2023 Best Value Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Schools in the Southeast Region
Highlighting Quality Schools With More Affordable Pricing
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 assist you in seeing some of the education options that are available to you, Course Advisor has created its Best Value Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Schools in the Southeast Region ranking. Our analysis looked at 160 schools in the Southeast Region to see which programs offered the best value experiences for parks and rec students with the aim of identifying those quality schools that are more affordable than some of their counterparts.
This ranking is not just a list of inexpensive schools. We also consider each school's quality, since we believe a low-quality school may not be a 'bargain' at any price. Specifically, our score for quality is discounted by the published tuition and fees charged by the given college. This gives the cost per unit of quality for each college. The more quality your dollar buys, the better the value.
For nationwide and regional rankings, we use out-of-state tuition and fees in our calculations. For statewide rankings, we use average in-state tuition and fees.
Top 15% Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Schools
Our 2023 rankings named American Public University System the best value school in the Southeast Region for parks, recreation, leisure, and fitness studies students. Located in the fringe town of Charles Town, American Military University is a private for-profit school with a very large student population.
American Military University undergraduate students pay an average of $7,360 in tuition and fees each year. On average, parks and rec graduates from American Military University take out $21,148 in student loans while working on their degree.
American Military University excels when it comes to quality. It’s ranked in the top 5% of all schools on our Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Schools in the Southeast Region list.
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You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around you if you attend University of North Carolina at Pembroke. The school came in at #2 on this year’s Best Value Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Schools in the Southeast Region list. Located in the distant town of Pembroke, UNC Pembroke is a public school with a moderately-sized student population.
Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at UNC Pembroke are $7,495 per year. The average amount in student loans that parks and rec majors at UNC Pembroke take out is $26,000. For students who choose a 10-year repayment plan, the average monthly student loan payment is $129.
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You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Western Carolina University. It ranked #3 on our 2023 Best Value Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Schools in the Southeast Region list. WCU is a large public school located in the town of Cullowhee.
WCU undergraduate students pay an average of $8,367 in tuition and fees each year. The average amount in student loans that parks and rec majors at WCU take out is $23,666. Assuming that a graduate chooses a 10-year repayment plan, the average monthly loan payment is $283.
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You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend University of Florida-Online. It ranked #4 on our 2023 Best Value Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Schools in the Southeast Region list. Located in the medium-sized city of Gainesville, UF Online is a public college with a medium-sized student population.
UF Online undergraduate students pay an average of $16,579 in tuition and fees each year. 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.
In addition to its great value ranking, UF Online is in the top 5% of all schools on our Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Schools in the Southeast Region list.
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You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend University of the Cumberlands. It ranked #5 on our 2023 Best Value Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Schools in the Southeast Region list. Cumberlands is a fairly large private not-for-profit school located in the remote town of Williamsburg.
Cumberlands undergraduate students pay an average of $9,875 in tuition and fees each year. The average amount in student loans that parks and rec majors at Cumberlands take out is $21,436.
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Mississippi University for Women ranked #6 on this year’s Best Value Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Schools in the Southeast Region list. MUW is a small public school located in the town of Columbus.
MUW undergraduate students pay an average of $7,756 in tuition and fees each year. On average, parks and rec graduates from MUW take out $26,000 in student loans while working on their degree.
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With a ranking of #7, University of Memphis did quite well on this year’s best value schools for parks, recreation, leisure, and fitness studies students. Located in the city of Memphis, UofM is a public school with a fairly large student population.
UofM undergraduate students pay an average of $14,088 in tuition and fees each year. After completing their degree, parks and rec graduates from UofM carry an average student debtload of $28,671. When it comes time to repay the loan, graduates who are on a 10-year repayment plan pay an average monthly payment of $176.
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With a ranking of #8, University of North Carolina at Wilmington did quite well on this year’s best value schools for parks, recreation, leisure, and fitness studies students. Located in the city of Wilmington, UNCW is a public school with a fairly large student population.
The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate student at UNCW are $21,303 a year. Parks & Rec majors at UNCW take out an average of $22,750 in student loans while working on their egree.
On top of its placing in our value ranking, UNCW also did well on our Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Schools in the Southeast Region list. It’s in the top 20% of all schools reviewed in this analysis.
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Arkansas State University - Main Campus did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best value schools for parks, recreation, leisure, and fitness studies students. It came in at #9 on the list. Located in the city of Jonesboro, A-State is a public school with a fairly large student population.
The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate student at A-State are $12,698 a year. The average amount in student loans that parks and rec majors at A-State take out is $26,748. The average monthly payment of a loan this size is about $122, assuming that the borrower is on a 10-year repayment plan.
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United States Sports Academy did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best value schools for parks, recreation, leisure, and fitness studies students. It came in at #10 on the list. The Academy is a small private not-for-profit school located in the city of Daphne.
The Academy undergraduate students pay an average of $17,424 in tuition and fees each year. 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 #11, William Carey University did quite well on this year’s best value schools for parks, recreation, leisure, and fitness studies students. William Carey University is a medium-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Hattiesburg.
The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate student at William Carey University are $14,550 a year. Parks & Rec majors at William Carey University take out an average of $21,500 in student loans while working on their egree.
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Henderson State University ranked #12 on this year’s Best Value Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Schools in the Southeast Region list. Henderson State University is a small public school located in the distant town of Arkadelphia.
Henderson State University undergraduate students pay an average of $9,768 in tuition and fees each year. Parks & Rec majors at Henderson State University take out an average of $26,000 in student loans while working on their egree.
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Florida International University came in at #13 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Schools in the Southeast Region ranking. Located in the large suburb of Miami, FIU is a public school with a very large student population.
The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate student at FIU are $18,963 a year. 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 did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best value schools for parks, recreation, leisure, and fitness studies students. It came in at #14 on the list. UNF is a large public school located in the city of Jacksonville.
Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at UNF are $19,407 per year. After completing their degree, parks and rec graduates from UNF carry an average student debtload of $17,200.
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With a ranking of #15, Louisiana College did quite well on this year’s best value schools for parks, recreation, leisure, and fitness studies students. Located in the small suburb of Pineville, Louisiana College is a private not-for-profit school with a small student population.
Louisiana College undergraduate students pay an average of $17,950 in tuition and fees each year. 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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With a ranking of #16, University of Southern Mississippi did quite well on this year’s best value schools for parks, recreation, leisure, and fitness studies students. Located in the city of Hattiesburg, Southern Miss is a public college with a large student population.
The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate student at Southern Miss are $11,204 a year. On average, parks and rec graduates from Southern Miss take out $28,438 in student loans while working on their degree. For students who choose a 10-year repayment plan, the average monthly student loan payment is $163.
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Northern Kentucky University came in at #17 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Schools in the Southeast Region ranking. Located in the suburb of Highland Heights, NKU is a public school with a fairly large student population.
The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate student at NKU are $20,448 a year.
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Liberty University landed the #18 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best value parks, recreation, leisure, and fitness studies programs. Located in the small city of Lynchburg, Liberty University is a private not-for-profit school with a fairly large student population.
Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at Liberty University are $16,160 per year. On average, parks and rec graduates from Liberty University take out $26,000 in student loans while working on their degree. The average monthly payment of a loan this size is about $435, assuming that the borrower is on a 10-year repayment plan.
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Arkansas Tech University landed the #19 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best value parks, recreation, leisure, and fitness studies programs. Located in the remote town of Russellville, ATU is a public school with a medium-sized student population.
ATU undergraduate students pay an average of $13,636 in tuition and fees each year. While working on their degree, parks and rec majors at ATU accumulate an average of around $23,700 in student debt.
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University of Central Arkansas landed the #20 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best value parks, recreation, leisure, and fitness studies programs. UCA is a fairly large public school located in the small city of Conway.
The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate student at UCA are $16,433 a year. On average, parks and rec graduates from UCA take out $25,353 in student loans while working on their degree. The average monthly payment of a loan this size is about $138, assuming that the borrower is on a 10-year repayment plan.
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With a ranking of #21, Martin Methodist College did quite well on this year’s best value schools for parks, recreation, leisure, and fitness studies students. Martin Methodist is a fairly small private not-for-profit school located in the town of Pulaski.
Martin Methodist undergraduate students pay an average of $10,200 in tuition and fees each year. While working on their degree, parks and rec majors at Martin Methodist accumulate an average of around $25,750 in student debt.
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University of Florida ranked #22 on this year’s Best Value Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Schools in the Southeast Region list. UF is a very large public school located in the midsize city of Gainesville.
The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate student at UF are $28,659 a year. 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.
On top of its placing in our value ranking, UF also did well on our Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Schools in the Southeast Region list. It’s in the top 5% of all schools reviewed in this analysis.
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The University of Tennessee - Martin came in at #23 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Schools in the Southeast Region ranking. Located in the town of Martin, UT Martin is a public college with a medium-sized student population.
Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at UT Martin are $15,952 per year. While working on their degree, parks and rec majors at UT Martin accumulate an average of around $21,925 in student debt. The average monthly payment of a loan this size is about $138, assuming that the borrower is on a 10-year repayment plan.
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Georgia Southern University did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best value schools for parks, recreation, leisure, and fitness studies students. It came in at #24 on the list. Located in the town of Statesboro, GaSou is a public college with a fairly large student population.
Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at GaSou are $17,539 per year. Parks & Rec majors at GaSou take out an average of $27,366 in student loans while working on their egree. The average monthly payment of a loan this size is about $188, assuming that the borrower is 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 Value Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Schools in the Southeast Region award.
| Rank | College | Location |
|---|---|---|
| 25 | Morehead State University | Morehead, KY |
| 26 | Shepherd University | Shepherdstown, WV |
| 27 | Austin Peay State University | Clarksville, TN |
| 28 | Kennesaw State University | Kennesaw, GA |
| 28 | North Carolina State University | Raleigh, NC |
| 28 | James Madison University | Harrisonburg, VA |
| 31 | Citadel Military College of South Carolina | Charleston, SC |
| 32 | Mississippi College | Clinton, MS |
| 32 | Florida Atlantic University | Boca Raton, FL |
| 32 | Louisiana Tech University | Ruston, LA |
Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Colleges by State
Explore the best parks, recreation, leisure, and fitness studies schools for a specific state in the Southeast region.
| State | Degrees Awarded |
|---|---|
| North Carolina | 3,436 |
| West Virginia | 1,238 |
| Mississippi | 1,128 |
| South Carolina | 1,339 |
| Florida | 2,340 |
| Virginia | 1,729 |
| Arkansas | 1,012 |
| Alabama | 959 |
| Kentucky | 1,141 |
| Georgia | 1,981 |
| Tennessee | 2,462 |
| Louisiana | 703 |
More Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Rankings in the Southeast Region
Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Related Majors for Parks & Rec
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.
- 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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