2026 Best Parks, Recreation & Leisure Studies Schools in California
Parks, Recreation & Leisure Studies is a field worth a close look when choosing where to study. The schools below stand out for the quality of their parks, recreation & leisure studies programs.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 25 schools to find the best for parks, recreation & leisure studies students.
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Best Schools for Parks, Recreation & Leisure Studies in California
If you are not interested in a particular degree level and want to know which schools are the overall best at delivering an education for the parks, recreation & leisure studies degrees they offer, see the list below.
Top Schools in Parks, Recreation & Leisure Studies
No school ranked higher than California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo this year 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. The six-year graduation rate is 86%. California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo awarded about 93 parks, recreation & leisure studies degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the parks, recreation & leisure studies program make about $39,157 in their early career. California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo graduates carry a median of $16,369 in student loans.
Get the full parks, recreation & leisure studies details for California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo
Students looking for a strong parks, recreation & leisure studies program will find one at California State University Sacramento, which ranked #2. This very large public university is located in the city of Sacramento. California State University Sacramento graduates 56% of students within six years. California State University Sacramento awarded about 69 parks, recreation & leisure studies degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their parks, recreation & leisure studies degree from California State University Sacramento earn around $40,338 in the first couple years of their career. California State University Sacramento graduates carry a median of $20,024 in student loans.
More information about a degree in parks, recreation & leisure studies from California State University Sacramento
Students looking for a strong parks, recreation & leisure studies program will find one at San Jose State University, which ranked #3. Located in the city of San Jose, San Jose State University is a very large public university. San Jose State University graduates 69% of students within six years. San Jose State University awarded about 21 parks, recreation & leisure studies degrees in the most recent data year.
Read more about the parks, recreation & leisure studies program at San Jose State University
San Diego State University is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in parks, recreation & leisure studies, landing the #4 spot this year. San Diego State University is a very large public school located in the city of San Diego. Roughly 76% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 14 parks, recreation & leisure studies students who graduated with this degree at San Diego State University in the most recent data year. Parks, Recreation & Leisure Studies graduates of San Diego State University earn a median of $33,692 early in their careers. San Diego State University graduates carry a median of $14,999 in student loans.
More information about a degree in parks, recreation & leisure studies from San Diego State University
California State University East Bay is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in parks, recreation & leisure studies, landing the #5 spot this year. Located in the suburb of Hayward, California State University East Bay is a large public university. Roughly 48% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 30 parks, recreation & leisure studies students who graduated with this degree at California State University East Bay in the most recent data year. Graduates of the parks, recreation & leisure studies program make about $43,700 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $20,306 to complete this degree.
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California State University Fresno placed #6 among the best parks, recreation & leisure studies schools. Set in the city of Fresno, California State University Fresno is a very large public institution. Roughly 57% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 33 parks, recreation & leisure studies degrees were awarded at California State University Fresno in the most recent year. Parks, Recreation & Leisure Studies graduates of California State University Fresno earn a median of $32,697 early in their careers. California State University Fresno graduates carry a median of $14,061 in student loans.
More information about a degree in parks, recreation & leisure studies from California State University Fresno
California State University Long Beach placed #7 among the best parks, recreation & leisure studies schools. Located in the city of Long Beach, California State University Long Beach is a very large public university. California State University Long Beach graduates 69% of students within six years. About 48 parks, recreation & leisure studies degrees were awarded at California State University Long Beach in the most recent year. Parks, Recreation & Leisure Studies graduates of California State University Long Beach earn a median of $35,532 early in their careers. California State University Long Beach graduates carry a median of $14,500 in student loans.
Read more about the parks, recreation & leisure studies program at California State University Long Beach
California State University Chico placed #8 among the best parks, recreation & leisure studies schools. Located in the city of Chico, California State University Chico is a large public university. California State University Chico graduates 63% of students within six years. California State University Chico awarded about 49 parks, recreation & leisure studies degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, parks, recreation & leisure studies degree recipients from California State University Chico generally make around $33,920. Students borrow a median of $18,179 to complete this degree.
See the full parks, recreation & leisure studies program report for California State University Chico
Allan Hancock College ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the best parks, recreation & leisure studies schools. Set in the city of Santa Maria, Allan Hancock College is a large public institution. There were roughly 24 parks, recreation & leisure studies students who graduated with this degree at Allan Hancock College in the most recent data year.
More information about a degree in parks, recreation & leisure studies from Allan Hancock College
More Parks, Recreation & Leisure Studies Rankings
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Notes and References
The ranking above is published by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. Schools are scored on a blend of student outcomes (graduation rate, post-graduation earnings), affordability, and program focus, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Top Ranked · 25 schools evaluated.
- 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).
More about our data sources and methodologies.
