2023 Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Schools in the Southeast Region
Finding the Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies School for You
Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies is the #15 most popular major in the country with 73,813 degrees and certificates awarded in 2020-2021.
There are so many programs in today's world that it can tough to figure out which one is the right one for you. As online education oppotunities continue to grow, you're not restricted to just schools in your local area anymore. Even some of the 'big name' schools are offering online courses. Also, there are a number of trade schools with offerings that you might find attractive.
To help you arm yourself with the information you need to make your decision, Course Advisor has developed this Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Schools in the Southeast Region ranking. This report analyzed 160 schools in the Southeast Region to see which ones offered the best programs for students.
View our full ranking methodology.
2023 Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Schools in the Southeast Region
Check out the parks and rec programs at these schools if you want to get the best education that money can buy.
Top 15% Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Schools
Our 2023 rankings named American Public University System the best school in the Southeast Region for parks, recreation, leisure, and fitness studies students. Located in the town of Charles Town, American Military University is a private for-profit school with a very large student population.
On average, parks and rec graduates from American Military University take out $21,148 in student loans while working on their degree.
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A rank of #2 on this year’s list means Emory University is a great place for parks, recreation, leisure, and fitness studies students. Emory is a fairly large private not-for-profit school located in the large city of Atlanta.
The average amount in student loans that parks and rec majors at Emory take out is $19,250.
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You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend University of Virginia - Main Campus. It ranked #3 on our 2023 Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Schools in the Southeast Region list. Located in the small suburb of Charlottesville, University of Virginia is a public college with a very large student population.
After completing their degree, parks and rec graduates from University of Virginia carry an average student debtload of $20,750.
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Out of the 160 schools in the Southeast Region that were part of this year’s ranking, University of Florida landed the # 4 spot on the list. UF is a very large public school located in the midsize city of Gainesville.
While working on their degree, parks and rec majors at UF accumulate an average of around $17,586 in student debt. For students who choose a 10-year repayment plan, the average monthly student loan payment is $239.
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The excellent programs at Citadel Military College of South Carolina helped the school earn the #5 place on this year’s ranking of the best parks, recreation, leisure, and fitness studies schools in the Southeast Region . Located in the medium-sized city of Charleston, The Citadel is a public college with a small student population.
While working on their degree, parks and rec majors at The Citadel accumulate an average of around $19,790 in student debt. Assuming that a graduate chooses a 10-year repayment plan, the average monthly loan payment is $426.
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North Carolina State University came in at #6 in this year’s edition of the Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Schools in the Southeast Region ranking. NC State is a very large public school located in the city of Raleigh.
Parks & Rec majors at NC State take out an average of $22,134 in student loans while working on their egree. The average monthly payment of a loan this size is about $206, assuming that the borrower is on a 10-year repayment plan.
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University of North Carolina at Wilmington came in at #7 in this year’s edition of the Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Schools in the Southeast Region ranking. Located in the midsize city of Wilmington, UNCW is a public college with a large student population.
Parks & Rec majors at UNCW take out an average of $22,750 in student loans while working on their egree.
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Shenandoah University ranked #8 on this year’s Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Schools in the Southeast Region list. Located in the city of Winchester, Shenandoah is a private not-for-profit school with a small student population.
The average amount in student loans that parks and rec majors at Shenandoah take out is $27,000.
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James Madison University did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best schools for parks, recreation, leisure, and fitness studies students. It came in at #9 on the list. JMU is a very large public school located in the city of Harrisonburg.
The average amount in student loans that parks and rec majors at JMU take out is $21,500. The average monthly payment of a loan this size is about $335, assuming that the borrower is on a 10-year repayment plan.
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Clemson University did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best schools for parks, recreation, leisure, and fitness studies students. It came in at #10 on the list. Clemson is a very large public school located in the large suburb of Clemson.
Parks & Rec majors at Clemson take out an average of $21,780 in student loans while working on their egree. This translates to an average monthly loan payment of $391, based on a 10-year repayment plan.
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University of Florida-Online came in at #11 in this year’s edition of the Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Schools in the Southeast Region ranking. Located in the midsize city of Gainesville, UF Online is a public school with a moderately-sized student population.
Parks & Rec majors at UF Online take out an average of $19,000 in student loans while working on their egree. For students who choose a 10-year repayment plan, the average monthly student loan payment is $239.
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University of South Carolina - Columbia came in at #12 in this year’s edition of the Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Schools in the Southeast Region ranking. Located in the midsize city of Columbia, UofSC is a public school with a very large student population.
The average amount in student loans that parks and rec majors at UofSC take out is $26,000. Assuming that a graduate chooses a 10-year repayment plan, the average monthly loan payment is $426.
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George Mason University did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best schools for parks, recreation, leisure, and fitness studies students. It came in at #13 on the list. Located in the suburb of Fairfax, GMU is a public college with a very large student population.
On average, parks and rec graduates from GMU take out $22,351 in student loans while working on their degree.
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With a ranking of #14, United States Sports Academy did quite well on this year’s best schools for parks, recreation, leisure, and fitness studies students. The Academy is a fairly small private not-for-profit school located in the small city of Daphne.
While working on their degree, parks and rec majors at The Academy accumulate an average of around $31,000 in student debt.
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With a ranking of #15, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill did quite well on this year’s best schools for parks, recreation, leisure, and fitness studies students. UNC Chapel Hill is a very large public school located in the city of Chapel Hill.
The average amount in student loans that parks and rec majors at UNC Chapel Hill take out is $17,500. When it comes time to repay the loan, graduates who are on a 10-year repayment plan pay an average monthly payment of $307.
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Florida International University did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best schools for parks, recreation, leisure, and fitness studies students. It came in at #16 on the list. Located in the suburb of Miami, FIU is a public school with a very large student population.
After completing their degree, parks and rec graduates from FIU carry an average student debtload of $20,928.
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University of North Florida landed the #17 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best parks, recreation, leisure, and fitness studies programs. UNF is a large public school located in the city of Jacksonville.
After completing their degree, parks and rec graduates from UNF carry an average student debtload of $17,200.
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William & Mary did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best schools for parks, recreation, leisure, and fitness studies students. It came in at #18 on the list. Located in the small suburb of Williamsburg, William & Mary is a public college with a medium-sized student population.
While working on their degree, parks and rec majors at William & Mary accumulate an average of around $19,500 in student debt.
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Louisiana State University and Agricultural & Mechanical College did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best schools for parks, recreation, leisure, and fitness studies students. It came in at #19 on the list. Louisiana State University is a very large public school located in the medium-sized city of Baton Rouge.
Parks & Rec majors at Louisiana State University take out an average of $22,890 in student loans while working on their egree. When it comes time to repay the loan, graduates who are on a 10-year repayment plan pay an average monthly payment of $517.
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Bridgewater College ranked #20 on this year’s Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Schools in the Southeast Region list. Bridgewater is a small private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Bridgewater.
After completing their degree, parks and rec graduates from Bridgewater carry an average student debtload of $27,000. Assuming that a graduate chooses a 10-year repayment plan, the average monthly loan payment is $253.
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Johnson & Wales University - Charlotte landed the #21 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best parks, recreation, leisure, and fitness studies programs. Located in the city of Charlotte, JWU Charlotte is a private not-for-profit school with a small student population.
Parks & Rec majors at JWU Charlotte take out an average of $27,000 in student loans while working on their egree. This translates to an average monthly loan payment of $430, based on a 10-year repayment plan.
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Louisiana College landed the #22 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best parks, recreation, leisure, and fitness studies programs. Located in the suburb of Pineville, Louisiana College is a private not-for-profit college with a small student population.
Parks & Rec majors at Louisiana College take out an average of $26,000 in student loans while working on their egree.
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Wake Forest University did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best schools for parks, recreation, leisure, and fitness studies students. It came in at #23 on the list. Wake Forest University is a medium-sized private not-for-profit school located in the midsize city of Winston-Salem.
The average amount in student loans that parks and rec majors at Wake Forest University take out is $19,500.
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University of Arkansas landed the #24 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best parks, recreation, leisure, and fitness studies programs. Located in the city of Fayetteville, UARK is a public school with a very large student population.
On average, parks and rec graduates from UARK take out $22,940 in student loans while working on their degree. This translates to an average monthly loan payment of $402, based on a 10-year repayment plan.
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These are some additional schools worth mentioning that are also great but just didn't quite make the cut to earn our top Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Schools in the Southeast Region award.
| Rank | College | Location |
|---|---|---|
| 25 | Augusta University | Augusta, GA |
| 26 | University of Georgia | Athens, GA |
| 27 | The University of Tennessee - Knoxville | Knoxville, TN |
| 28 | University of Central Florida | Orlando, FL |
| 29 | University of Louisville | Louisville, KY |
| 30 | Samford University | Birmingham, AL |
| 31 | Old Dominion University | Norfolk, VA |
| 32 | Berry College | Mount Berry, GA |
Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Colleges by State
Explore the best parks, recreation, leisure, and fitness studies colleges for a specific state in the Southeast region.
| State | Degrees Awarded |
|---|---|
| North Carolina | 3,436 |
| West Virginia | 1,238 |
| South Carolina | 1,339 |
| Florida | 2,340 |
| Virginia | 1,729 |
| Arkansas | 1,012 |
| Mississippi | 1,128 |
| Louisiana | 703 |
| Alabama | 959 |
| Kentucky | 1,141 |
| Georgia | 1,981 |
| Tennessee | 2,462 |
More Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Rankings in the Southeast Region
Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Related Rankings by Major
Parks & Rec Majors to Study
| Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| Health & Physical Education | 67,146 |
| Recreation Administration | 3,122 |
| Parks, Recreation & Leisure Studies | 3,106 |
| Outdoor Education | 265 |
| Other Parks, Recreation & Leisure Studies | 174 |
Most Popular Related Majors
| Related Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting | 142,610 |
| Public Administration & Social Service | 98,583 |
| Legal Professions | 61,055 |
| Military Technologies & Applied Sciences | 4,477 |
Notes and References
*These averages are for the top 25 schools only.
- Read more about our ranking methodology.
- 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 the rest 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).
- Credit for the banner image above goes to NPS Photo/Zurbuch.
More about our data sources and methodologies.
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