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.
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2023 Best Value 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 value for your educational dollar.
Top 15% Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Schools
Our analysis found American Public University System to be the best value school for parks, recreation, leisure, and fitness studies students who want to pursue a degree in the Southeast Region . Located in the fringe town of Charles Town, American Military University is a private for-profit school with a very large student population.
The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate student at American Military University are $7,360 a year. On average, parks and rec graduates from American Military University take out $21,148 in student loans while working on their degree.
In addition to its great value ranking, American Military University is in the top 5% of all schools on our Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Schools in the Southeast Region list.
You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend University of North Carolina at Pembroke. It ranked #2 on our 2023 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.
A rank of #3 on this year’s list means Western Carolina University is a great value for parks, recreation, leisure, and fitness studies students. WCU is a large public school located in the distant town of Cullowhee.
The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate student at WCU are $8,367 a 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.
Read full report on Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies at Western Carolina University
Out of the 160 schools in the Southeast Region that were part of this year’s ranking, University of Florida-Online landed the # 4 spot on the list. Located in the medium-sized city of Gainesville, UF Online is a public school with a moderately-sized student population.
The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate student at UF Online are $16,579 a 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.
As a testament to the quality of education it offers, UF Online also is in the top 5% of our Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Schools in the Southeast Region ranking.
You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around you if you attend University of the Cumberlands. The school came in at #5 on this year’s 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 town of Williamsburg.
The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate student at Cumberlands are $9,875 a year. The average amount in student loans that parks and rec majors at Cumberlands take out is $21,436.
Read full report on Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies at University of the Cumberlands
With a ranking of #6, Mississippi University for Women did quite well on this year’s best value schools for parks, recreation, leisure, and fitness studies students. MUW is a small public school located in the town of Columbus.
The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate student at MUW are $7,756 a year. On average, parks and rec graduates from MUW take out $26,000 in student loans while working on their degree.
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 large city of Memphis, UofM is a public college with a very large student population.
The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate student at UofM are $14,088 a 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.
Full Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies at University of Memphis Report
University of North Carolina at Wilmington 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 #8 on the list. Located in the medium-sized city of Wilmington, UNCW is a public college with a large student population.
UNCW undergraduate students pay an average of $21,303 in tuition and fees each year. Parks & Rec majors at UNCW take out an average of $22,750 in student loans while working on their egree.
In addition to its great value ranking, UNCW is in the top 20% of all schools on our Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Schools in the Southeast Region list.
Arkansas State University - Main Campus came in at #9 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Schools in the Southeast Region ranking. Located in the small city of Jonesboro, A-State is a public college with a large student population.
Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at A-State are $12,698 per 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.
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 fairly small private not-for-profit school located in the city of Daphne.
The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate student at The Academy are $17,424 a year. While working on their degree, parks and rec majors at The Academy accumulate an average of around $31,000 in student debt.
Read full report on Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies at United States Sports Academy
William Carey 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 #11 on the list. William Carey University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the small city of Hattiesburg.
Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at William Carey University are $14,550 per year. Parks & Rec majors at William Carey University take out an average of $21,500 in student loans while working on their egree.
Read full report on Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies at William Carey University
With a ranking of #12, Henderson State University did quite well on this year’s best value schools for parks, recreation, leisure, and fitness studies students. Henderson State University is a small public school located in the distant town of Arkadelphia.
Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at Henderson State University are $9,768 per year. Parks & Rec majors at Henderson State University take out an average of $26,000 in student loans while working on their egree.
Florida International University landed the #13 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best value parks, recreation, leisure, and fitness studies programs. Located in the large suburb of Miami, FIU is a public school with a fairly large student population.
FIU undergraduate students pay an average of $18,963 in tuition and fees each year. After completing their degree, parks and rec graduates from FIU carry an average student debtload of $20,928.
University of North Florida landed the #14 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best value parks, recreation, leisure, and fitness studies programs. UNF is a fairly large public school located in the large city of Jacksonville.
UNF undergraduate students pay an average of $19,407 in tuition and fees each year. After completing their degree, parks and rec graduates from UNF carry an average student debtload of $17,200.
Read full report on Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies at University of North Florida
Louisiana College ranked #15 on this year’s Best Value Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Schools in the Southeast Region list. Located in the suburb of Pineville, Louisiana College is a private not-for-profit college with a small student population.
The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate student at Louisiana College are $17,950 a year. Parks & Rec majors at Louisiana College take out an average of $26,000 in student loans while working on their egree.
Full Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies at Louisiana College Report
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.
Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at Southern Miss are $11,204 per 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.
Northern Kentucky 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 #17 on the list. Located in the large suburb of Highland Heights, NKU is a public college with a fairly large student population.
Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at NKU are $20,448 per year.
Liberty University came in at #18 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Schools in the Southeast Region ranking. Located in the city of Lynchburg, Liberty University is a private not-for-profit school with a very large student population.
The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate student at Liberty University are $16,160 a 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.
Read full report on Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies at Liberty University
Arkansas Tech University came in at #19 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Schools in the Southeast Region ranking. Located in the remote town of Russellville, ATU is a public college with a moderately-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.
Read full report on Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies at Arkansas Tech University
University of Central Arkansas ranked #20 on this year’s Best Value Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Schools in the Southeast Region list. UCA is a fairly large public school located in the small city of Conway.
UCA undergraduate students pay an average of $16,433 in tuition and fees each 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.
Read full report on Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies at University of Central Arkansas
Martin Methodist College ranked #21 on this year’s Best Value Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Schools in the Southeast Region list. Martin Methodist is a fairly small private not-for-profit school located in the distant 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.
Read full report on Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies at Martin Methodist College
University of Florida ranked #22 on this year’s Best Value Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Schools in the Southeast Region list. UF is a fairly large public school located in the city of Gainesville.
Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at UF are $28,659 per 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.
In addition to its great value ranking, UF is in the top 5% of all schools on our Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Schools in the Southeast Region list.
Full Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies at University of Florida Report
The University of Tennessee - Martin ranked #23 on this year’s Best Value Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Schools in the Southeast Region list. Located in the remote town of Martin, UT Martin is a public college with a medium-sized student population.
UT Martin undergraduate students pay an average of $15,952 in tuition and fees each 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.
Full Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies at The University of Tennessee - Martin Report
Georgia Southern University came in at #24 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Schools in the Southeast Region ranking. Located in the town of Statesboro, GaSou is a public college with a very large student population.
GaSou undergraduate students pay an average of $17,539 in tuition and fees each 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.
Read full report on Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies at Georgia Southern University
Honorable Mentions
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 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 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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