by our College Data Analytics Team
[Parks, Recreation & Leisure Studies](/majors/parks-recreation-fitness/parks-recreation-leisure-studies/parks-recreation-and-leisure-studies/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong parks, recreation & leisure studies education at a price that pays off.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 32 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for parks, recreation & leisure studies students.
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If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the parks, recreation & leisure studies degrees they offer, see the list below.
For return on investment in parks, recreation & leisure studies, no school beat Allan Hancock College this year. Allan Hancock College is a large public school located in the city of Santa Maria. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,156, with out-of-state students paying around $9,892. Median earnings reach $42,786 ten years out.
California State University Fresno is a great value for students pursuing a degree in parks, recreation & leisure studies, landing the #2 spot this year. Set in the city of Fresno, California State University Fresno is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $7,341 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $19,941. Typical student debt for parks, recreation & leisure studies graduates is $14,061. Soon after graduation, parks, recreation & leisure studies degree recipients from California State University Fresno generally make around $32,697. That is a strong return on a $14,061 median debt. The acceptance rate is 95%.
California State University Long Beach is a great value for students pursuing a degree in parks, recreation & leisure studies, landing the #3 spot this year. California State University Long Beach is a very large public school located in the city of Long Beach. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,374, compared with $19,974 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for parks, recreation & leisure studies graduates is $14,500. Parks, Recreation & Leisure Studies graduates of California State University Long Beach earn a median of $35,532 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 46%.
Students looking for strong value in parks, recreation & leisure studies will find it at California State University Sacramento, which ranked #4. Located in the city of Sacramento, California State University Sacramento is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $8,018, with out-of-state students paying around $20,618. Parks, Recreation & Leisure Studies graduates carry a median of $20,024 in student loans. Soon after graduation, parks, recreation & leisure studies degree recipients from California State University Sacramento generally make around $40,338. That is a strong return on a $20,024 median debt. The acceptance rate is 94%.
A rank of #5 makes California State University East Bay one of the best values for parks, recreation & leisure studies. Located in the suburb of Hayward, California State University East Bay is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,583, while out-of-state students pay about $20,183. Parks, Recreation & Leisure Studies graduates carry a median of $20,306 in student loans. Soon after graduation, parks, recreation & leisure studies degree recipients from California State University East Bay generally make around $43,700. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 97% of applicants are accepted.
San Jose State University ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best value parks, recreation & leisure studies schools. Located in the city of San Jose, San Jose State University is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,410, with out-of-state students paying around $21,010. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $78,988. The acceptance rate is 85%.
California State University Chico landed the #7 spot for parks, recreation & leisure studies value this year. Located in the city of Chico, California State University Chico is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,472, while out-of-state students pay about $21,072. Typical student debt for parks, recreation & leisure studies graduates is $18,179. Early-career parks, recreation & leisure studies graduates make about $33,920. Set against $18,179 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 93% of applicants are accepted.
California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo earned the #8 position for value in parks, recreation & leisure studies this year. Located in the suburb of San Luis Obispo, California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $12,161, compared with $33,230 for out-of-state students. Parks, Recreation & Leisure Studies graduates carry a median of $16,369 in student loans. Parks, Recreation & Leisure Studies graduates of California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo earn a median of $39,157 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $16,369 median debt. California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo admits about 31% of applicants.
San Diego State University earned the #9 position for value in parks, recreation & leisure studies this year. Located in the city of San Diego, San Diego State University is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,728, compared with $21,328 for out-of-state students. Parks, Recreation & Leisure Studies graduates carry a median of $14,999 in student loans. Soon after graduation, parks, recreation & leisure studies degree recipients from San Diego State University generally make around $33,692. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 36%.
Southern Oregon University earned the #10 position for value in parks, recreation & leisure studies this year. Southern Oregon University is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Ashland. Students from in state pay about $12,762 in tuition and fees, compared with $31,887 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $24,951 to complete the parks, recreation & leisure studies program here. Early-career parks, recreation & leisure studies graduates make about $19,139. Set against $24,951 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 89%.
Western Washington University came in at #11 for value in parks, recreation & leisure studies this year. Located in the city of Bellingham, Western Washington University is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $9,582 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $28,707. Students borrow a median of $17,897 to complete the parks, recreation & leisure studies program here. Parks, Recreation & Leisure Studies graduates of Western Washington University earn a median of $27,558 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Western Washington University admits about 93% of applicants.
Oregon State University came in at #12 for value in parks, recreation & leisure studies this year. Oregon State University is a very large public school located in the city of Corvallis. In-state tuition and fees average $14,400, while out-of-state students pay about $38,190. Typical student debt for parks, recreation & leisure studies graduates is $22,500. Early-career parks, recreation & leisure studies graduates make about $34,451. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Oregon State University admits about 77% of applicants.
This list is compiled by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. Schools are scored on the balance of cost (tuition and student debt) against student outcomes (post-graduation earnings) — a measure of return on investment, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 32 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 11 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.