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2023 Most Focused Colleges for Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies in the Far Western US Region

206 Ranked Colleges
13,660 Degrees Awarded
$29,000 Avg Cost*
Schools Highly Focused on Parks & Rec Major in the Far Western US Region

When it comes to choosing a college, students have a lot of options - but not all of them are good. At College Factual, we’re committed to helping you make that decision by providing information such as that found in our “Schools Highly Focused on Parks & Rec Major in the Far Western US Region” ranking.

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 Far Western US region, there were 13,660 parks, recreation, leisure, and fitness studies graduates with average earnings and debt of $31,616 and $20,987 respectively.

This year’s “Schools Highly Focused on Parks & Rec Major in the Far Western US Region” ranking looked at 206 colleges that offer degrees in a bachelor’s in parks, recreation, leisure, and fitness studies. The colleges and universities that top this list are recognized because their parks, recreation, leisure, and fitness studies program is one of the largest majors offered at the school.

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Since picking the right college can be one of the most important decisions of your life, we’ve developed the “Schools Highly Focused on Parks & Rec Major in the Far Western US Region” ranking, along with many other major-related rankings, to help you make that decision.

We’ve created a tool called College Combat that lets you create your own customized comparisons based on the factors that matter the most 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.

Schools Highly Focused on Parks & Rec Major in the Far Western US Region

The following schools top our list of the Best “Schools Highly Focused on Parks & Rec Major in the Far Western US Region”.

Top 25 Most Focused Colleges for Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies in the Far Western US Region

1

Out of the 206 schools in the Schools Highly Focused on Parks & Rec Major in the Far Western US Region that were part of this year’s ranking, Professional Golfers Career College landed the #1 spot on the list. Professional Golfers Career College is a small private for-profit school situated in Temecula, California. It awarded 40 ’s parks and rec degrees in 2020-2021.

Read full report on Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies at Professional Golfers Career College

2

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend International Sports Sciences Association. It ranked #2 on our 2023 Schools Highly Focused on Parks & Rec Major in the Far Western US Region list. ISSA is a small private for-profit school situated in Carpinteria, California. It awarded 127 ’s parks and rec degrees in 2020-2021.

With a freshman retention rate of 100%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.

Full International Sports Sciences Association Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Report

3
Concordia University, Irvine crest
Concordia University, Irvine
Irvine, California

Out of the 206 schools in the Schools Highly Focused on Parks & Rec Major in the Far Western US Region that were part of this year’s ranking, Concordia University, Irvine landed the #3 spot on the list. Concordia University, Irvine is a private not-for-profit institution located in Irvine, California. The school has a small population, and it awarded 438 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

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 Concordia University, Irvine

4
Whittier crest
Whittier College
Whittier, California

Out of the 206 schools in the Schools Highly Focused on Parks & Rec Major in the Far Western US Region that were part of this year’s ranking, Whittier College landed the #4 spot on the list. This small school is located in Whittier, California, and it awarded 53 ’s parks and rec degrees in 2020-2021.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 2.5%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

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

5
University of Saint Katherine crest
University of Saint Katherine
San Marcos, California

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend University of Saint Katherine. The school came in at #5 for the Schools Highly Focused on Parks & Rec Major in the Far Western US Region. University of Saint Katherine is a small school located in San Marcos, California that handed out 6 ’s parks and rec degrees in 2020-2021.

Read full report on Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies at University of Saint Katherine

6
Westmont crest
Westmont College
Santa Barbara, California

Westmont College landed the #6 spot on the 2023 Schools Highly Focused on Parks & Rec Major in the Far Western US Region ranking. Located in Santa Barbara, California, this small private not-for-profit school handed out 37 degrees to qualified ’s parks and rec students in 2020-2021.

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%.

Read more about Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies at Westmont College

7
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Mt. San Antonio College
Walnut, California

Mt. San Antonio College did quite well in the 2023 Schools Highly Focused on Parks & Rec Major in the Far Western US Region ranking, coming in at #7. Located in Walnut, California, this large public school handed out 521 degrees to qualified ’s parks and rec students in 2020-2021.

Full Mt. San Antonio College Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Report

8
Warner Pacific crest
Warner Pacific University
Portland, Oregon

Warner Pacific University did quite well in the 2023 Schools Highly Focused on Parks & Rec Major in the Far Western US Region ranking, coming in at #8. Warner Pacific University is located in Portland, Oregon and, has a small student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 14 ’s parks and rec degrees to qualified students.

The undergraduate student-to-faculty ratio of 10 to 1 is a sign that students will have more opportunities to engage with their professors one-on-one.

Full Warner Pacific Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Report

9
Alaska Pacific crest
Alaska Pacific University
Anchorage, Alaska

With a ranking of #9, Alaska Pacific University did quite well on the 2023 Schools Highly Focused on Parks & Rec Major in the Far Western US Region list. Alaska Pacific is a private not-for-profit institution located in Anchorage, Alaska. The school has a small population, and it awarded 12 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

The undergraduate student-to-faculty ratio of 8 to 1 is a sign that students will have more opportunities to engage with their professors one-on-one.

Read full report on Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies at Alaska Pacific University

10

University of Western States did quite well in the 2023 Schools Highly Focused on Parks & Rec Major in the Far Western US Region ranking, coming in at #10. University of Western States is a small school located in Portland, Oregon that handed out 47 ’s parks and rec degrees in 2020-2021.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 0.8%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%. With a undergrad student-to-faculty ratio of 8 to 1, it’s easy to see that the school is committed to helping their undergraduates succeed.

Full University of Western States Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Report

11
Cal Baptist crest
California Baptist University
Riverside, California

California Baptist University came in at #11 in this year’s edition of the Schools Highly Focused on Parks & Rec Major in the Far Western US Region ranking. Riverside, California is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out ’s parks and rec degrees to 280 students in 2020-2021.

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%.

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

12
EOU crest
Eastern Oregon University
La Grande, Oregon

Eastern Oregon University came in at #12 in this year’s edition of the Schools Highly Focused on Parks & Rec Major in the Far Western US Region ranking. This small school is located in La Grande, Oregon, and it awarded 69 ’s parks and rec degrees in 2020-2021.

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

13
HNU crest
Holy Names University
Oakland, California

Holy Names University came in at #13 in this year’s edition of the Schools Highly Focused on Parks & Rec Major in the Far Western US Region ranking. Holy Names University is a small private not-for-profit school situated in Oakland, California. It awarded 22 ’s parks and rec degrees in 2020-2021.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 3.5%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%. With a undergrad student-to-faculty ratio of 7 to 1, it’s easy to see that the school is committed to helping their undergraduates succeed.

Read full report on Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies at Holy Names University

14

Linfield University - McMinnville Campus ranked #14 on this year’s Schools Highly Focused on Parks & Rec Major in the Far Western US Region list. Located in McMinnville, Oregon, this small private not-for-profit school handed out 20 diplomas to qualified ’s parks and rec students in 2020-2021.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 2.1% 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 Linfield University - McMinnville Campus Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Report

15

California State University - Monterey Bay ranked #15 on this year’s Schools Highly Focused on Parks & Rec Major in the Far Western US Region list. CSUMB is a medium-sized public school situated in Seaside, California. It awarded 154 ’s parks and rec degrees in 2020-2021.

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%.

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

16
College of the Canyons crest
College of the Canyons
Santa Clarita, California

College of the Canyons did quite well in the 2023 Schools Highly Focused on Parks & Rec Major in the Far Western US Region ranking, coming in at #16. College of the Canyons is a fairly large school located in Santa Clarita, California that handed out 372 ’s parks and rec degrees in 2020-2021.

Full College of the Canyons Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Report

17

With a ranking of #17, California State University - Chico did quite well on the 2023 Schools Highly Focused on Parks & Rec Major in the Far Western US Region list. Chico State is a fairly large public school situated in Chico, California. It awarded 325 ’s parks and rec degrees in 2020-2021.

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%.

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

18
Cabrillo College crest
Cabrillo College
Aptos, California

Cabrillo College came in at #18 in this year’s edition of the Schools Highly Focused on Parks & Rec Major in the Far Western US Region ranking. Located in Aptos, California, this medium-sized public school handed out 161 degrees to qualified ’s parks and rec students in 2020-2021.

Read more about Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies at Cabrillo College

19
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University of Antelope Valley
Lancaster, California

University of Antelope Valley landed the #19 spot on the 2023 Schools Highly Focused on Parks & Rec Major in the Far Western US Region ranking. University of Antelope Valley is a private for-profit institution located in Lancaster, California. The school has a small population, and it awarded 19 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

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 University of Antelope Valley

20
Humboldt State University crest
Humboldt State University
Arcata, California

Humboldt State University did quite well in the 2023 Schools Highly Focused on Parks & Rec Major in the Far Western US Region ranking, coming in at #20. 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.

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

21
San Diego Christian crest
San Diego Christian College
Santee, California

With a ranking of #21, San Diego Christian College did quite well on the 2023 Schools Highly Focused on Parks & Rec Major in the Far Western US Region list. San Diego Christian College is located in Santee, California and, has a small student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 11 ’s parks and rec degrees to qualified students.

With a undergrad student-to-faculty ratio of 9 to 1, it’s easy to see that the school is committed to helping their undergraduates succeed.

Read full report on Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies at San Diego Christian College

22

Feather River Community College District ranked #22 on this year’s Schools Highly Focused on Parks & Rec Major in the Far Western US Region list. Feather River College is a small public school situated in Quincy, California. It awarded 19 ’s parks and rec degrees in 2020-2021.

Read full report on Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies at Feather River Community College District

23

Vanguard University of Southern California came in at #23 in this year’s edition of the Schools Highly Focused on Parks & Rec Major in the Far Western US Region ranking. Located in Costa Mesa, California, this small private not-for-profit school awarded 36 degrees to qualified ’s parks and rec students in 2020-2021.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 5.0%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies at Vanguard University of Southern California

24
La Sierra crest
La Sierra University
Riverside, California

La Sierra University ranked #24 on this year’s Schools Highly Focused on Parks & Rec Major in the Far Western US Region list. Located in Riverside, California, this small private not-for-profit school awarded 28 degrees to qualified ’s parks and rec students in 2020-2021.

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%.

Full La Sierra Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Report

25
William Jessup University crest
William Jessup University
Rocklin, California

William Jessup University ranked #25 on this year’s Schools Highly Focused on Parks & Rec Major in the Far Western US Region list. William Jessup University is located in Rocklin, California and, has a small student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 28 ’s parks and rec degrees to qualified students.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 5.0%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Full William Jessup University Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Report

Rest of the Best 31 in Schools Highly Focused on Parks & Rec Major in the Far Western US Region

Not only did these schools make the top 31 list, but they also landed in the top 15% of this year’s ranking:

26
PLU crest
Pacific Lutheran University
Tacoma, Washington
27
Corban crest
Corban University
Salem, Oregon
28
29
30
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Point Loma Nazarene University
San Diego, California
31

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