2022 Best Value Master’s Degree Colleges for Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies in California (With Aid)
Students have lots of options to chooose from today when trying to decide which college to attend. One of our goals at College Factual is to give you as much information as we can - such as our “Best Value Parks & Rec Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Getting Aid” ranking - to help you make that decision.
Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies is the 15th most popular major in the country with 72,122 degrees awarded in 2019-2020. 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.
For this year’s “Best Value Parks & Rec Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Getting Aid” ranking, we looked at 21 colleges that offer 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.
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. Check out our ranking methodology for more information.
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More Ways to Rank Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Schools
When choosing the right school for you, it’s important to arm yourself with all the facts you can. To that end, we’ve created a number of major-specific rankings, including this “Best Value Parks & Rec Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Getting Aid” list to help you make the college decision.
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. Go ahead and give it a try, or bookmark the link so you can check it out later.
Best Value Parks & Rec Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Getting Aid
The following schools top our list of the Best Best Value Parks & Rec Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Getting Aid.
Top 21 Best Value Master’s Degree Colleges for Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies in California (With Aid)
You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend California State University - Los Angeles. It ranked #1 on our 2022 Best Value Parks & Rec Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Getting Aid list. California State University - Los Angeles is a large school located in Los Angeles, California that handed out 9 masters’s parks and rec degrees in 2019-2020.
As a testament to the quality of education offered at Cal State LA, the school also landed the #19 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 Cal State LA are $17,723.
Full California State University - Los Angeles Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Report
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 Getting Aid 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. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at CSULB are $17,784.
Read full report on Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies at CSULB
You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend California State University - Fullerton. The school came in at #3 for the Best Value Parks & Rec Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Getting Aid. Cal State Fullerton is a large public school situated in Fullerton, California. It awarded 36 masters’s parks and rec degrees in 2019-2020.
In addition to being on our california master’s degree parks & rec students with aid list, Cal State Fullerton has also earned the #10 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 Cal State Fullerton are $17,892.
You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend California State University - Fresno. It ranked #4 on our 2022 Best Value Parks & Rec Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Getting Aid list. This large school is located in Fresno, California, and it awarded 23 masters’s parks and rec degrees in 2019-2020.
Fresno State not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #14 on our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Master’s Degree Schools in California” list. 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 more about Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies at Fresno State
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 Getting Aid list. CSUN is a public institution located in Northridge, California. The school has a large population, and it awarded 18 masters’s degrees in 2019-2020.
CSUN also made our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Master’s Degree Schools in California” list, coming in at #16. Average graduate tuition and fees at California State University - Northridge are $17,955, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.
California State University - Sacramento did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Parks & Rec Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Getting Aid ranking, coming in at #6. This large school is located in Sacramento, California, and it awarded 7 masters’s parks and rec degrees in 2019-2020.
Sac State also made our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Master’s Degree Schools in California” list, coming in at #0. Average graduate tuition and fees at Sac State are $18,356, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.
San Diego State University landed the #7 spot on the 2022 Best Value Parks & Rec Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Getting Aid ranking. SDSU is a public institution located in San Diego, California. The school has a large population, and it awarded 8 masters’s 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. Average graduate tuition and fees at San Diego State University are $18,658, but some majors have different tuition rates.
Read more about Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies at SDSU
San Jose State University came in at #8 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Parks & Rec Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Getting Aid ranking. 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 with aid 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. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at San Jose State are $18,790.
Read more about Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies at San Jose State
With a ranking of #9, California State University - East Bay did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Parks & Rec Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Getting Aid list. 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 also took the #18 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 - East Bay are $17,828, but some majors have different tuition rates.
Read full report on Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies at Cal State East Bay
San Francisco State University landed the #10 spot on the 2022 Best Value Parks & Rec Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Getting Aid ranking. SFSU is located in San Francisco, California and, has a large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 8 masters’s parks and rec degrees to qualified students.
SFSU also made our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Master’s Degree Schools in California” list, coming in at #12. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at San Francisco State University are $17,944.
Full SFSU Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Report
California State University - San Marcos landed the #11 spot on the 2022 Best Value Parks & Rec Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Getting Aid ranking. CSUSM is located in San Marcos, California and, has a fairly large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 8 masters’s parks and rec degrees to qualified students.
CSUSM also made our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Master’s Degree Schools in California” list, coming in at #17. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at California State University - San Marcos are $18,661.
California State Polytechnic University - Pomona came in at #12 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Parks & Rec Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Getting Aid ranking. Located in Pomona, California, this large public school handed out 4 diplomas to qualified masters’s parks and rec students in 2019-2020.
As a testament to the quality of education offered at Cal Poly Pomona, 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 Polytechnic University - Pomona are $18,377, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.
Full Cal Poly Pomona Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Report
California State University - Chico did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Parks & Rec Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Getting Aid ranking, coming in at #13. 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.
Full Chico State Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Report
National University did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Parks & Rec Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Getting Aid ranking, coming in at #14. Located in La Jolla, California, this fairly large private not-for-profit school awarded 38 diplomas to qualified masters’s parks and rec students in 2019-2020.
National University not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #15 on our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Master’s Degree Schools in California” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at National University are $15,480, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.
Read full report on Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies at National University
Humboldt State University landed the #15 spot on the 2022 Best Value Parks & Rec Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Getting Aid ranking. Located in Arcata, California, this medium-sized public school awarded 7 diplomas to qualified masters’s parks and rec students in 2019-2020.
Humboldt State University also made our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Master’s Degree Schools in California” list, coming in at #0. Average graduate tuition and fees at Humboldt State University are $18,802, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.
Read full report on Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies at Humboldt State University
With a ranking of #16, Concordia University, Irvine did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Parks & Rec Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Getting Aid 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 did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #3 on our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Master’s Degree Schools in California” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at Concordia University, Irvine are $8,121, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.
Full Concordia University, Irvine Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Report
California Baptist University came in at #17 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Parks & Rec Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Getting Aid ranking. Located in Riverside, California, this fairly large private not-for-profit school awarded 103 degrees to qualified masters’s parks and rec students in 2019-2020.
As a testament to the quality of education offered at Cal Baptist, the school also landed the #6 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 California Baptist University are $14,140.
Read full report on Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies at Cal Baptist
With a ranking of #18, Point Loma Nazarene University did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Parks & Rec Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Getting Aid list. This small school is located in San Diego, California, and it awarded 64 masters’s parks and rec degrees in 2019-2020.
PLNU also took the #7 spot in our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Master’s Degree Schools in California” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at Point Loma Nazarene University are $11,880, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.
Full PLNU Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Report
University of the Pacific ranked #19 on this year’s Best Value Parks & Rec Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Getting Aid list. University of the Pacific is a medium-sized school located in Stockton, California that handed out 10 masters’s parks and rec degrees in 2019-2020.
Pacific also took the #13 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 University of the Pacific are $49,374.
Read full report on Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies at Pacific
Saint Mary’s College of California ranked #20 on this year’s Best Value Parks & Rec Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Getting Aid list. SMC is a private not-for-profit institution located in Moraga, California. The school has a small population, and it awarded 21 masters’s degrees in 2019-2020.
SMC did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #1 on our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Master’s Degree Schools in California” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at SMC are $33,509, but some majors have different tuition rates.
Read full report on Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies at SMC
University of San Francisco came in at #21 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Parks & Rec Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Getting Aid ranking. Located in San Francisco, California, this fairly large private not-for-profit school handed out 95 diplomas to qualified masters’s parks and rec students in 2019-2020.
USFCA not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #2 on our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Master’s Degree Schools in California” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at University of San Francisco are $26,710, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.
Full USFCA Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Report
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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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