2027 Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies Schools in North Carolina
Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies is a field worth a close look when choosing where to study. The schools below stand out for the quality of their parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies programs.
College Factual analyzed 42 schools to build this 2027 ranking of the best parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies schools.
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Best Schools for Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies in North Carolina
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest overall parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies education in North Carolina.
Top Schools in Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies
Our analysis ranked University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill the best school in the country for a degree in parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies. This very large public university is located in the city of Chapel Hill. University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill graduates 91% of students within six years. University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill awarded about 332 parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degree from University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill earn around $39,401 in the first couple years of their career. University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill graduates carry a median of $16,575 in student loans.
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A rank of #2 makes North Carolina State University At Raleigh one of the top schools for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies. North Carolina State University At Raleigh is a very large public school located in the city of Raleigh. About 85% of students finish within six years. About 215 parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degrees were awarded at North Carolina State University At Raleigh in the most recent year. Students who receive their parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degree from North Carolina State University At Raleigh earn around $34,505 in the first couple years of their career. North Carolina State University At Raleigh graduates carry a median of $21,300 in student loans.
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Wake Forest University came in at #3 on our 2027 list of the best parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies schools. Located in the city of Winston-Salem, Wake Forest University is a large private not-for-profit university. Roughly 89% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 116 parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies students who graduated with this degree at Wake Forest University in the most recent data year. Students who receive their parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degree from Wake Forest University earn around $21,192 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $23,250 to complete this degree.
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High Point University is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies, ranking #4. This moderately-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the city of High Point. The six-year graduation rate is 72%. There were roughly 121 parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies students who graduated with this degree at High Point University in the most recent data year. Students who receive their parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degree from High Point University earn around $113,352 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $23,785 to complete this degree.
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Elon University is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies, landing the #5 spot this year. Located in the suburb of Elon, Elon University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. About 84% of students finish within six years. About 113 parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degrees were awarded at Elon University in the most recent year. Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies graduates of Elon University earn a median of $21,440 early in their careers. Elon University graduates carry a median of $23,250 in student loans.
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Meredith College placed #6 among the best parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies schools. Meredith College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the city of Raleigh. The six-year graduation rate is 70%. About 17 parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degrees were awarded at Meredith College in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degree recipients from Meredith College generally make around $38,525. Students borrow a median of $26,000 to complete this degree.
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Gardner Webb University placed #7 among the best parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies schools. This mid-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the rural area of Boiling Springs. The six-year graduation rate is 54%. There were roughly 41 parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies students who graduated with this degree at Gardner Webb University in the most recent data year. Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies graduates of Gardner Webb University earn a median of $63,220 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $25,033.
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University Of North Carolina At Wilmington placed #8 among the best parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies schools. Set in the city of Wilmington, University Of North Carolina At Wilmington is a very large public institution. Roughly 71% of students complete a degree within six years here. University Of North Carolina At Wilmington awarded about 222 parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degree recipients from University Of North Carolina At Wilmington generally make around $31,873. Students borrow a median of $23,000 to complete this degree.
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Appalachian State University landed the #9 spot for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies this year. Appalachian State University is a very large public school located in the town of Boone. Roughly 74% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 78 parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies students who graduated with this degree at Appalachian State University in the most recent data year. Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies graduates of Appalachian State University earn a median of $30,189 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $20,741 to complete this degree.
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Western Carolina University landed the #10 spot for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies this year. Set in the town of Cullowhee, Western Carolina University is a large public institution. Roughly 60% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 103 parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degrees were awarded at Western Carolina University in the most recent year. Students who receive their parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degree from Western Carolina University earn around $39,844 in the first couple years of their career. Western Carolina University graduates carry a median of $24,450 in student loans.
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East Carolina University earned the #11 position for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies this year. Located in the city of Greenville, East Carolina University is a very large public university. Roughly 63% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 174 parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies students who graduated with this degree at East Carolina University in the most recent data year. Students who receive their parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degree from East Carolina University earn around $38,476 in the first couple years of their career. East Carolina University graduates carry a median of $26,800 in student loans.
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Campbell University came in at #12 for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies this year. Campbell University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the town of Buies Creek. The six-year graduation rate is 60%. About 68 parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degrees were awarded at Campbell University in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degree recipients from Campbell University generally make around $32,167. Campbell University graduates carry a median of $25,250 in student loans.
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University Of North Carolina At Greensboro ranked #13 on our 2027 list of the best parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies schools. Set in the city of Greensboro, University Of North Carolina At Greensboro is a very large public institution. About 56% of students finish within six years. University Of North Carolina At Greensboro awarded about 225 parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degree from University Of North Carolina At Greensboro earn around $47,927 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $25,027.
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University Of North Carolina At Charlotte placed #14 among the best parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies schools. Set in the city of Charlotte, University Of North Carolina At Charlotte is a very large public institution. Roughly 69% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 15 parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degrees were awarded at University Of North Carolina At Charlotte in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degree recipients from University Of North Carolina At Charlotte generally make around $34,219. Students borrow a median of $26,000 to complete this degree.
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Lees Mcrae College earned the #15 position for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies this year. Set in the rural area of Banner Elk, Lees Mcrae College is a small private not-for-profit institution. About 42% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 30 parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies students who graduated with this degree at Lees Mcrae College in the most recent data year. Graduates of the parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies program make about $40,268 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $19,821 to complete this degree.
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Wingate University ranked #16 on our 2027 list of the best parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies schools. Set in the suburb of Wingate, Wingate University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Wingate University graduates 46% of students within six years. There were roughly 136 parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies students who graduated with this degree at Wingate University in the most recent data year. Students who receive their parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degree from Wingate University earn around $34,936 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $25,000.
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North Carolina Wesleyan College placed #17 among the best parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies schools. Set in the city of Rocky Mount, North Carolina Wesleyan College is a small private not-for-profit institution. North Carolina Wesleyan College graduates 42% of students within six years. About 22 parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degrees were awarded at North Carolina Wesleyan College in the most recent year. Graduates of the parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies program make about $40,202 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $26,713.
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Fayetteville State University landed the #18 spot for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies this year. Located in the city of Fayetteville, Fayetteville State University is a moderately-sized public university. Roughly 38% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 38 parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies students who graduated with this degree at Fayetteville State University in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degree recipients from Fayetteville State University generally make around $41,449. Students borrow a median of $27,869 to complete this degree.
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Lenoir Rhyne University landed the #19 spot for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies this year. Set in the city of Hickory, Lenoir Rhyne University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 48% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 81 parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies students who graduated with this degree at Lenoir Rhyne University in the most recent data year. Graduates of the parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies program make about $22,695 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete this degree.
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Brunswick Community College landed the #20 spot for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies this year. Brunswick Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the rural area of Bolivia. About 30 parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degrees were awarded at Brunswick Community College in the most recent year. Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies graduates of Brunswick Community College earn a median of $47,493 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $5,500 to complete this degree.
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Mars Hill College placed #21 among the best parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies schools. This small private not-for-profit university is located in the rural area of Mars Hill. The six-year graduation rate is 45%. Mars Hill College awarded about 24 parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degree from Mars Hill College earn around $43,031 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $26,886.
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Belmont Abbey College placed #22 among the best parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies schools. Located in the suburb of Belmont, Belmont Abbey College is a small private not-for-profit university. Belmont Abbey College graduates 47% of students within six years. Belmont Abbey College awarded about 42 parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degrees in the most recent data year. Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies graduates of Belmont Abbey College earn a median of $27,739 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $25,250 to complete this degree.
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Peace College placed #23 among the best parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies schools. Peace College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the city of Raleigh. The six-year graduation rate is 45%. There were roughly 15 parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies students who graduated with this degree at Peace College in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degree recipients from Peace College generally make around $38,047. Peace College graduates carry a median of $27,080 in student loans.
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Catawba College landed the #24 spot for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies this year. Set in the suburb of Salisbury, Catawba College is a small private not-for-profit institution. About 47% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 63 parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies students who graduated with this degree at Catawba College in the most recent data year. Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies graduates of Catawba College earn a median of $27,305 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $26,703 to complete this degree.
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North Carolina A And T State University earned the #25 position for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies this year. Set in the city of Greensboro, North Carolina A And T State University is a large public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 57%. About 138 parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degrees were awarded at North Carolina A And T State University in the most recent year. Students who receive their parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degree from North Carolina A And T State University earn around $26,498 in the first couple years of their career. North Carolina A And T State University graduates carry a median of $30,000 in student loans.
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Rest of the Top 42 Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies Schools
These schools also placed among the best for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies this year:
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Notes and References
This list is compiled by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 edition. The methodology weighs graduation rate, post-graduation earnings, cost, and program quality, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Top Ranked · 42 schools evaluated.
- 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.
