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2022 Best Value Master’s Degree Colleges for Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies in the Southeast Region (With Aid)

89 Ranked Colleges
2,885 Degrees Awarded
$23,900 Avg Grad Tuition & Fees*
Best Value Parks & Rec Schools for a Master's in the Southeast Region For Those Getting Aid

Students have lots of options to chooose from today when trying to decide which college to attend. 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 Master’s in the Southeast Region 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 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 master’s degree level specifically, there were 2,885 parks, recreation, leisure, and fitness studies graduates with average earnings and debt of $53,950 and $43,286 respectively.

This year’s “Best Value Parks & Rec Schools for a Master’s in the Southeast Region For Those Getting Aid” ranking analyzed 89 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.

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

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 Value Parks & Rec Schools for a Master’s in the Southeast Region For Those Getting Aid”.

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. Test it out when you get a chance! You may also want to bookmark the link and share it with others who are trying to make the college decision.

Best Value Parks & Rec Schools for a Master’s in the Southeast Region For Those Getting Aid

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

Top 25 Best Value Master’s Degree Colleges for Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies in the Southeast Region (With Aid)

#1

University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

Chapel Hill, North Carolina
#7 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 Master’s in the Southeast Region For Those Getting Aid. This large school is located in Chapel Hill, North Carolina, and it awarded 37 masters’s parks and rec degrees in 2019-2020.

UNC Chapel Hill also took the #7 spot in our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Master’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 University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill are $30,248.

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

#2

University of Florida

Gainesville, Florida
#2 in overall quality

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend University of Florida. It ranked #2 on our 2022 Best Value Parks & Rec Schools for a Master’s in the Southeast Region For Those Getting Aid list. University of Florida is a large public school situated in Gainesville, Florida. It awarded 67 masters’s parks and rec degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at UF, the school also landed the #2 spot in our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Master’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 UF are $30,130.

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

#3

American Public University System

Charles Town, West Virginia
#5 in overall quality

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend American Public University System. It ranked #3 on our 2022 Best Value Parks & Rec Schools for a Master’s in the Southeast Region For Those Getting Aid list. Charles Town, West Virginia is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The private for-profit school handed out masters’s parks and rec degrees to 143 students in 2019-2020.

American Military University also took the #5 spot in our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Master’s Degree Schools in the Southeast Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at American Public University System are $7,050, but some majors have different tuition rates.

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

#22 in overall quality

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend University of South Florida - Main Campus. The school came in at #4 for the Best Value Parks & Rec Schools for a Master’s in the Southeast Region For Those Getting Aid. USF Tampa is a large school located in Tampa, Florida that handed out 56 masters’s parks and rec degrees in 2019-2020.

USF Tampa did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #22 on our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Master’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 University of South Florida - Main Campus are $21,126.

Read full report on Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies at University of South Florida - Main Campus

#5

North Carolina State University

Raleigh, North Carolina
#1 in overall quality

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend North Carolina State University. It ranked #5 on our 2022 Best Value Parks & Rec Schools for a Master’s in the Southeast Region For Those Getting Aid list. NC State is a public institution located in Raleigh, North Carolina. The school has a large population, and it awarded 37 masters’s degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our southeast region master’s degree parks & rec students with aid list, NC State has also earned the #1 rank in our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Master’s Degree Schools in the Southeast Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at North Carolina State University are $28,999, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

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

Florida International University came in at #6 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Parks & Rec Schools for a Master’s in the Southeast Region For Those Getting Aid ranking. FIU is a public institution located in Miami, Florida. The school has a large population, and it awarded 24 masters’s degrees in 2019-2020.

Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at FIU are $24,211.

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

University of Central Florida ranked #7 on this year’s Best Value Parks & Rec Schools for a Master’s in the Southeast Region For Those Getting Aid list. Located in Orlando, Florida, this large public school handed out 27 degrees to qualified masters’s parks and rec students in 2019-2020.

Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at UCF are $28,657.

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

#8

The University of West Florida

Pensacola, Florida

The University of West Florida did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Parks & Rec Schools for a Master’s in the Southeast Region For Those Getting Aid ranking, coming in at #8. Pensacola, Florida is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out masters’s parks and rec degrees to 17 students in 2019-2020.

Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at UWF are $24,894.

Read full report on Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies at The University of West Florida

#9

Florida State University

Tallahassee, Florida
#13 in overall quality

Florida State University did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Parks & Rec Schools for a Master’s in the Southeast Region For Those Getting Aid ranking, coming in at #9. Tallahassee, Florida is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out masters’s parks and rec degrees to 61 students in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Florida State, the school also landed the #13 spot in our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Master’s Degree Schools in the Southeast Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at Florida State University are $26,707, but some majors have different tuition rates.

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

#10

Appalachian State University

Boone, North Carolina

Appalachian State University did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Parks & Rec Schools for a Master’s in the Southeast Region For Those Getting Aid ranking, coming in at #10. Appalachian State is located in Boone, North Carolina and, has a large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 26 masters’s parks and rec degrees to qualified students.

Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at Appalachian State are $21,439.

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

#11

Western Kentucky University

Bowling Green, Kentucky
#10 in overall quality

Western Kentucky University ranked #11 on this year’s Best Value Parks & Rec Schools for a Master’s in the Southeast Region For Those Getting Aid list. This fairly large school is located in Bowling Green, Kentucky, and it awarded 66 masters’s parks and rec degrees in 2019-2020.

WKU did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #10 on our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Master’s Degree Schools in the Southeast Region” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at Western Kentucky University are $18,340, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

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

#12

University of Virginia - Main Campus

Charlottesville, Virginia
#11 in overall quality

University of Virginia - Main Campus ranked #12 on this year’s Best Value Parks & Rec Schools for a Master’s in the Southeast Region For Those Getting Aid list. University of Virginia - Main Campus is a large public school situated in Charlottesville, Virginia. It awarded 22 masters’s parks and rec degrees in 2019-2020.

University of Virginia also made our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Master’s Degree Schools in the Southeast Region” list, coming in at #11. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at University of Virginia are $32,394.

Read more about Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies at University of Virginia - Main Campus

#13

University of Georgia

Athens, Georgia
#4 in overall quality

University of Georgia ranked #13 on this year’s Best Value Parks & Rec Schools for a Master’s in the Southeast Region For Those Getting Aid list. Athens, Georgia is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out masters’s parks and rec degrees to 41 students in 2019-2020.

UGA also made our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Master’s Degree Schools in the Southeast Region” list, coming in at #4. Average graduate tuition and fees at University of Georgia are $27,476, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

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

#14

Georgia Southern University

Statesboro, Georgia
#19 in overall quality

Georgia Southern University ranked #14 on this year’s Best Value Parks & Rec Schools for a Master’s in the Southeast Region For Those Getting Aid list. Georgia Southern University is a large school located in Statesboro, Georgia that handed out 98 masters’s parks and rec degrees in 2019-2020.

GaSou also made our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Master’s Degree Schools in the Southeast Region” list, coming in at #19. Average graduate tuition and fees at GaSou are $22,004, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

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

#15

McNeese State University

Lake Charles, Louisiana

McNeese State University ranked #15 on this year’s Best Value Parks & Rec Schools for a Master’s in the Southeast Region For Those Getting Aid list. McNeese is a medium-sized school located in Lake Charles, Louisiana that handed out 24 masters’s parks and rec degrees in 2019-2020.

Average graduate tuition and fees at McNeese are $16,386, but some majors have different tuition rates.

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

#16

University of North Carolina at Greensboro

Greensboro, North Carolina

University of North Carolina at Greensboro ranked #16 on this year’s Best Value Parks & Rec Schools for a Master’s in the Southeast Region For Those Getting Aid list. UNC Greensboro is a fairly large public school situated in Greensboro, North Carolina. It awarded 31 masters’s parks and rec degrees in 2019-2020.

Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at UNC Greensboro are $21,918.

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

#17

Augusta University

Augusta, Georgia

Augusta University did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Parks & Rec Schools for a Master’s in the Southeast Region For Those Getting Aid ranking, coming in at #17. Augusta University is located in Augusta, Georgia and, has a medium-sized student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 5 masters’s parks and rec degrees to qualified students.

In addition to being on our southeast region master’s degree parks & rec students with aid list, Augusta University has also earned the #0 rank in our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Master’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 Augusta University are $20,712.

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

#18

Middle Tennessee State University

Murfreesboro, Tennessee

Middle Tennessee State University came in at #18 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Parks & Rec Schools for a Master’s in the Southeast Region For Those Getting Aid ranking. Located in Murfreesboro, Tennessee, this large public school awarded 29 degrees to qualified masters’s parks and rec students in 2019-2020.

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

#19

James Madison University

Harrisonburg, Virginia
#8 in overall quality

With a ranking of #19, James Madison University did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Parks & Rec Schools for a Master’s in the Southeast Region For Those Getting Aid list. James Madison University is a large public school situated in Harrisonburg, Virginia. It awarded 48 masters’s parks and rec degrees in 2019-2020.

JMU did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #8 on our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Master’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 James Madison University are $29,544.

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

University of Louisiana at Monroe came in at #20 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Parks & Rec Schools for a Master’s in the Southeast Region For Those Getting Aid ranking. Located in Monroe, Louisiana, this medium-sized public school handed out 25 degrees to qualified masters’s parks and rec students in 2019-2020.

Average graduate tuition and fees at ULM are $21,410, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

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

Southeastern Louisiana University landed the #21 spot on the 2022 Best Value Parks & Rec Schools for a Master’s in the Southeast Region For Those Getting Aid ranking. Southeastern Louisiana University is located in Hammond, Louisiana and, has a fairly large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 26 masters’s parks and rec degrees to qualified students.

Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at Southeastern are $21,246.

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

#22

George Mason University

Fairfax, Virginia
#18 in overall quality

George Mason University ranked #22 on this year’s Best Value Parks & Rec Schools for a Master’s in the Southeast Region For Those Getting Aid list. George Mason University is a large public school situated in Fairfax, Virginia. It awarded 27 masters’s parks and rec degrees in 2019-2020.

GMU did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #18 on our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Master’s Degree Schools in the Southeast Region” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at GMU are $37,410, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

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

#23

Marshall University

Huntington, West Virginia

Marshall University landed the #23 spot on the 2022 Best Value Parks & Rec Schools for a Master’s in the Southeast Region For Those Getting Aid ranking. Located in Huntington, West Virginia, this fairly large public school awarded 11 diplomas to qualified masters’s parks and rec students in 2019-2020.

Average graduate tuition and fees at Marshall University are $21,162, but some majors have different tuition rates.

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

#24

Western Carolina University

Cullowhee, North Carolina

Western Carolina University did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Parks & Rec Schools for a Master’s in the Southeast Region For Those Getting Aid ranking, coming in at #24. This fairly large school is located in Cullowhee, North Carolina, and it awarded 24 masters’s parks and rec degrees in 2019-2020.

Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at WCU are $17,821.

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

#25

Florida Atlantic University

Boca Raton, Florida

With a ranking of #25, Florida Atlantic University did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Parks & Rec Schools for a Master’s in the Southeast Region For Those Getting Aid list. FAU is a public institution located in Boca Raton, Florida. The school has a large population, and it awarded 27 masters’s degrees in 2019-2020.

Average graduate tuition and fees at Florida Atlantic University are $18,482, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

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

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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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