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2022 Best Value Parks & Rec Schools for a Doctorate in the Southeast Region

17 Ranked Colleges
112 Degrees Awarded
$26,400 Avg Grad Tuition & Fees*
Best Value Parks & Rec Schools for a Doctorate in the Southeast Region

It’s not easy to decide which college to attend when there so many options available for students. 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 Doctorate in the Southeast Region” ranking - to help you make that 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 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” ranking looked at 17 colleges that offer degrees in a bachelor’s in parks, recreation, leisure, and fitness studies. Not only do the schools that top this list have excellent parks, recreation, leisure, and fitness studies programs, but they also cost less that 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 Doctorate in the Southeast Region”.

One of our other unique offerings is College Combat. This tool lets you build your own customized comparisons utilizing the factors that are most important 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 Doctorate in the Southeast Region

The colleges and universities below are the best for southeast region doctor’s degree parks & rec students.

Top 17 Best Value Doctor’s Degree Colleges for Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies in the Southeast Region

#1

Clemson University

Clemson, South Carolina
#1 in overall quality

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Clemson University. It ranked #1 on our 2022 Best Value Parks & Rec Schools for a Doctorate in the Southeast Region list. Clemson is a large public school situated in Clemson, South Carolina. It awarded 14 doctorate’s parks and rec degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Clemson, the school also landed the #1 spot in our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Doctor’s Degree Schools in the Southeast Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at Clemson are $23,246, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

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

#11 in overall quality

Out of the 17 schools in the Best Value Parks & Rec Schools for a Doctorate in the Southeast Region that were part of this year’s ranking, United States Sports Academy landed the #2 spot on the list. Located in Daphne, Alabama, this small private not-for-profit school awarded 10 degrees to qualified doctorate’s parks and rec students in 2019-2020.

The Academy also took the #11 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 The Academy are $19,440.

Full United States Sports Academy Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Report

#3

North Carolina State University

Raleigh, North Carolina
#2 in overall quality

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend North Carolina State University. It ranked #3 on our 2022 Best Value Parks & Rec Schools for a Doctorate in the Southeast Region list. North Carolina State University is a public institution located in Raleigh, North Carolina. The school has a large population, and it awarded 4 doctorate’s degrees in 2019-2020.

NC State not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #2 on our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Doctor’s Degree Schools in the Southeast Region” list. 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 more about Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies at North Carolina State University

#4

University of North Carolina at Greensboro

Greensboro, North Carolina
#12 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 #4 for the Best Value Parks & Rec Schools for a Doctorate in the Southeast Region. Located in Greensboro, North Carolina, this fairly large public school handed out 12 diplomas to qualified doctorate’s parks and rec students in 2019-2020.

UNC Greensboro also took the #12 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 North Carolina at Greensboro are $21,918, but some majors have different tuition rates.

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

#5

University of Georgia

Athens, Georgia
#6 in overall quality

Out of the 17 schools in the Best Value Parks & Rec Schools for a Doctorate in the Southeast Region that were part of this year’s ranking, University of Georgia landed the #5 spot on the list. Athens, Georgia is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out doctorate’s parks and rec degrees to 5 students in 2019-2020.

UGA did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #6 on our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Doctor’s Degree Schools in the Southeast Region” list. 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 University of Georgia

#6

University of Arkansas

Fayetteville, Arkansas
#10 in overall quality

University of Arkansas landed the #6 spot on the 2022 Best Value Parks & Rec Schools for a Doctorate in the Southeast Region ranking. UARK is a public institution located in Fayetteville, Arkansas. The school has a large population, and it awarded 1 doctorate’s degrees in 2019-2020.

UARK also made our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Doctor’s Degree Schools in the Southeast Region” list, coming in at #10. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at University of Arkansas are $22,121.

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

#7

Troy University

Troy, Alabama
#17 in overall quality

With a ranking of #7, Troy University did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Parks & Rec Schools for a Doctorate in the Southeast Region list. Located in Troy, Alabama, this fairly large public school handed out 1 degrees to qualified doctorate’s parks and rec students in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our southeast region doctor’s degree parks & rec students list, TROY has also earned the #17 rank 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 Troy University are $16,156.

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

#8

University of South Carolina - Columbia

Columbia, South Carolina
#4 in overall quality

University of South Carolina - Columbia landed the #8 spot on the 2022 Best Value Parks & Rec Schools for a Doctorate in the Southeast Region ranking. University of South Carolina - Columbia is a large public school situated in Columbia, South Carolina. It awarded 5 doctorate’s parks and rec degrees in 2019-2020.

UofSC also took the #4 spot in our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Doctor’s Degree Schools in the Southeast Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at UofSC are $30,160, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

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

#9

Middle Tennessee State University

Murfreesboro, Tennessee
#9 in overall quality

Middle Tennessee State University landed the #9 spot on the 2022 Best Value Parks & Rec Schools for a Doctorate in the Southeast Region ranking. Middle Tennessee State University is a public institution located in Murfreesboro, Tennessee. The school has a large population, and it awarded 5 doctorate’s degrees 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. Average graduate tuition and fees at Middle Tennessee State University are $26,172, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

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

#10

East Tennessee State University

Johnson City, Tennessee
#13 in overall quality

East Tennessee State University landed the #10 spot on the 2022 Best Value Parks & Rec Schools for a Doctorate in the Southeast Region ranking. ETSU is a public institution located in Johnson City, Tennessee. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 9 doctorate’s degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at ETSU, the school also landed the #13 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 ETSU are $25,679.

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

#11

West Virginia University

Morgantown, West Virginia
#8 in overall quality

West Virginia University did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Parks & Rec Schools for a Doctorate in the Southeast Region ranking, coming in at #11. This large school is located in Morgantown, West Virginia, and it awarded 6 doctorate’s parks and rec degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at WVU, the school also landed the #8 spot in our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Doctor’s Degree Schools in the Southeast Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at West Virginia University are $26,154, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

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

#3 in overall quality

The University of Tennessee - Knoxville came in at #12 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Parks & Rec Schools for a Doctorate in the Southeast Region ranking. This large school is located in Knoxville, Tennessee, and it awarded 11 doctorate’s parks and rec degrees in 2019-2020.

UT Knoxville also took the #3 spot in our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Doctor’s Degree Schools in the Southeast Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at UT Knoxville are $31,798, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

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

#13

University of Mississippi

University, Mississippi
#14 in overall quality

With a ranking of #13, University of Mississippi did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Parks & Rec Schools for a Doctorate in the Southeast Region list. Ole Miss is a large public school situated in University, Mississippi. It awarded 1 doctorate’s parks and rec degrees in 2019-2020.

Ole Miss did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #14 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 Ole Miss are $25,099.

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

#14

The University of Alabama

Tuscaloosa, Alabama
#5 in overall quality

The University of Alabama ranked #14 on this year’s Best Value Parks & Rec Schools for a Doctorate in the Southeast Region list. Located in Tuscaloosa, Alabama, this large public school handed out 7 degrees to qualified doctorate’s parks and rec students in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our southeast region doctor’s degree parks & rec students list, UA has also earned the #5 rank 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

#15

University of Kentucky

Lexington, Kentucky
#7 in overall quality

With a ranking of #15, University of Kentucky did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Parks & Rec Schools for a Doctorate in the Southeast Region list. University of Kentucky is a large school located in Lexington, Kentucky that handed out 4 doctorate’s parks and rec degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at UK, the school also landed the #7 spot in our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Doctor’s Degree Schools in the Southeast Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at UK are $33,216, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

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

#16

Georgia State University

Atlanta, Georgia
#16 in overall quality

Georgia State University did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Parks & Rec Schools for a Doctorate in the Southeast Region ranking, coming in at #16. Atlanta, Georgia is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out doctorate’s parks and rec degrees to 5 students 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 University are $24,790, but some majors have different tuition rates.

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

#17

Old Dominion University

Norfolk, Virginia
#15 in overall quality

Old Dominion University ranked #17 on this year’s Best Value Parks & Rec Schools for a Doctorate in the Southeast Region list. Located in Norfolk, Virginia, this large public school handed out 1 degrees to qualified doctorate’s parks and rec 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

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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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