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2023 Best Value Parks & Rec Schools in California For Those Getting Aid

30 Ranked Colleges
11,772 Degrees Awarded
$13,600 Avg Net Price*
Best Value Parks & Rec Schools in California For Those Getting Aid

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 Getting Aid” ranking as one item you can use to help make this decision.

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 Getting Aid” ranking, we looked at 30 colleges that offer a degree in parks, recreation, leisure, and fitness studies. Not only do the schools that top this list have excellent parks, recreation, leisure, and fitness studies programs, but they also 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.

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Since picking the right college can be one of the most important decisions of your life, we’ve developed the “Best Value Parks & Rec Schools in California For Those Getting Aid” ranking, along with many other major-related rankings, to help you make that decision.

You can create your own custom comparison that focuses on the factors most important to you using our 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 California For Those Getting Aid

The colleges and universities below are the best for california parks & rec students with aid.

Top 25 Best Value Colleges for Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies in California (With Aid)

1

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend California State University - Los Angeles. It ranked #1 on our 2023 Best Value Parks & Rec Schools in California For Those Getting Aid list. Cal State LA is a large school located in Los Angeles, California that handed out 339 ’s parks and rec degrees in 2020-2021.

Cal State LA not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #16 on our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Schools in California” list. The estimated yearly cost for Cal State LA is $3,302 for california parks & rec students with aid.

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 full report on Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies at California State University - Los Angeles

2

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend California State University - Fresno. The school came in at #2 for the Best Value Parks & Rec Schools in California For Those Getting Aid. Fresno, California is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s parks and rec degrees to 323 students in 2020-2021.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Fresno State, the school also landed the #14 spot in our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Schools in California” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for California State University - Fresno is $6,230 for California Parks & Rec students with aid.

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%. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 87%.

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

3
Mt. SAC crest
Mt. San Antonio College
Walnut, California

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Mt. San Antonio College. It ranked #3 on our 2023 Best Value Parks & Rec Schools in California For Those Getting Aid list. Mt. San Antonio College 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.

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 $3,144 for California Parks & Rec students with aid per year to attend Mt. SAC.

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

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 Getting Aid list. Fullerton, California is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s parks and rec degrees to 581 students in 2020-2021.

Cal State Fullerton also made our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Schools in California” list, coming in at #10. The estimated yearly cost for California State University - Fullerton is $8,003 for California Parks & Rec students with aid.

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%. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 89%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.

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

5

Out of the 30 schools in the Best Value Parks & Rec Schools in California For Those Getting Aid that were part of this year’s ranking, California State University - Dominguez Hills landed the #5 spot on the list. Located in Carson, California, this fairly large public school awarded 163 degrees to qualified ’s parks and rec students in 2020-2021.

CSUDH also made our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Schools in California” list, coming in at #25. It costs about $4,026 for california parks & rec students with aid 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 California State University - Dominguez Hills

6

California State University - Long Beach did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Parks & Rec Schools in California For Those Getting Aid ranking, coming in at #6. Long Beach, California is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s parks and rec degrees to 491 students in 2020-2021.

CSULB also took the #7 spot in our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Schools in California” ranking. It costs about $10,054 for California Parks & Rec students with aid per year to attend CSULB.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 2.4% 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%. 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 - Long Beach

7

California State University - Sacramento landed the #7 spot on the 2023 Best Value Parks & Rec Schools in California For Those Getting Aid ranking. California State University - Sacramento 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. It costs about $11,178 for california parks & rec students with aid 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%.

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

8

California State University - Northridge landed the #8 spot on the 2023 Best Value Parks & Rec Schools in California For Those Getting Aid ranking. California State University - Northridge is located in Northridge, California and, has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 495 ’s parks and rec degrees to qualified students.

CSUN also made our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Schools in California” list, coming in at #17. It costs about $8,523 for California Parks & Rec students with aid per year to attend California State University - Northridge.

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

9

California State University - San Bernardino ranked #9 on this year’s Best Value Parks & Rec Schools in California For Those Getting Aid list. This fairly large school is located in San Bernardino, California, and it awarded 202 ’s parks and rec degrees in 2020-2021.

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 $8,107 for California Parks & Rec students with aid.

With a freshman retention rate of 85%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. 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 - San Bernardino Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Report

10
SDSU crest
San Diego State University
San Diego, California

San Diego State University did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Parks & Rec Schools in California For Those Getting Aid ranking, coming in at #10. Located in San Diego, California, this large public school handed out 454 degrees to qualified ’s parks and rec students in 2020-2021.

In addition to being on our california parks & rec students with aid list, SDSU has also earned the #3 rank in our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Schools in California” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for SDSU is $13,845 for california parks & rec students with aid.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 2.2% 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%. With a freshman retention rate of 89%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.

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

11
San Jose State crest
San Jose State University
San Jose, California

San Jose State University landed the #11 spot on the 2023 Best Value Parks & Rec Schools in California For Those Getting Aid ranking. 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.

San Jose State did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #4 on our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Schools in California” list. The yearly cost to attend San Jose State is $16,542 for california parks & rec students with aid.

Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 86%. 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 more about Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies at San Jose State

12

California State University - East Bay landed the #12 spot on the 2023 Best Value Parks & Rec Schools in California For Those Getting Aid ranking. Cal State East Bay is a fairly large public school situated in Hayward, California. It awarded 239 ’s parks and rec degrees in 2020-2021.

In addition to being on our california parks & rec students with aid list, Cal State East Bay has also earned the #19 rank in our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Schools in California” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for California State University - East Bay is $13,298 for california parks & rec students with aid.

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 more about Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies at Cal State East Bay

13

California State University - Stanislaus did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Parks & Rec Schools in California For Those Getting Aid ranking, coming in at #13. Turlock, California is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s parks and rec degrees to 107 students in 2020-2021.

It costs about $6,566 for california parks & rec students with aid per year to attend Stan State.

Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 87%. 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%.

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

14

California State University - San Marcos did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Parks & Rec Schools in California For Those Getting Aid ranking, coming in at #14. CSUSM is a fairly large public school situated in San Marcos, California. It awarded 183 ’s parks and rec degrees in 2020-2021.

CSUSM also took the #12 spot in our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Schools in California” ranking. The yearly cost to attend CSUSM is $13,218 for California Parks & Rec students with aid.

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%.

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

15

With a ranking of #15, California State University - Chico did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Parks & Rec Schools in California For Those Getting Aid list. 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 estimated yearly cost for Chico State is $16,218 for California Parks & Rec students with aid.

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 Chico State

16

California State Polytechnic University - Pomona landed the #16 spot on the 2023 Best Value Parks & Rec Schools in California For Those Getting Aid ranking. California State Polytechnic University - Pomona is a large public school situated in Pomona, California. It awarded 201 ’s parks and rec degrees in 2020-2021.

Cal Poly Pomona also made our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Schools in California” list, coming in at #20. The estimated yearly cost for California State Polytechnic University - Pomona is $14,304 for california parks & rec students with aid.

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 87%.

Full Cal Poly Pomona Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Report

17
SFSU crest
San Francisco State University
San Francisco, California

San Francisco State University did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Parks & Rec Schools in California For Those Getting Aid ranking, coming in at #17. SFSU is a large public school situated in San Francisco, California. It awarded 274 ’s parks and rec degrees in 2020-2021.

SFSU also made our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Schools in California” list, coming in at #13. The yearly cost to attend San Francisco State University is $14,459 for California Parks & Rec students with aid.

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%.

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

18

California Polytechnic State University - San Luis Obispo came in at #18 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Parks & Rec Schools in California For Those Getting Aid ranking. Located in San Luis Obispo, California, this large public school handed out 227 degrees to qualified ’s parks and rec students in 2020-2021.

Cal Poly San Luis Obispo also made our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Schools in California” list, coming in at #1. The yearly cost to attend California Polytechnic State University - San Luis Obispo is $20,677 for California Parks & Rec students with aid.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 0.7% 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%. With a freshman retention rate of 94%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.

Read more about Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies at Cal Poly San Luis Obispo

19

California State University - Monterey Bay ranked #19 on this year’s Best Value Parks & Rec Schools in California For Those Getting Aid list. CSUMB is a public institution located in Seaside, California. The school has a medium-sized population, and it awarded 154 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

It costs about $13,597 for california parks & rec students with aid per year to attend California State University - Monterey Bay.

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%.

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

20
SSU crest
Sonoma State University
Rohnert Park, California

Sonoma State University did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Parks & Rec Schools in California For Those Getting Aid ranking, coming in at #20. Located in Rohnert Park, California, this medium-sized public school handed out 91 diplomas to qualified ’s parks and rec students in 2020-2021.

In addition to being on our california parks & rec students with aid list, SSU has also earned the #23 rank in our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Schools in California” ranking. The yearly cost to attend SSU is $17,563 for california parks & rec students with aid.

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 SSU

21

22
Humboldt State University crest
Humboldt State University
Arcata, California

With a ranking of #22, Humboldt State University did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Parks & Rec Schools in California For Those Getting Aid list. Arcata, California is the setting for this medium-sized institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s parks and rec degrees to 129 students in 2020-2021.

The estimated yearly cost for Humboldt State University is $14,956 for California Parks & Rec students with aid.

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

23
Cal Baptist crest
California Baptist University
Riverside, California

California Baptist University came in at #23 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Parks & Rec Schools in California For Those Getting Aid ranking. This fairly large school is located in Riverside, California, and it awarded 280 ’s parks and rec degrees in 2020-2021.

Cal Baptist not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #9 on our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Schools in California” list. It costs about $26,719 for California Parks & Rec students with aid per year to attend Cal Baptist.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 3.1%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

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

24

With a ranking of #24, Concordia University, Irvine did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Parks & Rec Schools in California For Those Getting Aid list. Located in Irvine, California, this small private not-for-profit school handed out 438 diplomas to qualified ’s parks and rec students in 2020-2021.

Concordia University, Irvine did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #2 on our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Schools in California” list. The estimated yearly cost for Concordia University, Irvine is $27,201 for california parks & rec students with aid.

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

25
Whittier crest
Whittier College
Whittier, California

With a ranking of #25, Whittier College did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Parks & Rec Schools in California For Those Getting Aid list. Whittier is a small school located in Whittier, California that handed out 53 ’s parks and rec degrees in 2020-2021.

Whittier also took the #22 spot in our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Schools in California” ranking. It costs about $26,740 for california parks & rec students with aid per year to attend Whittier.

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%.

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

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