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Most Popular Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Schools in West Virginia

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2023 Most Popular Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Schools in West Virginia

15 Colleges
$31,545 Avg Salary
$25,400 Avg Student Debt

Finding the Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies School for You

Out of the majors we analyze each year, parks, recreation, leisure, and fitness studies was ranked 7th in West Virginia. In fact, 1,238 were awarded in the state in 2020-2021.

There are lots of options to pick from today when trying to decide which program is right for you. You're no longer limited to schools in your local area, either, since online programs are becoming more prevalent. Or you may find the programs at a trade school to be a better alternative for you.

To assist you in seeing some of the education options that are available to you, Course Advisor has created its Most Popular Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Schools in West Virginia ranking. This report analyzed 15 schools in West Virginia to see which ones were the most popular programs for students. To create this ranking we looked at how many students graduated from the Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies program at each school on the list.

Check out the parks and rec programs at these schools if you want to attend one of the most popular in West Virginia.

Our 2023 rankings named American Public University System the most popular school in West Virginia for parks, recreation, leisure, and fitness studies students. American Military University is a very large private for-profit school located in the town of Charles Town.

While working on their degree, parks and rec majors at American Military University accumulate an average of around $21,148 in student debt.

Full Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies at American Public University System Report

#2

West Virginia University

Morgantown, WV

Out of the 15 schools in West Virginia that were part of this year’s ranking, West Virginia University landed the # 2 spot on the list. WVU is a fairly large public school located in the small city of Morgantown.

While working on their degree, parks and rec majors at WVU accumulate an average of around $25,098 in student debt. For students who choose a 10-year repayment plan, the average monthly student loan payment is $450.

Full Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies at West Virginia University Report

#3

Marshall University

Huntington, WV

The excellent programs at Marshall University helped the school earn the #3 place on this year’s ranking of the best parks, recreation, leisure, and fitness studies schools in West Virginia. Located in the city of Huntington, Marshall University is a public college with a fairly large student population.

While working on their degree, parks and rec majors at Marshall University accumulate an average of around $25,250 in student debt.

Read More…

#4

University of Charleston

Charleston, WV

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend University of Charleston. It ranked #4 on our 2023 Most Popular Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Schools in West Virginia list. UC is a small private not-for-profit school located in the small city of Charleston.

Full Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies at University of Charleston Report

Out of the 15 schools in West Virginia that were part of this year’s ranking, West Virginia State University landed the # 5 spot on the list. WVSU is a small public school located in the midsize suburb of Institute.

After completing their degree, parks and rec graduates from WVSU carry an average student debt load of $25,493.

Full Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies at West Virginia State University Report

With a ranking of #6, Alderson Broaddus University did quite well on this year’s most popular schools for parks, recreation, leisure, and fitness studies students. Located in the town of Philippi, Alderson Broaddus University is a private not-for-profit school with a small student population.

The average amount in student loans that parks and rec majors at Alderson Broaddus University take out is $26,157.

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

#7

Shepherd University

Shepherdstown, WV

With a ranking of #7, Shepherd University did quite well on this year’s most popular schools for parks, recreation, leisure, and fitness studies students. Located in the fringe town of Shepherdstown, Shepherd University is a public college with a small student population.

Parks & Rec majors at Shepherd University take out an average of $23,184 in student loans while working on their egree. This translates to an average monthly loan payment of $224, based on a 10-year repayment plan.

Full Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies at Shepherd University Report

Fairmont State University landed the #8 spot in the 2023 rankings for the most popular parks, recreation, leisure, and fitness studies programs. Located in the distant town of Fairmont, Fairmont State is a public school with a small student population.

While working on their degree, parks and rec majors at Fairmont State accumulate an average of around $25,316 in student debt.

Full Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies at Fairmont State University Report

West Virginia Wesleyan College ranked #9 on this year’s Most Popular Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Schools in West Virginia list. Located in the town of Buckhannon, West Virginia Wesleyan is a private not-for-profit school with a small student population.

While working on their degree, parks and rec majors at West Virginia Wesleyan accumulate an average of around $27,000 in student debt.

Read full report on Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies at West Virginia Wesleyan College

#9

West Liberty University

West Liberty, WV

West Liberty University landed the #9 spot in the 2023 rankings for the most popular parks, recreation, leisure, and fitness studies programs. Located in the rural area of West Liberty, West Liberty University is a public school with a small student population.

The average amount in student loans that parks and rec majors at West Liberty University take out is $27,000.

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

Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Colleges in the Southeast Region

Explore all the Most Popular Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Schools in the Southeast Area or other specific states within that region.

State Degrees Awarded
North Carolina 3,436
South Carolina 1,339
Florida 2,340
Virginia 1,729
Arkansas 1,012
Mississippi 1,128
Louisiana 703
Alabama 959
Kentucky 1,141
Georgia 1,981
Tennessee 2,462

Parks & Rec Majors to Study

Major Annual Graduates
Health & Physical Education 67,146
Recreation Administration 3,122
Parks, Recreation & Leisure Studies 3,106
Outdoor Education 265
Other Parks, Recreation & Leisure Studies 174

Related Major Annual Graduates
Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting 142,610
Public Administration & Social Service 98,583
Legal Professions 61,055
Military Technologies & Applied Sciences 4,477

Notes and References

*These averages are for the top 15 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 the rest 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).
  • Credit for the banner image above goes to NPS Photo/Zurbuch.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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