2023 Best Value Colleges for Parks, Recreation & Leisure Studies (Income $48-$75k) in the Far Western US Region
14
Ranked Colleges
787
Degrees Awarded
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 $48-$75k” 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.
For this year’s “Best Value Parks & Rec Schools in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $48-$75k” ranking, we looked at 14 colleges that offer 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. For more information, check out our ranking methodology.
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 $48-$75k” ranking, along with many other major-related rankings, to help you make that 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. When you have some time, check it out - you may want to bookmark the link so you don’t forget it.
Best Value Parks & Rec Schools in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $48-$75k
The following schools top our list of the Best Best Value Parks & Rec Schools in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $48-$75k.
Top 14 Best Value Colleges for Parks, Recreation & Leisure Studies (Income $48-$75k) 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 $48-$75k that were part of this year’s ranking, California State University - Long Beach landed the #1 spot on the list. This large school is located in Long Beach, California, and it awarded 91 ’s parks and rec degrees in 2020-2021.
CSULB did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #3 on our “Best Parks, Recreation & Leisure Studies Schools in the Far Western US Region” list. It costs about $11,189 for far western us region parks & rec students whose families make $48-$75k per year to attend CSULB.
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%. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 89%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.
Read full report on Parks, Recreation & Leisure Studies at CSULB
You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend California State University - Sacramento. It ranked #2 on our 2023 Best Value Parks & Rec Schools in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $48-$75k list. Located in Sacramento, California, this large public school handed out 100 degrees to qualified ’s parks and rec students in 2020-2021.
Sac State did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #5 on our “Best Parks, Recreation & Leisure Studies Schools in the Far Western US Region” list. The estimated yearly cost for Sac State is $12,602 for Far Western US Region Parks & Rec students whose families make $48-$75k.
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 full report on 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 $48-$75k that were part of this year’s ranking, California State University - Fresno landed the #3 spot on the list. California State University - Fresno is a large school located in Fresno, California that handed out 37 ’s parks and rec degrees in 2020-2021.
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. It costs about $8,030 for far western us region parks & rec students whose families make $48-$75k per year to attend Fresno State.
Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 87%. The low undergrad student loan default rate of 3.2% 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 Fresno State
You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend California State University - Chico. The school came in at #4 for the Best Value Parks & Rec Schools in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $48-$75k. California State University - Chico is located in Chico, California and, has a fairly large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 99 ’s parks and rec degrees to qualified students.
Chico State also took the #2 spot in our “Best Parks, Recreation & Leisure Studies Schools in the Far Western US Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for California State University - Chico is $16,738 for Far Western US Region Parks & Rec students whose families make $48-$75k.
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
Out of the 14 schools in the Best Value Parks & Rec Schools in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $48-$75k that were part of this year’s ranking, San Jose State University landed the #5 spot on the list. San Jose State University is located in San Jose, California and, has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 40 ’s parks and rec degrees to qualified students.
San Jose State not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #4 on our “Best Parks, Recreation & Leisure Studies Schools in the Far Western US Region” list. It costs about $17,338 for far western us region parks & rec students whose families make $48-$75k per year to attend San Jose State University.
The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 86%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 2.9%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.
Read full report on Parks, Recreation & Leisure Studies at San Jose State University
With a ranking of #6, California Polytechnic State University - San Luis Obispo did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Parks & Rec Schools in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $48-$75k list. 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.
Cal Poly San Luis Obispo also took the #1 spot in our “Best Parks, Recreation & Leisure Studies Schools in the Far Western US Region” ranking. It costs about $17,340 for Far Western US Region Parks & Rec students whose families make $48-$75k per year to attend California Polytechnic State University - San Luis Obispo.
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
Western Washington University came in at #7 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Parks & Rec Schools in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. WWU 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.
As a testament to the quality of education offered at WWU, the school also landed the #6 spot in our “Best Parks, Recreation & Leisure Studies Schools in the Far Western US Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Western Washington University is $16,819 for far western us region parks & rec students whose families make $48-$75k.
The low undergrad student loan default rate of 1.7% 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 WWU
With a ranking of #7, Southern Oregon University did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Parks & Rec Schools in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $48-$75k list. Southern Oregon University is a medium-sized school located in Ashland, Oregon that handed out 27 ’s parks and rec degrees in 2020-2021.
Southern Oregon University did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #13 on our “Best Parks, Recreation & Leisure Studies Schools in the Far Western US Region” list. The yearly cost to attend Southern Oregon University is $11,223 for Far Western US Region Parks & Rec students whose families make $48-$75k.
Read more about Parks, Recreation & Leisure Studies at Southern Oregon University
With a ranking of #9, San Diego State University did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Parks & Rec Schools in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $48-$75k list. SDSU is a public institution located in San Diego, California. The school has a large population, and it awarded 32 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.
SDSU not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #8 on our “Best Parks, Recreation & Leisure Studies Schools in the Far Western US Region” list. It costs about $14,698 for Far Western US Region Parks & Rec students whose families make $48-$75k per year to attend SDSU.
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 school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 2.2%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.
Read full report on Parks, Recreation & Leisure Studies at San Diego State University
Eastern Washington University did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Parks & Rec Schools in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $48-$75k ranking, coming in at #10. Located in Cheney, Washington, this fairly large public school handed out 10 diplomas to qualified ’s parks and rec students in 2020-2021.
EWU did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #10 on our “Best Parks, Recreation & Leisure Studies Schools in the Far Western US Region” list. The estimated yearly cost for EWU is $12,224 for Far Western US Region Parks & Rec students whose families make $48-$75k.
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%.
Read full report on Parks, Recreation & Leisure Studies at Eastern Washington University
With a ranking of #11, California State University - East Bay did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Parks & Rec Schools in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $48-$75k 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 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. It costs about $15,615 for far western us region parks & rec students whose families make $48-$75k per year to attend Cal State East Bay.
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
San Francisco State University did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Parks & Rec Schools in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $48-$75k ranking, coming in at #12. SFSU is a large school located in San Francisco, California that handed out 46 ’s parks and rec degrees in 2020-2021.
SFSU did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #7 on our “Best Parks, Recreation & Leisure Studies Schools in the Far Western US Region” list. The estimated yearly cost for SFSU is $16,065 for Far Western US Region Parks & Rec students whose families make $48-$75k.
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
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 Making $48-$75k 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.
Humboldt State University also took the #14 spot in our “Best Parks, Recreation & Leisure Studies Schools in the Far Western US Region” ranking. It costs about $16,716 for Far Western US Region Parks & Rec students whose families make $48-$75k per year to attend Humboldt State University.
Read full report on Parks, Recreation & Leisure Studies at Humboldt State University
Oregon State University landed the #14 spot on the 2023 Best Value Parks & Rec Schools in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. Oregon State University is located in Corvallis, Oregon and, has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 14 ’s parks and rec degrees to qualified students.
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 $21,716 for far western us region parks & rec students whose families make $48-$75k.
The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 2.8%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%. With a freshman retention rate of 85%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.
Full Oregon State University Parks, Recreation & Leisure Studies Report
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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)
Parks, Recreation & Leisure Studies students getting aid in the Far Western US Region
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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
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Parks, Recreation & Leisure Studies students in the Far Western US Region
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Parks, Recreation & Leisure Studies students in the Far Western US Region
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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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