2023 Best Value Colleges for Parks, Recreation & Leisure Studies in the Far Western US Region (With Aid)
14
Ranked Colleges
787
Degrees Awarded
$14,200
Avg Net Price*
When it comes to choosing a college, students have a lot of options - but not all of them are good. College Factual was founded, in part, to help students make the decision as to what would be the best school for them. Our “Best Value Parks & Rec Schools in the Far Western US Region For Those Getting Aid” ranking is part of that endeavor.
Parks, Recreation & Leisure Studies is the 218th most popular major in the country with 3,106 degrees awarded in 2020-2021.
Across the Far Western US region, there were 787 parks, recreation and leisure studies graduates with average earnings and debt of $0 and $0 respectively.
This year’s “Best Value Parks & Rec Schools in the Far Western US Region For Those Getting Aid” ranking analyzed 14 colleges that offered a degree in parks, recreation and leisure studies. Not only do the schools that top this list have excellent parks, recreation and leisure studies programs, but they also cost less that schools of similar quality.
Some of the factors we look at when determining these rankings are overall quality of the parks, recreation and leisure studies program at the school and the cost of the school after aid is awarded among other things. Check out our ranking methodology for more information.
One Size Does Not Fit All
When choosing the right school for you, it’s important to arm yourself with all the facts you can. To that end, we’ve created a number of major-specific rankings, including this “Best Value Parks & Rec Schools in the Far Western US Region For Those Getting Aid” list to help you make the college decision.
In addition to our rankings, you can take two colleges and compare them based on the criteria that matters most to you in our unique tool, College Combat. If you’re torn between two schools, you can use it to help you see how they stack up against one another. Bookmark it so you can compare any new schools that might interest you.
Best Value Parks & Rec Schools in the Far Western US Region For Those Getting Aid
The following schools top our list of the Best Best Value Parks & Rec Schools in the Far Western US Region For Those Getting Aid.
Top 14 Best Value Colleges for Parks, Recreation & Leisure Studies in the Far Western US Region (With Aid)
Out of the 14 schools in the Best Value Parks & Rec Schools in the Far Western US Region For Those Getting Aid that were part of this year’s ranking, California State University - Long Beach landed the #1 spot on the list. California State University - Long Beach is located in Long Beach, California and, has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 91 ’s parks and rec degrees to qualified students.
CSULB not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #3 on our “Best Parks, Recreation & Leisure Studies Schools in the Far Western US Region” list. It costs about $10,054 for Far Western US Region Parks & Rec students with aid per year to attend California State University - Long Beach.
The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 2.4%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%. With a freshman retention rate of 89%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.
Read full report on Parks, Recreation & Leisure Studies at CSULB
You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend California State University - Sacramento. The school came in at #2 for the Best Value Parks & Rec Schools in the Far Western US Region For Those Getting Aid. Sac State is a large public school situated in Sacramento, California. It awarded 100 ’s parks and rec degrees in 2020-2021.
In addition to being on our far western us region parks & rec students with aid list, Sac State has also earned the #5 rank in our “Best Parks, Recreation & Leisure Studies Schools in the Far Western US Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for California State University - Sacramento is $11,178 for far western us region parks & rec students with aid.
The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 3.9%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.
Read more about Parks, Recreation & Leisure Studies at California State University - Sacramento
Out of the 14 schools in the Best Value Parks & Rec Schools in the Far Western US Region For Those Getting Aid that were part of this year’s ranking, California State University - Fresno landed the #3 spot on the list. California State University - Fresno is located in Fresno, California and, has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 37 ’s parks and rec degrees to qualified students.
As a testament to the quality of education offered at Fresno State, the school also landed the #9 spot in our “Best Parks, Recreation & Leisure Studies Schools in the Far Western US Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend California State University - Fresno is $6,230 for far western us region parks & rec students with aid.
Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 87%. The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 3.2%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.
Read full report on Parks, Recreation & Leisure Studies at California State University - Fresno
You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend San Jose State University. It ranked #4 on our 2023 Best Value Parks & Rec Schools in the Far Western US Region For Those Getting Aid list. This large school is located in San Jose, California, and it awarded 40 ’s parks and rec degrees in 2020-2021.
San Jose State also made our “Best Parks, Recreation & Leisure Studies Schools in the Far Western US Region” list, coming in at #4. The yearly cost to attend San Jose State University is $16,542 for Far Western US Region Parks & Rec students with aid.
Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 86%. The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 2.9%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.
Read more about Parks, Recreation & Leisure Studies at San Jose State
You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend California State University - Chico. The school came in at #5 for the Best Value Parks & Rec Schools in the Far Western US Region For Those Getting Aid. Located in Chico, California, this fairly large public school handed out 99 degrees to qualified ’s parks and rec students in 2020-2021.
As a testament to the quality of education offered at Chico State, the school also landed the #2 spot in our “Best Parks, Recreation & Leisure Studies Schools in the Far Western US Region” ranking. It costs about $16,218 for far western us region parks & rec students with aid per year to attend California State University - Chico.
The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 4.0%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.
Read full report on Parks, Recreation & Leisure Studies at California State University - Chico
California Polytechnic State University - San Luis Obispo ranked #6 on this year’s Best Value Parks & Rec Schools in the Far Western US Region For Those Getting Aid list. California Polytechnic State University - San Luis Obispo is a large public school situated in San Luis Obispo, California. It awarded 119 ’s parks and rec degrees in 2020-2021.
Cal Poly San Luis Obispo also made our “Best Parks, Recreation & Leisure Studies Schools in the Far Western US Region” list, coming in at #1. The yearly cost to attend California Polytechnic State University - San Luis Obispo is $20,677 for far western us region parks & rec students with aid.
The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 0.7%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 94%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.
Read full report on Parks, Recreation & Leisure Studies at California Polytechnic State University - San Luis Obispo
California State University - East Bay ranked #7 on this year’s Best Value Parks & Rec Schools in the Far Western US Region For Those Getting Aid list. Hayward, California is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s parks and rec degrees to 31 students in 2020-2021.
Cal State East Bay did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #11 on our “Best Parks, Recreation & Leisure Studies Schools in the Far Western US Region” list. The yearly cost to attend California State University - East Bay is $13,298 for far western us region parks & rec students with aid.
The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 4.4%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.
Full Cal State East Bay Parks, Recreation & Leisure Studies Report
San Francisco State University did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Parks & Rec Schools in the Far Western US Region For Those Getting Aid ranking, coming in at #8. SFSU is a large school located in San Francisco, California that handed out 46 ’s parks and rec degrees in 2020-2021.
As a testament to the quality of education offered at SFSU, the school also landed the #7 spot in our “Best Parks, Recreation & Leisure Studies Schools in the Far Western US Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for SFSU is $14,459 for Far Western US Region Parks & Rec students with aid.
The low undergrad student loan default rate of 4.3% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.
Full San Francisco State University Parks, Recreation & Leisure Studies Report
San Diego State University did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Parks & Rec Schools in the Far Western US Region For Those Getting Aid ranking, coming in at #9. San Diego State University is a large school located in San Diego, California that handed out 32 ’s parks and rec degrees in 2020-2021.
SDSU also made our “Best Parks, Recreation & Leisure Studies Schools in the Far Western US Region” list, coming in at #8. The estimated yearly cost for San Diego State University is $13,845 for far western us region parks & rec students with aid.
The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 2.2%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%. With a freshman retention rate of 89%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.
Read more about Parks, Recreation & Leisure Studies at San Diego State University
Eastern Washington University ranked #10 on this year’s Best Value Parks & Rec Schools in the Far Western US Region For Those Getting Aid list. This fairly large school is located in Cheney, Washington, and it awarded 10 ’s parks and rec degrees in 2020-2021.
EWU not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #10 on our “Best Parks, Recreation & Leisure Studies Schools in the Far Western US Region” list. The yearly cost to attend EWU is $12,335 for Far Western US Region Parks & Rec students with aid.
The low undergrad student loan default rate of 4.0% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.
Full Eastern Washington University Parks, Recreation & Leisure Studies Report
Western Washington University came in at #11 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Parks & Rec Schools in the Far Western US Region For Those Getting Aid ranking. Western Washington University is located in Bellingham, Washington and, has a fairly large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 48 ’s parks and rec degrees to qualified students.
WWU did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #6 on our “Best Parks, Recreation & Leisure Studies Schools in the Far Western US Region” list. It costs about $17,070 for far western us region parks & rec students with aid per year to attend WWU.
The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 1.7%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.
Read full report on Parks, Recreation & Leisure Studies at WWU
With a ranking of #12, Southern Oregon University did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Parks & Rec Schools in the Far Western US Region For Those Getting Aid list. Southern Oregon University is located in Ashland, Oregon and, has a medium-sized student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 27 ’s parks and rec degrees to qualified students.
In addition to being on our far western us region parks & rec students with aid list, Southern Oregon University has also earned the #13 rank in our “Best Parks, Recreation & Leisure Studies Schools in the Far Western US Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Southern Oregon University is $10,187 for Far Western US Region Parks & Rec students with aid.
Full Southern Oregon University Parks, Recreation & Leisure Studies Report
Humboldt State University came in at #13 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Parks & Rec Schools in the Far Western US Region For Those Getting Aid ranking. Humboldt State University is located in Arcata, California and, has a medium-sized student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 31 ’s parks and rec degrees to qualified students.
In addition to being on our far western us region parks & rec students with aid list, Humboldt State University has also earned the #14 rank in our “Best Parks, Recreation & Leisure Studies Schools in the Far Western US Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Humboldt State University is $14,956 for Far Western US Region Parks & Rec students with aid.
Read more about Parks, Recreation & Leisure Studies at Humboldt State University
Oregon State University came in at #14 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Parks & Rec Schools in the Far Western US Region For Those Getting Aid ranking. Oregon State University is a large public school situated in Corvallis, Oregon. It awarded 14 ’s parks and rec degrees in 2020-2021.
As a testament to the quality of education offered at Oregon State, the school also landed the #12 spot in our “Best Parks, Recreation & Leisure Studies Schools in the Far Western US Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Oregon State University is $21,508 for Far Western US Region Parks & Rec students with aid.
Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 85%. The low undergrad student loan default rate of 2.8% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.
Full Oregon State Parks, Recreation & Leisure Studies Report
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Best Parks, Recreation & Leisure Studies Schools in the Far Western US Region
Parks, Recreation & Leisure Studies students in the Far Western US Region
Most Focused Colleges for Parks, Recreation & Leisure Studies in the Far Western US Region
Parks, Recreation & Leisure Studies students in the Far Western US Region
Best Value Colleges for Parks, Recreation & Leisure Studies in the Far Western US Region (With Aid)
Parks, Recreation & Leisure Studies students getting aid in the Far Western US Region
Best Value Colleges for Parks, Recreation & Leisure Studies (Income $30-$48k) in the Far Western US Region
Parks, Recreation & Leisure Studies students with family income $30-$48k in the Far Western US Region
Best Value Colleges for Parks, Recreation & Leisure Studies (Income $75-$110k) in the Far Western US Region
Parks, Recreation & Leisure Studies students with family income $75-$110k in the Far Western US Region
Best Value Colleges for Parks, Recreation & Leisure Studies in the Far Western US Region
Parks, Recreation & Leisure Studies students in the Far Western US Region
Highest Paid Parks, Recreation & Leisure Studies Graduates in the Far Western US Region
Parks, Recreation & Leisure Studies students in the Far Western US Region
Most Popular Colleges for Parks, Recreation & Leisure Studies in the Far Western US Region
Parks, Recreation & Leisure Studies students in the Far Western US Region
Best Value Colleges for Parks, Recreation & Leisure Studies (Income $0-$30k) in the Far Western US Region
Parks, Recreation & Leisure Studies students with family income less than $30k in the Far Western US Region
Best Value Colleges for Parks, Recreation & Leisure Studies (Income $48-$75k) in the Far Western US Region
Parks, Recreation & Leisure Studies students with family income $48-$75k in the Far Western US Region
Best Value Colleges for Parks, Recreation & Leisure Studies (Income Over $110k) in the Far Western US Region
Parks, Recreation & Leisure Studies students with family income exceeding $110k in the Far Western US Region
Notes and References
References
- 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).
- Information about the national average student loan default rate is from the U.S. Department of Education and refers to data about the 2016 borrower cohort tracking period for which the cohort default rate (CDR) was 10.1%.
Read more about our data sources and methodologies
- *Average salary, average net price, and average tuition and fees are for the top schools only.
- Some schools otherwise deserving of recognition may have been removed from this ranking in the event that new data identified post-publication warranted it, or at the request of the school.
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