2027 Best Value Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies Schools in Georgia
[Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies](/majors/parks-recreation-fitness/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
For its 2027 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 28 schools to find the best return on investment for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies students.
What’s on this page:
2027 Best Value Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies Schools in Georgia
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degrees they offer, see the list below.
Best Value Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies Schools
For return on investment in parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies, no school beat University Of North Georgia this year. Located in the town of Dahlonega, University Of North Georgia is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $5,444, compared with $16,956 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies graduates is $20,500. Early-career parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies graduates make about $42,341. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of North Georgia admits about 68% of applicants.
South Georgia Technical College came in at #2 on our 2027 list of the best value parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies schools. Set in the town of Americus, South Georgia Technical College is a mid-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $3,992 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $7,202. Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies graduates carry a median of $10,423 in student loans. Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies graduates of South Georgia Technical College earn a median of $40,497 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
A rank of #3 makes University Of Georgia one of the best values for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies. Located in the city of Athens, University Of Georgia is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,450, while out-of-state students pay about $31,688. Students borrow a median of $22,250 to complete the parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies program here. Soon after graduation, parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degree recipients from University Of Georgia generally make around $36,359. Set against $22,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 38%.
Students looking for strong value in parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies will find it at Augusta Technical College, which ranked #4. Set in the city of Augusta, Augusta Technical College is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $4,282, with out-of-state students paying around $7,492. Typical student debt for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies graduates is $11,400. Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies graduates of Augusta Technical College earn a median of $41,892 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $11,400 median debt.
University Of West Georgia is a great value for students pursuing a degree in parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies, landing the #5 spot this year. University Of West Georgia is a large public school located in the town of Carrollton. In-state tuition and fees average $6,088, compared with $17,800 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $28,750 to complete the parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies program here. Soon after graduation, parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degree recipients from University Of West Georgia generally make around $31,492. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of West Georgia admits about 52% of applicants.
Georgia Southwestern State University placed #6 among the best values for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies. Located in the town of Americus, Georgia Southwestern State University is a mid-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,220, compared with $16,572 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies graduates is $26,000. Soon after graduation, parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degree recipients from Georgia Southwestern State University generally make around $32,709. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Georgia Southwestern State University admits about 75% of applicants.
Middle Georgia State University placed #7 among the best values for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies. Located in the city of Macon, Middle Georgia State University is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $5,038 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $16,390. Typical student debt for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies graduates is $26,976. Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies graduates of Middle Georgia State University earn a median of $48,207 early in their careers. Set against $26,976 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 100%.
Valdosta State University earned the #8 position for value in parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies this year. Located in the city of Valdosta, Valdosta State University is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,124, while out-of-state students pay about $17,836. Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Early-career parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies graduates make about $23,364. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Valdosta State University admits about 72% of applicants.
Augusta University ranked #9 on our 2027 list of the best value parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies schools. Augusta University is a large public school located in the city of Augusta. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,414, while out-of-state students pay about $24,734. Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies graduates carry a median of $26,031 in student loans. Early-career parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies graduates make about $27,490. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Augusta University admits about 86% of applicants.
Kennesaw State University ranked #10 on our 2027 list of the best value parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies schools. Set in the suburb of Kennesaw, Kennesaw State University is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,808, compared with $17,736 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $26,000 to complete the parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies program here. Early-career parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies graduates make about $34,369. Set against $26,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 69%.
Georgia Southern University earned the #11 position for value in parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies this year. Set in the town of Statesboro, Georgia Southern University is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,022, compared with $17,734 for out-of-state students. Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies graduates carry a median of $25,327 in student loans. Soon after graduation, parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degree recipients from Georgia Southern University generally make around $38,319. Set against $25,327 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 88% of applicants are accepted.
Columbus State University landed the #12 spot for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies value this year. Located in the city of Columbus, Columbus State University is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $5,898, compared with $17,610 for out-of-state students. Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies graduates carry a median of $30,500 in student loans. Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies graduates of Columbus State University earn a median of $29,310 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Columbus State University admits about 99% of applicants.
Georgia Gwinnett College came in at #13 for value in parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies this year. Located in the suburb of Lawrenceville, Georgia Gwinnett College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,532, with out-of-state students paying around $13,844. Students borrow a median of $21,280 to complete the parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies program here. Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies graduates of Georgia Gwinnett College earn a median of $55,992 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Georgia Gwinnett College admits about 96% of applicants.
Georgia State University placed #14 among the best values for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies. Set in the city of Atlanta, Georgia State University is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,664, with out-of-state students paying around $24,840. Typical student debt for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies graduates is $26,091. Early-career parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies graduates make about $45,380. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 55% of applicants are accepted.
Georgia Military College Milledgeville earned the #15 position for value in parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies this year. Set in the town of Milledgeville, Georgia Military College Milledgeville is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,605. Students borrow a median of $13,587 to complete the parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies program here. Early-career parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies graduates make about $29,788. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Shorter University came in at #16 for value in parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies this year. Shorter University is a small private not-for-profit school located in the city of Rome. Students from in state pay about $24,630 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $26,000 to complete the parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies program here. Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies graduates of Shorter University earn a median of $24,291 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 96% of applicants are accepted.
Georgia College And State University earned the #17 position for value in parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies this year. Located in the town of Milledgeville, Georgia College And State University is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,186, with out-of-state students paying around $29,512. Typical student debt for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies graduates is $25,000. Soon after graduation, parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degree recipients from Georgia College And State University generally make around $29,203. That is a strong return on a $25,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 78%.
Emmanuel College Georgia came in at #18 for value in parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies this year. Emmanuel College Georgia is a small private not-for-profit school located in the rural area of Franklin Springs. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $25,500. Students borrow a median of $26,670 to complete the parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies program here. Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies graduates of Emmanuel College Georgia earn a median of $30,093 early in their careers. Set against $26,670 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 74%.
Young Harris College came in at #19 for value in parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies this year. Set in the rural area of Young Harris, Young Harris College is a small private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $32,305 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $24,689 to complete the parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies program here. Median earnings reach $47,195 ten years out. That is a strong return on a $24,689 median debt. Young Harris College admits about 63% of applicants.
Emory University ranked #20 on our 2027 list of the best value parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies schools. Set in the city of Atlanta, Emory University is a large private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $64,280. Students borrow a median of $19,883 to complete the parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies program here. Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies graduates of Emory University earn a median of $37,974 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 11% of applicants are accepted.
Berry College placed #21 among the best values for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies. Located in the suburb of Mount Berry, Berry College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $41,486 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $24,931 to complete the parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies program here. Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies graduates of Berry College earn a median of $25,091 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 64%.
Mercer University came in at #22 for value in parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies this year. Located in the city of Macon, Mercer University is a large private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $31,565. Typical student debt for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies graduates is $32,463. Early-career parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies graduates make about $56,699. That is a strong return on a $32,463 median debt. Roughly 69% of applicants are accepted.
Reinhardt University placed #23 among the best values for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies. Set in the rural area of Waleska, Reinhardt University is a small private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $30,074. Students borrow a median of $28,000 to complete the parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies program here. Soon after graduation, parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degree recipients from Reinhardt University generally make around $31,900. That is a strong return on a $28,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 62%.
Atlanta Christian College came in at #24 for value in parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies this year. Set in the town of West Point, Atlanta Christian College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $23,950. Typical student debt for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies graduates is $35,131. Soon after graduation, parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degree recipients from Atlanta Christian College generally make around $28,245. Set against $35,131 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Atlanta Christian College admits about 44% of applicants.
Brewton Parker College ranked #25 on our 2027 list of the best value parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies schools. Located in the rural area of Mount Vernon, Brewton Parker College is a small private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $20,120. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $42,009. Roughly 96% of applicants are accepted.
Rest of the Top 28 Best Value Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies Schools
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies value ranking:
More Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies Rankings
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Notes and References
The ranking above is published by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 edition. The methodology weighs the cost of a degree against the earnings graduates go on to achieve, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 28 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 28 ranked schools only.
- 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).
More about our data sources and methodologies.
