2026 Best Value Recreation Administration Schools in North Carolina
[Recreation Administration](/majors/parks-recreation-fitness/recreation-administration/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 15 schools to find the best return on investment for recreation administration students.
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2026 Best Value Recreation Administration Schools in North Carolina
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in recreation administration, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Recreation Administration Schools
Leading the list is University Of North Carolina At Greensboro, our #1 best value for recreation administration in North Carolina. Located in the city of Greensboro, University Of North Carolina At Greensboro is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $7,661 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $24,012. Recreation Administration graduates carry a median of $24,977 in student loans. Soon after graduation, recreation administration degree recipients from University Of North Carolina At Greensboro generally make around $42,595. Set against $24,977 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 88% of applicants are accepted.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Western Carolina University earned it the #2 place 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, while out-of-state students pay about $8,630. 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. Set against $22,252 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 82% of applicants are accepted.
Students looking for strong value in recreation administration will find it at Appalachian State University, which ranked #3. Set in the town of Boone, Appalachian State University is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,579, with out-of-state students paying around $25,212. Typical student debt for recreation administration graduates is $19,706. Soon after graduation, recreation administration degree recipients from Appalachian State University generally make around $29,646. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. 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 recreation administration. Located in the city of Raleigh, North Carolina State University At Raleigh is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,799, while out-of-state students pay about $32,847. Recreation Administration graduates carry a median of $20,500 in student loans. Soon after graduation, recreation administration degree recipients from North Carolina State University At Raleigh generally make around $41,617. Set against $20,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. North Carolina State University At Raleigh admits about 42% of applicants.
A rank of #5 makes Chowan University one of the best values for recreation administration. 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. Soon after graduation, recreation administration degree recipients from Chowan University generally make around $30,165. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 69%.
University Of North Carolina At Wilmington landed the #6 spot for recreation administration value this year. Located in the city of Wilmington, University Of North Carolina At Wilmington is a very large public university. 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. Early-career recreation administration graduates make about $31,873. That is a strong return on a $23,000 median debt. University Of North Carolina At Wilmington admits about 64% of applicants.
Lees Mcrae College came in at #7 for value in recreation administration this year. Set in the rural area of Banner Elk, Lees Mcrae College is a small private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $33,850 in tuition and fees. Recreation Administration graduates carry a median of $19,821 in student loans. Early-career recreation administration graduates make about $40,268. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 77%.
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Notes and References
This list is compiled 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 · 15 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.
