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2022 Best Value Bachelor’s Degree Colleges for Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies in Virginia (With Aid)

18 Ranked Colleges
1,261 Degrees Awarded
$22,200 Avg Net Price*
Best Value Parks & Rec Schools for a Bachelor's in Virginia For Those Getting Aid

With all of the options students have for higher education today, it can be tough to choose which direction to take. College Factual was founded, in part, to help students make the decision as to what would be the best school for them. Our “Best Value Parks & Rec Schools for a Bachelor’s in Virginia For Those Getting Aid” ranking is part of that endeavor.

In 2019-2020, 72,122 people earned their degree in parks, recreation, leisure, and fitness studies, making the major the 15th most popular in the United States. In 2017-2018, parks, recreation, leisure, and fitness studies graduates who were awarded their degree in 2015-2017, earned an average of $29,823 and had an average of $24,576 in loans still to pay off.

Across Virginia, there were 1,667 parks, recreation, leisure, and fitness studies graduates with average earnings and debt of $0 and $0 respectively. At the bachelor’s degree level specifically, there were 1,261 parks, recreation, leisure, and fitness studies graduates with average earnings and debt of $0 and $0 respectively.

This year’s “Best Value Parks & Rec Schools for a Bachelor’s in Virginia For Those Getting Aid” ranking analyzed 18 colleges that offered a degree in parks, recreation, leisure, and fitness studies. The schools that top this list are recognized because they have great parks, recreation, leisure, and fitness studies programs and 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. Check out our ranking methodology for more information.

One Size Does Not Fit All

The parks & rec school you choose to invest your time and money in matters. To help you make the decision that is right for you, we’ve developed a number of major-specific rankings, including this list of “Best Value Parks & Rec Schools for a Bachelor’s in Virginia For Those Getting Aid”.

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. When you have some time, check it out - you may want to bookmark the link so you don’t forget it.

Best Value Parks & Rec Schools for a Bachelor’s in Virginia For Those Getting Aid

The colleges and universities below are the best for virginia bachelor’s degree parks & rec students with aid.

Top 18 Best Value Bachelor’s Degree Colleges for Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies in Virginia (With Aid)

#1

James Madison University

Harrisonburg, Virginia
#1 in overall quality

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend James Madison University. It ranked #1 on our 2022 Best Value Parks & Rec Schools for a Bachelor’s in Virginia For Those Getting Aid list. James Madison University is located in Harrisonburg, Virginia and, has a large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 252 bachelors’s parks and rec degrees to qualified students.

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 Bachelor’s Degree Schools in Virginia” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for James Madison University is $22,169 for virginia bachelor’s degree parks & rec students with aid.

The student loan default rate at the school is 2.3%, 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 89%.

Read more about Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies at James Madison University

#2

University of Virginia - Main Campus

Charlottesville, Virginia
#2 in overall quality

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend University of Virginia - Main Campus. The school came in at #2 for the Best Value Parks & Rec Schools for a Bachelor’s in Virginia For Those Getting Aid. University of Virginia is a large school located in Charlottesville, Virginia that handed out 73 bachelors’s parks and rec degrees in 2019-2020.

University of Virginia did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #2 on our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Bachelor’s Degree Schools in Virginia” list. The yearly cost to attend University of Virginia - Main Campus is $20,397 for Virginia Bachelor’s Degree Parks & Rec students with aid.

The low student loan default rate of 1.6% 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%. With a freshman retention rate of 97%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its students.

Read more about Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies at University of Virginia

#3

William & Mary

Williamsburg, Virginia
#3 in overall quality

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend William & Mary. It ranked #3 on our 2022 Best Value Parks & Rec Schools for a Bachelor’s in Virginia For Those Getting Aid list. William & Mary is a public institution located in Williamsburg, Virginia. The school has a medium-sized population, and it awarded 129 bachelors’s degrees in 2019-2020.

William & Mary not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #3 on our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Bachelor’s Degree Schools in Virginia” list. The yearly cost to attend William & Mary is $19,800 for virginia bachelor’s degree parks & rec students with aid.

The school has an impressive student loan default rate. It’s only 1.0%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 93%.

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

#4

George Mason University

Fairfax, Virginia
#4 in overall quality

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend George Mason University. The school came in at #4 for the Best Value Parks & Rec Schools for a Bachelor’s in Virginia For Those Getting Aid. GMU is a large school located in Fairfax, Virginia that handed out 67 bachelors’s parks and rec degrees in 2019-2020.

GMU did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #4 on our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Bachelor’s Degree Schools in Virginia” list. The yearly cost to attend GMU is $21,048 for Virginia Bachelor’s Degree Parks & Rec students with aid.

The student loan default rate at the school is 2.6%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%. With a freshman retention rate of 86%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its students.

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

#5

Radford University

Radford, Virginia
#9 in overall quality

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Radford University. The school came in at #5 for the Best Value Parks & Rec Schools for a Bachelor’s in Virginia For Those Getting Aid. Radford University is a fairly large school located in Radford, Virginia that handed out 60 bachelors’s parks and rec degrees in 2019-2020.

Radford did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #9 on our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Bachelor’s Degree Schools in Virginia” list. The estimated yearly cost for Radford University is $16,447 for Virginia Bachelor’s Degree Parks & Rec students with aid.

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

#6

Emory and Henry College

Emory, Virginia
#8 in overall quality

Emory and Henry College landed the #6 spot on the 2022 Best Value Parks & Rec Schools for a Bachelor’s in Virginia For Those Getting Aid ranking. Emory, Virginia is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out bachelors’s parks and rec degrees to 34 students in 2019-2020.

Emory & Henry College did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #8 on our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Bachelor’s Degree Schools in Virginia” list. The yearly cost to attend Emory & Henry College is $18,593 for virginia bachelor’s degree parks & rec students with aid.

With a student-to-faculty ratio of 10 to 1, it’s easy to see that the school is committed to helping their undergraduates succeed.

Full Emory and Henry College Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Report

#7

Bridgewater College

Bridgewater, Virginia
#7 in overall quality

Bridgewater College ranked #7 on this year’s Best Value Parks & Rec Schools for a Bachelor’s in Virginia For Those Getting Aid list. Bridgewater, Virginia is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out bachelors’s parks and rec degrees to 50 students in 2019-2020.

Bridgewater not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #7 on our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Bachelor’s Degree Schools in Virginia” list. It costs about $17,929 for Virginia Bachelor’s Degree Parks & Rec students with aid per year to attend Bridgewater.

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

#8

Longwood University

Farmville, Virginia
#5 in overall quality

Longwood University did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Parks & Rec Schools for a Bachelor’s in Virginia For Those Getting Aid ranking, coming in at #8. Longwood University is a small school located in Farmville, Virginia that handed out 45 bachelors’s parks and rec degrees in 2019-2020.

Longwood did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #5 on our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Bachelor’s Degree Schools in Virginia” list. The yearly cost to attend Longwood University is $19,462 for Virginia Bachelor’s Degree Parks & Rec students with aid.

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

#9

Old Dominion University

Norfolk, Virginia
#13 in overall quality

Old Dominion University came in at #9 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Parks & Rec Schools for a Bachelor’s in Virginia For Those Getting Aid ranking. Old Dominion University is a public institution located in Norfolk, Virginia. The school has a large population, and it awarded 109 bachelors’s degrees in 2019-2020.

Old Dominion also took the #13 spot in our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Bachelor’s Degree Schools in Virginia” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Old Dominion is $16,493 for Virginia Bachelor’s Degree Parks & Rec students with aid.

Read more about Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies at Old Dominion University

#10

Virginia Wesleyan University

Virginia Beach, Virginia
#11 in overall quality

With a ranking of #10, Virginia Wesleyan University did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Parks & Rec Schools for a Bachelor’s in Virginia For Those Getting Aid list. VWU is a private not-for-profit institution located in Virginia Beach, Virginia. The school has a small population, and it awarded 9 bachelors’s degrees in 2019-2020.

VWU also made our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Bachelor’s Degree Schools in Virginia” list, coming in at #11. The yearly cost to attend VWU is $23,425 for virginia bachelor’s degree parks & rec students with aid.

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

#11

Randolph College

Lynchburg, Virginia
#14 in overall quality

With a ranking of #11, Randolph College did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Parks & Rec Schools for a Bachelor’s in Virginia For Those Getting Aid list. Randolph College is a private not-for-profit institution located in Lynchburg, Virginia. The school has a small population, and it awarded 10 bachelors’s degrees in 2019-2020.

Randolph not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #14 on our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Bachelor’s Degree Schools in Virginia” list. The yearly cost to attend Randolph College is $20,625 for Virginia Bachelor’s Degree Parks & Rec students with aid.

The impressive student-to-faculty ratio of 8 to 1 means that students may have more opportunities to work more closely with their professors than they would at other schools.

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

#12

Roanoke College

Salem, Virginia
#10 in overall quality

Roanoke College came in at #12 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Parks & Rec Schools for a Bachelor’s in Virginia For Those Getting Aid ranking. This small school is located in Salem, Virginia, and it awarded 47 bachelors’s parks and rec degrees in 2019-2020.

Roanoke also made our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Bachelor’s Degree Schools in Virginia” list, coming in at #10. The yearly cost to attend Roanoke College is $25,135 for virginia bachelor’s degree parks & rec students with aid.

The low student loan default rate of 3.5% 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 Roanoke

#13

Averett University

Danville, Virginia
#16 in overall quality

Averett University ranked #13 on this year’s Best Value Parks & Rec Schools for a Bachelor’s in Virginia For Those Getting Aid list. AU is a small school located in Danville, Virginia that handed out 31 bachelors’s parks and rec degrees in 2019-2020.

AU also made our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Bachelor’s Degree Schools in Virginia” list, coming in at #16. It costs about $23,516 for virginia bachelor’s degree parks & rec students with aid per year to attend Averett University.

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

#14

Shenandoah University

Winchester, Virginia
#6 in overall quality

Shenandoah University came in at #14 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Parks & Rec Schools for a Bachelor’s in Virginia For Those Getting Aid ranking. This small school is located in Winchester, Virginia, and it awarded 17 bachelors’s parks and rec degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our virginia bachelor’s degree parks & rec students with aid list, Shenandoah has also earned the #6 rank in our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Bachelor’s Degree Schools in Virginia” ranking. It costs about $27,124 for Virginia Bachelor’s Degree Parks & Rec students with aid per year to attend Shenandoah.

The school has an impressive student loan default rate. It’s only 3.9%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%. With a student-to-faculty ratio of 10 to 1, it’s easy to see that the school is committed to helping their undergraduates succeed.

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

#15

Hampton University

Hampton, Virginia
#12 in overall quality

With a ranking of #15, Hampton University did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Parks & Rec Schools for a Bachelor’s in Virginia For Those Getting Aid list. Hampton University is located in Hampton, Virginia and, has a small student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 66 bachelors’s parks and rec degrees to qualified students.

Hampton did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #12 on our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Bachelor’s Degree Schools in Virginia” list. The yearly cost to attend Hampton is $31,307 for Virginia Bachelor’s Degree Parks & Rec students with aid.

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

#16

Bluefield College

Bluefield, Virginia
#17 in overall quality

Bluefield College did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Parks & Rec Schools for a Bachelor’s in Virginia For Those Getting Aid ranking, coming in at #16. Bluefield College is a private not-for-profit institution located in Bluefield, Virginia. The school has a small population, and it awarded 13 bachelors’s degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our virginia bachelor’s degree parks & rec students with aid list, Bluefield College has also earned the #17 rank in our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Bachelor’s Degree Schools in Virginia” ranking. It costs about $23,158 for Virginia Bachelor’s Degree Parks & Rec students with aid per year to attend Bluefield College.

Full Bluefield College Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Report

#17

Liberty University

Lynchburg, Virginia
#15 in overall quality

With a ranking of #17, Liberty University did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Parks & Rec Schools for a Bachelor’s in Virginia For Those Getting Aid list. Liberty University is a large school located in Lynchburg, Virginia that handed out 164 bachelors’s parks and rec degrees in 2019-2020.

Liberty University also made our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Bachelor’s Degree Schools in Virginia” list, coming in at #15. The yearly cost to attend Liberty University is $28,903 for virginia bachelor’s degree parks & rec students with aid.

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

#18 in overall quality

Averett University - Graduate & Professional Studies came in at #18 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Parks & Rec Schools for a Bachelor’s in Virginia For Those Getting Aid ranking. This small school is located in Danville, Virginia, and it awarded 1 bachelors’s parks and rec degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our virginia bachelor’s degree parks & rec students with aid list, Averett University - Graduate & Professional Studies has also earned the #18 rank in our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Bachelor’s Degree Schools in Virginia” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Averett University - Graduate & Professional Studies is $24,027 for Virginia Bachelor’s Degree Parks & Rec students with aid.

With a student-to-faculty ratio of 9 to 1, it’s easy to see that the school is committed to helping their undergraduates succeed.

Read full report on Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies at Averett University - Graduate & Professional Studies

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Notes and References

References

  • 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).
  • Information about the national average student loan default rate is from the U.S. Department of Education and refers to data about the 2016 borrower cohort tracking period for which the cohort default rate (CDR) was 10.1%.

Read more about our data sources and methodologies

Footnotes

  • *Average salary, average net price, and average tuition and fees are for the top schools only.
  • Some schools otherwise deserving of recognition may have been removed from this ranking in the event that new data identified post-publication warranted it, or at the request of the school.

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