2023 Best Value Colleges for Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies in North Carolina
28
Ranked Colleges
3,565
Degrees Awarded
$18,300
Avg Net Price*
When pursuing a degree in today’s world, students have many different options to choose from. 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 in North Carolina” ranking - to help you make that decision.
In 2020-2021, 73,813 people earned their degree in parks, recreation, leisure, and fitness studies, making the major the 15th most popular in the United States. In 2019-2020, parks, recreation, leisure, and fitness studies graduates who were awarded their degree in 2017-2019, earned an average of $31,423 and had an average of $24,388 in loans still to pay off.
Across North Carolina, there were 3,565 parks, recreation, leisure, and fitness studies graduates with average earnings and debt of $27,466 and $26,583 respectively.
This year’s “Best Value Parks & Rec Schools in North Carolina” ranking analyzed 28 colleges that offered a degree 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.
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. See our ranking methodology to learn more.
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 in North Carolina” list to help you make the college decision.
To further help you make the college decision, we’ve developed a unique tool called College Combat that allows you to compare schools 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 in North Carolina
The colleges and universities below are the best for north carolina parks & rec students.
Top 25 Best Value Colleges for Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies in North Carolina
You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. It ranked #1 on our 2023 Best Value Parks & Rec Schools in North Carolina list. Chapel Hill, North Carolina is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s parks and rec degrees to 401 students in 2020-2021.
As a testament to the quality of education offered at UNC Chapel Hill, the school also landed the #1 spot in our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Schools in North Carolina” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill is $12,469 for North Carolina Parks & Rec students.
The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 1.4%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%. With a freshman retention rate of 95%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.
Read more about Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies at University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend North Carolina State University. The school came in at #2 for the Best Value Parks & Rec Schools in North Carolina. This large school is located in Raleigh, North Carolina, and it awarded 193 ’s parks and rec degrees in 2020-2021.
As a testament to the quality of education offered at NC State, the school also landed the #2 spot in our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Schools in North Carolina” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for North Carolina State University is $16,411 for north carolina parks & rec students.
Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 94%. The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 2.0%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.
Full NC State Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Report
You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend University of North Carolina at Wilmington. It ranked #3 on our 2023 Best Value Parks & Rec Schools in North Carolina list. University of North Carolina at Wilmington is located in Wilmington, North Carolina and, has a fairly large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 244 ’s parks and rec degrees to qualified students.
UNCW did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #4 on our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Schools in North Carolina” list. The yearly cost to attend UNCW is $19,136 for north carolina parks & rec students.
The low undergrad 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%.
Read full report on Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies at UNCW
You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend East Carolina University. It ranked #4 on our 2023 Best Value Parks & Rec Schools in North Carolina list. East Carolina University is a public institution located in Greenville, North Carolina. The school has a large population, and it awarded 194 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.
As a testament to the quality of education offered at ECU, the school also landed the #5 spot in our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Schools in North Carolina” ranking. It costs about $16,550 for North Carolina Parks & Rec students per year to attend East Carolina University.
Read more about Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies at ECU
You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Appalachian State University. The school came in at #5 for the Best Value Parks & Rec Schools in North Carolina. Appalachian State University is a public institution located in Boone, North Carolina. The school has a large population, and it awarded 308 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.
Appalachian State not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #6 on our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Schools in North Carolina” list. It costs about $13,989 for north carolina parks & rec students per year to attend Appalachian State University.
The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 3.6%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%. With a freshman retention rate of 86%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.
Read more about Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies at Appalachian State
University of North Carolina at Greensboro landed the #6 spot on the 2023 Best Value Parks & Rec Schools in North Carolina ranking. University of North Carolina at Greensboro is a public institution located in Greensboro, North Carolina. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 314 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.
UNC Greensboro also took the #7 spot in our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Schools in North Carolina” ranking. The yearly cost to attend University of North Carolina at Greensboro is $11,629 for North Carolina Parks & Rec students.
Read more about Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies at UNC Greensboro
Western Carolina University did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Parks & Rec Schools in North Carolina ranking, coming in at #7. Cullowhee, North Carolina is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s parks and rec degrees to 99 students in 2020-2021.
WCU also made our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Schools in North Carolina” list, coming in at #14. It costs about $13,924 for north carolina parks & rec students per year to attend WCU.
Full Western Carolina University Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Report
With a ranking of #8, Winston - Salem State University did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Parks & Rec Schools in North Carolina list. WSSU is a public institution located in Winston-Salem, North Carolina. The school has a medium-sized population, and it awarded 105 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.
WSSU did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #19 on our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Schools in North Carolina” list. The yearly cost to attend WSSU is $12,415 for north carolina parks & rec students.
Read more about Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies at WSSU
University of North Carolina at Charlotte ranked #9 on this year’s Best Value Parks & Rec Schools in North Carolina list. This large school is located in Charlotte, North Carolina, and it awarded 124 ’s parks and rec degrees in 2020-2021.
UNC Charlotte also made our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Schools in North Carolina” list, coming in at #16. The yearly cost to attend UNC Charlotte is $17,634 for north carolina parks & rec students.
The low undergrad student loan default rate of 4.4% 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%. With a freshman retention rate of 85%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.
Read full report on Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies at University of North Carolina at Charlotte
North Carolina A & T State University came in at #10 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Parks & Rec Schools in North Carolina ranking. Greensboro, North Carolina is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s parks and rec degrees to 152 students in 2020-2021.
NC A&T did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #23 on our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Schools in North Carolina” list. The yearly cost to attend North Carolina A & T State University is $10,563 for North Carolina Parks & Rec students.
Full North Carolina A & T State University Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Report
University of North Carolina at Pembroke landed the #11 spot on the 2023 Best Value Parks & Rec Schools in North Carolina ranking. This medium-sized school is located in Pembroke, North Carolina, and it awarded 117 ’s parks and rec degrees in 2020-2021.
The estimated yearly cost for UNC Pembroke is $10,792 for North Carolina Parks & Rec students.
Full University of North Carolina at Pembroke Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Report
North Carolina Central University came in at #12 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Parks & Rec Schools in North Carolina ranking. Durham, North Carolina is the setting for this medium-sized institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s parks and rec degrees to 82 students in 2020-2021.
North Carolina Central University did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #24 on our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Schools in North Carolina” list. It costs about $14,332 for North Carolina Parks & Rec students per year to attend North Carolina Central University.
Full North Carolina Central University Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Report
Belmont Abbey College ranked #13 on this year’s Best Value Parks & Rec Schools in North Carolina list. Belmont Abbey College is located in Belmont, North Carolina and, has a small student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 39 ’s parks and rec degrees to qualified students.
BAC did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #21 on our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Schools in North Carolina” list. It costs about $21,329 for north carolina parks & rec students per year to attend Belmont Abbey College.
Read full report on Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies at BAC
With a ranking of #14, Gardner - Webb University did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Parks & Rec Schools in North Carolina list. Gardner - Webb University is located in Boiling Springs, North Carolina and, has a small student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 19 ’s parks and rec degrees to qualified students.
Gardner - Webb also took the #13 spot in our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Schools in North Carolina” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Gardner - Webb University is $20,776 for North Carolina Parks & Rec students.
The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 3.7%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.
Full Gardner - Webb Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Report
University of Mount Olive ranked #15 on this year’s Best Value Parks & Rec Schools in North Carolina list. This small school is located in Mount Olive, North Carolina, and it awarded 30 ’s parks and rec degrees in 2020-2021.
As a testament to the quality of education offered at UMO, the school also landed the #25 spot in our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Schools in North Carolina” ranking. The yearly cost to attend UMO is $15,883 for North Carolina Parks & Rec students.
Read full report on Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies at University of Mount Olive
Wingate University ranked #16 on this year’s Best Value Parks & Rec Schools in North Carolina list. Wingate University is a private not-for-profit institution located in Wingate, North Carolina. The school has a small population, and it awarded 118 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.
As a testament to the quality of education offered at Wingate, the school also landed the #11 spot in our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Schools in North Carolina” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Wingate University is $20,827 for north carolina parks & rec students.
The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 4.0%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.
Full Wingate Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Report
Catawba College landed the #17 spot on the 2023 Best Value Parks & Rec Schools in North Carolina ranking. Catawba is a private not-for-profit institution located in Salisbury, North Carolina. The school has a small population, and it awarded 29 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.
In addition to being on our north carolina parks & rec students list, Catawba has also earned the #12 rank in our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Schools in North Carolina” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Catawba College is $18,702 for north carolina parks & rec students.
Read full report on Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies at Catawba College
Chowan University landed the #18 spot on the 2023 Best Value Parks & Rec Schools in North Carolina ranking. Chowan University is a small private not-for-profit school situated in Murfreesboro, North Carolina. It awarded 38 ’s parks and rec degrees in 2020-2021.
It costs about $16,716 for North Carolina Parks & Rec students per year to attend Chowan University.
Read more about Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies at Chowan University
Brevard College landed the #19 spot on the 2023 Best Value Parks & Rec Schools in North Carolina ranking. Brevard College is located in Brevard, North Carolina and, has a small student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 22 ’s parks and rec degrees to qualified students.
Brevard College did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #20 on our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Schools in North Carolina” list. The estimated yearly cost for Brevard College is $21,668 for north carolina parks & rec students.
Read full report on Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies at Brevard College
With a ranking of #20, Lees - McRae College did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Parks & Rec Schools in North Carolina list. Lees - McRae College is a private not-for-profit institution located in Banner Elk, North Carolina. The school has a small population, and it awarded 21 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.
Lees - McRae College did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #22 on our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Schools in North Carolina” list. The estimated yearly cost for Lees - McRae College is $23,347 for north carolina parks & rec students.
Read full report on Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies at Lees - McRae College
Pfeiffer University landed the #21 spot on the 2023 Best Value Parks & Rec Schools in North Carolina ranking. Misenheimer, North Carolina is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out ’s parks and rec degrees to 28 students in 2020-2021.
Pfeiffer University did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #15 on our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Schools in North Carolina” list. It costs about $32,342 for North Carolina Parks & Rec students per year to attend Pfeiffer University.
Since the school has a undergrad student-to-faculty ratio of 10 to 1, those pursuing a degree will have more opportunities to interact with their professors.
Full Pfeiffer University Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Report
With a ranking of #22, Johnson & Wales University - Charlotte did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Parks & Rec Schools in North Carolina list. Johnson & Wales University - Charlotte is a small private not-for-profit school situated in Charlotte, North Carolina. It awarded 25 ’s parks and rec degrees in 2020-2021.
In addition to being on our north carolina parks & rec students list, JWU Charlotte has also earned the #8 rank in our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Schools in North Carolina” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Johnson & Wales University - Charlotte is $26,181 for North Carolina Parks & Rec students.
Full Johnson & Wales University - Charlotte Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Report
Lenoir - Rhyne University landed the #23 spot on the 2023 Best Value Parks & Rec Schools in North Carolina ranking. Hickory, North Carolina is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out ’s parks and rec degrees to 52 students in 2020-2021.
Lenoir - Rhyne University did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #9 on our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Schools in North Carolina” list. It costs about $18,772 for north carolina parks & rec students per year to attend Lenoir - Rhyne University.
Read more about Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies at Lenoir - Rhyne University
Campbell University ranked #24 on this year’s Best Value Parks & Rec Schools in North Carolina list. Campbell is located in Buies Creek, North Carolina and, has a medium-sized student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 82 ’s parks and rec degrees to qualified students.
Campbell did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #10 on our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Schools in North Carolina” list. The yearly cost to attend Campbell University is $26,169 for north carolina parks & rec students.
The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 3.5%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.
Read full report on Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies at Campbell University
With a ranking of #25, Shaw University did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Parks & Rec Schools in North Carolina list. Shaw University is a small private not-for-profit school situated in Raleigh, North Carolina. It awarded 20 ’s parks and rec degrees in 2020-2021.
The yearly cost to attend Shaw University is $23,809 for North Carolina Parks & Rec students.
Full Shaw University Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Report
