2024 Best Parks, Recreation & Leisure Studies Schools in California
10
Colleges in California
678
Parks & Rec Degrees Awarded
$37,222
Avg Early-Career Salary
When it comes to popularity,
parks, recreation & leisure studies sits in the middle of the road, ranking #166 out of 395 majors in the country. As such, the degree program isn't offered at every college in the United States, but there are schools that do have a program in the field that are top-notch when it comes to quality.
In 2024, College Factual analyzed 10 schools in order to identify the top ones for its Best Parks, Recreation & Leisure Studies Schools in California ranking. When you put them all together, these colleges and universities awarded 678 degrees in parks, recreation & leisure studies during the 2020-2021 academic year.
Jump to one of the following sections: * Degree-Level Rankings
Choosing a Great Parks, Recreation & Leisure Studies School
The parks & rec program you select can have a big impact on your future. That's why we developed our collection of Best Schools for Parks, Recreation & Leisure Studies rankings. We derive our Best Overall Parks, Recreation & Leisure Studies School rankings by rolling up our degree-level rankings after weighting them by the number of degrees awarded at each school.
You may want to choose one of the degree levels below to find the schools of most interest to you.
Parks, Recreation & Leisure Studies Rankings by Degree Level
Since picking the right college can be one of the most important decisions of your life, we've developed the Best Parks, Recreation & Leisure Studies Schools in California ranking, along with many other major-related rankings, to help you make that decision.
You can also filter this list by location to find schools closer to you.
In addition to College Factual's rankings, you may want to take a look at College Combat, our unique tool that lets you pit your favorite schools head-to-head and compare how they rate on factors that most interest you.
When you have some time, check it out - you may want to bookmark the link so you don't forget it.
More information on how we come up with our rankings can be found here: College Factual's Data Methodology.
Best Schools for Parks, Recreation & Leisure Studies in California
Although we recommend filtering by degree level first, you can view the list below to see which schools give the educational experience for the parks & rec degree levels they offer.
10 Top California Schools in Parks & Rec
It's hard to beat California State University - Long Beach if you wish to pursue a degree in parks, recreation & leisure studies. CSULB is a fairly large public university located in the city of Long Beach. A Best Colleges rank of #186 out of 2,217 schools nationwide means CSULB is a great university overall.
There were roughly 91 parks, recreation & leisure studies students who graduated with this degree at CSULB in the most recent year we have data available. Soon after graduating, parks & rec degree recipients typically make about $34,586 in the first five years of their career.
More information about a degree in parks, recreation & leisure studies from California State University - Long Beach
It is hard to beat California Polytechnic State University - San Luis Obispo if you want to pursue a degree in parks, recreation & leisure studies. Located in the small suburb of San Luis Obispo, Cal Poly San Luis Obispo is a public university with a fairly large student population. A Best Colleges rank of #95 out of 2,217 schools nationwide means Cal Poly San Luis Obispo is a great university overall.
There were about 119 parks, recreation & leisure studies students who graduated with this degree at Cal Poly San Luis Obispo in the most recent year we have data available. Degree recipients from the parks, recreation & leisure studies degree program at California Polytechnic State University - San Luis Obispo make $15,478 above the standard graduate with the same degree shortly after graduation.
More information about a degree in parks, recreation & leisure studies from California Polytechnic State University - San Luis Obispo
California State University - Chico is a good choice for students interested in a degree in parks, recreation & leisure studies. Located in the city of Chico, Chico State is a public university with a fairly large student population. This university ranks 79th out of 168 schools for overall quality in the state of California.
There were approximately 99 parks, recreation & leisure studies students who graduated with this degree at Chico State in the most recent data year. Students who graduate with their degree from the parks & rec program state that they receive average early career income of $34,427.
More information about a degree in parks, recreation & leisure studies from California State University - Chico
It is difficult to beat San Jose State University if you want to pursue a degree in parks, recreation & leisure studies. San Jose State is a fairly large public university located in the city of San Jose. A Best Colleges rank of #161 out of 2,217 colleges nationwide means San Jose State is a great university overall.
There were about 40 parks, recreation & leisure studies students who graduated with this degree at San Jose State in the most recent year we have data available. Degree recipients from the parks, recreation & leisure studies major at San Jose State University earn $2,438 above the standard graduate with the same degree shortly after graduation.
More information about a degree in parks, recreation & leisure studies from San Jose State University
Located in the large city of Sacramento, Sac State is a public university with a fairly large student population. This university ranks 39th out of 168 colleges for overall quality in the state of California.
There were approximately 100 parks, recreation & leisure studies students who graduated with this degree at Sac State in the most recent year we have data available. Students who graduate with their degree from the parks & rec program report average early career income of $35,960.
More information about a degree in parks, recreation & leisure studies from California State University - Sacramento
SFSU is a very large public university located in the city of San Francisco. A Best Colleges rank of #204 out of 2,217 schools nationwide means SFSU is a great university overall.
There were about 46 parks, recreation & leisure studies students who graduated with this degree at SFSU in the most recent year we have data available. After graduating, parks & rec degree recipients generally make around $33,087 in the first five years of their career.
More information about a degree in parks, recreation & leisure studies from San Francisco State University
Located in the large suburb of Hayward, Cal State East Bay is a public university with a large student population. This university ranks 61st out of 168 colleges for overall quality in the state of California.
There were roughly 31 parks, recreation & leisure studies students who graduated with this degree at Cal State East Bay in the most recent data year. After graduation, parks & rec degree recipients usually make an average of $37,905 at the beginning of their careers.
More information about a degree in parks, recreation & leisure studies from California State University - East Bay
Fresno State is a very large public university located in the city of Fresno. This university ranks 74th out of 168 colleges for overall quality in the state of California.
There were roughly 37 parks, recreation & leisure studies students who graduated with this degree at Fresno State in the most recent data year. Students who graduate with their degree from the parks & rec program report average early career earnings of $34,067.
More information about a degree in parks, recreation & leisure studies from California State University - Fresno
SDSU is a fairly large public university located in the large city of San Diego. A Best Colleges rank of #141 out of 2,217 colleges nationwide means SDSU is a great university overall.
There were approximately 32 parks, recreation & leisure studies students who graduated with this degree at SDSU in the most recent year we have data available. Graduates who receive their degree from the parks & rec program earn about $32,608 in the first couple years of working.
More information about a degree in parks, recreation & leisure studies from San Diego State University
Bachelor's Degree
Highest Degree Type
9th
Most Popular In CA
31
Parks & Rec Degrees Awarded
Humboldt State University is a moderately-sized public university located in the town of Arcata. This university ranks 126th out of 168 colleges for overall quality in the state of California.
There were about 31 parks, recreation & leisure studies students who graduated with this degree at Humboldt State University in the most recent data year.
More information about a degree in parks, recreation & leisure studies from Humboldt State University
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