2026 Best Value Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies Schools in Georgia
[Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies](/majors/parks-recreation-fitness/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 39 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies students.
What’s on this page:
2026 Best Value Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies Schools in Georgia
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies Schools
Leading the list is University Of North Georgia, our #1 best value for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies in Georgia. University Of North Georgia is a very large public school located in the town of Dahlonega. Students from in state pay about $5,444 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $16,956. Students borrow a median of $20,500 to complete the parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies program here. Early-career parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies graduates make about $42,341. That is a strong return on a $20,500 median debt. Roughly 68% of applicants are accepted.
Students looking for strong value in parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies will find it at South Georgia Technical College, which ranked #2. Located in the town of Americus, South Georgia Technical College is a mid-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,992, compared with $7,202 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $10,423 to complete the parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies program here. Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies graduates of South Georgia Technical College earn a median of $40,497 early in their careers. Set against $10,423 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
A rank of #3 makes Augusta Technical College one of the best values for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies. Located in the city of Augusta, Augusta Technical College is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $4,282 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $7,492. Typical student debt for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies graduates is $11,400. Soon after graduation, parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degree recipients from Augusta Technical College generally make around $41,892. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
A rank of #4 makes University Of Georgia one of the best values for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies. University Of Georgia is a very large public school located in the city of Athens. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,450, compared with $31,688 for out-of-state students. Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies graduates carry a median of $22,250 in student loans. Early-career parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies graduates make about $36,359. Set against $22,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 38% of applicants are accepted.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Georgia Gwinnett College earned it the #5 place for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies. Located in the suburb of Lawrenceville, Georgia Gwinnett College is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,532, while out-of-state students pay about $13,844. Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies graduates carry a median of $21,280 in student loans. Soon after graduation, parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degree recipients from Georgia Gwinnett College generally make around $55,992. That is a strong return on a $21,280 median debt. Roughly 96% of applicants are accepted.
Young Harris College placed #6 among the best values for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies. Located in the rural area of Young Harris, Young Harris College is a small private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $32,305 in tuition and fees. Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies graduates carry a median of $24,689 in student loans. Graduates go on to earn a median of $47,195 ten years after entry. Set against $24,689 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 63% of applicants are accepted.
Valdosta State University placed #7 among the best values for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies. Located in the city of Valdosta, Valdosta State University is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,124, with out-of-state students paying around $17,836. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies program here. Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies graduates of Valdosta State University earn a median of $23,364 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 72% of applicants are accepted.
Georgia Southwestern State University placed #8 among the best values for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies. Georgia Southwestern State University is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Americus. In-state tuition and fees average $5,220, with out-of-state students paying around $16,572. Typical student debt for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies graduates is $26,000. Early-career parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies graduates make about $32,709. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 75% of applicants are accepted.
Clayton State University ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the best value parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies schools. Clayton State University is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Morrow. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,180, compared with $16,532 for out-of-state students. Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies graduates carry a median of $35,088 in student loans. Soon after graduation, parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degree recipients from Clayton State University generally make around $42,114. Set against $35,088 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Clayton State University admits about 68% of applicants.
Augusta University landed the #10 spot for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies value this year. Set in the city of Augusta, Augusta University is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $8,414 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $24,734. Typical student debt for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies graduates is $26,031. Early-career parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies graduates make about $27,490. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.
Columbus State University landed the #11 spot for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies value this year. Located in the city of Columbus, Columbus State University is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $5,898, compared with $17,610 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $30,500 to complete the parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies program here. Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies graduates of Columbus State University earn a median of $29,310 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $30,500 median debt. Roughly 99% of applicants are accepted.
Middle Georgia State University placed #12 among the best values for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies. Middle Georgia State University is a large public school located in the city of Macon. Students from in state pay about $5,038 in tuition and fees, compared with $16,390 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies graduates is $26,976. Early-career parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies graduates make about $48,207. Set against $26,976 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 100% of applicants are accepted.
Georgia Military College Milledgeville came in at #13 for value in parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies this year. Located in the town of Milledgeville, Georgia Military College Milledgeville is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $7,605 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $13,587 to complete the parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies program here. Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies graduates of Georgia Military College Milledgeville earn a median of $29,788 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $13,587 median debt.
University Of West Georgia landed the #14 spot for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies value this year. Set in the town of Carrollton, University Of West Georgia is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $6,088, compared with $17,800 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $28,750 to complete the parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies program here. Early-career parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies graduates make about $31,492. Set against $28,750 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 52%.
Georgia State University placed #15 among the best values for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies. Georgia State University is a very large public school located in the city of Atlanta. Students from in state pay about $8,664 in tuition and fees, compared with $24,840 for out-of-state students. Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies graduates carry a median of $26,091 in student loans. Soon after graduation, parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degree recipients from Georgia State University generally make around $45,380. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Georgia State University admits about 55% of applicants.
Georgia Southern University landed the #16 spot for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies value this year. Located in the town of Statesboro, Georgia Southern University is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,022, with out-of-state students paying around $17,734. Typical student debt for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies graduates is $25,327. Soon after graduation, parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degree recipients from Georgia Southern University generally make around $38,320. Set against $25,327 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 88% of applicants are accepted.
Kennesaw State University came in at #17 for value in parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies this year. Located in the suburb of Kennesaw, Kennesaw State University is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $5,808 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $17,736. Students borrow a median of $26,000 to complete the parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies program here. Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies graduates of Kennesaw State University earn a median of $34,369 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Kennesaw State University admits about 69% of applicants.
Shorter University came in at #18 for value in parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies this year. Set in the city of Rome, Shorter University is a small private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $24,630. Typical student debt for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies graduates is $26,000. Soon after graduation, parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degree recipients from Shorter University generally make around $24,291. Set against $26,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Shorter University admits about 96% of applicants.
Georgia College And State University landed the #19 spot for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies value this year. Set in the town of Milledgeville, Georgia College And State University is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,186, while out-of-state students pay about $29,512. Students borrow a median of $25,000 to complete the parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies program here. Early-career parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies graduates make about $29,203. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 78% of applicants are accepted.
Lagrange College earned the #20 position for value in parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies this year. Located in the town of Lagrange, Lagrange College is a small private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $35,400. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies program here. Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies graduates of Lagrange College earn a median of $52,126 early in their careers. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 62%.
Thomas University came in at #21 for value in parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies this year. Thomas University is a small private not-for-profit school located in the town of Thomasville. Students from in state pay about $11,640 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies graduates is $28,454. Soon after graduation, parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degree recipients from Thomas University generally make around $59,773. That is a strong return on a $28,454 median debt. The acceptance rate is 38%.
Emmanuel College Georgia placed #22 among the best values for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies. Set in the rural area of Franklin Springs, Emmanuel College Georgia is a small private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $25,500 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies graduates is $26,670. Soon after graduation, parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degree recipients from Emmanuel College Georgia generally make around $30,093. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Emmanuel College Georgia admits about 74% of applicants.
Berry College landed the #23 spot for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies value this year. Located in the suburb of Mount Berry, Berry College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $41,486. Students borrow a median of $24,931 to complete the parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies program here. Early-career parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies graduates make about $25,091. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Berry College admits about 64% of applicants.
Mercer University came in at #24 for value in parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies this year. Mercer University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Macon. Students from in state pay about $31,565 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies graduates is $32,463. Soon after graduation, parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degree recipients from Mercer University generally make around $56,699. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Mercer University admits about 69% of applicants.
Emory University landed the #25 spot for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies value this year. Set in the city of Atlanta, Emory University is a large private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $64,280. Typical student debt for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies graduates is $19,883. Early-career parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies graduates make about $37,974. Set against $19,883 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 11%.
Rest of the Top 29 Best Value Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies Schools
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies value ranking:
More Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies Rankings
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Notes and References
This list is compiled by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. Schools are scored on the balance of cost (tuition and student debt) against student outcomes (post-graduation earnings) — a measure of return on investment, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 39 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 14 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.
