2023 Best Value Colleges for Parks, Recreation & Leisure Studies (Income $0-$30k) in the Far Western US Region
14
Ranked Colleges
787
Degrees Awarded
$9,600
Avg Net Price*
It’s not easy to decide which college to attend when there so many options available for students. At College Factual, we’re committed to helping you make that decision by providing information such as that found in our “Best Value Parks & Rec Schools in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $0-$30k” ranking.
Parks, Recreation & Leisure Studies is the 166th most popular major in the country with 3,106 degrees awarded in 2020-2021. In 2019-2020, parks, recreation and leisure studies graduates who were awarded their degree in 2017-2019, earned an average of $31,801 and had an average of $23,333 in loans still to pay off.
Across the Far Western US region, there were 787 parks, recreation and leisure studies graduates with average earnings and debt of $33,514 and $19,115 respectively.
This year’s “Best Value Parks & Rec Schools in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $0-$30k” ranking analyzed 14 colleges that offered a degree in parks, recreation and leisure studies. This ranking identifies schools with high-quality parks, recreation and leisure studies programs that also have a lower cost than schools of similar quality.
To come up with these rankings, we looked at factors such as the cost to attend the school after aid is awarded and overall quality of the parks, recreation and leisure studies program at the school. Check out our ranking methodology for more information.
More Ways to Rank Parks, Recreation & Leisure Studies Schools
Since picking the right college can be one of the most important decisions of your life, we’ve developed the “Best Value Parks & Rec Schools in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $0-$30k” ranking, along with many other major-related rankings, to help you make that decision.
To further help you make the college decision, we’ve developed a unique tool called College Combat that allows you to compare schools based on the factors that matter the most to you. Go ahead and give it a try, or bookmark the link so you can check it out later.
Best Value Parks & Rec Schools in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $0-$30k
The colleges and universities below are the best for far western us region parks & rec students whose families make $0-$30k.
Top 14 Best Value Colleges for Parks, Recreation & Leisure Studies (Income $0-$30k) in the Far Western US Region
Out of the 14 schools in the Best Value Parks & Rec Schools in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $0-$30k that were part of this year’s ranking, California State University - Long Beach landed the #1 spot on the list. Located in Long Beach, California, this large public school handed out 91 degrees to qualified ’s parks and rec students in 2020-2021.
In addition to being on our far western us region parks & rec students whose families make $0-$30k list, CSULB has also earned the #3 rank in our “Best Parks, Recreation & Leisure Studies Schools in the Far Western US Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for California State University - Long Beach is $6,663 for far western us region parks & rec students whose families make $0-$30k.
The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 89%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. The low undergrad student loan default rate of 2.4% 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 California State University - Long Beach Parks, Recreation & Leisure Studies Report
Out of the 14 schools in the Best Value Parks & Rec Schools in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $0-$30k that were part of this year’s ranking, California State University - Sacramento landed the #2 spot on the list. California State University - Sacramento is a large school located in Sacramento, California that handed out 100 ’s parks and rec degrees in 2020-2021.
Sac State also took the #5 spot in our “Best Parks, Recreation & Leisure Studies Schools in the Far Western US Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Sac State is $8,163 for far western us region parks & rec students whose families make $0-$30k.
The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 3.9%, which is quite low when compared to the national default 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 Making $0-$30k that were part of this year’s ranking, California State University - Fresno landed the #3 spot on the list. Fresno State is a public institution located in Fresno, California. The school has a large population, and it awarded 37 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.
In addition to being on our far western us region parks & rec students whose families make $0-$30k list, Fresno State has also earned the #9 rank 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 $3,859 for Far Western US Region Parks & Rec students whose families make $0-$30k.
Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 87%. The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 3.2%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.
Full Fresno State Parks, Recreation & Leisure Studies Report
You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend California Polytechnic State University - San Luis Obispo. The school came in at #4 for the Best Value Parks & Rec Schools in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $0-$30k. California Polytechnic State University - San Luis Obispo is a large school located in San Luis Obispo, California that handed out 119 ’s parks and rec degrees in 2020-2021.
In addition to being on our far western us region parks & rec students whose families make $0-$30k list, Cal Poly San Luis Obispo has also earned the #1 rank in our “Best Parks, Recreation & Leisure Studies Schools in the Far Western US Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend California Polytechnic State University - San Luis Obispo is $12,173 for far western us region parks & rec students whose families make $0-$30k.
The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 94%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 0.7%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.
Full Cal Poly San Luis Obispo Parks, Recreation & Leisure Studies Report
Out of the 14 schools in the Best Value Parks & Rec Schools in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $0-$30k that were part of this year’s ranking, California State University - Chico landed the #5 spot on the list. Chico State is a fairly large public school situated in Chico, California. It awarded 99 ’s parks and rec degrees in 2020-2021.
Chico State also took the #2 spot in our “Best Parks, Recreation & Leisure Studies Schools in the Far Western US Region” ranking. It costs about $11,754 for Far Western US Region Parks & Rec students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend California State University - Chico.
The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 4.0%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.
Full California State University - Chico Parks, Recreation & Leisure Studies Report
San Jose State University did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Parks & Rec Schools in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #6. Located in San Jose, California, this large public school awarded 40 diplomas to qualified ’s parks and rec students in 2020-2021.
San Jose State did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #4 on our “Best Parks, Recreation & Leisure Studies Schools in the Far Western US Region” list. The yearly cost to attend San Jose State University is $12,158 for Far Western US Region Parks & Rec students whose families make $0-$30k.
With a freshman retention rate of 86%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. The low undergrad student loan default rate of 2.9% 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%.
Read full report on Parks, Recreation & Leisure Studies at San Jose State
Western Washington University did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Parks & Rec Schools in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #7. This fairly large school is located in Bellingham, Washington, and it awarded 48 ’s parks and rec degrees in 2020-2021.
WWU also took the #6 spot in our “Best Parks, Recreation & Leisure Studies Schools in the Far Western US Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Western Washington University is $9,979 for far western us region parks & rec students whose families make $0-$30k.
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 Western Washington University
San Diego State University landed the #8 spot on the 2023 Best Value Parks & Rec Schools in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. This large school is located in San Diego, California, and it awarded 32 ’s parks and rec degrees in 2020-2021.
In addition to being on our far western us region parks & rec students whose families make $0-$30k list, SDSU has also earned the #8 rank in our “Best Parks, Recreation & Leisure Studies Schools in the Far Western US Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend SDSU is $7,169 for far western us region parks & rec students whose families make $0-$30k.
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%. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 89%.
Full San Diego State University Parks, Recreation & Leisure Studies Report
San Francisco State University ranked #9 on this year’s Best Value Parks & Rec Schools in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. San Francisco, California is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s parks and rec degrees to 46 students 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 $10,705 for far western us region parks & rec students whose families make $0-$30k.
The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 4.3%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.
Read full report on Parks, Recreation & Leisure Studies at SFSU
California State University - East Bay ranked #10 on this year’s Best Value Parks & Rec Schools in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. Cal State East Bay is a fairly large public school situated in Hayward, California. It awarded 31 ’s parks and rec degrees in 2020-2021.
Cal State East Bay also took the #11 spot in our “Best Parks, Recreation & Leisure Studies Schools in the Far Western US Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Cal State East Bay is $9,975 for far western us region parks & rec students whose families make $0-$30k.
The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 4.4%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.
Full Cal State East Bay Parks, Recreation & Leisure Studies Report
Eastern Washington University did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Parks & Rec Schools in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #11. Eastern Washington University is located in Cheney, Washington and, has a fairly large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 10 ’s parks and rec degrees to qualified students.
As a testament to the quality of education offered at EWU, the school also landed the #10 spot in our “Best Parks, Recreation & Leisure Studies Schools in the Far Western US Region” ranking. It costs about $7,657 for far western us region parks & rec students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend EWU.
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 more about Parks, Recreation & Leisure Studies at Eastern Washington University
Southern Oregon University ranked #12 on this year’s Best Value Parks & Rec Schools in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. This medium-sized school is located in Ashland, Oregon, and it awarded 27 ’s parks and rec degrees in 2020-2021.
Southern Oregon University also took the #13 spot in our “Best Parks, Recreation & Leisure Studies Schools in the Far Western US Region” ranking. It costs about $7,068 for Far Western US Region Parks & Rec students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend Southern Oregon University.
Read full report on Parks, Recreation & Leisure Studies at Southern Oregon University
Oregon State University did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Parks & Rec Schools in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #13. Oregon State is a public institution located in Corvallis, Oregon. The school has a large population, and it awarded 14 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.
Oregon State also took the #12 spot in our “Best Parks, Recreation & Leisure Studies Schools in the Far Western US Region” ranking. It costs about $15,242 for Far Western US Region Parks & Rec students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend Oregon State.
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%. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 85%.
Read more about Parks, Recreation & Leisure Studies at Oregon State University
Humboldt State University did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Parks & Rec Schools in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #14. Arcata, California is the setting for this medium-sized institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s parks and rec degrees to 31 students in 2020-2021.
As a testament to the quality of education offered at Humboldt State University, the school also landed the #14 spot in our “Best Parks, Recreation & Leisure Studies Schools in the Far Western US Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Humboldt State University is $11,473 for Far Western US Region Parks & Rec students whose families make $0-$30k.
Read more about Parks, Recreation & Leisure Studies at Humboldt State University
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Best Parks, Recreation & Leisure Studies Schools in the Far Western US Region
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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)
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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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