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2022 Best Vallue Parks & Rec Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Southeast Region For Those Making Over $110k

184 Ranked Colleges
15,371 Degrees Awarded
$16,800 Avg Net Price*
Best Vallue Parks & Rec Schools for a Bachelor's in the Southeast Region For Those Making Over $110k

Students have lots of options to chooose from today when trying to decide which college to attend. College Factual has developed its “Best Vallue Parks & Rec Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Southeast Region For Those Making Over $110k” ranking as one item you can use to help make this decision.

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 the Southeast region, there were 19,063 parks, recreation, leisure, and fitness studies graduates with average earnings and debt of $28,950 and $25,504 respectively. At the bachelor’s degree level specifically, there were 15,371 parks, recreation, leisure, and fitness studies graduates with average earnings and debt of $36,277 and $25,415 respectively.

For this year’s “Best Vallue Parks & Rec Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Southeast Region For Those Making Over $110k” ranking, we looked at 184 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.

When determining these rankings, we looked at things such as overall quality of the parks, recreation, leisure, and fitness studies program at the school and the cost to attend the school once aid has been awarded. 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 Vallue Parks & Rec Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Southeast Region For Those Making Over $110k”.

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.

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Best Vallue Parks & Rec Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Southeast Region For Those Making Over $110k

The following schools top our list of the Best Best Vallue Parks & Rec Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Southeast Region For Those Making Over $110k.

Top 25 Best Value Bachelor’s Degree Colleges for Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies (Income Over $110k) in the Southeast Region

#1

University of Florida

Gainesville, Florida
#7 in overall quality

Out of the 184 schools in the Best Vallue Parks & Rec Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Southeast Region For Those Making Over $110k that were part of this year’s ranking, University of Florida landed the #1 spot on the list. Gainesville, Florida is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out bachelors’s parks and rec degrees to 151 students in 2019-2020.

UF also took the #7 spot in our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Southeast Region” ranking. It costs about $6,302 for Southeast Region Bachelor’s Degree Parks & Rec students whose families make more than $110k per year to attend UF.

The school has an impressive student loan default rate. It’s only 2.0%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 97%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.

Full University of Florida Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Report

#2

American Public University System

Charles Town, West Virginia
#1 in overall quality

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend American Public University System. The school came in at #2 for the Best Vallue Parks & Rec Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Southeast Region For Those Making Over $110k. American Military University is a large private for-profit school situated in Charles Town, West Virginia. It awarded 433 bachelors’s parks and rec degrees in 2019-2020.

American Military University did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #1 on our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Southeast Region” list. It costs about $10,222 for southeast region bachelor’s degree parks & rec students whose families make more than $110k per year to attend American Public University System.

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 more about Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies at American Public University System

#3

University of Georgia

Athens, Georgia
#6 in overall quality

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend University of Georgia. The school came in at #3 for the Best Vallue Parks & Rec Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Southeast Region For Those Making Over $110k. University of Georgia is located in Athens, Georgia and, has a large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 270 bachelors’s parks and rec degrees to qualified students.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at UGA, the school also landed the #6 spot in our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Southeast Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend UGA is $13,649 for southeast region bachelor’s degree parks & rec students whose families make more than $110k.

The school has an impressive student loan default rate. It’s only 2.5%, 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 94%.

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

#19 in overall quality

Out of the 184 schools in the Best Vallue Parks & Rec Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Southeast Region For Those Making Over $110k that were part of this year’s ranking, Florida International University landed the #4 spot on the list. Florida International University is a large public school situated in Miami, Florida. It awarded 261 bachelors’s parks and rec degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at FIU, the school also landed the #19 spot in our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Southeast Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Florida International University is $7,296 for southeast region bachelor’s degree parks & rec students whose families make more than $110k.

Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 91%.

Full FIU Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Report

#5

Florida State University

Tallahassee, Florida
#21 in overall quality

Out of the 184 schools in the Best Vallue Parks & Rec Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Southeast Region For Those Making Over $110k that were part of this year’s ranking, Florida State University landed the #5 spot on the list. Florida State is a large public school situated in Tallahassee, Florida. It awarded 159 bachelors’s parks and rec degrees in 2019-2020.

Florida State also took the #21 spot in our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Southeast Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Florida State is $9,789 for Southeast Region Bachelor’s Degree Parks & Rec students whose families make more than $110k.

The low 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%. 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 Florida State

#6

The University of West Florida

Pensacola, Florida

With a ranking of #6, The University of West Florida did quite well on the 2022 Best Vallue Parks & Rec Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Southeast Region For Those Making Over $110k list. This fairly large school is located in Pensacola, Florida, and it awarded 135 bachelors’s parks and rec degrees in 2019-2020.

The yearly cost to attend UWF is $7,406 for southeast region bachelor’s degree parks & rec students whose families make more than $110k.

Full UWF Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Report

#7

University of North Florida

Jacksonville, Florida
Top 20% in overall quality

With a ranking of #7, University of North Florida did quite well on the 2022 Best Vallue Parks & Rec Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Southeast Region For Those Making Over $110k list. University of North Florida is a fairly large school located in Jacksonville, Florida that handed out 82 bachelors’s parks and rec degrees in 2019-2020.

On top of its placing in this ranking, UNF also did well on our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Southeast Region” list. It’s in the top 20% of all schools in this category. It costs about $9,606 for southeast region bachelor’s degree parks & rec students whose families make more than $110k per year to attend UNF.

The low student loan default rate of 4.3% 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%.

Full University of North Florida Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Report

#8

University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

Chapel Hill, North Carolina
#5 in overall quality

University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill landed the #8 spot on the 2022 Best Vallue Parks & Rec Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Southeast Region For Those Making Over $110k ranking. Chapel Hill, North Carolina is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out bachelors’s parks and rec degrees to 346 students in 2019-2020.

UNC Chapel Hill not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #5 on our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Southeast Region” list. The estimated yearly cost for UNC Chapel Hill is $12,352 for Southeast Region Bachelor’s Degree Parks & Rec students whose families make more than $110k.

With a freshman retention rate of 95%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its students. The low 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%.

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

#9

Mississippi Valley State University

Itta Bena, Mississippi

Mississippi Valley State University did quite well in the 2022 Best Vallue Parks & Rec Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Southeast Region For Those Making Over $110k ranking, coming in at #9. Mississippi Valley State University is located in Itta Bena, Mississippi and, has a small student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 21 bachelors’s parks and rec degrees to qualified students.

It costs about $16,394 for southeast region bachelor’s degree parks & rec students whose families make more than $110k per year to attend Mississippi Valley State University.

Read more about Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies at Mississippi Valley State University

#10

Shepherd University

Shepherdstown, West Virginia

Shepherd University came in at #10 in this year’s edition of the Best Vallue Parks & Rec Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Southeast Region For Those Making Over $110k ranking. Shepherd University is a small school located in Shepherdstown, West Virginia that handed out 40 bachelors’s parks and rec degrees in 2019-2020.

The yearly cost to attend Shepherd University is $11,021 for southeast region bachelor’s degree parks & rec students whose families make more than $110k.

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

#11

North Carolina State University

Raleigh, North Carolina
#9 in overall quality

North Carolina State University came in at #11 in this year’s edition of the Best Vallue Parks & Rec Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Southeast Region For Those Making Over $110k ranking. Raleigh, North Carolina is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out bachelors’s parks and rec degrees to 137 students in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at NC State, the school also landed the #9 spot in our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Southeast Region” ranking. It costs about $16,458 for Southeast Region Bachelor’s Degree Parks & Rec students whose families make more than $110k 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%. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 94%.

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

#12

Georgia Southern University

Statesboro, Georgia
Top 15% in overall quality

Georgia Southern University landed the #12 spot on the 2022 Best Vallue Parks & Rec Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Southeast Region For Those Making Over $110k ranking. Georgia Southern University is located in Statesboro, Georgia and, has a large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 341 bachelors’s parks and rec degrees to qualified students.

As a testament to the quality of education it offers, GaSou is also in the top of our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Southeast Region” ranking. It’s in the top 15% of all schools reviewed in that analysis. It costs about $15,536 for Southeast Region Bachelor’s Degree Parks & Rec students whose families make more than $110k per year to attend Georgia Southern University.

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

#13

Augusta University

Augusta, Georgia

Augusta University did quite well in the 2022 Best Vallue Parks & Rec Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Southeast Region For Those Making Over $110k ranking, coming in at #13. Located in Augusta, Georgia, this medium-sized public school awarded 71 degrees to qualified bachelors’s parks and rec students in 2019-2020.

It costs about $11,136 for southeast region bachelor’s degree parks & rec students whose families make more than $110k per year to attend Augusta University.

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

#14

University of South Carolina - Columbia

Columbia, South Carolina
#3 in overall quality

With a ranking of #14, University of South Carolina - Columbia did quite well on the 2022 Best Vallue Parks & Rec Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Southeast Region For Those Making Over $110k list. Columbia, South Carolina is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out bachelors’s parks and rec degrees to 241 students in 2019-2020.

UofSC did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #3 on our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Southeast Region” list. The estimated yearly cost for UofSC is $20,509 for Southeast Region Bachelor’s Degree Parks & Rec students whose families make more than $110k.

Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 90%. The school has an impressive 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 UofSC

#15

West Virginia University

Morgantown, West Virginia
Top 25% in overall quality

West Virginia University came in at #15 in this year’s edition of the Best Vallue Parks & Rec Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Southeast Region For Those Making Over $110k ranking. This large school is located in Morgantown, West Virginia, and it awarded 182 bachelors’s parks and rec degrees in 2019-2020.

It costs about $12,983 for Southeast Region Bachelor’s Degree Parks & Rec students whose families make more than $110k per year to attend West Virginia University.

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

#16

Middle Tennessee State University

Murfreesboro, Tennessee
Top 20% in overall quality

Middle Tennessee State University landed the #16 spot on the 2022 Best Vallue Parks & Rec Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Southeast Region For Those Making Over $110k ranking. Murfreesboro, Tennessee is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out bachelors’s parks and rec degrees to 185 students in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on this list, Middle Tennessee State University is in the top on our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Southeast Region” list. It’s in the top 20% of all schools reviewed in that analysis. The yearly cost to attend Middle Tennessee State University is $12,464 for Southeast Region Bachelor’s Degree Parks & Rec students whose families make more than $110k.

Full Middle Tennessee State University Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Report

#17

McNeese State University

Lake Charles, Louisiana

McNeese State University did quite well in the 2022 Best Vallue Parks & Rec Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Southeast Region For Those Making Over $110k ranking, coming in at #17. McNeese is a medium-sized public school situated in Lake Charles, Louisiana. It awarded 66 bachelors’s parks and rec degrees in 2019-2020.

The yearly cost to attend McNeese is $12,267 for Southeast Region Bachelor’s Degree Parks & Rec students whose families make more than $110k.

Full McNeese State University Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Report

#18

Elizabeth City State University

Elizabeth City, North Carolina

Elizabeth City State University came in at #18 in this year’s edition of the Best Vallue Parks & Rec Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Southeast Region For Those Making Over $110k ranking. ECSU is located in Elizabeth City, North Carolina and, has a small student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 19 bachelors’s parks and rec degrees to qualified students.

The estimated yearly cost for Elizabeth City State University is $2,350 for southeast region bachelor’s degree parks & rec students whose families make more than $110k.

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

#19

University of Arkansas

Fayetteville, Arkansas
#24 in overall quality

University of Arkansas did quite well in the 2022 Best Vallue Parks & Rec Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Southeast Region For Those Making Over $110k ranking, coming in at #19. UARK is a large school located in Fayetteville, Arkansas that handed out 276 bachelors’s parks and rec degrees in 2019-2020.

UARK not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #24 on our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Southeast Region” list. The yearly cost to attend UARK is $16,381 for southeast region bachelor’s degree parks & rec students whose families make more than $110k.

With a freshman retention rate of 85%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its students.

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

With a ranking of #20, University of Arkansas at Monticello did quite well on the 2022 Best Vallue Parks & Rec Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Southeast Region For Those Making Over $110k list. UAM is a small public school situated in Monticello, Arkansas. It awarded 30 bachelors’s parks and rec degrees in 2019-2020.

The yearly cost to attend UAM is $12,136 for Southeast Region Bachelor’s Degree Parks & Rec students whose families make more than $110k.

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

Top 25% in overall quality

The University of Tennessee - Chattanooga landed the #21 spot on the 2022 Best Vallue Parks & Rec Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Southeast Region For Those Making Over $110k ranking. Located in Chattanooga, Tennessee, this fairly large public school handed out 191 degrees to qualified bachelors’s parks and rec students in 2019-2020.

The estimated yearly cost for UT Chattanooga is $12,952 for southeast region bachelor’s degree parks & rec students whose families make more than $110k.

Full The University of Tennessee - Chattanooga Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Report

#22

Florida Gulf Coast University

Fort Myers, Florida

Florida Gulf Coast University came in at #22 in this year’s edition of the Best Vallue Parks & Rec Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Southeast Region For Those Making Over $110k ranking. FGCU is a public institution located in Fort Myers, Florida. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 50 bachelors’s degrees in 2019-2020.

The estimated yearly cost for Florida Gulf Coast University is $11,606 for southeast region bachelor’s degree parks & rec students whose families make more than $110k.

Read full report on Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies at Florida Gulf Coast University

Southeastern Louisiana University did quite well in the 2022 Best Vallue Parks & Rec Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Southeast Region For Those Making Over $110k ranking, coming in at #23. Southeastern Louisiana University is a fairly large school located in Hammond, Louisiana that handed out 121 bachelors’s parks and rec degrees in 2019-2020.

The estimated yearly cost for Southeastern Louisiana University is $12,171 for Southeast Region Bachelor’s Degree Parks & Rec students whose families make more than $110k.

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

University of Louisiana at Monroe did quite well in the 2022 Best Vallue Parks & Rec Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Southeast Region For Those Making Over $110k ranking, coming in at #24. Located in Monroe, Louisiana, this medium-sized public school handed out 74 degrees to qualified bachelors’s parks and rec students in 2019-2020.

The yearly cost to attend University of Louisiana at Monroe is $10,453 for southeast region bachelor’s degree parks & rec students whose families make more than $110k.

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

#25

Citadel Military College of South Carolina

Charleston, South Carolina
#14 in overall quality

Citadel Military College of South Carolina ranked #25 on this year’s Best Vallue Parks & Rec Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Southeast Region For Those Making Over $110k list. The Citadel is a small school located in Charleston, South Carolina that handed out 37 bachelors’s parks and rec degrees in 2019-2020.

The Citadel also took the #14 spot in our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Southeast Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Citadel Military College of South Carolina is $18,548 for Southeast Region Bachelor’s Degree Parks & Rec students whose families make more than $110k.

The student loan default rate at the school is 4.7%, 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 students.

Full Citadel Military College of South Carolina Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Report

Rest of the Best 28 in Best Vallue Parks & Rec Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Southeast Region For Those Making Over $110k

Not only did these schools make the top 28 list, but they also landed in the top 15% of this year’s ranking:

#26

Clemson University

Clemson, South Carolina
#27

Louisiana Tech University

Ruston, Louisiana
#28

Appalachian State University

Boone, North Carolina

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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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