2026 Best Value Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies Schools in North Carolina
[Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies](/majors/parks-recreation-fitness/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies education at a price that pays off.
For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 58 schools to find the best return on investment for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies students.
What’s on this page:
2026 Best Value Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies Schools in North Carolina
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
Gaston College tops our 2026 list of the best value parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies schools in North Carolina. Gaston College is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Dallas. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,186, while out-of-state students pay about $9,330. Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies graduates carry a median of $10,915 in student loans. Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies graduates of Gaston College earn a median of $39,937 early in their careers. Set against $10,915 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Wake Technical Community College earned it the #2 place for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies. Located in the suburb of Raleigh, Wake Technical Community College is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,254, with out-of-state students paying around $6,862. Students borrow a median of $17,900 to complete the parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies program here. Soon after graduation, parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degree recipients from Wake Technical Community College generally make around $38,673. That is a strong return on a $17,900 median debt.
University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill is a great value for students pursuing a degree in parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies, landing the #3 spot this year. Located in the city of Chapel Hill, University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,994, compared with $41,203 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies graduates is $16,575. Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies graduates of University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill earn a median of $39,401 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill admits about 15% of applicants.
A rank of #4 makes University Of North Carolina At Greensboro one of the best values for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies. Set in the city of Greensboro, University Of North Carolina At Greensboro is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $7,661 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $24,012. Typical student debt for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies graduates is $25,027. Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies graduates of University Of North Carolina At Greensboro earn a median of $47,924 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $25,027 median debt. The acceptance rate is 88%.
Brunswick Community College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies, landing the #5 spot this year. Brunswick Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the rural area of Bolivia. Students from in state pay about $2,553 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $8,697. Students borrow a median of $5,500 to complete the parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies program here. Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies graduates of Brunswick Community College earn a median of $47,493 early in their careers. Set against $5,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Western Carolina University came in at #6 for value in parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies this year. Western Carolina University is a large public school located in the town of Cullowhee. Students from in state pay about $4,630 in tuition and fees, compared with $8,630 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies graduates is $24,450. Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies graduates of Western Carolina University earn a median of $40,052 early in their careers. Set against $24,450 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 82%.
Elizabeth City State University ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best value parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies schools. Located in the town of Elizabeth City, Elizabeth City State University is a mid-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $6,536, while out-of-state students pay about $10,536. Students borrow a median of $26,992 to complete the parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies program here. Soon after graduation, parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degree recipients from Elizabeth City State University generally make around $26,821. Set against $26,992 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 64% of applicants are accepted.
University Of North Carolina At Pembroke earned the #8 position for value in parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies this year. Set in the town of Pembroke, University Of North Carolina At Pembroke is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,648, while out-of-state students pay about $7,648. Typical student debt for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies graduates is $26,000. Early-career parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies graduates make about $25,623. Set against $26,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 93%.
North Carolina A And T State University earned the #9 position for value in parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies this year. North Carolina A And T State University is a large public school located in the city of Greensboro. In-state tuition and fees average $6,813, while out-of-state students pay about $20,673. Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies graduates carry a median of $30,000 in student loans. Early-career parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies graduates make about $26,498. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. North Carolina A And T State University admits about 50% of applicants.
North Carolina State University At Raleigh came in at #10 for value in parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies this year. North Carolina State University At Raleigh is a very large public school located in the city of Raleigh. Students from in state pay about $8,799 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $32,847. Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies graduates carry a median of $21,300 in student loans. Soon after graduation, parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degree recipients from North Carolina State University At Raleigh generally make around $34,734. That is a strong return on a $21,300 median debt. The acceptance rate is 42%.
Appalachian State University landed the #11 spot for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies value this year. Appalachian State University is a very large public school located in the town of Boone. In-state tuition and fees average $7,579, while out-of-state students pay about $25,212. Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies graduates carry a median of $20,741 in student loans. Early-career parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies graduates make about $31,192. That is a strong return on a $20,741 median debt. The acceptance rate is 90%.
Winston Salem State University came in at #12 for value in parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies this year. Winston Salem State University is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Winston-Salem. Students from in state pay about $6,126 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $16,782. Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies graduates carry a median of $26,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degree recipients from Winston Salem State University generally make around $26,467. Set against $26,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 78% of applicants are accepted.
East Carolina University placed #13 among the best values for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies. Set in the city of Greenville, East Carolina University is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,361, with out-of-state students paying around $23,638. Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies graduates carry a median of $26,800 in student loans. Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies graduates of East Carolina University earn a median of $38,467 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. East Carolina University admits about 89% of applicants.
North Carolina Central University ranked #14 on our 2026 list of the best value parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies schools. Set in the city of Durham, North Carolina Central University is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,699, compared with $19,735 for out-of-state students. Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies graduates carry a median of $33,216 in student loans. Soon after graduation, parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degree recipients from North Carolina Central University generally make around $34,022. Set against $33,216 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. North Carolina Central University admits about 87% of applicants.
Shaw University ranked #15 on our 2026 list of the best value parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies schools. Set in the city of Raleigh, Shaw University is a small private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $17,738. Typical student debt for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies graduates is $30,743. Early-career parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies graduates make about $19,078. That is a strong return on a $30,743 median debt. Roughly 80% of applicants are accepted.
University Of North Carolina At Wilmington came in at #16 for value in parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies this year. Located in the city of Wilmington, University Of North Carolina At Wilmington is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,277, while out-of-state students pay about $24,152. Typical student debt for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies graduates is $23,000. Soon after graduation, parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degree recipients from University Of North Carolina At Wilmington generally make around $31,873. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of North Carolina At Wilmington admits about 64% of applicants.
Chowan University earned the #17 position for value in parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies this year. Chowan University is a small private not-for-profit school located in the rural area of Murfreesboro. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $27,910. Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies graduates carry a median of $31,581 in student loans. Soon after graduation, parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degree recipients from Chowan University generally make around $25,983. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 69%.
Mount Olive College ranked #18 on our 2026 list of the best value parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies schools. Set in the rural area of Mount Olive, Mount Olive College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $27,366. Typical student debt for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies graduates is $25,820. Early-career parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies graduates make about $27,412. Set against $25,820 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 76%.
North Carolina Wesleyan College landed the #19 spot for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies value this year. North Carolina Wesleyan College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the city of Rocky Mount. Students from in state pay about $35,586 in tuition and fees. Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies graduates carry a median of $26,713 in student loans. Soon after graduation, parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degree recipients from North Carolina Wesleyan College generally make around $40,202. That is a strong return on a $26,713 median debt. North Carolina Wesleyan College admits about 80% of applicants.
Catawba College landed the #20 spot for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies value this year. Catawba College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Salisbury. In-state tuition and fees average $34,300. Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies graduates carry a median of $26,703 in student loans. Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies graduates of Catawba College earn a median of $27,305 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 75% of applicants are accepted.
Meredith College ranked #21 on our 2026 list of the best value parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies schools. Located in the city of Raleigh, Meredith College is a small private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $45,630. Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies graduates carry a median of $26,000 in student loans. Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies graduates of Meredith College earn a median of $38,525 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 74% of applicants are accepted.
Livingstone College came in at #22 for value in parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies this year. Livingstone College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Salisbury. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $18,296. Students borrow a median of $35,000 to complete the parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies program here. Early-career parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies graduates make about $21,427. Set against $35,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 59%.
Saint Augustines College landed the #23 spot for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies value this year. Set in the city of Raleigh, Saint Augustines College is a small private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $16,896. Students borrow a median of $40,375 to complete the parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies program here. Soon after graduation, parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degree recipients from Saint Augustines College generally make around $23,500. Set against $40,375 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Saint Augustines College admits about 34% of applicants.
Greensboro College came in at #24 for value in parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies this year. Greensboro College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the city of Greensboro. In-state tuition and fees average $21,000. Typical student debt for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies graduates is $27,000. Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies graduates of Greensboro College earn a median of $27,624 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Greensboro College admits about 70% of applicants.
Mars Hill College landed the #25 spot for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies value this year. Located in the rural area of Mars Hill, Mars Hill College is a small private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $37,736. Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies graduates carry a median of $26,886 in student loans. Soon after graduation, parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degree recipients from Mars Hill College generally make around $43,031. That is a strong return on a $26,886 median debt. Mars Hill College admits about 68% of applicants.
Rest of the Top 44 Best Value Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies Schools
Not far behind, these schools also offered excellent value in parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies:
More Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies Rankings
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Notes and References
The ranking above is published by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. The methodology weighs the cost of a degree against the earnings graduates go on to achieve, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 58 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 30 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.
