking. University of Virginia - Main Campus 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 $75-$110k 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 $22,021 for Southeast Region Parks & Rec students whose families make $75-$110k.
With a freshman retention rate of 97%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. 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%.
Read more about Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies at University of Virginia - Main Campus
With a ranking of #18, Emory University did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Parks & Rec Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $75-$110k 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.
As a testament to the quality of education offered at Emory, the school also landed the #1 spot in our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Schools in the Southeast Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Emory is $24,104 for southeast region parks & rec students whose families make $75-$110k.
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 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%. 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.
Full Emory Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Report
Mississippi State University came in at #19 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Parks & Rec Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $75-$110k ranking. Located in Mississippi State, Mississippi, this large public school awarded 310 degrees to qualified ’s parks and rec students in 2020-2021.
Mississippi State did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #18 on our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Schools in the Southeast Region” list. It costs about $20,432 for southeast region parks & rec students whose families make $75-$110k per year to attend Mississippi State.
Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 85%.
Read more about Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies at Mississippi State University
Georgia Southern University ranked #20 on this year’s Best Value Parks & Rec Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $75-$110k list. Located in Statesboro, Georgia, this large public school handed out 397 degrees to qualified ’s parks and rec students in 2020-2021.
GaSou excels when it comes to parks and rec quality. It’s in the top [COLLEGE_QUALITY_PECTENTILE_ALL_LEVES]% of all schools in this category. The estimated yearly cost for Georgia Southern University is $18,056 for Southeast Region Parks & Rec students whose families make $75-$110k.
Full Georgia Southern University Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Report
University of Louisville ranked #21 on this year’s Best Value Parks & Rec Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $75-$110k list. University of Louisville is a large school located in Louisville, Kentucky that handed out 271 ’s parks and rec degrees in 2020-2021.
UofL also made our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Schools in the Southeast Region” list, coming in at #13. The yearly cost to attend University of Louisville is $20,122 for Southeast Region Parks & Rec students whose families make $75-$110k.
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%.
Full UofL Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Report
With a ranking of #22, William & Mary did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Parks & Rec Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $75-$110k 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.
In addition to being on our southeast region parks & rec students whose families make $75-$110k list, William & Mary has also earned the #14 rank in our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Schools in the Southeast Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for William & Mary is $19,472 for Southeast Region Parks & Rec students whose families make $75-$110k.
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%. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 93%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.
Read full report on Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies at William & Mary
University of South Carolina - Columbia came in at #23 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Parks & Rec Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $75-$110k ranking. This large school is located in Columbia, South Carolina, and it awarded 275 ’s parks and rec degrees in 2020-2021.
UofSC also took the #11 spot in our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Schools in the Southeast Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend University of South Carolina - Columbia is $22,517 for southeast region parks & rec students whose families make $75-$110k.
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%. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 90%.
Read more about Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies at UofSC
University of Mississippi ranked #24 on this year’s Best Value Parks & Rec Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $75-$110k list. University of Mississippi is a large school located in University, Mississippi that handed out 232 ’s parks and rec degrees in 2020-2021.
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. The yearly cost to attend University of Mississippi is $18,184 for Southeast Region Parks & Rec students whose families make $75-$110k.
Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 86%.
Read full report on Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies at Ole Miss
Marshall University landed the #25 spot on the 2023 Best Value Parks & Rec Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $75-$110k 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.
It costs about $11,540 for southeast region parks & rec students whose families make $75-$110k per year to attend Marshall University.
Read full report on Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies at Marshall University
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