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2023 Best Value Colleges for Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies (Income $30-$48k) in Virginia

12 Ranked Colleges
1,741 Degrees Awarded
$16,100 Avg Net Price*
Best Value Parks & Rec Schools in Virginia For Those Making $30-$48k

When it comes to choosing a college, students have a lot of options - but not all of them are good. At College Factual, we’re committed to helping you make that decision by providing information such as that found in our “Best Value Parks & Rec Schools in Virginia For Those Making $30-$48k” ranking.

In 2020-2021, 73,813 people earned their degree in parks, recreation, leisure, and fitness studies, making the major the 15th most popular in the United States. In 2019-2020, parks, recreation, leisure, and fitness studies graduates who were awarded their degree in 2017-2019, earned an average of $31,423 and had an average of $24,388 in loans still to pay off.

Across Virginia, there were 1,741 parks, recreation, leisure, and fitness studies graduates with average earnings and debt of $31,990 and $25,658 respectively.

This year’s “Best Value Parks & Rec Schools in Virginia For Those Making $30-$48k” ranking analyzed 12 colleges that offered a degree in parks, recreation, leisure, and fitness studies. Not only do the schools that top this list have excellent parks, recreation, leisure, and fitness studies programs, but they also cost less that schools of similar quality.

Some of the factors we look at when determining these rankings are overall quality of the parks, recreation, leisure, and fitness studies program at the school and the cost of the school after aid is awarded among other things. For more information, check out our ranking methodology.

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Since the program you select can have a significant impact on your future, we’ve developed a number of rankings, including this “Best Value Parks & Rec Schools in Virginia For Those Making $30-$48k” list, to help you choose the best school for you.

In addition to College Factual’s rankings, you may want to take a look at College Combat, our unique tool that lets you pit your favorite schools head-to-head and compare how they rate on factors that most interest you. Go ahead and give it a try, or bookmark the link so you can check it out later.

Best Value Parks & Rec Schools in Virginia For Those Making $30-$48k

The following schools top our list of the Best Best Value Parks & Rec Schools in Virginia For Those Making $30-$48k.

Top 12 Best Value Colleges for Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies (Income $30-$48k) in Virginia

1
William & Mary crest
William & Mary
Williamsburg, Virginia

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend William & Mary. The school came in at #1 for the Best Value Parks & Rec Schools in Virginia For Those Making $30-$48k. Williamsburg, Virginia is the setting for this medium-sized institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s parks and rec degrees to 125 students in 2020-2021.

In addition to being on our virginia parks & rec students whose families make $30-$48k list, William & Mary has also earned the #3 rank in our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Schools in Virginia” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for William & Mary is $7,507 for virginia parks & rec students whose families make $30-$48k.

Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 93%. The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 0.7%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Full William & Mary Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Report

2
University of Virginia crest
University of Virginia - Main Campus
Charlottesville, Virginia

Out of the 12 schools in the Best Value Parks & Rec Schools in Virginia For Those Making $30-$48k that were part of this year’s ranking, University of Virginia - Main Campus landed the #2 spot on the list. University of Virginia is a large school located in Charlottesville, Virginia that handed out 117 ’s parks and rec degrees in 2020-2021.

University of Virginia also took the #2 spot in our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Schools in Virginia” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for University of Virginia - Main Campus is $10,063 for virginia parks & rec students whose families make $30-$48k.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 0.7%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 97%.

Full University of Virginia Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Report

3
JMU crest
James Madison University
Harrisonburg, Virginia

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend James Madison University. The school came in at #3 for the Best Value Parks & Rec Schools in Virginia For Those Making $30-$48k. Harrisonburg, Virginia is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s parks and rec degrees to 326 students in 2020-2021.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at JMU, the school also landed the #1 spot in our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Schools in Virginia” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for JMU is $14,985 for Virginia Parks & Rec students whose families make $30-$48k.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 2.0%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%. With a freshman retention rate of 89%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.

Read full report on Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies at James Madison University

4
Old Dominion crest
Old Dominion University
Norfolk, Virginia

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Old Dominion University. The school came in at #4 for the Best Value Parks & Rec Schools in Virginia For Those Making $30-$48k. Norfolk, Virginia is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s parks and rec degrees to 142 students in 2020-2021.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Old Dominion, the school also landed the #7 spot in our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Schools in Virginia” ranking. It costs about $13,574 for virginia parks & rec students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend Old Dominion.

Full Old Dominion Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Report

5
GMU crest
George Mason University
Fairfax, Virginia

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend George Mason University. It ranked #5 on our 2023 Best Value Parks & Rec Schools in Virginia For Those Making $30-$48k list. George Mason University is a large public school situated in Fairfax, Virginia. It awarded 113 ’s parks and rec degrees in 2020-2021.

GMU did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #4 on our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Schools in Virginia” list. It costs about $15,979 for virginia parks & rec students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend GMU.

Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 86%. The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 2.5%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies at GMU

6
Bridgewater crest
Bridgewater College
Bridgewater, Virginia

Bridgewater College ranked #6 on this year’s Best Value Parks & Rec Schools in Virginia For Those Making $30-$48k list. Bridgewater College is a small school located in Bridgewater, Virginia that handed out 46 ’s parks and rec degrees in 2020-2021.

In addition to being on our virginia parks & rec students whose families make $30-$48k list, Bridgewater has also earned the #8 rank in our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Schools in Virginia” ranking. It costs about $18,579 for Virginia Parks & Rec students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend Bridgewater.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 4.2%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies at Bridgewater

7
Radford crest
Radford University
Radford, Virginia

With a ranking of #7, Radford University did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Parks & Rec Schools in Virginia For Those Making $30-$48k list. Radford is located in Radford, Virginia and, has a medium-sized student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 44 ’s parks and rec degrees to qualified students.

Radford also took the #12 spot in our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Schools in Virginia” ranking. It costs about $13,026 for Virginia Parks & Rec students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend Radford University.

Full Radford Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Report

8
Roanoke crest
Roanoke College
Salem, Virginia

Roanoke College landed the #8 spot on the 2023 Best Value Parks & Rec Schools in Virginia For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Located in Salem, Virginia, this small private not-for-profit school awarded 41 degrees to qualified ’s parks and rec students in 2020-2021.

Roanoke also made our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Schools in Virginia” list, coming in at #6. The estimated yearly cost for Roanoke is $20,849 for virginia parks & rec students whose families make $30-$48k.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 3.6%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies at Roanoke

9

Virginia Commonwealth University did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Parks & Rec Schools in Virginia For Those Making $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #9. VCU is a large school located in Richmond, Virginia that handed out 47 ’s parks and rec degrees in 2020-2021.

VCU also took the #11 spot in our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Schools in Virginia” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Virginia Commonwealth University is $15,891 for virginia parks & rec students whose families make $30-$48k.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 2.6% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.

Read more about Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies at VCU

10
AU crest
Averett University
Danville, Virginia

Averett University ranked #10 on this year’s Best Value Parks & Rec Schools in Virginia For Those Making $30-$48k list. Averett University is a private not-for-profit institution located in Danville, Virginia. The school has a small population, and it awarded 32 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

AU not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #10 on our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Schools in Virginia” list. It costs about $21,265 for Virginia Parks & Rec students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend Averett University.

Read more about Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies at AU

11
Liberty University crest
Liberty University
Lynchburg, Virginia

With a ranking of #11, Liberty University did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Parks & Rec Schools in Virginia For Those Making $30-$48k list. Liberty University is a large school located in Lynchburg, Virginia that handed out 403 ’s parks and rec degrees in 2020-2021.

In addition to being on our virginia parks & rec students whose families make $30-$48k list, Liberty University has also earned the #5 rank in our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Schools in Virginia” ranking. It costs about $27,251 for Virginia Parks & Rec students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend Liberty University.

Read full report on Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies at Liberty University

12
Hampton crest
Hampton University
Hampton, Virginia

Hampton University ranked #12 on this year’s Best Value Parks & Rec Schools in Virginia For Those Making $30-$48k list. This small school is located in Hampton, Virginia, and it awarded 65 ’s parks and rec degrees in 2020-2021.

Hampton not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #9 on our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Schools in Virginia” list. The yearly cost to attend Hampton is $13,885 for virginia parks & rec students whose families make $30-$48k.

Read full report on Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies at Hampton

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