2023 Best Value Colleges for Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies in the Rocky Mountains Region (With Aid)
18
Ranked Colleges
2,772
Degrees Awarded
$13,800
Avg Net Price*
Students have lots of options to chooose from today when trying to decide which college to attend. Our mission at College Factual is to arm you with as much information as we can to help you make that decision. Our “Best Value Parks & Rec Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region For Those Getting Aid” ranking is one tool we have developed to help in this regard.
In 2020-2021, 73,813 people earned their degree in parks, recreation, leisure, and fitness studies, making the major the 15th most popular in the United States. 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.
For this year’s “Best Value Parks & Rec Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region For Those Getting Aid” ranking, we looked at 18 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.
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. See our ranking methodology to learn more.
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 in the Rocky Mountains Region For Those Getting Aid” list to help you make the college decision.
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. Test it out by comparing your favorite schools against others you are considering, or bookmark the tool so you can experiment with it later.
Best Value Parks & Rec Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region For Those Getting Aid
The colleges and universities below are the best for rocky mountains region parks & rec students with aid.
Top 18 Best Value Colleges for Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies in the Rocky Mountains Region (With Aid)
You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend University of Utah. It ranked #1 on our 2023 Best Value Parks & Rec Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region For Those Getting Aid list. Located in Salt Lake City, Utah, this large public school awarded 382 degrees to qualified ’s parks and rec students in 2020-2021.
U of U not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #1 on our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region” list. The yearly cost to attend U of U is $13,572 for rocky mountains region parks & rec students with aid.
The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 1.7%, which is much lower than the national rate of 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 U of U Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Report
You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Brigham Young University - Provo. It ranked #2 on our 2023 Best Value Parks & Rec Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region For Those Getting Aid list. Brigham Young University - Provo is a large school located in Provo, Utah that handed out 267 ’s parks and rec degrees in 2020-2021.
BYU also made our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region” list, coming in at #2. It costs about $13,474 for rocky mountains region parks & rec students with aid per year to attend Brigham Young University - Provo.
The low undergrad student loan default rate of 1.3% 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 92%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.
Full BYU Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Report
You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Colorado State University - Fort Collins. It ranked #3 on our 2023 Best Value Parks & Rec Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region For Those Getting Aid list. Colorado State University - Fort Collins is a large public school situated in Fort Collins, Colorado. It awarded 326 ’s parks and rec degrees in 2020-2021.
Colorado State also took the #3 spot in our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region” ranking. It costs about $18,679 for Rocky Mountains Region Parks & Rec students with aid per year to attend Colorado State.
With a freshman retention rate of 85%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. 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%.
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 Getting Aid that were part of this year’s ranking, University of Wyoming landed the #4 spot on the list. Laramie, Wyoming is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s parks and rec degrees to 97 students in 2020-2021.
UW also took the #5 spot in our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend UW is $11,085 for Rocky Mountains Region Parks & Rec students with aid.
The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 3.5%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.
Read full report on Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies at University of Wyoming
You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Brigham Young University - Idaho. It ranked #5 on our 2023 Best Value Parks & Rec Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region For Those Getting Aid list. Brigham Young University - Idaho 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.
BYU - I also made our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region” list, coming in at #16. The estimated yearly cost for BYU - I is $6,698 for rocky mountains region parks & rec students with aid.
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 BYU - I Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Report
Utah Valley University ranked #6 on this year’s Best Value Parks & Rec Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region For Those Getting Aid list. Utah Valley University is located in Orem, Utah and, has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 133 ’s parks and rec degrees to qualified students.
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. It costs about $9,955 for Rocky Mountains Region Parks & Rec students with aid per year to attend Utah Valley University.
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%.
Read more about Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies at UVU
Boise State University landed the #7 spot on the 2023 Best Value Parks & Rec Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region For Those Getting Aid ranking. Located in Boise, Idaho, this large public school handed out 97 degrees to qualified ’s parks and rec students in 2020-2021.
Boise State did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #7 on our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region” list. The yearly cost to attend Boise State is $16,153 for Rocky Mountains Region 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 more about Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies at Boise State University
Utah State University landed the #8 spot on the 2023 Best Value Parks & Rec Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region For Those Getting Aid ranking. Located in Logan, Utah, this large public school awarded 131 degrees to qualified ’s parks and rec students in 2020-2021.
In addition to being on our rocky mountains region parks & rec students with aid list, USU has also earned the #6 rank in our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend USU is $13,257 for rocky mountains region 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 more about Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies at USU
Metropolitan State University of Denver did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Parks & Rec Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region For Those Getting Aid ranking, coming in at #9. 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.
As a testament to the quality of education offered at MSU Denver, the school also landed the #8 spot in our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region” ranking. It costs about $14,313 for Rocky Mountains Region Parks & Rec students with aid per year to attend Metropolitan State University of Denver.
Read more about Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies at Metropolitan State University of Denver
University of Northern Colorado landed the #10 spot on the 2023 Best Value Parks & Rec Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region For Those Getting Aid ranking. Located in Greeley, Colorado, this fairly large public school awarded 202 degrees to qualified ’s parks and rec students in 2020-2021.
University of Northern Colorado also made our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region” list, coming in at #4. The yearly cost to attend University of Northern Colorado is $15,570 for rocky mountains region 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 full report on Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies at University of Northern Colorado
Weber State University did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Parks & Rec Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region For Those Getting Aid ranking, coming in at #11. Weber State University is a large school located in Ogden, Utah that handed out 46 ’s parks and rec degrees in 2020-2021.
As a testament to the quality of education offered at WSU, the school also landed the #12 spot in our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region” ranking. It costs about $11,647 for rocky mountains region parks & rec students with aid per year to attend Weber State University.
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
Adams State University landed the #12 spot on the 2023 Best Value Parks & Rec Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region For Those Getting Aid ranking. Adams State University is located in Alamosa, Colorado and, has a small student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 70 ’s parks and rec degrees to qualified students.
Adams State not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #11 on our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region” list. The estimated yearly cost for Adams State is $13,388 for Rocky Mountains Region Parks & Rec students with aid.
Full Adams State University Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Report
Colorado Mesa University landed the #13 spot on the 2023 Best Value Parks & Rec Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region For Those Getting Aid ranking. Colorado Mesa is a medium-sized school located in Grand Junction, Colorado that handed out 151 ’s parks and rec 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. It costs about $16,118 for rocky mountains region parks & rec students with aid per year to attend Colorado Mesa.
Read more about Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies at Colorado Mesa
With a ranking of #14, University of Idaho did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Parks & Rec Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region For Those Getting Aid list. Located in Moscow, Idaho, this fairly large public school handed out 47 diplomas to qualified ’s parks and rec students in 2020-2021.
U of I also made our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region” list, coming in at #10. The yearly cost to attend University of Idaho is $13,964 for Rocky Mountains Region Parks & Rec students with aid.
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 more about Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies at University of Idaho
Southern Utah University did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Parks & Rec Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region For Those Getting Aid ranking, coming in at #15. Located in Cedar City, Utah, this fairly large public school awarded 117 degrees to qualified ’s parks and rec students in 2020-2021.
Southern Utah University also made our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region” list, coming in at #13. The estimated yearly cost for Southern Utah University is $13,578 for rocky mountains region parks & rec students with aid.
The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 4.5%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.
Full Southern Utah University Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Report
Fort Lewis College landed the #16 spot on the 2023 Best Value Parks & Rec Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region For Those Getting Aid ranking. FLC is a small school located in Durango, Colorado that handed out 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 yearly cost to attend FLC is $16,255 for Rocky Mountains Region Parks & Rec students with aid.
Full Fort Lewis College Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Report
Colorado State University - Pueblo landed the #17 spot on the 2023 Best Value Parks & Rec Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region For Those Getting Aid ranking. Pueblo, Colorado is the setting for this medium-sized institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s parks and rec degrees to 40 students in 2020-2021.
Colorado State University - Pueblo also took the #18 spot in our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Colorado State University - Pueblo is $13,695 for Rocky Mountains Region Parks & Rec students with aid.
Read more about Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies at Colorado State University - Pueblo
Western Colorado University did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Parks & Rec Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region For Those Getting Aid ranking, coming in at #18. Gunnison, Colorado is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s parks and rec degrees to 57 students in 2020-2021.
In addition to being on our rocky mountains region parks & rec students with aid list, Western has also earned the #17 rank in our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Western Colorado University is $16,690 for Rocky Mountains Region Parks & Rec students with aid.
Read full report on Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies at Western
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Best Value Colleges for Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies in the Southeast Region (With Aid)
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Best Value Colleges for Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies in the Rocky Mountains Region (With Aid)
Middle Atlantic
Best Value Colleges for Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies in the Middle Atlantic Region (With Aid)
Southwest
Best Value Colleges for Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies in the Southwest Region (With Aid)
New England
Best Value Colleges for Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies in the New England Region (With Aid)
Plains States
Best Value Colleges for Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies in the Plains States Region (With Aid)
Far Western US
Best Value Colleges for Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies in the Far Western US Region (With Aid)
Great Lakes
Best Value Colleges for Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies in the Great Lakes Region (With Aid)
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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
Most Focused Colleges for Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies 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
Best Value Colleges for Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies (Income $0-$30k) in the Rocky Mountains Region
Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies students with family income less than $30k in the Rocky Mountains Region
Best Value Colleges for Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies (Income $48-$75k) in the Rocky Mountains Region
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
Highest Paid Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Graduates in the Rocky Mountains Region
Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies students in the Rocky Mountains Region
Most Popular Colleges for Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies in the Rocky Mountains Region
Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies students in the Rocky Mountains Region
Best Value Colleges for Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies in the Rocky Mountains Region (With Aid)
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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