Find Schools

Study Area & Zipcode

Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies

Find Schools Near

2022 Best Value Parks & Rec Schools for a Bachelor’s in South Carolina

17 Ranked Colleges
1,089 Degrees Awarded
$18,700 Avg Net Price*
Best Value Parks & Rec Schools for a Bachelor's in South Carolina

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 for a Bachelor’s in South Carolina” 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 South Carolina, there were 1,306 parks, recreation, leisure, and fitness studies graduates with average earnings and debt of $28,400 and $26,594 respectively. At the bachelor’s degree level specifically, there were 1,089 parks, recreation, leisure, and fitness studies graduates with average earnings and debt of $0 and $0 respectively.

For this year’s “Best Value Parks & Rec Schools for a Bachelor’s in South Carolina” ranking, we looked at 17 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. For more information, check out our ranking methodology.

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

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 Bachelor’s in South Carolina” list to help you make the college decision.

In addition to College Factual’s rankings, you may want to take a look at College Combat, our unique tool that lets you pit your favorite schools head-to-head and compare how they rate on factors that most interest 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 South Carolina

The following schools top our list of the Best Best Value Parks & Rec Schools for a Bachelor’s in South Carolina.

Top 17 Best Value Bachelor’s Degree Colleges for Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies in South Carolina

#1

University of South Carolina - Columbia

Columbia, South Carolina
#1 in overall quality

Out of the 17 schools in the Best Value Parks & Rec Schools for a Bachelor’s in South Carolina that were part of this year’s ranking, University of South Carolina - Columbia landed the #1 spot on the list. University of South Carolina - Columbia is a large school located in Columbia, South Carolina that handed out 241 bachelors’s parks and rec degrees in 2019-2020.

UofSC also took the #1 spot in our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Bachelor’s Degree Schools in South Carolina” ranking. The yearly cost to attend University of South Carolina - Columbia is $20,509 for South Carolina Bachelor’s Degree Parks & Rec students.

With a freshman retention rate of 90%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its students. The student loan default rate at the school is 3.3%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

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

#2

Citadel Military College of South Carolina

Charleston, South Carolina
#3 in overall quality

Out of the 17 schools in the Best Value Parks & Rec Schools for a Bachelor’s in South Carolina that were part of this year’s ranking, Citadel Military College of South Carolina landed the #2 spot on the list. Located in Charleston, South Carolina, this small public school awarded 37 degrees to qualified bachelors’s parks and rec students in 2019-2020.

The Citadel did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #3 on our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Bachelor’s Degree Schools in South Carolina” list. It costs about $18,548 for south carolina bachelor’s degree parks & rec students per year to attend The Citadel.

The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 87%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. 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%.

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

#3

Clemson University

Clemson, South Carolina
#2 in overall quality

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Clemson University. It ranked #3 on our 2022 Best Value Parks & Rec Schools for a Bachelor’s in South Carolina list. Clemson is a public institution located in Clemson, South Carolina. The school has a large population, and it awarded 123 bachelors’s degrees in 2019-2020.

Clemson not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #2 on our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Bachelor’s Degree Schools in South Carolina” list. The estimated yearly cost for Clemson University is $20,008 for South Carolina Bachelor’s Degree Parks & Rec students.

The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 94%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. The low student loan default rate of 3.1% 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 Clemson University Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Report

#8 in overall quality

Out of the 17 schools in the Best Value Parks & Rec Schools for a Bachelor’s in South Carolina that were part of this year’s ranking, University of South Carolina - Aiken landed the #4 spot on the list. This small school is located in Aiken, South Carolina, and it awarded 61 bachelors’s parks and rec degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our south carolina bachelor’s degree parks & rec students list, UofSC Aiken has also earned the #8 rank in our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Bachelor’s Degree Schools in South Carolina” ranking. The yearly cost to attend University of South Carolina - Aiken is $15,050 for south carolina bachelor’s degree parks & rec students.

Full UofSC Aiken Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Report

#5

Coastal Carolina University

Conway, South Carolina
#7 in overall quality

Out of the 17 schools in the Best Value Parks & Rec Schools for a Bachelor’s in South Carolina that were part of this year’s ranking, Coastal Carolina University landed the #5 spot on the list. Conway, South Carolina is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out bachelors’s parks and rec degrees to 189 students in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Coastal Carolina University, the school also landed the #7 spot in our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Bachelor’s Degree Schools in South Carolina” ranking. It costs about $14,749 for South Carolina Bachelor’s Degree Parks & Rec students per year to attend Coastal Carolina University.

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

#6

Winthrop University

Rock Hill, South Carolina
#6 in overall quality

Winthrop University ranked #6 on this year’s Best Value Parks & Rec Schools for a Bachelor’s in South Carolina list. Rock Hill, South Carolina is the setting for this medium-sized institution of higher learning. The public school handed out bachelors’s parks and rec degrees to 80 students in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our south carolina bachelor’s degree parks & rec students list, Winthrop has also earned the #6 rank in our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Bachelor’s Degree Schools in South Carolina” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Winthrop University is $19,047 for South Carolina Bachelor’s Degree Parks & Rec students.

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

#7

Lander University

Greenwood, South Carolina
#11 in overall quality

With a ranking of #7, Lander University did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Parks & Rec Schools for a Bachelor’s in South Carolina list. Located in Greenwood, South Carolina, this small public school awarded 26 diplomas to qualified bachelors’s parks and rec students in 2019-2020.

Lander University did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #11 on our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Bachelor’s Degree Schools in South Carolina” list. It costs about $12,981 for south carolina bachelor’s degree parks & rec students per year to attend Lander University.

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

#8

North Greenville University

Tigerville, South Carolina
#9 in overall quality

With a ranking of #8, North Greenville University did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Parks & Rec Schools for a Bachelor’s in South Carolina list. North Greenville University is a small school located in Tigerville, South Carolina that handed out 30 bachelors’s parks and rec degrees in 2019-2020.

North Greenville not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #9 on our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Bachelor’s Degree Schools in South Carolina” list. The estimated yearly cost for North Greenville University is $22,058 for south carolina bachelor’s degree parks & rec students.

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

#9

Bob Jones University

Greenville, South Carolina
#14 in overall quality

With a ranking of #9, Bob Jones University did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Parks & Rec Schools for a Bachelor’s in South Carolina list. Bob Jones University is a small school located in Greenville, South Carolina that handed out 20 bachelors’s parks and rec degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Bob Jones University, the school also landed the #14 spot in our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Bachelor’s Degree Schools in South Carolina” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Bob Jones University is $12,923 for South Carolina Bachelor’s Degree Parks & Rec students.

The low 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%. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 86%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.

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

#10

Claflin University

Orangeburg, South Carolina
#16 in overall quality

Claflin University landed the #10 spot on the 2022 Best Value Parks & Rec Schools for a Bachelor’s in South Carolina ranking. Claflin is a small school located in Orangeburg, South Carolina that handed out 40 bachelors’s parks and rec degrees in 2019-2020.

Claflin not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #16 on our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Bachelor’s Degree Schools in South Carolina” list. The yearly cost to attend Claflin is $18,136 for South Carolina Bachelor’s Degree Parks & Rec students.

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

#11

Anderson University South Carolina

Anderson, South Carolina
#5 in overall quality

Anderson University South Carolina did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Parks & Rec Schools for a Bachelor’s in South Carolina ranking, coming in at #11. Anderson University South Carolina is a small private not-for-profit school situated in Anderson, South Carolina. It awarded 21 bachelors’s parks and rec degrees in 2019-2020.

Anderson University South Carolina not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #5 on our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Bachelor’s Degree Schools in South Carolina” list. The yearly cost to attend Anderson University South Carolina is $21,756 for South Carolina Bachelor’s Degree Parks & Rec students.

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

#12

Limestone College

Gaffney, South Carolina
#12 in overall quality

Limestone College came in at #12 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Parks & Rec Schools for a Bachelor’s in South Carolina ranking. Limestone College is a small private not-for-profit school situated in Gaffney, South Carolina. It awarded 22 bachelors’s parks and rec degrees in 2019-2020.

Limestone College also made our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Bachelor’s Degree Schools in South Carolina” list, coming in at #12. The estimated yearly cost for Limestone College is $22,707 for South Carolina Bachelor’s Degree Parks & Rec students.

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

#13

Voorhees College

Denmark, South Carolina
#17 in overall quality

Voorhees College did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Parks & Rec Schools for a Bachelor’s in South Carolina ranking, coming in at #13. Voorhees College is a small school located in Denmark, South Carolina that handed out 11 bachelors’s parks and rec degrees in 2019-2020.

Voorhees College also took the #17 spot in our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Bachelor’s Degree Schools in South Carolina” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Voorhees College is $17,113 for south carolina bachelor’s degree parks & rec students.

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

#14

Newberry College

Newberry, South Carolina
#10 in overall quality

Newberry College came in at #14 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Parks & Rec Schools for a Bachelor’s in South Carolina ranking. This small school is located in Newberry, South Carolina, and it awarded 32 bachelors’s parks and rec degrees in 2019-2020.

Newberry College did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #10 on our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Bachelor’s Degree Schools in South Carolina” list. The yearly cost to attend Newberry College is $19,539 for South Carolina Bachelor’s Degree Parks & Rec students.

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

#15

Charleston Southern University

Charleston, South Carolina
#13 in overall quality

Charleston Southern University ranked #15 on this year’s Best Value Parks & Rec Schools for a Bachelor’s in South Carolina list. Charleston Southern University is a private not-for-profit institution located in Charleston, South Carolina. The school has a small population, and it awarded 38 bachelors’s degrees in 2019-2020.

CSU not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #13 on our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Bachelor’s Degree Schools in South Carolina” list. The yearly cost to attend Charleston Southern University is $17,804 for south carolina bachelor’s degree parks & rec students.

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

#16

Erskine College

Due West, South Carolina
#4 in overall quality

With a ranking of #16, Erskine College did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Parks & Rec Schools for a Bachelor’s in South Carolina list. Erskine College is a small school located in Due West, South Carolina that handed out 5 bachelors’s parks and rec degrees in 2019-2020.

Erskine also took the #4 spot in our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Bachelor’s Degree Schools in South Carolina” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Erskine College is $31,899 for south carolina bachelor’s degree parks & rec students.

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

#17

Coker University

Hartsville, South Carolina
#15 in overall quality

Coker University landed the #17 spot on the 2022 Best Value Parks & Rec Schools for a Bachelor’s in South Carolina ranking. Located in Hartsville, South Carolina, this small private not-for-profit school handed out 21 degrees to qualified bachelors’s parks and rec students in 2019-2020.

Coker did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #15 on our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Bachelor’s Degree Schools in South Carolina” list. The estimated yearly cost for Coker is $13,472 for South Carolina Bachelor’s Degree Parks & Rec students.

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

Switch to a Different Ranking Method

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.

Credits

Featured Athletic Training Schools

Find Schools Near You