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2022 Best Value Master’s Degree Colleges for Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies (Income $30-$48k) in California

20 Ranked Colleges
1,150 Degrees Awarded
$20,100 Avg Grad Tuition & Fees*
Best Value Parks & Rec Schools for a Master's in California For Those Making $30-$48k

Students have lots of options to chooose from today when trying to decide which college to attend. 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 for a Master’s in California For Those Making $30-$48k” ranking.

In 2019-2020, 72,122 people earned their degree in parks, recreation, leisure, and fitness studies, making the major the 15th most popular in the United States. In 2017-2018, parks, recreation, leisure, and fitness studies graduates who were awarded their degree in 2015-2017, earned an average of $29,823 and had an average of $24,576 in loans still to pay off.

Across California, there were 11,357 parks, recreation, leisure, and fitness studies graduates with average earnings and debt of $30,588 and $23,018 respectively. At the master’s degree level specifically, there were 1,150 parks, recreation, leisure, and fitness studies graduates with average earnings and debt of $60,281 and $50,119 respectively.

This year’s “Best Value Parks & Rec Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Making $30-$48k” ranking analyzed 20 colleges that offered a degree 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.

Some of the factors we look at when determining these rankings are overall quality of the parks, recreation, leisure, and fitness studies program at the school and the cost of the school after aid is awarded among other things. See our ranking methodology to learn more.

More Ways to Rank Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Schools

Since the program you select can have a significant impact on your future, we’ve developed a number of rankings, including this “Best Value Parks & Rec Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Making $30-$48k” list, to help you choose the best school for you.

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. 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 for a Master’s in California For Those Making $30-$48k

The colleges and universities below are the best for california master’s degree parks & rec students whose families make $30-$48k.

Top 20 Best Value Master’s Degree Colleges for Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies (Income $30-$48k) in California

#19 in overall quality

Out of the 20 schools in the Best Value Parks & Rec Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Making $30-$48k 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 a large public school situated in Los Angeles, California. It awarded 9 masters’s parks and rec degrees in 2019-2020.

Cal State LA also made our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Master’s Degree Schools in California” list, coming in at #19. Average graduate tuition and fees at California State University - Los Angeles are $17,723, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Full California State University - Los Angeles Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Report

#4 in overall quality

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend California State University - Long Beach. It ranked #2 on our 2022 Best Value Parks & Rec Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Making $30-$48k list. California State University - Long Beach is located in Long Beach, California and, has a large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 120 masters’s parks and rec degrees to qualified students.

CSULB also took the #4 spot in our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Master’s Degree Schools in California” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at CSULB are $17,784, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Full CSULB Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Report

#10 in overall quality

Out of the 20 schools in the Best Value Parks & Rec Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Making $30-$48k that were part of this year’s ranking, California State University - Fullerton landed the #3 spot on the list. This large school is located in Fullerton, California, and it awarded 36 masters’s parks and rec degrees in 2019-2020.

Cal State Fullerton did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #10 on our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Master’s Degree Schools in California” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at California State University - Fullerton are $17,892, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read more about Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies at Cal State Fullerton

#14 in overall quality

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend California State University - Fresno. The school came in at #4 for the Best Value Parks & Rec Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Making $30-$48k. Fresno State is a public institution located in Fresno, California. The school has a large population, and it awarded 23 masters’s degrees in 2019-2020.

Fresno State also made our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Master’s Degree Schools in California” list, coming in at #14. Average graduate tuition and fees at California State University - Fresno are $17,581, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read full report on Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies at California State University - Fresno

#16 in overall quality

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend California State University - Northridge. It ranked #5 on our 2022 Best Value Parks & Rec Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Making $30-$48k list. This large school is located in Northridge, California, and it awarded 18 masters’s parks and rec degrees in 2019-2020.

CSUN also took the #16 spot in our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Master’s Degree Schools in California” ranking. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at CSUN are $17,955.

Read more about Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies at CSUN

#6

San Diego State University

San Diego, California
#5 in overall quality

With a ranking of #6, San Diego State University did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Parks & Rec Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Making $30-$48k list. SDSU is a large school located in San Diego, California that handed out 8 masters’s parks and rec degrees in 2019-2020.

SDSU did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #5 on our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Master’s Degree Schools in California” list. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at San Diego State University are $18,658.

Read more about Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies at SDSU

California State University - Sacramento did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Parks & Rec Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Making $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #7. Located in Sacramento, California, this large public school awarded 7 diplomas to qualified masters’s parks and rec students in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Sac State, the school also landed the #0 spot in our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Master’s Degree Schools in California” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at California State University - Sacramento are $18,356, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read more about Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies at Sac State

#8

San Jose State University

San Jose, California
#8 in overall quality

With a ranking of #8, San Jose State University did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Parks & Rec Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Making $30-$48k list. San Jose State is located in San Jose, California and, has a large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 29 masters’s parks and rec degrees to qualified students.

In addition to being on our california master’s degree parks & rec students whose families make $30-$48k list, San Jose State has also earned the #8 rank in our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Master’s Degree Schools in California” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at San Jose State University are $18,790, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read full report on Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies at San Jose State University

#9

San Francisco State University

San Francisco, California
#12 in overall quality

San Francisco State University ranked #9 on this year’s Best Value Parks & Rec Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Making $30-$48k list. SFSU is a large public school situated in San Francisco, California. It awarded 8 masters’s parks and rec degrees in 2019-2020.

SFSU also took the #12 spot in our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Master’s Degree Schools in California” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at SFSU are $17,944, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read more about Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies at San Francisco State University

#18 in overall quality

California State University - East Bay did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Parks & Rec Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Making $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #10. California State University - East Bay is a fairly large school located in Hayward, California that handed out 10 masters’s parks and rec degrees in 2019-2020.

Cal State East Bay not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #18 on our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Master’s Degree Schools in California” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at California State University - East Bay are $17,828, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read full report on Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies at California State University - East Bay

#17 in overall quality

California State University - San Marcos ranked #11 on this year’s Best Value Parks & Rec Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Making $30-$48k list. CSUSM is a fairly large public school situated in San Marcos, California. It awarded 8 masters’s parks and rec degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our california master’s degree parks & rec students whose families make $30-$48k list, CSUSM has also earned the #17 rank in our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Master’s Degree Schools in California” ranking. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at CSUSM are $18,661.

Read full report on Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies at California State University - San Marcos

#9 in overall quality

California State University - Chico did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Parks & Rec Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Making $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #12. California State University - Chico is a public institution located in Chico, California. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 19 masters’s degrees in 2019-2020.

Chico State also made our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Master’s Degree Schools in California” list, coming in at #9. Average graduate tuition and fees at California State University - Chico are $18,802, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read more about Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies at California State University - Chico

California State Polytechnic University - Pomona ranked #13 on this year’s Best Value Parks & Rec Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Making $30-$48k list. This large school is located in Pomona, California, and it awarded 4 masters’s parks and rec degrees in 2019-2020.

Cal Poly Pomona did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #0 on our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Master’s Degree Schools in California” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at California State Polytechnic University - Pomona are $18,377, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read more about Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies at Cal Poly Pomona

#14

Humboldt State University

Arcata, California

With a ranking of #14, Humboldt State University did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Parks & Rec Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Making $30-$48k list. Located in Arcata, California, this medium-sized public school handed out 7 degrees to qualified masters’s parks and rec students in 2019-2020.

Humboldt State University did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #0 on our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Master’s Degree Schools in California” list. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at Humboldt State University are $18,802.

Full Humboldt State University Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Report

#15

Concordia University, Irvine

Irvine, California
#3 in overall quality

With a ranking of #15, Concordia University, Irvine did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Parks & Rec Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Making $30-$48k list. Irvine, California is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out masters’s parks and rec degrees to 452 students in 2019-2020.

Concordia University, Irvine not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #3 on our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Master’s Degree Schools in California” list. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at Concordia University, Irvine are $8,121.

Read more about Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies at Concordia University, Irvine

#16

California Baptist University

Riverside, California
#6 in overall quality

California Baptist University did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Parks & Rec Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Making $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #16. Cal Baptist is a fairly large school located in Riverside, California that handed out 103 masters’s parks and rec degrees in 2019-2020.

Cal Baptist not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #6 on our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Master’s Degree Schools in California” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at California Baptist University are $14,140, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read full report on Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies at Cal Baptist

#17

University of the Pacific

Stockton, California
#13 in overall quality

University of the Pacific did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Parks & Rec Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Making $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #17. Pacific is a medium-sized school located in Stockton, California that handed out 10 masters’s parks and rec degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our california master’s degree parks & rec students whose families make $30-$48k list, Pacific has also earned the #13 rank in our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Master’s Degree Schools in California” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at Pacific are $49,374, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read more about Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies at University of the Pacific

#1 in overall quality

Saint Mary’s College of California ranked #18 on this year’s Best Value Parks & Rec Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Making $30-$48k list. Moraga, California is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out masters’s parks and rec degrees to 21 students in 2019-2020.

SMC also took the #1 spot in our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Master’s Degree Schools in California” ranking. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at SMC are $33,509.

Full SMC Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Report

#19

Point Loma Nazarene University

San Diego, California
#7 in overall quality

Point Loma Nazarene University came in at #19 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Parks & Rec Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. San Diego, California is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out masters’s parks and rec degrees to 64 students in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at PLNU, the school also landed the #7 spot in our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Master’s Degree Schools in California” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at PLNU are $11,880, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read more about Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies at Point Loma Nazarene University

#20

University of San Francisco

San Francisco, California
#2 in overall quality

University of San Francisco ranked #20 on this year’s Best Value Parks & Rec Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Making $30-$48k list. Located in San Francisco, California, this fairly large private not-for-profit school handed out 95 degrees to qualified masters’s parks and rec students in 2019-2020.

USFCA also took the #2 spot in our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Master’s Degree Schools in California” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at USFCA are $26,710, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read full report on Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies at University of San Francisco

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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

Footnotes

  • *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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