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2022 Best Value Bachelor’s Degree Colleges for Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies in North Carolina (With Aid)

36 Ranked Colleges
3,100 Degrees Awarded
$16,800 Avg Net Price*
Best Value Parks & Rec Schools for a Bachelor's in North Carolina For Those Getting Aid

With all of the options students have for higher education today, it can be tough to choose which direction to take. One of our goals at College Factual is to give you as much information as we can - such as our “Best Value Parks & Rec Schools for a Bachelor’s in North Carolina For Those Getting Aid” ranking - to help you make that decision.

In 2019-2020, 72,122 people earned their degree in parks, recreation, leisure, and fitness studies, making the major the 15th most popular in the United States. In 2017-2018, parks, recreation, leisure, and fitness studies graduates who were awarded their degree in 2015-2017, earned an average of $29,823 and had an average of $24,576 in loans still to pay off.

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

This year’s “Best Value Parks & Rec Schools for a Bachelor’s in North Carolina For Those Getting Aid” ranking analyzed 36 colleges that offered 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.

Some of the factors we look at when determining these rankings are overall quality of the parks, recreation, leisure, and fitness studies program at the school and the cost of the school after aid is awarded among other things. See our ranking methodology to learn more.

One Size Does Not Fit All

Since the program you select can have a significant impact on your future, we’ve developed a number of rankings, including this “Best Value Parks & Rec Schools for a Bachelor’s in North Carolina For Those Getting Aid” list, to help you choose the best school for you.

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. When you have some time, check it out - you may want to bookmark the link so you don’t forget it.

Best Value Parks & Rec Schools for a Bachelor’s in North Carolina For Those Getting Aid

The following schools top our list of the Best Best Value Parks & Rec Schools for a Bachelor’s in North Carolina For Those Getting Aid.

Top 25 Best Value Bachelor’s Degree Colleges for Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies in North Carolina (With Aid)

#1

University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

Chapel Hill, North Carolina
#2 in overall quality

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. The school came in at #1 for the Best Value Parks & Rec Schools for a Bachelor’s in North Carolina For Those Getting Aid. Located in Chapel Hill, North Carolina, this large public school handed out 346 diplomas to qualified bachelors’s parks and rec students in 2019-2020.

UNC Chapel Hill also took the #2 spot in our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Bachelor’s Degree Schools in North Carolina” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill is $12,352 for North Carolina Bachelor’s Degree Parks & Rec students with aid.

With a freshman retention rate of 95%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its students. The school has an impressive student loan default rate. It’s only 1.9%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

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

#2

Elizabeth City State University

Elizabeth City, North Carolina
#22 in overall quality

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Elizabeth City State University. It ranked #2 on our 2022 Best Value Parks & Rec Schools for a Bachelor’s in North Carolina For Those Getting Aid list. Located in Elizabeth City, North Carolina, this small public school handed out 19 diplomas to qualified bachelors’s parks and rec students in 2019-2020.

ECSU not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #22 on our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Bachelor’s Degree Schools in North Carolina” list. It costs about $2,350 for north carolina bachelor’s degree parks & rec students with aid per year to attend Elizabeth City State University.

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

#3

North Carolina State University

Raleigh, North Carolina
#3 in overall quality

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 for a Bachelor’s in North Carolina For Those Getting Aid. Located in Raleigh, North Carolina, this large public school handed out 137 diplomas to qualified bachelors’s parks and rec students in 2019-2020.

NC State not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #3 on our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Bachelor’s Degree Schools in North Carolina” list. The yearly cost to attend NC State is $16,458 for North Carolina Bachelor’s Degree Parks & Rec students with aid.

Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 94%. 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%.

Read more about Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies at NC State

#4

Appalachian State University

Boone, North Carolina
#7 in overall quality

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Appalachian State University. It ranked #4 on our 2022 Best Value Parks & Rec Schools for a Bachelor’s in North Carolina For Those Getting Aid list. This large school is located in Boone, North Carolina, and it awarded 368 bachelors’s parks and rec degrees in 2019-2020.

Appalachian State also made our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Bachelor’s Degree Schools in North Carolina” list, coming in at #7. The yearly cost to attend Appalachian State is $13,920 for North Carolina Bachelor’s Degree Parks & Rec students with aid.

Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 86%. The low student loan default rate of 3.9% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.

Read more about Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies at Appalachian State

#5

University of North Carolina at Greensboro

Greensboro, North Carolina
#10 in overall quality

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend University of North Carolina at Greensboro. The school came in at #5 for the Best Value Parks & Rec Schools for a Bachelor’s in North Carolina For Those Getting Aid. UNC Greensboro is located in Greensboro, North Carolina and, has a fairly large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 215 bachelors’s parks and rec degrees to qualified students.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at UNC Greensboro, the school also landed the #10 spot in our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Bachelor’s Degree Schools in North Carolina” ranking. It costs about $12,748 for north carolina bachelor’s degree parks & rec students with aid per year to attend UNC Greensboro.

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

#6

North Carolina A & T State University

Greensboro, North Carolina
#17 in overall quality

North Carolina A & T State University did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Parks & Rec Schools for a Bachelor’s in North Carolina For Those Getting Aid ranking, coming in at #6. NC A&T is a public institution located in Greensboro, North Carolina. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 142 bachelors’s degrees in 2019-2020.

NC A&T not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #17 on our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Bachelor’s Degree Schools in North Carolina” list. The estimated yearly cost for North Carolina A & T State University is $10,274 for North Carolina Bachelor’s Degree Parks & Rec students with aid.

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

#7

University of North Carolina at Wilmington

Wilmington, North Carolina
#5 in overall quality

University of North Carolina at Wilmington landed the #7 spot on the 2022 Best Value Parks & Rec Schools for a Bachelor’s in North Carolina For Those Getting Aid ranking. UNCW is a fairly large public school situated in Wilmington, North Carolina. It awarded 229 bachelors’s parks and rec degrees in 2019-2020.

UNCW not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #5 on our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Bachelor’s Degree Schools in North Carolina” list. The estimated yearly cost for UNCW is $19,055 for North Carolina Bachelor’s Degree Parks & Rec students with aid.

The low student loan default rate of 3.9% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.

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

#8

University of North Carolina at Pembroke

Pembroke, North Carolina
#20 in overall quality

With a ranking of #8, University of North Carolina at Pembroke did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Parks & Rec Schools for a Bachelor’s in North Carolina For Those Getting Aid list. University of North Carolina at Pembroke is a medium-sized public school situated in Pembroke, North Carolina. It awarded 101 bachelors’s parks and rec degrees in 2019-2020.

UNC Pembroke also took the #20 spot in our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Bachelor’s Degree Schools in North Carolina” ranking. It costs about $10,228 for North Carolina Bachelor’s Degree Parks & Rec students with aid per year to attend University of North Carolina at Pembroke.

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

#9

University of North Carolina at Charlotte

Charlotte, North Carolina
#8 in overall quality

University of North Carolina at Charlotte landed the #9 spot on the 2022 Best Value Parks & Rec Schools for a Bachelor’s in North Carolina For Those Getting Aid ranking. University of North Carolina at Charlotte is a public institution located in Charlotte, North Carolina. The school has a large population, and it awarded 190 bachelors’s degrees in 2019-2020.

UNC Charlotte also took the #8 spot in our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Bachelor’s Degree Schools in North Carolina” ranking. It costs about $16,529 for north carolina bachelor’s degree parks & rec students with aid per year to attend University of North Carolina at Charlotte.

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

#10

East Carolina University

Greenville, North Carolina
#9 in overall quality

East Carolina University did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Parks & Rec Schools for a Bachelor’s in North Carolina For Those Getting Aid ranking, coming in at #10. Greenville, North Carolina is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out bachelors’s parks and rec degrees to 156 students in 2019-2020.

ECU not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #9 on our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Bachelor’s Degree Schools in North Carolina” list. It costs about $15,844 for North Carolina Bachelor’s Degree Parks & Rec students with aid per year to attend ECU.

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

#11

Western Carolina University

Cullowhee, North Carolina
#16 in overall quality

With a ranking of #11, Western Carolina University did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Parks & Rec Schools for a Bachelor’s in North Carolina For Those Getting Aid list. Located in Cullowhee, North Carolina, this fairly large public school awarded 68 degrees to qualified bachelors’s parks and rec students in 2019-2020.

WCU did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #16 on our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Bachelor’s Degree Schools in North Carolina” list. It costs about $13,722 for north carolina bachelor’s degree parks & rec students with aid per year to attend WCU.

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

#12

Winston - Salem State University

Winston-Salem, North Carolina
#23 in overall quality

With a ranking of #12, Winston - Salem State University did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Parks & Rec Schools for a Bachelor’s in North Carolina For Those Getting Aid list. Winston - Salem State University is a medium-sized public school situated in Winston-Salem, North Carolina. It awarded 101 bachelors’s parks and rec degrees in 2019-2020.

WSSU did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #23 on our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Bachelor’s Degree Schools in North Carolina” list. It costs about $12,286 for north carolina bachelor’s degree parks & rec students with aid per year to attend WSSU.

Read full report on Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies at Winston - Salem State University

#13

North Carolina Central University

Durham, North Carolina

North Carolina Central University came in at #13 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Parks & Rec Schools for a Bachelor’s in North Carolina For Those Getting Aid ranking. Located in Durham, North Carolina, this medium-sized public school awarded 96 degrees to qualified bachelors’s parks and rec students in 2019-2020.

It costs about $14,732 for north carolina bachelor’s degree parks & rec students with aid per year to attend North Carolina Central University.

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

#14

University of Mount Olive

Mount Olive, North Carolina
#21 in overall quality

With a ranking of #14, University of Mount Olive did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Parks & Rec Schools for a Bachelor’s in North Carolina For Those Getting Aid list. UMO is a small private not-for-profit school situated in Mount Olive, North Carolina. It awarded 35 bachelors’s parks and rec degrees in 2019-2020.

UMO also made our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Bachelor’s Degree Schools in North Carolina” list, coming in at #21. It costs about $16,437 for north carolina bachelor’s degree parks & rec students with aid per year to attend University of Mount Olive.

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

#15

Lenoir - Rhyne University

Hickory, North Carolina
#14 in overall quality

Lenoir - Rhyne University did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Parks & Rec Schools for a Bachelor’s in North Carolina For Those Getting Aid ranking, coming in at #15. Lenoir - Rhyne University is a small private not-for-profit school situated in Hickory, North Carolina. It awarded 45 bachelors’s parks and rec degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Lenoir - Rhyne University, the school also landed the #14 spot in our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Bachelor’s Degree Schools in North Carolina” ranking. It costs about $18,924 for north carolina bachelor’s degree parks & rec students with aid per year to attend Lenoir - Rhyne University.

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

#16

Wake Forest University

Winston-Salem, North Carolina
#4 in overall quality

Wake Forest University ranked #16 on this year’s Best Value Parks & Rec Schools for a Bachelor’s in North Carolina For Those Getting Aid list. Wake Forest University is located in Winston-Salem, North Carolina and, has a medium-sized student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 70 bachelors’s parks and rec degrees to qualified students.

Wake Forest University also took the #4 spot in our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Bachelor’s Degree Schools in North Carolina” ranking. It costs about $29,990 for north carolina bachelor’s degree parks & rec students with aid per year to attend Wake Forest University.

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 student loan default rate of 1.6% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.

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

#17

Catawba College

Salisbury, North Carolina
#18 in overall quality

Catawba College ranked #17 on this year’s Best Value Parks & Rec Schools for a Bachelor’s in North Carolina For Those Getting Aid list. Catawba College is a private not-for-profit institution located in Salisbury, North Carolina. The school has a small population, and it awarded 22 bachelors’s degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Catawba, the school also landed the #18 spot in our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Bachelor’s Degree Schools in North Carolina” ranking. It costs about $18,185 for north carolina bachelor’s degree parks & rec students with aid per year to attend Catawba.

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

#18

Greensboro College

Greensboro, North Carolina

Greensboro College landed the #18 spot on the 2022 Best Value Parks & Rec Schools for a Bachelor’s in North Carolina For Those Getting Aid ranking. Greensboro, North Carolina is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out bachelors’s parks and rec degrees to 30 students in 2019-2020.

The yearly cost to attend Greensboro College is $18,764 for North Carolina Bachelor’s Degree Parks & Rec students with aid.

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

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

#19

Johnson & Wales University - Charlotte

Charlotte, North Carolina
#6 in overall quality

Johnson & Wales University - Charlotte did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Parks & Rec Schools for a Bachelor’s in North Carolina For Those Getting Aid ranking, coming in at #19. Johnson & Wales University - Charlotte is a private not-for-profit institution located in Charlotte, North Carolina. The school has a small population, and it awarded 34 bachelors’s degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our north carolina bachelor’s degree parks & rec students with aid list, JWU Charlotte has also earned the #6 rank in our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Bachelor’s Degree Schools in North Carolina” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Johnson & Wales University - Charlotte is $23,774 for North Carolina Bachelor’s Degree Parks & Rec students with aid.

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

#20

Wingate University

Wingate, North Carolina
#24 in overall quality

Wingate University did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Parks & Rec Schools for a Bachelor’s in North Carolina For Those Getting Aid ranking, coming in at #20. Wingate University is a small school located in Wingate, North Carolina that handed out 68 bachelors’s parks and rec degrees in 2019-2020.

Wingate also made our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Bachelor’s Degree Schools in North Carolina” list, coming in at #24. The estimated yearly cost for Wingate University is $18,759 for North Carolina Bachelor’s Degree Parks & Rec students with aid.

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

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

#21

Gardner - Webb University

Boiling Springs, North Carolina
#25 in overall quality

Gardner - Webb University did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Parks & Rec Schools for a Bachelor’s in North Carolina For Those Getting Aid ranking, coming in at #21. Boiling Springs, North Carolina is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out bachelors’s parks and rec degrees to 16 students in 2019-2020.

Gardner - Webb did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #25 on our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Bachelor’s Degree Schools in North Carolina” list. The estimated yearly cost for Gardner - Webb University is $21,296 for north carolina bachelor’s degree parks & rec students with aid.

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

#22

Chowan University

Murfreesboro, North Carolina

Chowan University landed the #22 spot on the 2022 Best Value Parks & Rec Schools for a Bachelor’s in North Carolina For Those Getting Aid ranking. Located in Murfreesboro, North Carolina, this small private not-for-profit school handed out 41 degrees to qualified bachelors’s parks and rec students in 2019-2020.

The yearly cost to attend Chowan University is $17,488 for North Carolina Bachelor’s Degree Parks & Rec students with aid.

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

#23

North Carolina Wesleyan College

Rocky Mount, North Carolina

With a ranking of #23, North Carolina Wesleyan College did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Parks & Rec Schools for a Bachelor’s in North Carolina For Those Getting Aid list. North Carolina Wesleyan College is a private not-for-profit institution located in Rocky Mount, North Carolina. The school has a small population, and it awarded 9 bachelors’s degrees in 2019-2020.

The estimated yearly cost for North Carolina Wesleyan College is $14,023 for North Carolina Bachelor’s Degree Parks & Rec students with aid.

Read more about Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies at North Carolina Wesleyan College

#24

Livingstone College

Salisbury, North Carolina

Livingstone College landed the #24 spot on the 2022 Best Value Parks & Rec Schools for a Bachelor’s in North Carolina For Those Getting Aid ranking. Livingstone College is located in Salisbury, North Carolina and, has a small student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 20 bachelors’s parks and rec degrees to qualified students.

The yearly cost to attend Livingstone College is $18,006 for North Carolina Bachelor’s Degree Parks & Rec students with aid.

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

#25

Pfeiffer University

Misenheimer, North Carolina

With a ranking of #25, Pfeiffer University did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Parks & Rec Schools for a Bachelor’s in North Carolina For Those Getting Aid list. Pfeiffer University is located in Misenheimer, North Carolina and, has a small student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 16 bachelors’s parks and rec degrees to qualified students.

It costs about $33,465 for North Carolina Bachelor’s Degree Parks & Rec students with aid per year to attend Pfeiffer University.

The student-to-faculty ratio of 10 to 1 is a sign that students will have more opportunities to engage with their professors one-on-one.

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

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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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