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2023 Best Value Parks & Rec Schools in California For Those Making $75-$110k

29 Ranked Colleges
11,772 Degrees Awarded
$18,200 Avg Net Price*
Best Value Parks & Rec Schools in California For Those Making $75-$110k

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 in California For Those Making $75-$110k” ranking.

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 California, there were 11,772 parks, recreation, leisure, and fitness studies graduates with average earnings and debt of $32,218 and $19,856 respectively.

For this year’s “Best Value Parks & Rec Schools in California For Those Making $75-$110k” ranking, we looked at 29 colleges that offer 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.

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. For more information, check out our ranking methodology.

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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 $75-$110k”.

One of our other unique offerings is College Combat. This tool lets you build your own customized comparisons utilizing the factors that are most important to you. We encourage you to try it out and pit your favorite colleges and universities head to head! If you don’t have time right now, you can bookmark it for later.

Best Value Parks & Rec Schools in California For Those Making $75-$110k

The colleges and universities below are the best for california parks & rec students whose families make $75-$110k.

Top 25 Best Value Colleges for Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies (Income $75-$110k) in California

1
Mt. SAC crest
Mt. San Antonio College
Walnut, California

Out of the 29 schools in the Best Value Parks & Rec Schools in California For Those Making $75-$110k that were part of this year’s ranking, Mt. San Antonio College landed the #1 spot on the list. Mt. SAC is located in Walnut, California and, has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 521 ’s parks and rec degrees to qualified students.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Mt. SAC, the school also landed the #21 spot in our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Schools in California” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Mt. SAC is $7,351 for california parks & rec students whose families make $75-$110k.

Read full report on Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies at Mt. SAC

2

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend California State University - Los Angeles. The school came in at #2 for the Best Value Parks & Rec Schools in California For Those Making $75-$110k. California State University - Los Angeles is a large school located in Los Angeles, California that handed out 339 ’s parks and rec degrees in 2020-2021.

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. It costs about $10,011 for california parks & rec students whose families make $75-$110k per year to attend California State University - Los Angeles.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 3.6% 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%.

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

3

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 $75-$110k. Located in Fresno, California, this large public school handed out 323 degrees to qualified ’s parks and rec students in 2020-2021.

Fresno State did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #14 on our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Schools in California” list. It costs about $12,789 for california parks & rec students whose families make $75-$110k per year to attend Fresno State.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 3.2%, which is much lower than the national rate of 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 - Fresno Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Report

4

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend California State University - Fullerton. It ranked #4 on our 2023 Best Value Parks & Rec Schools in California For Those Making $75-$110k list. California State University - Fullerton is a large school located in Fullerton, California that handed out 581 ’s parks and rec degrees in 2020-2021.

Cal State Fullerton also took the #10 spot in our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Schools in California” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for California State University - Fullerton is $12,977 for california parks & rec students whose families make $75-$110k.

Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 89%. The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 2.5%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

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

5

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend California State University - Long Beach. The school came in at #5 for the Best Value Parks & Rec Schools in California For Those Making $75-$110k. This large school is located in Long Beach, California, and it awarded 491 ’s parks and rec degrees in 2020-2021.

CSULB also made our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Schools in California” list, coming in at #7. The yearly cost to attend California State University - Long Beach is $15,101 for california parks & rec students whose families make $75-$110k.

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 2.4%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

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

6

California State University - Dominguez Hills came in at #6 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Parks & Rec Schools in California For Those Making $75-$110k ranking. Located in Carson, California, this fairly large public school awarded 163 diplomas to qualified ’s parks and rec students in 2020-2021.

CSUDH also took the #25 spot in our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Schools in California” ranking. It costs about $11,085 for California Parks & Rec students whose families make $75-$110k per year to attend CSUDH.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 4.1%, 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 - Dominguez Hills

7

California State University - Sacramento did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Parks & Rec Schools in California For Those Making $75-$110k ranking, coming in at #7. Sac State is a large school located in Sacramento, California that handed out 404 ’s parks and rec degrees in 2020-2021.

Sac State also made our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Schools in California” list, coming in at #8. The yearly cost to attend California State University - Sacramento is $16,925 for California Parks & Rec students whose families make $75-$110k.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 3.9% 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%.

Full Sac State Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Report

8
SDSU crest
San Diego State University
San Diego, California

San Diego State University landed the #8 spot on the 2023 Best Value Parks & Rec Schools in California For Those Making $75-$110k ranking. SDSU is located in San Diego, California and, has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 454 ’s parks and rec degrees to qualified students.

SDSU also made our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Schools in California” list, coming in at #3. The estimated yearly cost for SDSU is $18,957 for california parks & rec students whose families make $75-$110k.

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 San Diego State University Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Report

9

With a ranking of #9, California State University - San Bernardino did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Parks & Rec Schools in California For Those Making $75-$110k list. California State University - San Bernardino 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.

CSUSB not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #24 on our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Schools in California” list. It costs about $14,338 for California Parks & Rec students whose families make $75-$110k per year to attend CSUSB.

Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 85%. The low undergrad student loan default rate of 4.0% 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 CSUSB Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Report

10

California State University - Northridge came in at #10 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Parks & Rec Schools in California For Those Making $75-$110k ranking. California State University - Northridge is a large public school situated in Northridge, California. It awarded 495 ’s parks and rec degrees in 2020-2021.

CSUN not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #17 on our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Schools in California” list. It costs about $15,380 for california parks & rec students whose families make $75-$110k per year to attend California State University - Northridge.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 3.7%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

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

11

California State University - Stanislaus did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Parks & Rec Schools in California For Those Making $75-$110k ranking, coming in at #11. This fairly large school is located in Turlock, California, and it awarded 107 ’s parks and rec degrees in 2020-2021.

It costs about $12,642 for California Parks & Rec students whose families make $75-$110k per year to attend California State University - Stanislaus.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 3.3%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%. With a freshman retention rate of 87%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.

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

12
San Jose State crest
San Jose State University
San Jose, California

San Jose State University ranked #12 on this year’s Best Value Parks & Rec Schools in California For Those Making $75-$110k list. San Jose, California is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s parks and rec degrees to 290 students in 2020-2021.

In addition to being on our california parks & rec students whose families make $75-$110k list, San Jose State has also earned the #4 rank in our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Schools in California” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for San Jose State University is $21,035 for california parks & rec students whose families make $75-$110k.

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%. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 86%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.

Full San Jose State University Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Report

13

California State University - Chico landed the #13 spot on the 2023 Best Value Parks & Rec Schools in California For Those Making $75-$110k ranking. This fairly large school is located in Chico, California, and it awarded 325 ’s parks and rec degrees in 2020-2021.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Chico State, the school also landed the #6 spot in our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Schools in California” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Chico State is $20,708 for California Parks & Rec students whose families make $75-$110k.

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%.

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

14

With a ranking of #14, California State University - San Marcos did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Parks & Rec Schools in California For Those Making $75-$110k list. CSUSM is located in San Marcos, California and, has a fairly large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 183 ’s parks and rec degrees to qualified students.

CSUSM also took the #12 spot in our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Schools in California” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for California State University - San Marcos is $18,439 for California Parks & Rec students whose families make $75-$110k.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 3.3%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

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

15

California Polytechnic State University - San Luis Obispo did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Parks & Rec Schools in California For Those Making $75-$110k ranking, coming in at #15. San Luis Obispo, California is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s parks and rec degrees to 227 students in 2020-2021.

Cal Poly San Luis Obispo also took the #1 spot in our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Schools in California” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for California Polytechnic State University - San Luis Obispo is $22,744 for california parks & rec students whose families make $75-$110k.

The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 94%, 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 0.7%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies at California Polytechnic State University - San Luis Obispo

16

California State University - East Bay ranked #16 on this year’s Best Value Parks & Rec Schools in California For Those Making $75-$110k list. California State University - East Bay is a fairly large public school situated in Hayward, California. It awarded 239 ’s parks and rec degrees in 2020-2021.

Cal State East Bay not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #19 on our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Schools in California” list. The estimated yearly cost for California State University - East Bay is $18,874 for California Parks & Rec students whose families make $75-$110k.

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%.

Read full report on Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies at Cal State East Bay

17

California State Polytechnic University - Pomona landed the #17 spot on the 2023 Best Value Parks & Rec Schools in California For Those Making $75-$110k ranking. Pomona, California is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s parks and rec degrees to 201 students in 2020-2021.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Cal Poly Pomona, the school also landed the #20 spot in our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Schools in California” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Cal Poly Pomona is $18,166 for california parks & rec students whose families make $75-$110k.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 2.6%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 87%.

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

18
SFSU crest
San Francisco State University
San Francisco, California

San Francisco State University landed the #18 spot on the 2023 Best Value Parks & Rec Schools in California For Those Making $75-$110k ranking. This large school is located in San Francisco, California, and it awarded 274 ’s parks and rec degrees in 2020-2021.

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 $20,159 for california parks & rec students whose families make $75-$110k per year to attend SFSU.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 4.3%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Full San Francisco State University Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Report

19

California State University - Monterey Bay did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Parks & Rec Schools in California For Those Making $75-$110k ranking, coming in at #19. California State University - Monterey Bay is a medium-sized public school situated in Seaside, California. It awarded 154 ’s parks and rec degrees in 2020-2021.

The yearly cost to attend CSUMB is $18,412 for California Parks & Rec students whose families make $75-$110k.

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 more about Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies at California State University - Monterey Bay

20

Concordia University, Irvine ranked #20 on this year’s Best Value Parks & Rec Schools in California For Those Making $75-$110k list. This small school is located in Irvine, California, and it awarded 438 ’s parks and rec degrees in 2020-2021.

In addition to being on our california parks & rec students whose families make $75-$110k list, Concordia University, Irvine has also earned the #2 rank in our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Schools in California” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Concordia University, Irvine is $25,928 for california parks & rec students whose families make $75-$110k.

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

21
SSU crest
Sonoma State University
Rohnert Park, California

Sonoma State University ranked #21 on this year’s Best Value Parks & Rec Schools in California For Those Making $75-$110k list. Located in Rohnert Park, California, this medium-sized public school handed out 91 degrees to qualified ’s parks and rec students in 2020-2021.

SSU also made our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Schools in California” list, coming in at #23. The yearly cost to attend Sonoma State University is $22,254 for California Parks & Rec students whose families make $75-$110k.

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

22
23
Cal Baptist crest
California Baptist University
Riverside, California

California Baptist University landed the #23 spot on the 2023 Best Value Parks & Rec Schools in California For Those Making $75-$110k ranking. Located in Riverside, California, this fairly large private not-for-profit school handed out 280 diplomas to qualified ’s parks and rec students in 2020-2021.

In addition to being on our california parks & rec students whose families make $75-$110k list, Cal Baptist has also earned the #9 rank in our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Schools in California” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Cal Baptist is $28,614 for california parks & rec students whose families make $75-$110k.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 3.1% 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%.

Full Cal Baptist Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Report

24
Humboldt State University crest
Humboldt State University
Arcata, California

Humboldt State University came in at #24 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Parks & Rec Schools in California For Those Making $75-$110k ranking. Humboldt State University is a medium-sized school located in Arcata, California that handed out 129 ’s parks and rec degrees in 2020-2021.

The estimated yearly cost for Humboldt State University is $20,326 for California Parks & Rec students whose families make $75-$110k.

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

25
Whittier crest
Whittier College
Whittier, California

Whittier College ranked #25 on this year’s Best Value Parks & Rec Schools in California For Those Making $75-$110k list. Located in Whittier, California, this small private not-for-profit school handed out 53 degrees to qualified ’s parks and rec students in 2020-2021.

In addition to being on our california parks & rec students whose families make $75-$110k list, Whittier has also earned the #22 rank in our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Schools in California” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Whittier is $27,339 for california parks & rec students whose families make $75-$110k.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 2.5%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

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

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