2027 Best Value Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies Schools in South Carolina
[Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies](/majors/parks-recreation-fitness/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies education at a price that pays off.
College Factual analyzed 23 schools to build this 2027 ranking of the best value parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies schools.
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2027 Best Value Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies Schools in South Carolina
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
Coastal Carolina University tops our 2027 list of the best value parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies schools in South Carolina. Located in the city of Conway, Coastal Carolina University is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $11,640 in tuition and fees, compared with $29,628 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $26,997 to complete the parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies program here. Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies graduates of Coastal Carolina University earn a median of $36,399 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $26,997 median debt. Roughly 75% of applicants are accepted.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at University Of South Carolina Aiken earned it the #2 place for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies. University Of South Carolina Aiken is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Aiken. Students from in state pay about $10,760 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $21,218. Students borrow a median of $30,975 to complete the parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies program here. Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies graduates of University Of South Carolina Aiken earn a median of $25,467 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $30,975 median debt. Roughly 78% of applicants are accepted.
Students looking for strong value in parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies will find it at Winthrop University, which ranked #3. Located in the city of Rock Hill, Winthrop University is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $14,678, compared with $28,676 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies program here. Early-career parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies graduates make about $35,704. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Winthrop University admits about 79% of applicants.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Allen University earned it the #4 place for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies. Allen University is a small private not-for-profit school located in the city of Columbia. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $14,304. Students borrow a median of $39,771 to complete the parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies program here. Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies graduates of Allen University earn a median of $23,346 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $39,771 median debt. Allen University admits about 72% of applicants.
Students looking for strong value in parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies will find it at Lander University, which ranked #5. Lander University is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Greenwood. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,700, with out-of-state students paying around $21,300. Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies graduates carry a median of $24,995 in student loans. Soon after graduation, parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degree recipients from Lander University generally make around $27,155. That is a strong return on a $24,995 median debt. The acceptance rate is 81%.
Voorhees College ranked #6 on our 2027 list of the best value parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies schools. Located in the rural area of Denmark, Voorhees College is a small private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $12,630 in tuition and fees. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $35,339.
Erskine College And Seminary landed the #7 spot for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies value this year. Erskine College And Seminary is a small private not-for-profit school located in the rural area of Due West. In-state tuition and fees average $36,710. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies program here. Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies graduates of Erskine College And Seminary earn a median of $35,695 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 63% of applicants are accepted.
Southern Wesleyan University placed #8 among the best values for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies. Southern Wesleyan University is a small private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Central. In-state tuition and fees average $29,800. Students borrow a median of $31,554 to complete the parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies program here. Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies graduates of Southern Wesleyan University earn a median of $25,785 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $31,554 median debt. Roughly 100% of applicants are accepted.
Claflin University earned the #9 position for value in parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies this year. Claflin University is a small private not-for-profit school located in the town of Orangeburg. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $17,046. Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies graduates carry a median of $35,425 in student loans. Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies graduates of Claflin University earn a median of $22,642 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $35,425 median debt. Roughly 65% of applicants are accepted.
Columbia College South Carolina landed the #10 spot for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies value this year. Columbia College South Carolina is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Columbia. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $20,054. Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies graduates carry a median of $28,158 in student loans. Early-career parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies graduates make about $48,339. That is a strong return on a $28,158 median debt. Roughly 94% of applicants are accepted.
South Carolina State University placed #11 among the best values for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies. Set in the town of Orangeburg, South Carolina State University is a mid-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,060, while out-of-state students pay about $21,750. Students borrow a median of $31,740 to complete the parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies program here. Soon after graduation, parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degree recipients from South Carolina State University generally make around $39,914. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. South Carolina State University admits about 83% of applicants.
Bob Jones University came in at #12 for value in parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies this year. Set in the city of Greenville, Bob Jones University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $22,892 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $23,000 to complete the parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies program here. Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies graduates of Bob Jones University earn a median of $32,481 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $23,000 median debt.
Benedict College placed #13 among the best values for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies. Set in the city of Columbia, Benedict College is a small private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $17,748. Typical student debt for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies graduates is $40,000. Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies graduates of Benedict College earn a median of $25,769 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 96% of applicants are accepted.
Citadel Military College Of South Carolina came in at #14 for value in parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies this year. Located in the city of Charleston, Citadel Military College Of South Carolina is a mid-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $12,570, compared with $38,508 for out-of-state students. Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies graduates carry a median of $22,250 in student loans. Soon after graduation, parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degree recipients from Citadel Military College Of South Carolina generally make around $43,409. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Citadel Military College Of South Carolina admits about 23% of applicants.
Coker College placed #15 among the best values for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies. Set in the town of Hartsville, Coker College is a small private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $33,416. Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies graduates carry a median of $26,475 in student loans. Soon after graduation, parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degree recipients from Coker College generally make around $30,333. Set against $26,475 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 94%.
North Greenville University came in at #16 for value in parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies this year. Located in the rural area of Tigerville, North Greenville University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $25,800. Typical student debt for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies graduates is $28,000. Soon after graduation, parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degree recipients from North Greenville University generally make around $27,537. That is a strong return on a $28,000 median debt. North Greenville University admits about 67% of applicants.
Newberry College came in at #17 for value in parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies this year. Newberry College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the town of Newberry. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $31,100. Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies graduates carry a median of $28,375 in student loans. Early-career parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies graduates make about $33,159. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.
Clemson University earned the #18 position for value in parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies this year. Set in the suburb of Clemson, Clemson University is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $15,554 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $40,866. Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies graduates carry a median of $22,592 in student loans. Early-career parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies graduates make about $43,718. Set against $22,592 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 38%.
Charleston Southern University came in at #19 for value in parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies this year. Charleston Southern University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Charleston. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $32,520. Typical student debt for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies graduates is $27,000. Early-career parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies graduates make about $26,722. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Charleston Southern University admits about 96% of applicants.
University Of South Carolina Columbia came in at #20 for value in parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies this year. University Of South Carolina Columbia is a very large public school located in the city of Columbia. Students from in state pay about $12,688 in tuition and fees, compared with $36,298 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies graduates is $25,000. Early-career parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies graduates make about $37,903. Set against $25,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 60%.
Anderson University Sc landed the #21 spot for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies value this year. Located in the city of Anderson, Anderson University Sc is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $34,970. 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 $27,340. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Anderson University Sc admits about 55% of applicants.
Columbia International University came in at #22 for value in parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies this year. Columbia International University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Columbia. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $27,900. Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies graduates carry a median of $21,667 in student loans. Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies graduates of Columbia International University earn a median of $32,296 early in their careers. Set against $21,667 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 94% of applicants are accepted.
Furman University landed the #23 spot for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies value this year. Furman University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Greenville. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $59,770. Typical student debt for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies graduates is $23,764. Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies graduates of Furman University earn a median of $36,520 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Furman University admits about 43% of applicants.
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Notes and References
This ranking is produced 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 · 23 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 23 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.
