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College Factual  by our College Data Analytics Team
       Unbiased Factual Guarantee

2026 Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies Schools in South Carolina

11 Colleges in the United States
1,369 Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies Degrees Awarded
$31,535 Avg Early-Career Salary

Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness 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.

For its 2026 ranking, College Factual looked at 26 schools in the United States to determine which ones were the best for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies students pursuing a degree.

What’s on this page:

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

Below are the schools that deliver the strongest overall parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies education in South Carolina.

Top Schools in Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies

1
Furman University crest
Furman University
Greenville, SC

No school ranked higher than Furman University this year for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies. This mid-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the suburb of Greenville. Furman University graduates 79% of students within six years. About 70 parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degrees were awarded at Furman University in the most recent year. Students who receive their parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degree from Furman University earn around $36,520 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $23,764. More information about a degree in parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies from Furman University

2

Students looking for a strong parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies program will find one at University Of South Carolina Columbia, which ranked #2. Set in the city of Columbia, University Of South Carolina Columbia is a very large public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 79%. University Of South Carolina Columbia awarded about 299 parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degree recipients from University Of South Carolina Columbia generally make around $37,903. Typical student debt for the program is $25,000. See the full parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies program report for University Of South Carolina Columbia

3
Clemson University crest
Clemson University
Clemson, SC

Clemson University is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies, ranking #3. Clemson University is a very large public school located in the suburb of Clemson. The six-year graduation rate is 87%. About 197 parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degrees were awarded at Clemson University in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degree recipients from Clemson University generally make around $44,004. Students borrow a median of $22,592 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies from Clemson University

4

Students looking for a strong parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies program will find one at Citadel Military College Of South Carolina, which ranked #4. Set in the city of Charleston, Citadel Military College Of South Carolina is a mid-sized public institution. About 75% of students finish within six years. Citadel Military College Of South Carolina awarded about 41 parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degrees in the most recent data year. Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies graduates of Citadel Military College Of South Carolina earn a median of $43,409 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $22,250. See the full parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies program report for Citadel Military College Of South Carolina

5
Newberry College crest
Newberry College
Newberry, SC

Students looking for a strong parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies program will find one at Newberry College, which ranked #5. Located in the town of Newberry, Newberry College is a small private not-for-profit university. About 45% of students finish within six years. Newberry College awarded about 50 parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degree recipients from Newberry College generally make around $33,159. Typical student debt for the program is $28,375. Get the full parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies details for Newberry College

6

Columbia International University placed #6 among the best parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies schools. Columbia International University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Columbia. Roughly 46% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 11 parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies students who graduated with this degree at Columbia International University in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degree recipients from Columbia International University generally make around $32,296. Columbia International University graduates carry a median of $21,667 in student loans. See the full parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies program report for Columbia International University

7

Coastal Carolina University earned the #7 position for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies this year. Located in the city of Conway, Coastal Carolina University is a large public university. About 48% of students finish within six years. About 256 parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degrees were awarded at Coastal Carolina University in the most recent year. Students who receive their parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degree from Coastal Carolina University earn around $36,399 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $26,997 to complete this degree. See the full parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies program report for Coastal Carolina University

8

Anderson University Sc placed #8 among the best parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies schools. Set in the city of Anderson, Anderson University Sc is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 66%. Anderson University Sc awarded about 52 parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degree from Anderson University Sc earn around $27,340 in the first couple years of their career. Anderson University Sc graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Read more about the parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies program at Anderson University Sc

9

Erskine College And Seminary earned the #9 position for 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. Erskine College And Seminary graduates 45% of students within six years. About 27 parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degrees were awarded at Erskine College And Seminary in the most recent year. Students who receive their parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degree from Erskine College And Seminary earn around $35,695 in the first couple years of their career. Erskine College And Seminary graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. More information about a degree in parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies from Erskine College And Seminary

10
Lander University crest
Lander University
Greenwood, SC

Lander University placed #10 among the best parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies schools. Located in the town of Greenwood, Lander University is a mid-sized public university. The six-year graduation rate is 50%. About 42 parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degrees were awarded at Lander University in the most recent year. Graduates of the parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies program make about $27,155 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $24,995. More information about a degree in parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies from Lander University

11
Winthrop University crest
Winthrop University
Rock Hill, SC

Winthrop University earned the #11 position for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies this year. Winthrop University is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Rock Hill. Roughly 57% of students complete a degree within six years here. Winthrop University awarded about 62 parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degree recipients from Winthrop University generally make around $35,704. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete this degree. Get the full parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies details for Winthrop University

12

Charleston Southern University landed the #12 spot for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies this year. Located in the city of Charleston, Charleston Southern University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. The six-year graduation rate is 47%. Charleston Southern University awarded about 32 parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degree from Charleston Southern University earn around $26,722 in the first couple years of their career. Charleston Southern University graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. More information about a degree in parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies from Charleston Southern University

13
Coker College crest
Coker College
Hartsville, SC

Coker College came in at #13 for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies this year. Coker College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the town of Hartsville. Roughly 40% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 34 parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies students who graduated with this degree at Coker College in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degree recipients from Coker College generally make around $30,333. Students borrow a median of $26,475 to complete this degree. Read more about the parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies program at Coker College

14

North Greenville University ranked #14 on our 2026 list of the best parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies schools. Located in the rural area of Tigerville, North Greenville University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. North Greenville University graduates 54% of students within six years. North Greenville University awarded about 19 parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degree recipients from North Greenville University generally make around $27,537. North Greenville University graduates carry a median of $28,000 in student loans. More information about a degree in parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies from North Greenville University

15

University Of South Carolina Aiken came in at #15 for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies this year. Set in the suburb of Aiken, University Of South Carolina Aiken is a mid-sized public institution. Roughly 40% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 44 parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degrees were awarded at University Of South Carolina Aiken in the most recent year. Students who receive their parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degree from University Of South Carolina Aiken earn around $25,467 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $30,975. Read more about the parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies program at University Of South Carolina Aiken

16
Benedict College crest
Benedict College
Columbia, SC

Benedict College earned the #16 position for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies this year. Set in the city of Columbia, Benedict College is a small private not-for-profit institution. About 24% of students finish within six years. Benedict College awarded about 44 parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies program make about $25,769 in their early career. Benedict College graduates carry a median of $40,000 in student loans. See the full parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies program report for Benedict College

17
Claflin University crest
Claflin University
Orangeburg, SC

Claflin University came in at #17 for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies this year. This mid-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the town of Orangeburg. The six-year graduation rate is 52%. There were roughly 18 parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies students who graduated with this degree at Claflin University in the most recent data year. Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies graduates of Claflin University earn a median of $22,642 early in their careers. Claflin University graduates carry a median of $35,425 in student loans. More information about a degree in parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies from Claflin University

18
Allen University crest
Allen University
Columbia, SC

Allen University ranked #18 on our 2026 list of the best parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies schools. Set in the city of Columbia, Allen University is a small private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 13% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 15 parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degrees were awarded at Allen University in the most recent year. Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies graduates of Allen University earn a median of $23,346 early in their careers. Allen University graduates carry a median of $39,771 in student loans. See the full parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies program report for Allen University

19
Bob Jones University crest
Bob Jones University
Greenville, SC

Bob Jones University ranked #19 on our 2026 list of the best parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies schools. Located in the city of Greenville, Bob Jones University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Bob Jones University graduates 64% of students within six years. About 46 parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degrees were awarded at Bob Jones University in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degree recipients from Bob Jones University generally make around $32,481. Students borrow a median of $23,000 to complete this degree. Get the full parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies details for Bob Jones University

20
Limestone College crest
Limestone College
Gaffney, SC

Limestone College ranked #20 on our 2026 list of the best parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies schools. This mid-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the town of Gaffney. Limestone College graduates 34% of students within six years. There were roughly 10 parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies students who graduated with this degree at Limestone College in the most recent data year. Students who receive their parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degree from Limestone College earn around $26,809 in the first couple years of their career. Limestone College graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. More information about a degree in parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies from Limestone College

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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 · 26 schools evaluated.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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