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College Factual  by our College Data Analytics Team
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2026 Best Parks, Recreation & Leisure Studies Schools in the Southeast Region

11 Colleges in the United States
358 Parks, Recreation & Leisure Studies Degrees Awarded
$32,073 Avg Early-Career Salary

Parks, Recreation & Leisure Studies is a field worth a close look when choosing where to study. A focused field like this rewards careful comparison of the schools that offer it.

College Factual analyzed 34 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best parks, recreation & leisure studies schools.

What’s on this page:

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Best Schools for Parks, Recreation & Leisure Studies in the Southeast Region

Below are the schools that deliver the strongest overall parks, recreation & leisure studies education in the Southeast Region.

Top Schools in Parks, Recreation & Leisure Studies

1
University Of Arkansas crest
University Of Arkansas
Fayetteville, AR

Leading the list is University Of Arkansas, our #1 school for parks, recreation & leisure studies. Set in the city of Fayetteville, University Of Arkansas is a very large public institution. University Of Arkansas graduates 70% of students within six years. There were roughly 78 parks, recreation & leisure studies students who graduated with this degree at University Of Arkansas in the most recent data year. Graduates of the parks, recreation & leisure studies program make about $31,567 in their early career. University Of Arkansas graduates carry a median of $23,310 in student loans. Get the full parks, recreation & leisure studies details for University Of Arkansas

2

A rank of #2 makes East Carolina University one of the top schools for parks, recreation & leisure studies. Located in the city of Greenville, East Carolina University is a very large public university. The six-year graduation rate is 63%. East Carolina University awarded about 23 parks, recreation & leisure studies degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the parks, recreation & leisure studies program make about $34,751 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $19,587 to complete this degree. Read more about the parks, recreation & leisure studies program at East Carolina University

3

Georgia Southern University came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best parks, recreation & leisure studies schools. Located in the town of Statesboro, Georgia Southern University is a very large public university. The six-year graduation rate is 55%. There were roughly 23 parks, recreation & leisure studies students who graduated with this degree at Georgia Southern University in the most recent data year. Graduates of the parks, recreation & leisure studies program make about $31,086 in their early career. Georgia Southern University graduates carry a median of $24,936 in student loans. Get the full parks, recreation & leisure studies details for Georgia Southern University

4

A rank of #4 makes University Of North Carolina At Greensboro one of the top schools for parks, recreation & leisure studies. University Of North Carolina At Greensboro is a large public school located in the city of Greensboro. University Of North Carolina At Greensboro graduates 56% of students within six years. About 35 parks, recreation & leisure studies degrees were awarded at University Of North Carolina At Greensboro in the most recent year. Parks, Recreation & Leisure Studies graduates of University Of North Carolina At Greensboro earn a median of $31,561 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $26,000 to complete this degree. Read more about the parks, recreation & leisure studies program at University Of North Carolina At Greensboro

5
Radford University crest
Radford University
Radford, VA

Students looking for a strong parks, recreation & leisure studies program will find one at Radford University, which ranked #5. This moderately-sized public university is located in the town of Radford. Radford University graduates 49% of students within six years. Radford University awarded about 28 parks, recreation & leisure studies degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their parks, recreation & leisure studies degree from Radford University earn around $30,145 in the first couple years of their career. Radford University graduates carry a median of $26,000 in student loans. Get the full parks, recreation & leisure studies details for Radford University

6

South Georgia Technical College earned the #6 position for parks, recreation & leisure studies this year. This mid-sized public university is located in the town of Americus. There were roughly 32 parks, recreation & leisure studies students who graduated with this degree at South Georgia Technical College in the most recent data year. Students who receive their parks, recreation & leisure studies degree from South Georgia Technical College earn around $40,497 in the first couple years of their career. South Georgia Technical College graduates carry a median of $10,423 in student loans. More information about a degree in parks, recreation & leisure studies from South Georgia Technical College

7
Shepherd University crest
Shepherd University
Shepherdstown, WV

Shepherd University placed #7 among the best parks, recreation & leisure studies schools. This mid-sized public university is located in the rural area of Shepherdstown. Roughly 51% of students complete a degree within six years here. Shepherd University awarded about 31 parks, recreation & leisure studies degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the parks, recreation & leisure studies program make about $34,287 in their early career. Shepherd University graduates carry a median of $24,950 in student loans. Get the full parks, recreation & leisure studies details for Shepherd University

8

Jacksonville State University earned the #8 position for parks, recreation & leisure studies this year. Jacksonville State University is a large public school located in the suburb of Jacksonville. About 55% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 30 parks, recreation & leisure studies students who graduated with this degree at Jacksonville State University in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, parks, recreation & leisure studies degree recipients from Jacksonville State University generally make around $31,303. Students borrow a median of $21,500 to complete this degree. See the full parks, recreation & leisure studies program report for Jacksonville State University

9

Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College earned the #9 position for parks, recreation & leisure studies this year. Located in the rural area of Perkinston, Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College is a large public university. About 28 parks, recreation & leisure studies degrees were awarded at Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College in the most recent year. Graduates of the parks, recreation & leisure studies program make about $34,214 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $11,653. Get the full parks, recreation & leisure studies details for Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College

10

University Of South Alabama came in at #10 for parks, recreation & leisure studies this year. University Of South Alabama is a large public school located in the city of Mobile. Roughly 52% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 28 parks, recreation & leisure studies degrees were awarded at University Of South Alabama in the most recent year. Parks, Recreation & Leisure Studies graduates of University Of South Alabama earn a median of $33,557 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $26,750. See the full parks, recreation & leisure studies program report for University Of South Alabama

11

Grambling State University earned the #11 position for parks, recreation & leisure studies this year. Grambling State University is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Grambling. Grambling State University graduates 36% of students within six years. Grambling State University awarded about 22 parks, recreation & leisure studies degrees in the most recent data year. Parks, Recreation & Leisure Studies graduates of Grambling State University earn a median of $19,830 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $41,750 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in parks, recreation & leisure studies from Grambling State University

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Notes and References

This list is compiled by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. Schools are scored on a blend of student outcomes (graduation rate, post-graduation earnings), affordability, and program focus, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).

Ranking method: College Major Top Ranked · 34 schools evaluated.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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