2026 Best Value Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies Schools in South Carolina
[Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies](/majors/parks-recreation-fitness/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 26 schools to find the best return on investment for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies students.
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2026 Best Value Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies Schools in South 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
Leading the list is Coastal Carolina University, our #1 best value for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies in South Carolina. Located in the city of Conway, Coastal Carolina University is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $11,640 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $29,628. Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies graduates carry a median of $26,997 in student loans. Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies graduates of Coastal Carolina University earn a median of $36,399 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Coastal Carolina University admits about 75% of applicants.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at University Of South Carolina Aiken earned it the #2 place for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies. Set in the suburb of Aiken, University Of South Carolina Aiken is a mid-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $10,760 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $21,218. Typical student debt for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies graduates is $30,975. Soon after graduation, parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degree recipients from University Of South Carolina Aiken generally make around $25,467. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of South Carolina Aiken admits about 78% of applicants.
Lander University came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best value parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies schools. Lander University is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Greenwood. In-state tuition and fees average $11,700, compared with $21,300 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies graduates is $24,995. Soon after graduation, parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degree recipients from Lander University generally make around $27,155. That is a strong return on a $24,995 median debt. Roughly 81% of applicants are accepted.
Winthrop University came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best value parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies schools. Winthrop University is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Rock Hill. In-state tuition and fees average $14,678, with out-of-state students paying around $28,676. Typical student debt for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies graduates is $27,000. Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies graduates of Winthrop University earn a median of $35,704 early in their careers. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Winthrop University admits about 79% of applicants.
Allen University came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best value parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies schools. Allen University is a small private not-for-profit school located in the city of Columbia. Students from in state pay about $14,304 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $39,771 to complete the parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies program here. Early-career parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies graduates make about $23,346. That is a strong return on a $39,771 median debt. Roughly 72% of applicants are accepted.
Coker College earned the #6 position for value in parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies this year. Coker College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the town of Hartsville. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $33,416. Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies graduates carry a median of $26,475 in student loans. Soon after graduation, parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degree recipients from Coker College generally make around $30,333. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 94% of applicants are accepted.
Benedict College placed #7 among the best values for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies. Benedict College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the city of Columbia. In-state tuition and fees average $17,748. Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies graduates carry a median of $40,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degree recipients from Benedict College generally make around $25,769. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 96%.
Bob Jones University landed the #8 spot for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies value this year. Set in the city of Greenville, Bob Jones University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $22,892 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies graduates is $23,000. Early-career parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies graduates make about $32,481. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Newberry College came in at #9 for value in parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies this year. Located in the town of Newberry, Newberry College is a small private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $31,100. Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies graduates carry a median of $28,375 in student loans. Early-career parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies graduates make about $33,159. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.
Citadel Military College Of South Carolina placed #10 among the best values for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies. Citadel Military College Of South Carolina is a mid-sized public school located in the city of Charleston. In-state tuition and fees average $12,570, compared with $38,508 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies graduates is $22,250. Soon after graduation, parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degree recipients from Citadel Military College Of South Carolina generally make around $43,409. Set against $22,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 23% of applicants are accepted.
North Greenville University earned the #11 position for value in parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies this year. Set in the rural area of Tigerville, North Greenville University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $25,800. Students borrow a median of $28,000 to complete the parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies program here. Early-career parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies graduates make about $27,537. Set against $28,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 67% of applicants are accepted.
Columbia International University placed #12 among the best values for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies. Set in the city of Columbia, Columbia International University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $27,900. Students borrow a median of $21,667 to complete the parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies program here. Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies graduates of Columbia International University earn a median of $32,296 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 94% of applicants are accepted.
Claflin University landed the #13 spot for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies value this year. Set in the town of Orangeburg, Claflin University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $17,046. Typical student debt for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies graduates is $35,425. Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies graduates of Claflin University earn a median of $22,642 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $35,425 median debt. Claflin University admits about 65% of applicants.
Charleston Southern University ranked #14 on our 2026 list of the best value parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies schools. Set in the city of Charleston, Charleston Southern University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $32,520. Typical student debt for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies graduates is $27,000. Soon after graduation, parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degree recipients from Charleston Southern University generally make around $26,722. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Charleston Southern University admits about 96% of applicants.
Erskine College And Seminary came in at #15 for value in parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies this year. Located in the rural area of Due West, Erskine College And Seminary is a small private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $36,710. Typical student debt for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies graduates is $27,000. Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies graduates of Erskine College And Seminary earn a median of $35,695 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 63%.
Clemson University landed the #16 spot for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies value this year. Located in the suburb of Clemson, Clemson University is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $15,554 in tuition and fees, compared with $40,866 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $22,592 to complete the parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies program here. Early-career parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies graduates make about $44,004. Set against $22,592 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Clemson University admits about 38% of applicants.
Limestone College placed #17 among the best values for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies. Limestone College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the town of Gaffney. In-state tuition and fees average $27,800. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies program here. Soon after graduation, parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degree recipients from Limestone College generally make around $26,809. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 97%.
University Of South Carolina Columbia placed #18 among the best values for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies. University Of South Carolina Columbia is a very large public school located in the city of Columbia. Students from in state pay about $12,688 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $36,298. Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies graduates carry a median of $25,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degree recipients from University Of South Carolina Columbia generally make around $37,903. Set against $25,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 60%.
Anderson University Sc landed the #19 spot for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies value this year. Set in the city of Anderson, Anderson University Sc is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $34,970. Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies graduates of Anderson University Sc earn a median of $27,340 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 55%.
Furman University ranked #20 on our 2026 list of the best value parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies schools. Located in the suburb of Greenville, Furman University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $59,770. Students borrow a median of $23,764 to complete the parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies program here. Soon after graduation, parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degree recipients from Furman University generally make around $36,520. That is a strong return on a $23,764 median debt. The acceptance rate is 43%.
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Notes and References
This list is compiled 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 · 26 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 11 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.
