2026 Best Value Parks, Recreation & Leisure Facilities Management Schools in North Carolina

[Parks, Recreation & Leisure Facilities Management](/majors/parks-recreation-fitness/recreation-administration/parks-recreation-facilities-management/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
College Factual analyzed 14 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best value parks, recreation & leisure facilities management schools.
What’s on this page:
2026 Best Value Parks, Recreation & Leisure Facilities Management Schools in North Carolina
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the parks, recreation & leisure facilities management degrees they offer, see the list below.
Best Value Parks, Recreation & Leisure Facilities Management Schools
Leading the list is University Of North Carolina At Greensboro, our #1 best value for parks, recreation & leisure facilities management in North Carolina. University Of North Carolina At Greensboro is a large public school located in the city of Greensboro. In-state tuition and fees average $7,661, while out-of-state students pay about $24,012. Typical student debt for parks, recreation & leisure facilities management graduates is $24,977. Soon after graduation, parks, recreation & leisure facilities management degree recipients from University Of North Carolina At Greensboro generally make around $42,595. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 88%.
Students looking for strong value in parks, recreation & leisure facilities management will find it at Western Carolina University, which ranked #2. Western Carolina University is a large public school located in the town of Cullowhee. In-state tuition and fees average $4,630, with out-of-state students paying around $8,630. Parks, Recreation & Leisure Facilities Management graduates carry a median of $22,252 in student loans. Parks, Recreation & Leisure Facilities Management graduates of Western Carolina University earn a median of $30,485 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Western Carolina University admits about 82% of applicants.
Appalachian State University came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best value parks, recreation & leisure facilities management schools. Located in the town of Boone, Appalachian State University is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $7,579, while out-of-state students pay about $25,212. Students borrow a median of $19,706 to complete the parks, recreation & leisure facilities management program here. Parks, Recreation & Leisure Facilities Management graduates of Appalachian State University earn a median of $29,646 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $19,706 median debt. Appalachian State University admits about 90% of applicants.
A rank of #4 makes North Carolina State University At Raleigh one of the best values for parks, recreation & leisure facilities management. Located in the city of Raleigh, North Carolina State University At Raleigh is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,799, compared with $32,847 for out-of-state students. Parks, Recreation & Leisure Facilities Management graduates carry a median of $20,500 in student loans. 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%.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Chowan University earned it the #5 place for parks, recreation & leisure facilities management. Set in the rural area of Murfreesboro, Chowan University is a small private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $27,910. Typical student debt for parks, recreation & leisure facilities management graduates is $32,131. Soon after graduation, parks, recreation & leisure facilities management degree recipients from Chowan University generally make around $30,165. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Chowan University admits about 69% of applicants.
University Of North Carolina At Wilmington placed #6 among the best values for parks, recreation & leisure facilities management. Located in the city of Wilmington, University Of North Carolina At Wilmington is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $7,277 in tuition and fees, compared with $24,152 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for parks, recreation & leisure facilities management graduates is $23,000. Early-career parks, recreation & leisure facilities management graduates make about $31,873. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 64% of applicants are accepted.
Lees Mcrae College placed #7 among the best values for parks, recreation & leisure facilities management. Located in the rural area of Banner Elk, Lees Mcrae College is a small private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $33,850 in tuition and fees. Parks, Recreation & Leisure Facilities Management graduates carry a median of $19,821 in student loans. Early-career parks, recreation & leisure facilities management graduates make about $40,268. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 77%.
More Parks, Recreation & Leisure Facilities Management Rankings
View All Parks, Recreation & Leisure Facilities Management Rankings >
Notes and References
This ranking is produced by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. Schools are scored on the balance of cost (tuition and student debt) against student outcomes (post-graduation earnings) — a measure of return on investment, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 14 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 7 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.