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2022 Best Value Parks & Rec Schools for a Doctorate in the Southeast Region For Those Getting Aid

16 Ranked Colleges
112 Degrees Awarded
$26,800 Avg Grad Tuition & Fees*
Best Value Parks & Rec Schools for a Doctorate in the Southeast Region For Those Getting Aid

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 for a Doctorate in the Southeast Region For Those Getting Aid” ranking is part of that endeavor.

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 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 doctor’s degree level specifically, there were 112 parks, recreation, leisure, and fitness studies graduates with average earnings and debt of $71,978 and $116,300 respectively.

This year’s “Best Value Parks & Rec Schools for a Doctorate in the Southeast Region For Those Getting Aid” ranking looked at 16 colleges that offer degrees in a bachelor’s 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. For more information, check out our ranking methodology.

One Size Does Not Fit All

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 for a Doctorate in the Southeast Region For Those Getting Aid” list to help you make the college 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. 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 for a Doctorate in the Southeast Region For Those Getting Aid

The following schools top our list of the Best Best Value Parks & Rec Schools for a Doctorate in the Southeast Region For Those Getting Aid.

Top 16 Best Value Doctor’s Degree Colleges for Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies in the Southeast Region (With Aid)

#1

North Carolina State University

Raleigh, North Carolina
#2 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 #1 for the Best Value Parks & Rec Schools for a Doctorate in the Southeast Region For Those Getting Aid. Raleigh, North Carolina is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out doctorate’s parks and rec degrees to 4 students in 2019-2020.

NC State also made our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Doctor’s Degree Schools in the Southeast Region” list, coming in at #2. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at NC State are $28,999.

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

#2

University of North Carolina at Greensboro

Greensboro, North Carolina
#12 in overall quality

Out of the 16 schools in the Best Value Parks & Rec Schools for a Doctorate in the Southeast Region For Those Getting Aid that were part of this year’s ranking, University of North Carolina at Greensboro landed the #2 spot on the list. University of North Carolina at Greensboro is located in Greensboro, North Carolina and, has a fairly large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 12 doctorate’s parks and rec degrees to qualified students.

UNC Greensboro not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #12 on our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Doctor’s Degree Schools in the Southeast Region” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at UNC Greensboro are $21,918, but some majors have different tuition rates.

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

#3

Middle Tennessee State University

Murfreesboro, Tennessee
#9 in overall quality

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Middle Tennessee State University. It ranked #3 on our 2022 Best Value Parks & Rec Schools for a Doctorate in the Southeast Region For Those Getting Aid list. Located in Murfreesboro, Tennessee, this large public school awarded 5 diplomas to qualified doctorate’s parks and rec students in 2019-2020.

Middle Tennessee State University did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #9 on our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Doctor’s Degree Schools in the Southeast Region” list. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at Middle Tennessee State University are $26,172.

Read more about Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies at Middle Tennessee State University

#4

West Virginia University

Morgantown, West Virginia
#8 in overall quality

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend West Virginia University. The school came in at #4 for the Best Value Parks & Rec Schools for a Doctorate in the Southeast Region For Those Getting Aid. West Virginia University is a large school located in Morgantown, West Virginia that handed out 6 doctorate’s parks and rec degrees in 2019-2020.

WVU did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #8 on our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Doctor’s Degree Schools in the Southeast Region” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at West Virginia University are $26,154, but some majors have different tuition rates.

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

#5

University of Georgia

Athens, Georgia
#6 in overall quality

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend University of Georgia. It ranked #5 on our 2022 Best Value Parks & Rec Schools for a Doctorate in the Southeast Region For Those Getting Aid list. This large school is located in Athens, Georgia, and it awarded 5 doctorate’s parks and rec degrees in 2019-2020.

UGA also made our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Doctor’s Degree Schools in the Southeast Region” list, coming in at #6. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at University of Georgia are $27,476.

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

#6

Clemson University

Clemson, South Carolina
#1 in overall quality

With a ranking of #6, Clemson University did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Parks & Rec Schools for a Doctorate in the Southeast Region For Those Getting Aid list. Clemson, South Carolina is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out doctorate’s parks and rec degrees to 14 students in 2019-2020.

Clemson not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #1 on our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Doctor’s Degree Schools in the Southeast Region” list. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at Clemson are $23,246.

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

#7

University of South Carolina - Columbia

Columbia, South Carolina
#4 in overall quality

With a ranking of #7, University of South Carolina - Columbia did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Parks & Rec Schools for a Doctorate in the Southeast Region For Those Getting Aid list. UofSC is located in Columbia, South Carolina and, has a large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 5 doctorate’s parks and rec degrees to qualified students.

UofSC did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #4 on our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Doctor’s Degree Schools in the Southeast Region” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at UofSC are $30,160, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Full University of South Carolina - Columbia Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Report

#8

University of Mississippi

University, Mississippi
#14 in overall quality

University of Mississippi did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Parks & Rec Schools for a Doctorate in the Southeast Region For Those Getting Aid ranking, coming in at #8. Ole Miss is a public institution located in University, Mississippi. The school has a large population, and it awarded 1 doctorate’s degrees in 2019-2020.

Ole Miss also took the #14 spot in our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Doctor’s Degree Schools in the Southeast Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at University of Mississippi are $25,099, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Full Ole Miss Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Report

#9

The University of Alabama

Tuscaloosa, Alabama
#5 in overall quality

The University of Alabama came in at #9 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Parks & Rec Schools for a Doctorate in the Southeast Region For Those Getting Aid ranking. This large school is located in Tuscaloosa, Alabama, and it awarded 7 doctorate’s parks and rec degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at UA, the school also landed the #5 spot in our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Doctor’s Degree Schools in the Southeast Region” ranking. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at UA are $30,940.

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

#10

University of Arkansas

Fayetteville, Arkansas
#10 in overall quality

University of Arkansas did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Parks & Rec Schools for a Doctorate in the Southeast Region For Those Getting Aid ranking, coming in at #10. University of Arkansas is a large school located in Fayetteville, Arkansas that handed out 1 doctorate’s parks and rec degrees in 2019-2020.

UARK did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #10 on our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Doctor’s Degree Schools in the Southeast Region” list. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at UARK are $22,121.

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

#11

East Tennessee State University

Johnson City, Tennessee
#13 in overall quality

East Tennessee State University came in at #11 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Parks & Rec Schools for a Doctorate in the Southeast Region For Those Getting Aid ranking. Located in Johnson City, Tennessee, this fairly large public school handed out 9 diplomas to qualified doctorate’s parks and rec students in 2019-2020.

ETSU did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #13 on our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Doctor’s Degree Schools in the Southeast Region” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at East Tennessee State University are $25,679, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read full report on Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies at East Tennessee State University

#3 in overall quality

With a ranking of #12, The University of Tennessee - Knoxville did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Parks & Rec Schools for a Doctorate in the Southeast Region For Those Getting Aid list. The University of Tennessee - Knoxville is a large public school situated in Knoxville, Tennessee. It awarded 11 doctorate’s parks and rec degrees in 2019-2020.

UT Knoxville did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #3 on our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Doctor’s Degree Schools in the Southeast Region” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at UT Knoxville are $31,798, but some majors have different tuition rates.

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

#13

University of Kentucky

Lexington, Kentucky
#7 in overall quality

University of Kentucky ranked #13 on this year’s Best Value Parks & Rec Schools for a Doctorate in the Southeast Region For Those Getting Aid list. This large school is located in Lexington, Kentucky, and it awarded 4 doctorate’s parks and rec degrees in 2019-2020.

UK also made our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Doctor’s Degree Schools in the Southeast Region” list, coming in at #7. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at UK are $33,216.

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

#14

Georgia State University

Atlanta, Georgia
#16 in overall quality

With a ranking of #14, Georgia State University did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Parks & Rec Schools for a Doctorate in the Southeast Region For Those Getting Aid list. Georgia State University is a large school located in Atlanta, Georgia that handed out 5 doctorate’s parks and rec degrees in 2019-2020.

Georgia State also made our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Doctor’s Degree Schools in the Southeast Region” list, coming in at #16. Average graduate tuition and fees at Georgia State are $24,790, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Full Georgia State Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Report

#15

Troy University

Troy, Alabama
#17 in overall quality

Troy University did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Parks & Rec Schools for a Doctorate in the Southeast Region For Those Getting Aid ranking, coming in at #15. This fairly large school is located in Troy, Alabama, and it awarded 1 doctorate’s parks and rec degrees in 2019-2020.

TROY also took the #17 spot in our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Doctor’s Degree Schools in the Southeast Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at Troy University are $16,156, but some majors have different tuition rates.

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

#16

Old Dominion University

Norfolk, Virginia
#15 in overall quality

With a ranking of #16, Old Dominion University did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Parks & Rec Schools for a Doctorate in the Southeast Region For Those Getting Aid list. Norfolk, Virginia is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out doctorate’s parks and rec degrees to 1 students in 2019-2020.

Old Dominion also took the #15 spot in our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Doctor’s Degree Schools in the Southeast Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at Old Dominion University are $33,288, but some majors have different tuition rates.

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