2027 Best Value Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies Schools in Virginia
[Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies](/majors/parks-recreation-fitness/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
To produce this 2027 ranking, College Factual evaluated 19 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies students.
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2027 Best Value Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies Schools in Virginia
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degrees they offer, see the list below.
Best Value Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies Schools
Old Dominion University tops our 2027 list of the best value parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies schools in Virginia. 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. Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies graduates carry a median of $26,100 in student loans. Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies graduates of Old Dominion University earn a median of $37,556 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $26,100 median debt. Old Dominion University admits about 90% of applicants.
Students looking for strong value in parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies will find it at Radford University, which ranked #2. Located in the town of Radford, Radford University is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $12,548, while out-of-state students pay about $25,633. Students borrow a median of $26,000 to complete the parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies program here. Early-career parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies graduates make about $30,145. That is a strong return on a $26,000 median debt. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.
Norfolk State University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies, landing the #3 spot this year. Set in the city of Norfolk, Norfolk State University is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,180, while out-of-state students pay about $21,682. Soon after graduation, parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degree recipients from Norfolk State University generally make around $54,971. The acceptance rate is 88%.
George Mason University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies, landing the #4 spot this year. Set in the suburb of Fairfax, George Mason University is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $14,220 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $38,688. Typical student debt for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies graduates is $25,033. Soon after graduation, parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degree recipients from George Mason University generally make around $36,484. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 88% of applicants are accepted.
Students looking for strong value in parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies will find it at Randolph College, which ranked #5. Randolph College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the city of Lynchburg. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $30,310. Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies graduates carry a median of $23,750 in student loans. Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies graduates of Randolph College earn a median of $43,197 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $23,750 median debt. Randolph College admits about 94% of applicants.
Bridgewater College ranked #6 on our 2027 list of the best value parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies schools. Set in the suburb of Bridgewater, Bridgewater College is a small private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $16,090. Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degree recipients from Bridgewater College generally make around $30,243. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Bridgewater College admits about 92% of applicants.
College Of William And Mary earned the #7 position for value in parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies this year. College Of William And Mary is a large public school located in the suburb of Williamsburg. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $25,734, with out-of-state students paying around $51,038. Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies graduates carry a median of $21,413 in student loans. Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies graduates of College Of William And Mary earn a median of $27,114 early in their careers. Set against $21,413 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. College Of William And Mary admits about 34% of applicants.
Virginia State University landed the #8 spot for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies value this year. Virginia State University is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Petersburg. In-state tuition and fees average $10,043, while out-of-state students pay about $22,650. Typical student debt for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies graduates is $29,010. Soon after graduation, parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degree recipients from Virginia State University generally make around $34,682. Set against $29,010 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 89% of applicants are accepted.
Emory And Henry College landed the #9 spot for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies value this year. Located in the rural area of Emory, Emory And Henry College is a small private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $39,000 in tuition and fees. Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degree recipients from Emory And Henry College generally make around $28,146. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 84% of applicants are accepted.
Longwood University ranked #10 on our 2027 list of the best value parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies schools. Set in the town of Farmville, Longwood University is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $15,740 in tuition and fees, compared with $27,980 for out-of-state students. Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Early-career parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies graduates make about $39,479. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.
Virginia Wesleyan College placed #11 among the best values for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies. Set in the city of Virginia Beach, Virginia Wesleyan College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $37,500 in tuition and fees. Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies graduates carry a median of $27,925 in student loans. Soon after graduation, parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degree recipients from Virginia Wesleyan College generally make around $45,517. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 73% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Virginia Main Campus landed the #12 spot for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies value this year. Set in the suburb of Charlottesville, University Of Virginia Main Campus is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $23,118, while out-of-state students pay about $61,591. Students borrow a median of $23,250 to complete the parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies program here. Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies graduates of University Of Virginia Main Campus earn a median of $40,998 early in their careers. Set against $23,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 17%.
Lynchburg College ranked #13 on our 2027 list of the best value parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies schools. Lynchburg College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Lynchburg. Students from in state pay about $36,750 in tuition and fees. Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies graduates of Lynchburg College earn a median of $107,159 early in their careers. Roughly 43% of applicants are accepted.
James Madison University came in at #14 for value in parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies this year. Set in the city of Harrisonburg, James Madison University is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,966, compared with $31,312 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $21,500 to complete the parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies program here. Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies graduates of James Madison University earn a median of $40,528 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 72%.
Virginia Commonwealth University earned the #15 position for value in parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies this year. Virginia Commonwealth University is a very large public school located in the city of Richmond. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $16,720, with out-of-state students paying around $39,884. Students borrow a median of $23,813 to complete the parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies program here. Early-career parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies graduates make about $45,781. That is a strong return on a $23,813 median debt. Virginia Commonwealth University admits about 93% of applicants.
Roanoke College landed the #16 spot for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies value this year. Set in the suburb of Salem, Roanoke College is a small private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $38,068. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies program here. Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies graduates of Roanoke College earn a median of $27,304 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 83%.
Hampton University came in at #17 for value in parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies this year. Hampton University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Hampton. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $30,592. Students borrow a median of $26,000 to complete the parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies program here. Early-career parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies graduates make about $27,633. Set against $26,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Hampton University admits about 62% of applicants.
Liberty University landed the #18 spot for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies value this year. Liberty University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Lynchburg. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $16,173. Typical student debt for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies graduates is $25,645. Early-career parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies graduates make about $35,923. That is a strong return on a $25,645 median debt. The acceptance rate is 99%.
Shenandoah University earned the #19 position for value in parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies this year. Set in the city of Winchester, Shenandoah University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $36,950. Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Early-career parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies graduates make about $37,676. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Shenandoah University admits about 77% of applicants.
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Notes and References
This list is compiled by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 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 · 19 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 19 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.
