2026 Best Value Parks, Recreation & Leisure Facilities Management Schools in the Southeast Region
[Parks, Recreation & Leisure Facilities Management](/majors/parks-recreation-fitness/recreation-administration/parks-recreation-facilities-management/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 45 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for parks, recreation & leisure facilities management students.
What’s on this page:
2026 Best Value Parks, Recreation & Leisure Facilities Management Schools in the Southeast Region
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in parks, recreation & leisure facilities management, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Parks, Recreation & Leisure Facilities Management Schools
University Of Florida earned the #1 spot for value among parks, recreation & leisure facilities management schools in the Southeast Region. Located in the city of Gainesville, University Of Florida is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $6,381 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $28,659. Typical student debt for parks, recreation & leisure facilities management graduates is $18,606. Early-career parks, recreation & leisure facilities management graduates make about $41,046. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 24%.
A rank of #2 makes University Of Florida Online one of the best values for parks, recreation & leisure facilities management. Located in the city of Gainesville, University Of Florida Online is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,876, with out-of-state students paying around $16,579. Typical student debt for parks, recreation & leisure facilities management graduates is $17,779. Early-career parks, recreation & leisure facilities management graduates make about $43,822. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 61% of applicants are accepted.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Florida International University earned it the #3 place for parks, recreation & leisure facilities management. Located in the suburb of Miami, Florida International University is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $6,565, with out-of-state students paying around $18,964. Parks, Recreation & Leisure Facilities Management graduates carry a median of $19,000 in student loans. Early-career parks, recreation & leisure facilities management graduates make about $34,860. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 55%.
University Of North Carolina At Greensboro came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best value parks, recreation & leisure facilities management schools. 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, compared with $24,012 for out-of-state students. Parks, Recreation & Leisure Facilities Management graduates carry a median of $24,977 in student loans. Soon after graduation, parks, recreation & leisure facilities management degree recipients from University Of North Carolina At Greensboro generally make around $42,595. That is a strong return on a $24,977 median debt. University Of North Carolina At Greensboro admits about 88% of applicants.
A rank of #5 makes Western Kentucky University one of the best values for parks, recreation & leisure facilities management. Western Kentucky University is a large public school located in the city of Bowling Green. In-state tuition and fees average $11,652, while out-of-state students pay about $27,000. Parks, Recreation & Leisure Facilities Management graduates carry a median of $26,000 in student loans. Parks, Recreation & Leisure Facilities Management graduates of Western Kentucky University earn a median of $37,961 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 94% of applicants are accepted.
Florida State University ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best value parks, recreation & leisure facilities management schools. Set in the city of Tallahassee, Florida State University is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,517, while out-of-state students pay about $21,683. Typical student debt for parks, recreation & leisure facilities management graduates is $20,488. Parks, Recreation & Leisure Facilities Management graduates of Florida State University earn a median of $51,884 early in their careers. Set against $20,488 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 24% of applicants are accepted.
Eastern Kentucky University landed the #7 spot for parks, recreation & leisure facilities management value this year. Set in the town of Richmond, Eastern Kentucky University is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $10,320, with out-of-state students paying around $21,230. Students borrow a median of $25,616 to complete the parks, recreation & leisure facilities management program here. Soon after graduation, parks, recreation & leisure facilities management degree recipients from Eastern Kentucky University generally make around $30,330. Set against $25,616 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 78%.
Western Carolina University came in at #8 for value in parks, recreation & leisure facilities management this year. Set in the town of Cullowhee, Western Carolina University is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,630, with out-of-state students paying around $8,630. Students borrow a median of $22,252 to complete the parks, recreation & leisure facilities management program here. Parks, Recreation & Leisure Facilities Management graduates of Western Carolina University earn a median of $30,485 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $22,252 median debt. The acceptance rate is 82%.
University Of Mississippi Main Campus came in at #9 for value in parks, recreation & leisure facilities management this year. University Of Mississippi Main Campus is a very large public school located in the town of University. In-state tuition and fees average $9,772, compared with $28,600 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $22,213 to complete the parks, recreation & leisure facilities management program here. Soon after graduation, parks, recreation & leisure facilities management degree recipients from University Of Mississippi Main Campus generally make around $35,318. That is a strong return on a $22,213 median debt. The acceptance rate is 97%.
Middle Tennessee State University landed the #10 spot for parks, recreation & leisure facilities management value this year. Set in the city of Murfreesboro, Middle Tennessee State University is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $10,266, with out-of-state students paying around $31,574. Typical student debt for parks, recreation & leisure facilities management graduates is $28,545. Early-career parks, recreation & leisure facilities management graduates make about $30,350. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Middle Tennessee State University admits about 69% of applicants.
West Virginia University came in at #11 for value in parks, recreation & leisure facilities management this year. Located in the city of Morgantown, West Virginia University is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,104, compared with $28,608 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $23,772 to complete the parks, recreation & leisure facilities management program here. Soon after graduation, parks, recreation & leisure facilities management degree recipients from West Virginia University generally make around $51,750. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. West Virginia University admits about 89% of applicants.
Old Dominion University came in at #12 for value in parks, recreation & leisure facilities management this year. Located in the city of Norfolk, Old Dominion University is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $12,750 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $33,780. Parks, Recreation & Leisure Facilities Management graduates carry a median of $25,000 in student loans. Early-career parks, recreation & leisure facilities management graduates make about $34,040. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.
North Carolina State University At Raleigh earned the #13 position for value in parks, recreation & leisure facilities management this year. North Carolina State University At Raleigh is a very large public school located in the city of Raleigh. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,799, with out-of-state students paying around $32,847. Students borrow a median of $20,500 to complete the parks, recreation & leisure facilities management program here. Parks, Recreation & Leisure Facilities Management graduates of North Carolina State University At Raleigh earn a median of $41,617 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $20,500 median debt. The acceptance rate is 42%.
Appalachian State University placed #14 among the best values for parks, recreation & leisure facilities management. Located in the town of Boone, Appalachian State University is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,579, compared with $25,212 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $19,706 to complete the parks, recreation & leisure facilities management program here. Soon after graduation, parks, recreation & leisure facilities management degree recipients from Appalachian State University generally make around $29,646. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 90%.
University Of West Georgia ranked #15 on our 2026 list of the best value parks, recreation & leisure facilities management schools. Located in the town of Carrollton, University Of West Georgia is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,088, with out-of-state students paying around $17,800. Typical student debt for parks, recreation & leisure facilities management graduates is $28,750. Early-career parks, recreation & leisure facilities management graduates make about $31,492. Set against $28,750 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 52%.
University Of Arkansas ranked #16 on our 2026 list of the best value parks, recreation & leisure facilities management schools. Set in the city of Fayetteville, University Of Arkansas is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $10,104, compared with $29,966 for out-of-state students. Parks, Recreation & Leisure Facilities Management graduates carry a median of $24,019 in student loans. Soon after graduation, parks, recreation & leisure facilities management degree recipients from University Of Arkansas generally make around $47,041. That is a strong return on a $24,019 median debt. Roughly 74% of applicants are accepted.
George Mason University came in at #17 for value in parks, recreation & leisure facilities management this year. Set in the suburb of Fairfax, George Mason University is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $14,220, compared with $38,688 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for parks, recreation & leisure facilities management graduates is $23,529. Soon after graduation, parks, recreation & leisure facilities management degree recipients from George Mason University generally make around $63,131. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. George Mason University admits about 88% of applicants.
Henderson State University came in at #18 for value in parks, recreation & leisure facilities management this year. Henderson State University is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Arkadelphia. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,244, while out-of-state students pay about $10,620. Students borrow a median of $25,000 to complete the parks, recreation & leisure facilities management program here. Early-career parks, recreation & leisure facilities management graduates make about $29,307. Set against $25,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Chowan University placed #19 among the best values for parks, recreation & leisure facilities management. Set in the rural area of Murfreesboro, Chowan University is a small private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $27,910. Typical student debt for parks, recreation & leisure facilities management graduates is $32,131. Parks, Recreation & Leisure Facilities Management graduates of Chowan University earn a median of $30,165 early in their careers. Set against $32,131 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 69% of applicants are accepted.
University Of North Carolina At Wilmington earned the #20 position for value in parks, recreation & leisure facilities management this year. University Of North Carolina At Wilmington is a very large public school located in the city of Wilmington. In-state tuition and fees average $7,277, while out-of-state students pay about $24,152. Parks, Recreation & Leisure Facilities Management graduates carry a median of $23,000 in student loans. Parks, Recreation & Leisure Facilities Management graduates of University Of North Carolina At Wilmington earn a median of $31,873 early in their careers. Set against $23,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 64% of applicants are accepted.
Clemson University landed the #21 spot for parks, recreation & leisure facilities management value this year. Set in the suburb of Clemson, Clemson University is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $15,554, with out-of-state students paying around $40,866. Parks, Recreation & Leisure Facilities Management graduates carry a median of $22,592 in student loans. Soon after graduation, parks, recreation & leisure facilities management degree recipients from Clemson University generally make around $38,309. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 38% of applicants are accepted.
Lees Mcrae College landed the #22 spot for parks, recreation & leisure facilities management value this year. Lees Mcrae College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the rural area of Banner Elk. In-state tuition and fees average $33,850. Students borrow a median of $19,821 to complete the parks, recreation & leisure facilities management program here. Parks, Recreation & Leisure Facilities Management graduates of Lees Mcrae College earn a median of $40,268 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Lees Mcrae College admits about 77% of applicants.
Narrow Parks, Recreation & Leisure Facilities Management Schools by State
More Parks, Recreation & Leisure Facilities Management Rankings
View All Parks, Recreation & Leisure Facilities Management Rankings >
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 · 45 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 22 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.
