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College Factual  by our College Data Analytics Team
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2026 Best Value Recreation Administration Schools in the Southeast Region

23 Colleges in the United States
$22,555 Avg Student Debt
$53,854 Avg Median Earnings (10yr)
2026 Best Value Recreation Administration Badge [Recreation Administration](/majors/parks-recreation-fitness/recreation-administration/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.

To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 49 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for recreation administration students.

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2026 Best Value Recreation Administration Schools in the Southeast Region

Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in recreation administration, balancing cost against outcomes.

Best Value Recreation Administration Schools

1
University Of Florida crest
University Of Florida
Gainesville, FL

Leading the list is University Of Florida, our #1 best value for recreation administration in the Southeast Region. University Of Florida is a very large public school located in the city of Gainesville. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,381, with out-of-state students paying around $28,659. Students borrow a median of $18,606 to complete the recreation administration program here. Recreation Administration graduates of University Of Florida earn a median of $41,046 early in their careers. Set against $18,606 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Florida admits about 24% of applicants.

2

A rank of #2 makes University Of Florida Online one of the best values for recreation administration. University Of Florida Online is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Gainesville. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,876, compared with $16,579 for out-of-state students. Recreation Administration graduates carry a median of $17,779 in student loans. Early-career recreation administration graduates make about $43,822. Set against $17,779 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Florida Online admits about 61% of applicants.

3

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Florida International University earned it the #3 place for recreation administration. Located in the suburb of Miami, Florida International University is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,565, while out-of-state students pay about $18,964. Recreation Administration graduates carry a median of $19,000 in student loans. Early-career recreation administration graduates make about $34,860. Set against $19,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 55%.

4

Augusta Technical College came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best value recreation administration schools. Set in the city of Augusta, Augusta Technical College is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,282, with out-of-state students paying around $7,492. Recreation Administration graduates carry a median of $11,400 in student loans. Recreation Administration graduates of Augusta Technical College earn a median of $41,892 early in their careers. Set against $11,400 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

5

A rank of #5 makes University Of North Carolina At Greensboro one of the best values for recreation administration. University Of North Carolina At Greensboro is a large public school located in the city of Greensboro. Students from in state pay about $7,661 in tuition and fees, compared with $24,012 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for recreation administration graduates is $24,977. Recreation Administration graduates of University Of North Carolina At Greensboro earn a median of $42,595 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $24,977 median debt. Roughly 88% of applicants are accepted.

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6
Western Kentucky University crest
Western Kentucky University
Bowling Green, KY

Western Kentucky University placed #6 among the best values for recreation administration. Western Kentucky University is a large public school located in the city of Bowling Green. Students from in state pay about $11,652 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $27,000. Recreation Administration graduates carry a median of $26,000 in student loans. Recreation Administration graduates of Western Kentucky University earn a median of $37,961 early in their careers. Set against $26,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Western Kentucky University admits about 94% of applicants.

7
Florida State University crest
Florida State University
Tallahassee, FL

Florida State University ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best value recreation administration 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. Recreation Administration graduates carry a median of $20,488 in student loans. Early-career recreation administration graduates make about $51,884. Set against $20,488 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Florida State University admits about 24% of applicants.

8

Eastern Kentucky University came in at #8 for value in recreation administration this year. Located in the town of Richmond, Eastern Kentucky University is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,320, while out-of-state students pay about $21,230. Typical student debt for recreation administration graduates is $25,616. Recreation Administration graduates of Eastern Kentucky University earn a median of $30,330 early in their careers. Set against $25,616 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Eastern Kentucky University admits about 78% of applicants.

9

Western Carolina University placed #9 among the best values for recreation administration. Located in the town of Cullowhee, Western Carolina University is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,630, compared with $8,630 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $22,252 to complete the recreation administration program here. Recreation Administration 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. Roughly 82% of applicants are accepted.

10

University Of Mississippi Main Campus placed #10 among the best values for recreation administration. Set in the town of University, University Of Mississippi Main Campus is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $9,772, compared with $28,600 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for recreation administration graduates is $22,213. Recreation Administration graduates of University Of Mississippi Main Campus earn a median of $35,318 early in their careers. Set against $22,213 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 97%.

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11

Middle Tennessee State University landed the #11 spot for recreation administration value this year. Middle Tennessee State University is a very large public school located in the city of Murfreesboro. Students from in state pay about $10,266 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $31,574. Typical student debt for recreation administration graduates is $28,545. Early-career recreation administration graduates make about $30,350. That is a strong return on a $28,545 median debt. The acceptance rate is 69%.

12

West Virginia University ranked #12 on our 2026 list of the best value recreation administration schools. West Virginia University is a very large public school located in the city of Morgantown. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,104, with out-of-state students paying around $28,608. Typical student debt for recreation administration graduates is $23,772. Soon after graduation, recreation administration degree recipients from West Virginia University generally make around $51,750. That is a strong return on a $23,772 median debt. West Virginia University admits about 89% of applicants.

13

Old Dominion University placed #13 among the best values for recreation administration. Old Dominion University is a very large public school located in the city of Norfolk. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,750, compared with $33,780 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $25,000 to complete the recreation administration program here. Soon after graduation, recreation administration degree recipients from Old Dominion University generally make around $34,040. Set against $25,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 90%.

14

North Carolina State University At Raleigh landed the #14 spot for recreation administration value this year. North Carolina State University At Raleigh is a very large public school located in the city of Raleigh. Students from in state pay about $8,799 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $32,847. Recreation Administration graduates carry a median of $20,500 in student loans. Recreation Administration graduates of North Carolina State University At Raleigh earn a median of $41,617 early in their careers. Set against $20,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 42%.

15

Appalachian State University earned the #15 position for value in recreation administration this year. Located in the town of Boone, Appalachian State University is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,579, compared with $25,212 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for recreation administration graduates is $19,706. Early-career recreation administration graduates make about $29,646. Set against $19,706 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.

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16

University Of West Georgia ranked #16 on our 2026 list of the best value recreation administration schools. Set in the town of Carrollton, University Of West Georgia is a large public institution. 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 recreation administration graduates is $28,750. Early-career recreation administration graduates make about $31,492. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 52%.

17
University Of Arkansas crest
University Of Arkansas
Fayetteville, AR

University Of Arkansas came in at #17 for value in recreation administration this year. Set in the city of Fayetteville, University Of Arkansas is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,104, with out-of-state students paying around $29,966. Typical student debt for recreation administration graduates is $24,019. Early-career recreation administration graduates make about $47,041. Set against $24,019 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 74% of applicants are accepted.

18

George Mason University ranked #18 on our 2026 list of the best value recreation administration schools. 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, while out-of-state students pay about $38,688. Typical student debt for recreation administration graduates is $23,529. Soon after graduation, recreation administration degree recipients from George Mason University generally make around $63,131. That is a strong return on a $23,529 median debt. Roughly 88% of applicants are accepted.

19

Henderson State University placed #19 among the best values for recreation administration. Set in the town of Arkadelphia, Henderson State University is a mid-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,244, with out-of-state students paying around $10,620. Recreation Administration graduates carry a median of $25,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, recreation administration degree recipients from Henderson State University generally make around $29,307. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

20
Chowan University crest
Chowan University
Murfreesboro, NC

Chowan University earned the #20 position for value in recreation administration this year. Located in the rural area of Murfreesboro, Chowan University is a small private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $27,910. Students borrow a median of $32,131 to complete the recreation administration program here. Recreation Administration 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. Chowan University admits about 69% of applicants.

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21

University Of North Carolina At Wilmington placed #21 among the best values for recreation administration. University Of North Carolina At Wilmington is a very large public school located in the city of Wilmington. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,277, while out-of-state students pay about $24,152. Recreation Administration graduates carry a median of $23,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, recreation administration degree recipients from University Of North Carolina At Wilmington generally make around $31,873. That is a strong return on a $23,000 median debt. University Of North Carolina At Wilmington admits about 64% of applicants.

22
Clemson University crest
Clemson University
Clemson, SC

Clemson University landed the #22 spot for recreation administration 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, with out-of-state students paying around $40,866. Students borrow a median of $22,592 to complete the recreation administration program here. Recreation Administration graduates of Clemson University earn a median of $38,309 early in their careers. Set against $22,592 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 38% of applicants are accepted.

23
Lees Mcrae College crest
Lees Mcrae College
Banner Elk, NC

Lees Mcrae College placed #23 among the best values for recreation administration. Located in the rural area of Banner Elk, Lees Mcrae College is a small private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $33,850. Recreation Administration graduates carry a median of $19,821 in student loans. Soon after graduation, recreation administration degree recipients from Lees Mcrae College generally make around $40,268. Set against $19,821 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 77%.

24

Keiser University Ft Lauderdale earned the #24 position for value in recreation administration this year. Keiser University Ft Lauderdale is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Fort Lauderdale. In-state tuition and fees average $25,056. Typical student debt for recreation administration graduates is $16,625. Recreation Administration graduates of Keiser University Ft Lauderdale earn a median of $29,471 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $16,625 median debt. The acceptance rate is 97%.

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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 · 49 schools evaluated.

*Averages shown above reflect the top 23 ranked schools only.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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