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College Factual  by our College Data Analytics Team
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2026 Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies Schools in Virginia

14 Colleges in the United States
1,707 Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies Degrees Awarded
$39,606 Avg Early-Career Salary

Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies degree programs prepare students for a range of careers in the field. While the number of schools offering the program varies, there are still top-quality ones to be found.

To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 30 schools to find the best for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies students.

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Best Schools for Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies in Virginia

Below are the schools that deliver the strongest overall parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies education in Virginia.

Top Schools in Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies

1
James Madison University crest
James Madison University
Harrisonburg, VA

James Madison University tops our 2026 ranking of the best parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies schools. This very large public university is located in the city of Harrisonburg. About 80% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 339 parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies students who graduated with this degree at James Madison University in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degree recipients from James Madison University generally make around $40,528. Students borrow a median of $21,500 to complete this degree. Read more about the parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies program at James Madison University

2

A rank of #2 makes University Of Virginia Main Campus one of the top schools for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies. This very large public university is located in the suburb of Charlottesville. Roughly 96% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 102 parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies students who graduated with this degree at University Of Virginia Main Campus in the most recent data year. Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies graduates of University Of Virginia Main Campus earn a median of $40,998 early in their careers. University Of Virginia Main Campus graduates carry a median of $23,250 in student loans. See the full parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies program report for University Of Virginia Main Campus

3

Students looking for a strong parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies program will find one at College Of William And Mary, which ranked #3. This large public university is located in the suburb of Williamsburg. College Of William And Mary graduates 89% of students within six years. There were roughly 115 parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies students who graduated with this degree at College Of William And Mary in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degree recipients from College Of William And Mary generally make around $27,114. Typical student debt for the program is $21,413. Get the full parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies details for College Of William And Mary

4

Virginia Commonwealth University is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies, ranking #4. Set in the city of Richmond, Virginia Commonwealth University is a very large public institution. Virginia Commonwealth University graduates 63% of students within six years. About 53 parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degrees were awarded at Virginia Commonwealth University in the most recent year. Graduates of the parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies program make about $45,781 in their early career. Virginia Commonwealth University graduates carry a median of $23,813 in student loans. More information about a degree in parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies from Virginia Commonwealth University

5
Lynchburg College crest
Lynchburg College
Lynchburg, VA

Lynchburg College came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies schools. This mid-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Lynchburg. The six-year graduation rate is 57%. Lynchburg College awarded about 14 parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degrees in the most recent data year. Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies graduates of Lynchburg College earn a median of $107,159 early in their careers. Get the full parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies details for Lynchburg College

6
Shenandoah University crest
Shenandoah University
Winchester, VA

Shenandoah University earned the #6 position for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies this year. Set in the city of Winchester, Shenandoah University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. Shenandoah University graduates 66% of students within six years. About 15 parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degrees were awarded at Shenandoah University in the most recent year. Students who receive their parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degree from Shenandoah University earn around $37,676 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $27,000. Get the full parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies details for Shenandoah University

7

George Mason University placed #7 among the best parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies schools. George Mason University is a very large public school located in the suburb of Fairfax. Roughly 68% of students complete a degree within six years here. George Mason University awarded about 127 parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies program make about $36,484 in their early career. George Mason University graduates carry a median of $25,033 in student loans. Read more about the parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies program at George Mason University

8
Longwood University crest
Longwood University
Farmville, VA

Longwood University landed the #8 spot for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies this year. This moderately-sized public university is located in the town of Farmville. About 61% of students finish within six years. About 36 parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degrees were awarded at Longwood University in the most recent year. Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies graduates of Longwood University earn a median of $39,479 early in their careers. Longwood University graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Get the full parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies details for Longwood University

9

Old Dominion University came in at #9 for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies this year. Located in the city of Norfolk, Old Dominion University is a very large public university. About 46% of students finish within six years. About 140 parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degrees were awarded at Old Dominion University in the most recent year. Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies graduates of Old Dominion University earn a median of $37,395 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $26,100. More information about a degree in parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies from Old Dominion University

10
Roanoke College crest
Roanoke College
Salem, VA

Roanoke College earned the #10 position for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies this year. Roanoke College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Salem. About 67% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 43 parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies students who graduated with this degree at Roanoke College in the most recent data year. Graduates of the parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies program make about $27,304 in their early career. Roanoke College graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. More information about a degree in parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies from Roanoke College

11
Liberty University crest
Liberty University
Lynchburg, VA

Liberty University ranked #11 on our 2026 list of the best parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies schools. Liberty University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Lynchburg. About 67% of students finish within six years. Liberty University awarded about 403 parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies program make about $35,922 in their early career. Liberty University graduates carry a median of $25,645 in student loans. Get the full parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies details for Liberty University

12
Bridgewater College crest
Bridgewater College
Bridgewater, VA

Bridgewater College came in at #12 for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies this year. Set in the suburb of Bridgewater, Bridgewater College is a small private not-for-profit institution. About 53% of students finish within six years. About 52 parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degrees were awarded at Bridgewater College in the most recent year. Graduates of the parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies program make about $30,243 in their early career. Bridgewater College graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Get the full parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies details for Bridgewater College

13
Randolph College crest
Randolph College
Lynchburg, VA

Randolph College placed #13 among the best parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies schools. This small private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Lynchburg. Roughly 46% of students complete a degree within six years here. Randolph College awarded about 31 parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degrees in the most recent data year. Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies graduates of Randolph College earn a median of $43,197 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $23,750 to complete this degree. See the full parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies program report for Randolph College

14
Radford University crest
Radford University
Radford, VA

Radford University earned the #14 position for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies this year. Set in the town of Radford, Radford University is a moderately-sized public institution. Radford University graduates 49% of students within six years. Radford University awarded about 52 parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degrees in the most recent data year. Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies graduates of Radford University earn a median of $30,145 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $26,000 to complete this degree. Get the full parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies details for Radford University

15
Virginia Wesleyan College crest
Virginia Wesleyan College
Virginia Beach, VA

Virginia Wesleyan College landed the #15 spot for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies this year. Located in the city of Virginia Beach, Virginia Wesleyan College is a small private not-for-profit university. The six-year graduation rate is 42%. There were roughly 10 parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies students who graduated with this degree at Virginia Wesleyan College in the most recent data year. Students who receive their parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degree from Virginia Wesleyan College earn around $45,517 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $27,925. More information about a degree in parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies from Virginia Wesleyan College

16

Emory And Henry College placed #16 among the best parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies schools. Emory And Henry College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the rural area of Emory. Emory And Henry College graduates 56% of students within six years. About 33 parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degrees were awarded at Emory And Henry College in the most recent year. Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies graduates of Emory And Henry College earn a median of $28,146 early in their careers. Emory And Henry College graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Read more about the parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies program at Emory And Henry College

17
Hampton University crest
Hampton University
Hampton, VA

Hampton University came in at #17 for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies this year. Located in the suburb of Hampton, Hampton University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. About 57% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 62 parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies students who graduated with this degree at Hampton University in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degree recipients from Hampton University generally make around $27,633. Students borrow a median of $26,000 to complete this degree. Get the full parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies details for Hampton University

18
Averett University crest
Averett University
Danville, VA

Averett University placed #18 among the best parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies schools. Set in the town of Danville, Averett University is a small private not-for-profit institution. About 48% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 22 parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies students who graduated with this degree at Averett University in the most recent data year. Graduates of the parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies program make about $36,908 in their early career. Averett University graduates carry a median of $28,000 in student loans. Get the full parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies details for Averett University

19

Norfolk State University landed the #19 spot for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies this year. Set in the city of Norfolk, Norfolk State University is a moderately-sized public institution. Norfolk State University graduates 39% of students within six years. About 20 parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degrees were awarded at Norfolk State University in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degree recipients from Norfolk State University generally make around $54,971. Get the full parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies details for Norfolk State University

20

Virginia State University came in at #20 for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies this year. Set in the suburb of Petersburg, Virginia State University is a moderately-sized public institution. Roughly 39% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 16 parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies students who graduated with this degree at Virginia State University in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degree recipients from Virginia State University generally make around $34,682. Students borrow a median of $29,010 to complete this degree. See the full parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies program report for Virginia State University

21
Bluefield College crest
Bluefield College
Bluefield, VA

Bluefield College earned the #21 position for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies this year. Located in the town of Bluefield, Bluefield College is a small private not-for-profit university. Roughly 18% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 22 parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies students who graduated with this degree at Bluefield College in the most recent data year. Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies graduates of Bluefield College earn a median of $24,450 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $27,000. Read more about the parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies program at Bluefield College

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Notes and References

The ranking above is published by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. The methodology weighs graduation rate, post-graduation earnings, cost, and program quality, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).

Ranking method: College Major Top Ranked · 30 schools evaluated.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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