2027 Best Value Parks, Recreation & Leisure Facilities Management Schools in the Southeast Region
[Parks, Recreation & Leisure Facilities Management](/majors/parks-recreation-fitness/recreation-administration/parks-recreation-facilities-management/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
College Factual analyzed 21 schools to build this 2027 ranking of the best value parks, recreation & leisure facilities management schools.
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2027 Best Value Parks, Recreation & Leisure Facilities Management Schools in the Southeast Region
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in parks, recreation & leisure facilities management, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Parks, Recreation & Leisure Facilities Management Schools
For return on investment in parks, recreation & leisure facilities management, no school beat University Of Florida this year. Located in the city of Gainesville, University Of Florida is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,381, compared with $28,659 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for parks, recreation & leisure facilities management graduates is $18,606. Parks, Recreation & Leisure Facilities Management graduates of University Of Florida earn a median of $41,046 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $18,606 median debt. Roughly 24% of applicants are accepted.
Students looking for strong value in parks, recreation & leisure facilities management will find it at University Of Florida Online, which ranked #2. Located in the city of Gainesville, University Of Florida Online is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,876, compared with $16,579 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $18,606 to complete the parks, recreation & leisure facilities management program here. Soon after graduation, parks, recreation & leisure facilities management degree recipients from University Of Florida Online generally make around $41,046. Set against $18,606 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 61% of applicants are accepted.
Florida International University came in at #3 on our 2027 list of the best value parks, recreation & leisure facilities management schools. Florida International University is a very large public school located in the suburb of Miami. In-state tuition and fees average $6,565, compared with $18,964 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $19,000 to complete the parks, recreation & leisure facilities management program here. Parks, Recreation & Leisure Facilities Management graduates of Florida International University earn a median of $34,860 early in their careers. Set against $19,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 55% of applicants are accepted.
Marshall University came in at #4 on our 2027 list of the best value parks, recreation & leisure facilities management schools. Set in the city of Huntington, Marshall University is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $9,162 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $20,342. Parks, Recreation & Leisure Facilities Management graduates carry a median of $25,250 in student loans. Parks, Recreation & Leisure Facilities Management graduates of Marshall University earn a median of $52,481 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $25,250 median debt. The acceptance rate is 96%.
A rank of #5 makes Western Kentucky University one of the best values for parks, recreation & leisure facilities management. Western Kentucky University is a large public school located in the city of Bowling Green. Students from in state pay about $11,652 in tuition and fees, compared with $27,000 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $26,000 to complete the parks, recreation & leisure facilities management program here. Soon after graduation, parks, recreation & leisure facilities management degree recipients from Western Kentucky University generally make around $37,961. That is a strong return on a $26,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 94%.
Florida State University came in at #6 for value in parks, recreation & leisure facilities management this year. Set in the city of Tallahassee, Florida State University is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $6,517 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $21,683. Parks, Recreation & Leisure Facilities Management graduates carry a median of $20,488 in student loans. Parks, Recreation & Leisure Facilities Management graduates of Florida State University earn a median of $51,884 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 24%.
University Of Mississippi Main Campus ranked #7 on our 2027 list of the best value parks, recreation & leisure facilities management schools. University Of Mississippi Main Campus is a very large public school located in the town of University. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,772, with out-of-state students paying around $28,600. Parks, Recreation & Leisure Facilities Management graduates carry a median of $22,213 in student loans. Soon after graduation, parks, recreation & leisure facilities management degree recipients from University Of Mississippi Main Campus generally make around $35,318. Set against $22,213 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 97% of applicants are accepted.
Eastern Kentucky University placed #8 among the best values for parks, recreation & leisure facilities management. Set in the town of Richmond, Eastern Kentucky University is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $10,320, with out-of-state students paying around $21,230. Parks, Recreation & Leisure Facilities Management graduates carry a median of $25,616 in student loans. Parks, Recreation & Leisure Facilities Management graduates of Eastern Kentucky University earn a median of $30,330 early in their careers. Set against $25,616 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 78%.
University Of West Georgia ranked #9 on our 2027 list of the best value parks, recreation & leisure facilities management schools. Set in the town of Carrollton, University Of West Georgia is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,088, with out-of-state students paying around $17,800. Students borrow a median of $28,750 to complete the parks, recreation & leisure facilities management program here. Parks, Recreation & Leisure Facilities Management graduates of University Of West Georgia earn a median of $31,492 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 52%.
Arkansas Tech University came in at #10 for value in parks, recreation & leisure facilities management this year. Located in the town of Russellville, Arkansas Tech University is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,674, while out-of-state students pay about $14,668. Students borrow a median of $23,726 to complete the parks, recreation & leisure facilities management program here. Soon after graduation, parks, recreation & leisure facilities management degree recipients from Arkansas Tech University generally make around $35,073. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 96%.
Western Carolina University came in at #11 for value in parks, recreation & leisure facilities management this year. Located in the town of Cullowhee, Western Carolina University is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $4,630 in tuition and fees, compared with $8,630 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for parks, recreation & leisure facilities management graduates is $22,252. Early-career parks, recreation & leisure facilities management graduates make about $30,485. That is a strong return on a $22,252 median debt. Western Carolina University admits about 82% of applicants.
Middle Tennessee State University earned the #12 position for value in parks, recreation & leisure facilities management this year. Middle Tennessee State University is a very large public school located in the city of Murfreesboro. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,266, compared with $31,574 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for parks, recreation & leisure facilities management graduates is $28,545. Parks, Recreation & Leisure Facilities Management graduates of Middle Tennessee State University earn a median of $30,350 early in their careers. Set against $28,545 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Middle Tennessee State University admits about 69% of applicants.
North Carolina State University At Raleigh landed the #13 spot for parks, recreation & leisure facilities management value this year. North Carolina State University At Raleigh is a very large public school located in the city of Raleigh. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,799, with out-of-state students paying around $32,847. Typical student debt for parks, recreation & leisure facilities management graduates is $20,500. Parks, Recreation & Leisure Facilities Management graduates of North Carolina State University At Raleigh earn a median of $41,617 early in their careers. Set against $20,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. North Carolina State University At Raleigh admits about 42% of applicants.
Appalachian State University ranked #14 on our 2027 list of the best value parks, recreation & leisure facilities management schools. Set in the town of Boone, Appalachian State University is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,579, with out-of-state students paying around $25,212. Students borrow a median of $19,706 to complete the parks, recreation & leisure facilities management program here. Early-career parks, recreation & leisure facilities management graduates make about $29,646. Set against $19,706 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.
West Virginia University placed #15 among the best values for parks, recreation & leisure facilities management. Located in the city of Morgantown, West Virginia University is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $10,104, with out-of-state students paying around $28,608. Parks, Recreation & Leisure Facilities Management graduates carry a median of $23,772 in student loans. Soon after graduation, parks, recreation & leisure facilities management degree recipients from West Virginia University generally make around $51,750. Set against $23,772 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 89%.
University Of Arkansas landed the #16 spot for parks, recreation & leisure facilities management value this year. Set in the city of Fayetteville, University Of Arkansas is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $10,104, with out-of-state students paying around $29,966. Students borrow a median of $24,019 to complete the parks, recreation & leisure facilities management program here. Parks, Recreation & Leisure Facilities Management graduates of University Of Arkansas earn a median of $47,041 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $24,019 median debt. The acceptance rate is 74%.
North Carolina Central University ranked #17 on our 2027 list of the best value parks, recreation & leisure facilities management schools. Set in the city of Durham, North Carolina Central University is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $6,699 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $19,735. Students borrow a median of $31,000 to complete the parks, recreation & leisure facilities management program here. Soon after graduation, parks, recreation & leisure facilities management degree recipients from North Carolina Central University generally make around $28,863. That is a strong return on a $31,000 median debt. North Carolina Central University admits about 87% of applicants.
University Of North Carolina At Wilmington ranked #18 on our 2027 list of the best value parks, recreation & leisure facilities management schools. Set in the city of Wilmington, University Of North Carolina At Wilmington is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $7,277, with out-of-state students paying around $24,152. Students borrow a median of $23,000 to complete the parks, recreation & leisure facilities management program here. Soon after graduation, parks, recreation & leisure facilities management degree recipients from University Of North Carolina At Wilmington generally make around $31,873. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 64%.
Clemson University earned the #19 position for value in parks, recreation & leisure facilities management this year. Clemson University is a very large public school located in the suburb of Clemson. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $15,554, with out-of-state students paying around $40,866. Students borrow a median of $22,592 to complete the parks, recreation & leisure facilities management program here. Soon after graduation, parks, recreation & leisure facilities management degree recipients from Clemson University generally make around $38,309. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Clemson University admits about 38% of applicants.
Belmont Abbey College earned the #20 position for value in parks, recreation & leisure facilities management this year. Belmont Abbey College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Belmont. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $19,500. Students borrow a median of $27,140 to complete the parks, recreation & leisure facilities management program here. Early-career parks, recreation & leisure facilities management graduates make about $40,322. That is a strong return on a $27,140 median debt. Roughly 75% of applicants are accepted.
Johnson And Wales University Charlotte landed the #21 spot for parks, recreation & leisure facilities management value this year. Set in the city of Charlotte, Johnson And Wales University Charlotte is a small private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $41,982. Parks, Recreation & Leisure Facilities Management graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Parks, Recreation & Leisure Facilities Management graduates of Johnson And Wales University Charlotte earn a median of $30,963 early in their careers. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 80% of applicants are accepted.
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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 · 21 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 21 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.
