2026 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.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 15 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies students.
What’s on this page:
2026 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
For return on investment in parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies, no school beat Marshall University this year. Located in the city of Huntington, Marshall University is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $9,162, with out-of-state students paying around $20,342. Typical student debt for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies graduates is $24,000. 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%.
Fairmont State University came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best value parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies schools. Set in the town of Fairmont, Fairmont State University is a mid-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,708, while out-of-state students pay about $18,924. Typical student debt for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies graduates is $22,000. Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies graduates of Fairmont State University earn a median of $30,833 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $22,000 median debt. Fairmont State University admits about 99% of applicants.
American Public University System came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best value parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies schools. Located in the town of Charles Town, American Public University System is a very large private for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $8,400. Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies graduates carry a median of $19,312 in student loans. Early-career parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies graduates make about $55,491. That is a strong return on a $19,312 median debt.
West Virginia State 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 Institute, West Virginia State University is a mid-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $9,570, with out-of-state students paying around $14,990. Typical student debt for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies graduates is $24,501. Soon after graduation, parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degree recipients from West Virginia State University generally make around $37,970. Set against $24,501 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. West Virginia State University admits about 96% of applicants.
Students looking for strong value in parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies will find it at West Virginia University, which ranked #5. Located in the city of Morgantown, West Virginia University is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,104, while out-of-state students pay about $28,608. Typical student debt for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies graduates is $25,000. Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies graduates of West Virginia University earn a median of $30,145 early in their careers. Set against $25,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. West Virginia University admits about 89% of applicants.
Shepherd University ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best value parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies schools. Located in the rural area of Shepherdstown, Shepherd University is a mid-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,056, with out-of-state students paying around $19,082. Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies graduates carry a median of $24,950 in student loans. Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies graduates of Shepherd University earn a median of $34,287 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $24,950 median debt. Roughly 97% of applicants are accepted.
West Liberty University ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best value parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies schools. West Liberty University is a mid-sized public school located in the rural area of West Liberty. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,893, with out-of-state students paying around $17,442. Typical student debt for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies graduates is $28,000. Soon after graduation, parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degree recipients from West Liberty University generally make around $24,139. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. West Liberty University admits about 97% of applicants.
Glenville State College came in at #8 for value in parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies this year. Set in the rural area of Glenville, Glenville State College is a mid-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,578, while out-of-state students pay about $11,354. Students borrow a median of $29,072 to complete the parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies program here. Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies graduates of Glenville State College earn a median of $25,138 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
West Virginia Wesleyan College came in at #9 for value in parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies this year. West Virginia Wesleyan College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the town of Buckhannon. Students from in state pay about $34,090 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies graduates is $27,000. Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies graduates of West Virginia Wesleyan College earn a median of $24,526 early in their careers. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 93% of applicants are accepted.
Wheeling Jesuit University earned the #10 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. In-state tuition and fees average $29,875. Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies graduates of Wheeling Jesuit University earn a median of $38,212 early in their careers. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 63%.
Davis And Elkins College landed the #11 spot for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies value this year. Set in the town of Elkins, Davis And Elkins College is a small private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $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. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 94% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Charleston ranked #12 on our 2026 list of the best value parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies schools. University Of Charleston is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Charleston. Students from in state pay about $22,617 in tuition and fees. Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies graduates carry a median of $22,646 in student loans. Early-career parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies graduates make about $64,407. That is a strong return on a $22,646 median debt. University Of Charleston admits about 62% of applicants.
More Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies Rankings
View All Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies Rankings >
Notes and References
The ranking above is published by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 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 · 15 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 8 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.
