by our College Data Analytics Team
[Parks, Recreation & Leisure Studies](/majors/parks-recreation-fitness/parks-recreation-leisure-studies/parks-recreation-and-leisure-studies/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 25 schools to find the best return on investment 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.
Allan Hancock College earned the #1 spot for value among parks, recreation & leisure studies schools in California. 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, while out-of-state students pay about $9,892. Graduates go on to earn a median of $42,786 ten years after entry.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at California State University Fresno earned it the #2 place for parks, recreation & leisure studies. Located in the city of Fresno, California State University Fresno is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,341, while out-of-state students pay about $19,941. Parks, Recreation & Leisure Studies graduates carry a median of $14,061 in student loans. Soon after graduation, parks, recreation & leisure studies degree recipients from California State University Fresno generally make around $32,697. Set against $14,061 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 95% of applicants are accepted.
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. Located in the city of Long Beach, California State University Long Beach is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,374, compared with $19,974 for out-of-state students. Parks, Recreation & Leisure Studies graduates carry a median of $14,500 in student loans. Early-career parks, recreation & leisure studies graduates make about $35,532. Set against $14,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. California State University Long Beach admits about 46% of applicants.
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. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,018, while out-of-state students pay about $20,618. Parks, Recreation & Leisure Studies graduates carry a median of $20,024 in student loans. Parks, Recreation & Leisure Studies graduates of California State University Sacramento earn a median of $40,338 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $20,024 median debt. Roughly 94% of applicants are accepted.
Students looking for strong value in parks, recreation & leisure studies will find it at California State University East Bay, which ranked #5. Set in the suburb of Hayward, California State University East Bay is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,583, with out-of-state students paying around $20,183. Typical student debt for parks, recreation & leisure studies graduates is $20,306. 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. The acceptance rate is 97%.
San Jose State University earned the #6 position for value in parks, recreation & leisure studies this year. Located in the city of San Jose, San Jose State University is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $8,410 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $21,010. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $78,988. The acceptance rate is 85%.
California State University Chico earned the #7 position for value in parks, recreation & leisure studies this year. Located in the city of Chico, California State University Chico is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $8,472, with out-of-state students paying around $21,072. Typical student debt for parks, recreation & leisure studies graduates is $18,179. Parks, Recreation & Leisure Studies graduates of California State University Chico earn a median of $33,920 early in their careers. Set against $18,179 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 93%.
California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo placed #8 among the best values for parks, recreation & leisure studies. Set in the suburb of San Luis Obispo, California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $12,161, compared with $33,230 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $16,369 to complete the parks, recreation & leisure studies program here. 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. Roughly 31% of applicants are accepted.
San Diego State University landed the #9 spot for parks, recreation & leisure studies value this year. Located in the city of San Diego, San Diego State University is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $8,728, while out-of-state students pay about $21,328. Parks, Recreation & Leisure Studies graduates carry a median of $14,999 in student loans. Early-career parks, recreation & leisure studies graduates make about $33,692. Set against $14,999 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 36%.
This ranking is produced 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 · 25 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 9 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.