2023 Best Value Colleges for Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies (Income $0-$30k) in California
29
Ranked Colleges
11,772
Degrees Awarded
$10,000
Avg Net Price*
When pursuing a degree in today’s world, students have many different options to choose from. College Factual has developed its “Best Value Parks & Rec Schools in California For Those Making $0-$30k” ranking as one item you can use to help make this decision.
In 2020-2021, 73,813 people earned their degree in parks, recreation, leisure, and fitness studies, making the major the 15th most popular in the United States. In 2019-2020, parks, recreation, leisure, and fitness studies graduates who were awarded their degree in 2017-2019, earned an average of $31,423 and had an average of $24,388 in loans still to pay off.
Across California, there were 11,772 parks, recreation, leisure, and fitness studies graduates with average earnings and debt of $32,218 and $19,856 respectively.
This year’s “Best Value Parks & Rec Schools in California For Those Making $0-$30k” ranking looked at 29 colleges that offer degrees in a bachelor’s in parks, recreation, leisure, and fitness studies. This ranking identifies schools with high-quality parks, recreation, leisure, and fitness 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, leisure, and fitness studies program at the school. Check out our ranking methodology for more information.
One Size Does Not Fit All
The parks & rec school you choose to invest your time and money in matters. To help you make the decision that is right for you, we’ve developed a number of major-specific rankings, including this list of “Best Value Parks & Rec Schools in California For Those Making $0-$30k”.
You can create your own custom comparison that focuses on the factors most important to you using our tool, College Combat. Test it out by comparing your favorite schools against others you are considering, or bookmark the tool so you can experiment with it later.
Best Value Parks & Rec Schools in California For Those Making $0-$30k
The following schools top our list of the Best Best Value Parks & Rec Schools in California For Those Making $0-$30k.
Top 25 Best Value Colleges for Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies (Income $0-$30k) in California
Out of the 29 schools in the Best Value Parks & Rec Schools in California For Those Making $0-$30k that were part of this year’s ranking, California State University - Los Angeles landed the #1 spot on the list. California State University - Los Angeles is located in Los Angeles, California and, has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 339 ’s parks and rec degrees to qualified students.
Cal State LA did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #16 on our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Schools in California” list. The estimated yearly cost for California State University - Los Angeles is $1,887 for california parks & rec students whose families make $0-$30k.
The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 3.6%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.
Read full report on Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies at Cal State LA
You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Mt. San Antonio College. The school came in at #2 for the Best Value Parks & Rec Schools in California For Those Making $0-$30k. This large school is located in Walnut, California, and it awarded 521 ’s parks and rec degrees in 2020-2021.
Mt. SAC did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #21 on our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Schools in California” list. It costs about $2,412 for california parks & rec students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend Mt. San Antonio College.
Read more about Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies at Mt. San Antonio College
You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend California State University - Fresno. The school came in at #3 for the Best Value Parks & Rec Schools in California For Those Making $0-$30k. This large school is located in Fresno, California, and it awarded 323 ’s parks and rec degrees in 2020-2021.
Fresno State also made our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Schools in California” list, coming in at #14. It costs about $3,859 for California Parks & Rec students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend California State University - Fresno.
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 more about Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies at Fresno State
You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend California State University - Fullerton. The school came in at #4 for the Best Value Parks & Rec Schools in California For Those Making $0-$30k. Cal State Fullerton is located in Fullerton, California and, has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 581 ’s parks and rec degrees to qualified students.
Cal State Fullerton did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #10 on our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Schools in California” list. The yearly cost to attend California State University - Fullerton is $4,590 for california parks & rec students whose families make $0-$30k.
The low undergrad student loan default rate of 2.5% 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%. With a freshman retention rate of 89%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.
Read more about Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies at California State University - Fullerton
You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend California State University - Long Beach. It ranked #5 on our 2023 Best Value Parks & Rec Schools in California For Those Making $0-$30k list. California State University - Long Beach is a public institution located in Long Beach, California. The school has a large population, and it awarded 491 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.
CSULB did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #7 on our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Schools in California” list. It costs about $6,663 for California Parks & Rec students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend California State University - Long Beach.
The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 2.4%, 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%.
Read full report on Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies at California State University - Long Beach
California State University - Dominguez Hills ranked #6 on this year’s Best Value Parks & Rec Schools in California For Those Making $0-$30k list. Carson, California is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s parks and rec degrees to 163 students in 2020-2021.
CSUDH not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #25 on our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Schools in California” list. It costs about $2,657 for California Parks & Rec students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend California State University - Dominguez Hills.
The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 4.1%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.
Read more about Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies at CSUDH
San Diego State University ranked #7 on this year’s Best Value Parks & Rec Schools in California For Those Making $0-$30k list. San Diego State University is a large school located in San Diego, California that handed out 454 ’s parks and rec degrees in 2020-2021.
SDSU did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #3 on our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Schools in California” list. The yearly cost to attend San Diego State University is $7,169 for california 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 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%.
Full SDSU Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Report
California State University - Sacramento did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Parks & Rec Schools in California For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #8. This large school is located in Sacramento, California, and it awarded 404 ’s parks and rec degrees in 2020-2021.
As a testament to the quality of education offered at Sac State, the school also landed the #8 spot in our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Schools in California” ranking. It costs about $8,163 for california parks & rec students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend California State University - Sacramento.
The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 3.9%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.
Read more about Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies at Sac State
California State University - Northridge came in at #9 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Parks & Rec Schools in California For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. California State University - Northridge is a large school located in Northridge, California that handed out 495 ’s parks and rec degrees in 2020-2021.
CSUN did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #17 on our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Schools in California” list. The yearly cost to attend CSUN is $6,266 for california parks & rec students whose families make $0-$30k.
The low undergrad student loan default rate of 3.7% 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 more about Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies at California State University - Northridge
California State University - San Bernardino ranked #10 on this year’s Best Value Parks & Rec Schools in California For Those Making $0-$30k list. CSUSB is located in San Bernardino, California and, has a fairly large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 202 ’s parks and rec degrees to qualified students.
As a testament to the quality of education offered at CSUSB, the school also landed the #24 spot in our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Schools in California” ranking. The yearly cost to attend CSUSB is $5,985 for California Parks & Rec students whose families make $0-$30k.
With a freshman retention rate of 85%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. 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, & Fitness Studies at California State University - San Bernardino
California Polytechnic State University - San Luis Obispo did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Parks & Rec Schools in California For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #11. This large school is located in San Luis Obispo, California, and it awarded 227 ’s parks and rec degrees in 2020-2021.
Cal Poly San Luis Obispo not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #1 on our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Schools in California” list. It costs about $12,173 for california parks & rec students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend California Polytechnic State University - San Luis Obispo.
With a freshman retention rate of 94%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. 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%.
Read full report on Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies at Cal Poly San Luis Obispo
California State University - Stanislaus came in at #12 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Parks & Rec Schools in California For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. California State University - Stanislaus is a fairly large public school situated in Turlock, California. It awarded 107 ’s parks and rec degrees in 2020-2021.
It costs about $4,122 for California Parks & Rec students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend California State University - Stanislaus.
The low undergrad student loan default rate of 3.3% 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 87%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.
Full California State University - Stanislaus Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Report
California State University - Chico ranked #13 on this year’s Best Value Parks & Rec Schools in California For Those Making $0-$30k list. Chico State is a fairly large school located in Chico, California that handed out 325 ’s parks and rec degrees in 2020-2021.
Chico State not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #6 on our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Schools in California” list. The estimated yearly cost for California State University - Chico is $11,754 for California Parks & Rec students whose families make $0-$30k.
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%.
Read full report on Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies at California State University - Chico
San Jose State University did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Parks & Rec Schools in California For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #14. Located in San Jose, California, this large public school handed out 290 degrees to qualified ’s parks and rec students in 2020-2021.
San Jose State not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #4 on our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Schools in California” list. The yearly cost to attend San Jose State is $12,158 for california parks & rec students whose families make $0-$30k.
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%. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 86%.
Read full report on Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies at San Jose State University
California State University - East Bay came in at #15 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Parks & Rec Schools in California For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Cal State East Bay is a public institution located in Hayward, California. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 239 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.
As a testament to the quality of education offered at Cal State East Bay, the school also landed the #19 spot in our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Schools in California” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Cal State East Bay is $9,975 for california parks & rec students whose families make $0-$30k.
The low undergrad student loan default rate of 4.4% 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 - East Bay Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Report
California State University - San Marcos came in at #16 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Parks & Rec Schools in California For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. California State University - San Marcos is a fairly large school located in San Marcos, California that handed out 183 ’s parks and rec degrees in 2020-2021.
CSUSM also made our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Schools in California” list, coming in at #12. It costs about $9,397 for California Parks & Rec students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend CSUSM.
The low undergrad student loan default rate of 3.3% 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, & Fitness Studies at CSUSM
California State Polytechnic University - Pomona ranked #17 on this year’s Best Value Parks & Rec Schools in California For Those Making $0-$30k list. California State Polytechnic University - Pomona is a large school located in Pomona, California that handed out 201 ’s parks and rec degrees in 2020-2021.
In addition to being on our california parks & rec students whose families make $0-$30k list, Cal Poly Pomona has also earned the #20 rank in our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Schools in California” ranking. The yearly cost to attend California State Polytechnic University - Pomona is $10,349 for California 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 low undergrad student loan default rate of 2.6% 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 Polytechnic University - Pomona Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Report
San Francisco State University landed the #18 spot on the 2023 Best Value Parks & Rec Schools in California For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. San Francisco State University is located in San Francisco, California and, has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 274 ’s parks and rec degrees to qualified students.
SFSU did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #13 on our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Schools in California” list. It costs about $10,705 for california parks & rec students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend SFSU.
The low undergrad student loan default rate of 4.3% 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 San Francisco State University Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Report
California State University - Monterey Bay came in at #19 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Parks & Rec Schools in California For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. CSUMB is located in Seaside, California and, has a medium-sized student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 154 ’s parks and rec degrees to qualified students.
The estimated yearly cost for California State University - Monterey Bay is $9,192 for California Parks & Rec students whose families make $0-$30k.
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, & Fitness Studies at California State University - Monterey Bay
Sonoma State University came in at #20 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Parks & Rec Schools in California For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. This medium-sized school is located in Rohnert Park, California, and it awarded 91 ’s parks and rec degrees in 2020-2021.
SSU did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #23 on our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Schools in California” list. The estimated yearly cost for Sonoma State University is $12,803 for california parks & rec students whose families make $0-$30k.
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%.
Full SSU Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Report
Humboldt State University did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Parks & Rec Schools in California For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #21. Located in Arcata, California, this medium-sized public school awarded 129 diplomas to qualified ’s parks and rec students in 2020-2021.
The estimated yearly cost for Humboldt State University is $11,473 for California Parks & Rec students whose families make $0-$30k.
Read more about Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies at Humboldt State University
Concordia University, Irvine came in at #22 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Parks & Rec Schools in California For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Irvine, California is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out ’s parks and rec degrees to 438 students in 2020-2021.
Concordia University, Irvine also made our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Schools in California” list, coming in at #2. It costs about $23,512 for california parks & rec students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend Concordia University, Irvine.
The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 2.9%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.
Read full report on Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies at Concordia University, Irvine
With a ranking of #23, California Baptist University did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Parks & Rec Schools in California For Those Making $0-$30k list. Riverside, California is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out ’s parks and rec degrees to 280 students in 2020-2021.
Cal Baptist also made our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Schools in California” list, coming in at #9. The yearly cost to attend California Baptist University is $21,769 for California Parks & Rec students whose families make $0-$30k.
The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 3.1%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.
Full Cal Baptist Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Report
Whittier College ranked #24 on this year’s Best Value Parks & Rec Schools in California For Those Making $0-$30k list. Whittier is located in Whittier, California and, has a small student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 53 ’s parks and rec degrees to qualified students.
Whittier also took the #22 spot in our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Schools in California” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Whittier is $20,807 for california parks & rec students whose families make $0-$30k.
The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 2.5%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.
Full Whittier Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Report
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