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College Factual  by our College Data Analytics Team
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2026 Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies Schools in North Carolina

30 Colleges in the United States
3,032 Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies Degrees Awarded
$34,942 Avg Early-Career Salary

Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies degree programs prepare students for a range of careers in the field. While the number of schools offering the program varies, there are still top-quality ones to be found.

To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 58 schools to find the best for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies students.

What’s on this page:

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Best Schools for Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies in North Carolina

If you are not interested in a particular degree level and want to know which schools are the overall best at delivering an education for the parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degrees they offer, see the list below.

Top Schools in Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies

1

North Carolina State University At Raleigh tops our 2026 ranking of the best parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies schools. Located in the city of Raleigh, North Carolina State University At Raleigh is a very large public university. Roughly 85% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 183 parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degrees were awarded at North Carolina State University At Raleigh in the most recent year. Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies graduates of North Carolina State University At Raleigh earn a median of $34,734 early in their careers. North Carolina State University At Raleigh graduates carry a median of $21,300 in student loans. See the full parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies program report for North Carolina State University At Raleigh

2

University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies, landing the #2 spot this year. Located in the city of Chapel Hill, University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill is a very large public university. University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill graduates 91% of students within six years. There were roughly 327 parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies students who graduated with this degree at University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degree recipients from University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill generally make around $39,401. Typical student debt for the program is $16,575. More information about a degree in parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies from University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill

3
Wake Forest University crest
Wake Forest University
Winston-Salem, NC

Wake Forest University is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies, landing the #3 spot this year. Wake Forest University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Winston-Salem. Roughly 89% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 103 parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degrees were awarded at Wake Forest University in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degree recipients from Wake Forest University generally make around $21,192. Wake Forest University graduates carry a median of $23,250 in student loans. Get the full parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies details for Wake Forest University

4
High Point University crest
High Point University
High Point, NC

Students looking for a strong parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies program will find one at High Point University, which ranked #4. Located in the city of High Point, High Point University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. Roughly 72% of students complete a degree within six years here. High Point University awarded about 101 parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degree recipients from High Point University generally make around $113,352. High Point University graduates carry a median of $23,785 in student loans. Get the full parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies details for High Point University

5

A rank of #5 makes Elon University one of the top schools for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies. Set in the suburb of Elon, Elon University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 84%. There were roughly 109 parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies students who graduated with this degree at Elon University in the most recent data year. Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies graduates of Elon University earn a median of $21,440 early in their careers. Elon University graduates carry a median of $23,250 in student loans. See the full parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies program report for Elon University

6

University Of North Carolina At Wilmington earned the #6 position for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies this year. University Of North Carolina At Wilmington is a very large public school located in the city of Wilmington. About 71% of students finish within six years. About 231 parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degrees were awarded at University Of North Carolina At Wilmington in the most recent year. Graduates of the parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies program make about $31,873 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $23,000 to complete this degree. See the full parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies program report for University Of North Carolina At Wilmington

7

Appalachian State University earned the #7 position for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies this year. This very large public university is located in the town of Boone. The six-year graduation rate is 74%. About 136 parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degrees were awarded at Appalachian State University in the most recent year. Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies graduates of Appalachian State University earn a median of $31,192 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $20,741. Read more about the parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies program at Appalachian State University

8
Meredith College crest
Meredith College
Raleigh, NC

Meredith College earned the #8 position for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies this year. Meredith College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the city of Raleigh. Meredith College graduates 70% of students within six years. Meredith College awarded about 12 parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degrees in the most recent data year. Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies graduates of Meredith College earn a median of $38,525 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $26,000 to complete this degree. See the full parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies program report for Meredith College

9
Gardner Webb University crest
Gardner Webb University
Boiling Springs, NC

Gardner Webb University came in at #9 for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies this year. Set in the rural area of Boiling Springs, Gardner Webb University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 54%. About 41 parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degrees were awarded at Gardner Webb University in the most recent year. Students who receive their parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degree from Gardner Webb University earn around $63,220 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $25,033. See the full parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies program report for Gardner Webb University

10

East Carolina University ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies schools. Located in the city of Greenville, East Carolina University is a very large public university. East Carolina University graduates 63% of students within six years. There were roughly 138 parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies students who graduated with this degree at East Carolina University in the most recent data year. Students who receive their parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degree from East Carolina University earn around $38,467 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $26,800 to complete this degree. Get the full parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies details for East Carolina University

11

Western Carolina University earned the #11 position for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies this year. Set in the town of Cullowhee, Western Carolina University is a large public institution. About 60% of students finish within six years. About 109 parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degrees were awarded at Western Carolina University in the most recent year. Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies graduates of Western Carolina University earn a median of $40,052 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $24,450 to complete this degree. Get the full parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies details for Western Carolina University

12
Campbell University crest
Campbell University
Buies Creek, NC

Campbell University landed the #12 spot for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies this year. This moderately-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the town of Buies Creek. The six-year graduation rate is 60%. There were roughly 92 parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies students who graduated with this degree at Campbell University in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degree recipients from Campbell University generally make around $32,167. Students borrow a median of $25,250 to complete this degree. Get the full parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies details for Campbell University

13

University Of North Carolina At Greensboro landed the #13 spot for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies this year. Located in the city of Greensboro, University Of North Carolina At Greensboro is a large public university. About 56% of students finish within six years. About 228 parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degrees were awarded at University Of North Carolina At Greensboro in the most recent year. Students who receive their parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degree from University Of North Carolina At Greensboro earn around $47,924 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $25,027. See the full parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies program report for University Of North Carolina At Greensboro

14
Lees Mcrae College crest
Lees Mcrae College
Banner Elk, NC

Lees Mcrae College ranked #14 on our 2026 list of the best parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies schools. Set in the rural area of Banner Elk, Lees Mcrae College is a small private not-for-profit institution. About 42% of students finish within six years. Lees Mcrae College awarded about 26 parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degree recipients from Lees Mcrae College generally make around $40,268. Lees Mcrae College graduates carry a median of $19,821 in student loans. Read more about the parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies program at Lees Mcrae College

15
Wingate University crest
Wingate University
Wingate, NC

Wingate University placed #15 among the best parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies schools. Located in the suburb of Wingate, Wingate University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Wingate University graduates 46% of students within six years. There were roughly 130 parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies students who graduated with this degree at Wingate University in the most recent data year. Graduates of the parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies program make about $34,936 in their early career. Wingate University graduates carry a median of $25,000 in student loans. See the full parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies program report for Wingate University

16

Wake Technical Community College earned the #16 position for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies this year. Located in the suburb of Raleigh, Wake Technical Community College is a very large public university. There were roughly 28 parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies students who graduated with this degree at Wake Technical Community College in the most recent data year. Graduates of the parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies program make about $38,673 in their early career. Wake Technical Community College graduates carry a median of $17,900 in student loans. See the full parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies program report for Wake Technical Community College

17
Gaston College crest
Gaston College
Dallas, NC

Gaston College came in at #17 for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies this year. Gaston College is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Dallas. There were roughly 16 parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies students who graduated with this degree at Gaston College in the most recent data year. Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies graduates of Gaston College earn a median of $39,937 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $10,915. See the full parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies program report for Gaston College

18

Lenoir Rhyne University earned the #18 position for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies this year. Located in the city of Hickory, Lenoir Rhyne University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Roughly 48% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 71 parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies students who graduated with this degree at Lenoir Rhyne University in the most recent data year. Students who receive their parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degree from Lenoir Rhyne University earn around $22,695 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $27,000. Read more about the parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies program at Lenoir Rhyne University

19
Peace College crest
Peace College
Raleigh, NC

Peace College came in at #19 for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies this year. This small private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Raleigh. About 45% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 22 parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies students who graduated with this degree at Peace College in the most recent data year. Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies graduates of Peace College earn a median of $38,047 early in their careers. Peace College graduates carry a median of $27,080 in student loans. More information about a degree in parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies from Peace College

20
Warren Wilson College crest
Warren Wilson College
Swannanoa, NC

Warren Wilson College ranked #20 on our 2026 list of the best parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies schools. Set in the rural area of Swannanoa, Warren Wilson College is a small private not-for-profit institution. About 42% of students finish within six years. Warren Wilson College awarded about 13 parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degrees in the most recent data year. Read more about the parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies program at Warren Wilson College

21

Brunswick Community College ranked #21 on our 2026 list of the best parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies schools. Located in the rural area of Bolivia, Brunswick Community College is a mid-sized public university. Brunswick Community College awarded about 48 parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degrees in the most recent data year. Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies graduates of Brunswick Community College earn a median of $47,493 early in their careers. Brunswick Community College graduates carry a median of $5,500 in student loans. More information about a degree in parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies from Brunswick Community College

22
Brevard College crest
Brevard College
Brevard, NC

Brevard College came in at #22 for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies this year. Set in the town of Brevard, Brevard College is a small private not-for-profit institution. Brevard College graduates 49% of students within six years. About 21 parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degrees were awarded at Brevard College in the most recent year. Students who receive their parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degree from Brevard College earn around $32,122 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $26,667 to complete this degree. Get the full parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies details for Brevard College

23

North Carolina Wesleyan College came in at #23 for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies this year. Located in the city of Rocky Mount, North Carolina Wesleyan College is a small private not-for-profit university. The six-year graduation rate is 42%. There were roughly 15 parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies students who graduated with this degree at North Carolina Wesleyan College in the most recent data year. Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies graduates of North Carolina Wesleyan College earn a median of $40,202 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $26,713. More information about a degree in parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies from North Carolina Wesleyan College

24
Mars Hill College crest
Mars Hill College
Mars Hill, NC

Mars Hill College ranked #24 on our 2026 list of the best parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies schools. Set in the rural area of Mars Hill, Mars Hill College is a small private not-for-profit institution. About 45% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 17 parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies students who graduated with this degree at Mars Hill College in the most recent data year. Students who receive their parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degree from Mars Hill College earn around $43,031 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $26,886. Get the full parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies details for Mars Hill College

25

Belmont Abbey College ranked #25 on our 2026 list of the best parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies schools. Located in the suburb of Belmont, Belmont Abbey College is a small private not-for-profit university. About 47% of students finish within six years. Belmont Abbey College awarded about 39 parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degree recipients from Belmont Abbey College generally make around $27,739. Students borrow a median of $25,250 to complete this degree. Get the full parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies details for Belmont Abbey College

Rest of the Top 44 Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies Schools

These schools rounded out the top of this year’s parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies ranking:

26
27
28
Catawba College crest
Catawba College
Salisbury, NC
29
Mount Olive College crest
Mount Olive College
Mount Olive, NC
30
Barton College crest
Barton College
Wilson, NC
31
Guilford College crest
Guilford College
Greensboro, NC
32
33
34
35
Methodist University crest
Methodist University
Fayetteville, NC
36
Greensboro College crest
Greensboro College
Greensboro, NC
37
38
Pfeiffer University crest
Pfeiffer University
Misenheimer, NC
39
40
Chowan University crest
Chowan University
Murfreesboro, NC
41
Shaw University crest
Shaw University
Raleigh, NC
42
43
Livingstone College crest
Livingstone College
Salisbury, NC
44

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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 · 58 schools evaluated.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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