2023 Best Value Colleges for Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies (Income $30-$48k) in the Rocky Mountains Region
18
Ranked Colleges
2,772
Degrees Awarded
$10,900
Avg Net Price*
When it comes to choosing a college, students have a lot of options - but not all of them are good. College Factual was founded, in part, to help students make the decision as to what would be the best school for them. Our “Best Value Parks & Rec Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region For Those Making $30-$48k” ranking is part of that endeavor.
Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies is the 15th most popular major in the country with 73,813 degrees awarded in 2020-2021. 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 the Rocky Mountains region, there were 2,772 parks, recreation, leisure, and fitness studies graduates with average earnings and debt of $29,911 and $19,677 respectively.
This year’s “Best Value Parks & Rec Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region For Those Making $30-$48k” ranking analyzed 18 colleges that offered a degree in parks, recreation, leisure, and fitness studies. The schools that top this list are recognized because they have great parks, recreation, leisure, and fitness studies programs and cost less that schools of similar quality.
When determining these rankings, we looked at things such as overall quality of the parks, recreation, leisure, and fitness studies program at the school and the cost to attend the school once aid has been awarded. For more information, check out our ranking methodology.
One Size Does Not Fit All
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 in the Rocky Mountains Region For Those Making $30-$48k” list, to help you choose the best school for you.
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 Rocky Mountains Region For Those Making $30-$48k
The following schools top our list of the Best Best Value Parks & Rec Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region For Those Making $30-$48k.
Top 18 Best Value Colleges for Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies (Income $30-$48k) in the Rocky Mountains Region
You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Brigham Young University - Provo. It ranked #1 on our 2023 Best Value Parks & Rec Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. BYU is a large school located in Provo, Utah that handed out 267 ’s parks and rec degrees in 2020-2021.
In addition to being on our rocky mountains region parks & rec students whose families make $30-$48k list, BYU has also earned the #2 rank in our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region” ranking. It costs about $10,333 for rocky mountains region parks & rec students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend Brigham Young University - Provo.
The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 92%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 1.3%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.
Full Brigham Young University - Provo Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Report
You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Colorado State University - Fort Collins. It ranked #2 on our 2023 Best Value Parks & Rec Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. Fort Collins, Colorado is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s parks and rec degrees to 326 students in 2020-2021.
As a testament to the quality of education offered at Colorado State, the school also landed the #3 spot in our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Colorado State University - Fort Collins is $12,736 for rocky mountains region parks & rec students whose families make $30-$48k.
The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 2.6%, 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 85%.
Read full report on Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies at Colorado State
Out of the 18 schools in the Best Value Parks & Rec Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region For Those Making $30-$48k that were part of this year’s ranking, Brigham Young University - Idaho landed the #3 spot on the list. BYU - I is a private not-for-profit institution located in Rexburg, Idaho. The school has a large population, and it awarded 46 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.
In addition to being on our rocky mountains region parks & rec students whose families make $30-$48k list, BYU - I has also earned the #16 rank in our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for BYU - I is $3,357 for Rocky Mountains Region Parks & Rec students whose families make $30-$48k.
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%.
Read more about Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies at Brigham Young University - Idaho
You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend University of Utah. It ranked #4 on our 2023 Best Value Parks & Rec Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. U of U is a public institution located in Salt Lake City, Utah. The school has a large population, and it awarded 382 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.
U of U also took the #1 spot in our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend U of U is $11,823 for rocky mountains region parks & rec students whose families make $30-$48k.
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 undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 1.7%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.
Full U of U Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Report
Out of the 18 schools in the Best Value Parks & Rec Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region For Those Making $30-$48k that were part of this year’s ranking, University of Wyoming landed the #5 spot on the list. UW is a fairly large public school situated in Laramie, Wyoming. It awarded 97 ’s parks and rec degrees in 2020-2021.
As a testament to the quality of education offered at UW, the school also landed the #5 spot in our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region” ranking. It costs about $6,776 for Rocky Mountains Region Parks & Rec students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend UW.
The low undergrad student loan default rate of 3.5% 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%.
Read more about Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies at University of Wyoming
Utah Valley University came in at #6 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Parks & Rec Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Utah Valley University is a public institution located in Orem, Utah. The school has a large population, and it awarded 133 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.
UVU not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #15 on our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region” list. The estimated yearly cost for UVU is $9,992 for Rocky Mountains Region Parks & Rec students whose families make $30-$48k.
The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 4.4%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.
Full UVU Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Report
With a ranking of #7, University of Northern Colorado did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Parks & Rec Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. University of Northern Colorado is a fairly large school located in Greeley, Colorado that handed out 202 ’s parks and rec degrees in 2020-2021.
University of Northern Colorado also took the #4 spot in our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for University of Northern Colorado is $13,774 for Rocky Mountains Region Parks & Rec students whose families make $30-$48k.
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 University of Northern Colorado Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Report
Utah State University ranked #8 on this year’s Best Value Parks & Rec Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. This large school is located in Logan, Utah, and it awarded 131 ’s parks and rec degrees in 2020-2021.
As a testament to the quality of education offered at USU, the school also landed the #6 spot in our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for USU is $9,821 for Rocky Mountains Region Parks & Rec students whose families make $30-$48k.
The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 3.6%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.
Full Utah State University Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Report
With a ranking of #9, Metropolitan State University of Denver did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Parks & Rec Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. Denver, Colorado is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s parks and rec degrees to 127 students in 2020-2021.
MSU Denver also made our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region” list, coming in at #8. The estimated yearly cost for MSU Denver is $11,884 for rocky mountains region parks & rec students whose families make $30-$48k.
Full Metropolitan State University of Denver Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Report
University of Idaho ranked #10 on this year’s Best Value Parks & Rec Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. University of Idaho is a public institution located in Moscow, Idaho. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 47 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.
U of I did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #10 on our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region” list. The estimated yearly cost for U of I is $11,148 for Rocky Mountains Region Parks & Rec students whose families make $30-$48k.
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%.
Full U of I Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Report
With a ranking of #11, Boise State University did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Parks & Rec Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. Boise State University is a large school located in Boise, Idaho that handed out 97 ’s parks and rec degrees in 2020-2021.
In addition to being on our rocky mountains region parks & rec students whose families make $30-$48k list, Boise State has also earned the #7 rank in our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Boise State University is $13,582 for rocky mountains region parks & rec students whose families make $30-$48k.
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%.
Full Boise State Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Report
Weber State University did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Parks & Rec Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #12. Located in Ogden, Utah, this large public school handed out 46 diplomas to qualified ’s parks and rec students in 2020-2021.
In addition to being on our rocky mountains region parks & rec students whose families make $30-$48k list, WSU has also earned the #12 rank in our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Weber State University is $10,173 for rocky mountains region parks & rec students whose families make $30-$48k.
The low undergrad student loan default rate of 4.1% 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 Weber State University
Southern Utah University ranked #13 on this year’s Best Value Parks & Rec Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. Southern Utah University is a fairly large school located in Cedar City, Utah that handed out 117 ’s parks and rec degrees in 2020-2021.
As a testament to the quality of education offered at Southern Utah University, the school also landed the #13 spot in our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Southern Utah University is $10,697 for Rocky Mountains Region Parks & Rec students whose families make $30-$48k.
The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 4.5%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.
Read full report on Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies at Southern Utah University
With a ranking of #14, Colorado Mesa University did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Parks & Rec Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. Colorado Mesa is a public institution located in Grand Junction, Colorado. The school has a medium-sized population, and it awarded 151 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.
Colorado Mesa also took the #9 spot in our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Colorado Mesa is $13,640 for Rocky Mountains Region Parks & Rec students whose families make $30-$48k.
Full Colorado Mesa University Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Report
Adams State University did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Parks & Rec Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #15. This small school is located in Alamosa, Colorado, and it awarded 70 ’s parks and rec degrees in 2020-2021.
As a testament to the quality of education offered at Adams State, the school also landed the #11 spot in our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region” ranking. It costs about $10,301 for rocky mountains region parks & rec students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend Adams State.
Read more about Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies at Adams State University
With a ranking of #16, Fort Lewis College did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Parks & Rec Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. This small school is located in Durango, Colorado, and it awarded 65 ’s parks and rec degrees in 2020-2021.
As a testament to the quality of education offered at FLC, the school also landed the #14 spot in our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Fort Lewis College is $11,347 for Rocky Mountains Region Parks & Rec students whose families make $30-$48k.
Read full report on Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies at Fort Lewis College
Colorado State University - Pueblo did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Parks & Rec Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #17. Colorado State University - Pueblo is a medium-sized public school situated in Pueblo, Colorado. It awarded 40 ’s parks and rec degrees in 2020-2021.
Colorado State University - Pueblo also made our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region” list, coming in at #18. The estimated yearly cost for Colorado State University - Pueblo is $11,440 for rocky mountains region parks & rec students whose families make $30-$48k.
Read full report on Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies at Colorado State University - Pueblo
Western Colorado University landed the #18 spot on the 2023 Best Value Parks & Rec Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Western Colorado University is a public institution located in Gunnison, Colorado. The school has a small population, and it awarded 57 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.
Western did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #17 on our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region” list. The estimated yearly cost for Western is $13,136 for rocky mountains region parks & rec students whose families make $30-$48k.
Read more about Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies at Western
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Best Value Colleges for Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies (Income $30-$48k) in the Far Western US Region
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Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region
Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies students in the Rocky Mountains Region
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Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies students in the Rocky Mountains Region
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Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies students with family income less than $30k in the Rocky Mountains Region
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Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies students with family income $48-$75k in the Rocky Mountains Region
Best Value Colleges for Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies (Income Over $110k) in the Rocky Mountains Region
Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies students with family income exceeding $110k in the Rocky Mountains Region
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Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies students in the Rocky Mountains Region
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Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies students in the Rocky Mountains Region
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Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies students getting aid in the Rocky Mountains Region
Best Value Colleges for Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies (Income $30-$48k) in the Rocky Mountains Region
Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies students with family income $30-$48k in the Rocky Mountains Region
Best Value Colleges for Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies (Income $75-$110k) in the Rocky Mountains Region
Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies students with family income $75-$110k in the Rocky Mountains Region
Best Value Colleges for Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies in the Rocky Mountains Region
Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies students in the Rocky Mountains 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.
Credits
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