Best colleges for Outdoor Education in North Carolina
Ranked by graduates a year
Western Carolina University, Brevard College and Montreat College award the most Outdoor Education degrees and certificates in North Carolina: 12, 8 and 7 graduates a year (IPEDS 2024–25). 7 North Carolina colleges offer Outdoor Education and award 44 degrees and certificates a year in all.
The Outdoor Education program focuses on organized learning experiences that take place in natural settings. It is designed for individuals interested in engaging with the outdoors through activities such as hiking, climbing, and canoeing,…
7 institutions offering Outdoor Education in North Carolina
Graduate earnings are not yet reported for these institutions; ordered by graduates a year.
| # | Institution | Starting salary (1 yr) | Graduates / yr | Grad rate | Net price | Median debt |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Western Carolina University Cullowhee Public | — | 12 | 60% | — | — |
| 2 | Brevard College Brevard Private not-for-profit | — | 8 | 49% | $21,334 | — |
| 3 | Montreat College Montreat Private not-for-profit | — | 7 | 50% | $25,763 | — |
| 4 | Elon University Elon Private not-for-profit | — | 5 | 84% | $33,688 | — |
| 5 | Warren Wilson College Swannanoa Private not-for-profit | — | 5 | 42% | $22,259 | — |
| 6 | Southwestern Community College Sylva Public | — | 4 | 53% | — | — |
| 7 | Lees-McRae College Banner Elk Private not-for-profit | — | 3 | 42% | $23,349 | — |
Colleges awarding the most Outdoor Education degrees in North Carolina
Top 7 by graduates a year (IPEDS 2024–25 completions). Online, degree-completion and graduate-only schools, and schools with a graduation rate under 30% are listed in full below.
| # | Institution | Graduates / yr | Starting salary (1 yr) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Western Carolina University Cullowhee Public | 12 | Not reported |
| 2 | Brevard College Brevard Private not-for-profit | 8 | Not reported |
| 3 | Montreat College Montreat Private not-for-profit | 7 | Not reported |
| 4 | Elon University Elon Private not-for-profit | 5 | Not reported |
| 5 | Warren Wilson College Swannanoa Private not-for-profit | 5 | Not reported |
| 6 | Southwestern Community College Sylva Public | 4 | Not reported |
| 7 | Lees-McRae College Banner Elk Private not-for-profit | 3 | Not reported |
Career outlook
What this program leads to: Recreation Workers (SOC 39-9032).
Top skills
What Recreation Workers earn in North Carolina
Related careers
Common questions
Answers for students comparing Outdoor Education programs in North Carolina.
Which North Carolina colleges award the most Outdoor Education degrees?+
Western Carolina University (12 graduates a year), Brevard College (8 graduates a year) and Montreat College (7 graduates a year) award the most Outdoor Education degrees and certificates in North Carolina, per IPEDS 2024–25 completions. In all, 7 North Carolina colleges offer Outdoor Education.
How much do Recreation Workers earn in North Carolina?+
The average annual wage for Recreation Workers in North Carolina is $35,250 (median $32,720), across about 9,520 jobs. Source: BLS OEWS, May 2025.
What is the focus of the Outdoor Education program?+
The Outdoor Education program focuses on organized learning experiences that take place in natural settings. It is designed for individuals interested in engaging with the outdoors through activities such as hiking, climbing, and canoeing,…
What skills will I develop in this program?+
You will develop active listening, speaking, monitoring, critical thinking, and related professional skills.
What is the job outlook for Recreation Workers?+
The national job outlook is about +4.1% growth with around 68,100 annual openings (BLS Employment Projections 2024–2034).
What is the typical education requirement?+
A High school diploma or equivalent is the typical entry-level education for this field (BLS).
About the data on this page
Every figure comes from an official federal or public source. Here is each one and the release it is currently on.
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