2027 Best Value Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies Schools in West Virginia
[Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies](/majors/parks-recreation-fitness/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies education at a price that pays off.
For its 2027 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 12 schools to find the best return on investment for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies students.
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2027 Best Value Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies Schools in West Virginia
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies Schools
Our analysis ranked Marshall University the best value for a degree in parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies in West Virginia. Marshall University is a large public school located in the city of Huntington. In-state tuition and fees average $9,162, compared with $20,342 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $24,000 to complete the parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies program here. Early-career parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies graduates make about $20,682. That is a strong return on a $24,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 96%.
Students looking for strong value in parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies will find it at Fairmont State University, which ranked #2. Fairmont State University is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Fairmont. Students from in state pay about $8,708 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $18,924. Students borrow a median of $22,000 to complete the parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies program here. Early-career parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies graduates make about $30,833. That is a strong return on a $22,000 median debt. Roughly 99% of applicants are accepted.
American Public University System came in at #3 on our 2027 list of the best value parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies schools. Set in the town of Charles Town, American Public University System is a very large private for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $8,400 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $19,312 to complete the parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies program here. Early-career parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies graduates make about $55,491. That is a strong return on a $19,312 median debt.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Shepherd University earned it the #4 place for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies. Set in the rural area of Shepherdstown, Shepherd University is a mid-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,056, compared with $19,082 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies graduates is $24,950. Soon after graduation, parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degree recipients from Shepherd University generally make around $34,287. Set against $24,950 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 97% of applicants are accepted.
A rank of #5 makes West Virginia State University one of the best values for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies. Located in the suburb of Institute, West Virginia State University is a mid-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $9,570, while out-of-state students pay about $14,990. Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies graduates carry a median of $24,501 in student loans. Early-career parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies graduates make about $37,970. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 96% of applicants are accepted.
Glenville State College placed #6 among the best values for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies. Set in the rural area of Glenville, Glenville State College is a mid-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $9,578 in tuition and fees, compared with $11,354 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies graduates is $29,072. Early-career parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies graduates make about $25,138. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
West Virginia University ranked #7 on our 2027 list of the best value parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies schools. Located in the city of Morgantown, West Virginia University is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $10,104, compared with $28,608 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies graduates is $25,000. Soon after graduation, parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degree recipients from West Virginia University generally make around $30,145. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 89%.
West Liberty University came in at #8 for value in parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies this year. Set in the rural area of West Liberty, West Liberty University is a mid-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $8,893 in tuition and fees, compared with $17,442 for out-of-state students. Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies graduates carry a median of $28,000 in student loans. Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies graduates of West Liberty University earn a median of $24,139 early in their careers. Set against $28,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. West Liberty University admits about 97% of applicants.
West Virginia Wesleyan College landed the #9 spot for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies value this year. Located in the town of Buckhannon, West Virginia Wesleyan College is a small private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $34,090. Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies graduates of West Virginia Wesleyan College earn a median of $24,526 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. West Virginia Wesleyan College admits about 93% of applicants.
Davis And Elkins College came in at #10 for value in parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies this year. Located in the town of Elkins, Davis And Elkins College is a small private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $31,820. Typical student debt for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies graduates is $27,000. Early-career parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies graduates make about $71,201. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 94%.
Wheeling Jesuit University earned the #11 position for value in parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies this year. Wheeling Jesuit University is a small private not-for-profit school located in the city of Wheeling. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $29,875. 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 $38,212. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Roughly 63% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Charleston came in at #12 for value in parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies this year. Located in the city of Charleston, University Of Charleston is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $22,617. Typical student debt for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies graduates is $22,646. Soon after graduation, parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degree recipients from University Of Charleston generally make around $64,407. Set against $22,646 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 62%.
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Notes and References
The ranking above is published 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 · 12 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 12 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.
