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

206 Ranked Colleges
13,660 Degrees Awarded
$27,600 Avg Cost*
Most Well Attended Parks & Rec Major in the Far Western US Region

When pursuing a degree in today’s world, students have many different options to choose from. At College Factual, we’re committed to helping you make that decision by providing information such as that found in our “Most Well Attended 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 “Most Well Attended 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 schools that top this list are recognized because they have one of the most popular parks, recreation, leisure, and fitness studies programs in the United States.

See our ranking methodology to learn more.

More Ways to Rank Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Schools

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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 “Most Well Attended Parks & Rec Major in the Far Western US Region” list to help you make the college 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. Go ahead and give it a try, or bookmark the link so you can check it out later.

Most Well Attended Parks & Rec Major in the Far Western US Region

The colleges and universities below are the best for far western us region parks & rec students.

1

Out of the 206 schools in the Most Well Attended Parks & Rec Major in the Far Western US Region that were part of this year’s ranking, California State University - Fullerton landed the #1 spot on the list. Cal State Fullerton is a public institution located in Fullerton, California. The school has a large population, and it awarded 581 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 89%. 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 Cal State Fullerton

2
Mt. SAC crest
Mt. San Antonio College
Walnut, California

Out of the 206 schools in the Most Well Attended Parks & Rec Major in the Far Western US Region that were part of this year’s ranking, Mt. San Antonio College landed the #2 spot on the list. Walnut, California is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s parks and rec degrees to 521 students in 2020-2021.

Read more about Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies at Mt. San Antonio College

3

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend California State University - Northridge. It ranked #3 on our 2023 Most Well Attended Parks & Rec Major in the Far Western US Region list. Northridge, California is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s parks and rec degrees to 495 students in 2020-2021.

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 CSUN

4

Out of the 206 schools in the Most Well Attended Parks & Rec Major in the Far Western US Region that were part of this year’s ranking, California State University - Long Beach landed the #4 spot on the list. This large school is located in Long Beach, California, and it awarded 491 ’s parks and rec degrees in 2020-2021.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 2.4%, which is quite low when compared to the national default 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.

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

5
SDSU crest
San Diego State University
San Diego, California

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend San Diego State University. The school came in at #5 for the Most Well Attended Parks & Rec Major in the Far Western US Region. This large school is located in San Diego, California, and it awarded 454 ’s parks and rec degrees in 2020-2021.

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

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

6

Concordia University, Irvine landed the #6 spot on the 2023 Most Well Attended Parks & Rec Major in the Far Western US Region ranking. Concordia University, Irvine is a small school located in Irvine, California that handed out 438 ’s parks and rec degrees in 2020-2021.

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

7

California State University - Sacramento landed the #7 spot on the 2023 Most Well Attended Parks & Rec Major in the Far Western US Region ranking. Sac State is located in Sacramento, California and, has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 404 ’s parks and rec degrees to qualified students.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 3.9%, 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 - Sacramento

8
College of the Canyons crest
College of the Canyons
Santa Clarita, California

College of the Canyons landed the #8 spot on the 2023 Most Well Attended Parks & Rec Major in the Far Western US Region ranking. College of the Canyons is located in Santa Clarita, California and, has a fairly large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 372 ’s parks and rec degrees to qualified students.

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

9

California State University - Los Angeles did quite well in the 2023 Most Well Attended Parks & Rec Major in the Far Western US Region ranking, coming in at #9. Cal State LA is a large public school situated in Los Angeles, California. It awarded 339 ’s parks and rec degrees in 2020-2021.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 3.6%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

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

10

California State University - Chico landed the #10 spot on the 2023 Most Well Attended Parks & Rec Major in the Far Western US Region ranking. Chico State is located in Chico, California and, has a fairly large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 325 ’s parks and rec degrees to qualified students.

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%.

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

11

With a ranking of #11, California State University - Fresno did quite well on the 2023 Most Well Attended Parks & Rec Major in the Far Western US Region list. California State University - Fresno is a large school located in Fresno, California that handed out 323 ’s parks and rec degrees in 2020-2021.

The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 87%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. 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%.

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

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

San Jose State University came in at #12 in this year’s edition of the Most Well Attended Parks & Rec Major in the Far Western US Region ranking. San Jose State University is a large public school situated in San Jose, California. It awarded 290 ’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%. With a freshman retention rate of 86%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.

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

13
Cal Baptist crest
California Baptist University
Riverside, California

California Baptist University did quite well in the 2023 Most Well Attended Parks & Rec Major in the Far Western US Region ranking, coming in at #13. California Baptist University is a fairly large school located in Riverside, California that handed out 280 ’s parks and rec degrees in 2020-2021.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 3.1%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies at California Baptist University

14
SFSU crest
San Francisco State University
San Francisco, California

San Francisco State University ranked #14 on this year’s Most Well Attended Parks & Rec Major in the Far Western US Region list. SFSU is located in San Francisco, California and, has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 274 ’s parks and rec degrees to qualified students.

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%.

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

15

University of Nevada - Las Vegas landed the #15 spot on the 2023 Most Well Attended Parks & Rec Major in the Far Western US Region ranking. University of Nevada - Las Vegas is a large public school situated in Las Vegas, Nevada. It awarded 265 ’s parks and rec degrees in 2020-2021.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 4.9%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies at University of Nevada - Las Vegas

16
Oregon State crest
Oregon State University
Corvallis, Oregon

Oregon State University ranked #16 on this year’s Most Well Attended Parks & Rec Major in the Far Western US Region list. Oregon State University is a public institution located in Corvallis, Oregon. The school has a large population, and it awarded 253 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

With a freshman retention rate of 85%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. The low undergrad student loan default rate of 2.8% 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 Oregon State University

17

California State University - East Bay did quite well in the 2023 Most Well Attended Parks & Rec Major in the Far Western US Region ranking, coming in at #17. 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.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 4.4%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

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

18

With a ranking of #18, California Polytechnic State University - San Luis Obispo did quite well on the 2023 Most Well Attended Parks & Rec Major in the Far Western US Region list. Cal Poly San Luis Obispo is located in San Luis Obispo, California and, has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 227 ’s parks and rec degrees to qualified students.

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%. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 94%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.

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

19

California State University - San Bernardino ranked #19 on this year’s Most Well Attended Parks & Rec Major in the Far Western US Region list. Located in San Bernardino, California, this fairly large public school awarded 202 diplomas to qualified ’s parks and rec students in 2020-2021.

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%. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 85%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.

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

20

California State Polytechnic University - Pomona did quite well in the 2023 Most Well Attended Parks & Rec Major in the Far Western US Region ranking, coming in at #20. California State Polytechnic University - Pomona is a large school located in Pomona, California that handed out 201 ’s parks and rec degrees in 2020-2021.

Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 87%. The low undergrad student loan default rate of 2.6% 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 Polytechnic University - Pomona

21

California State University - San Marcos did quite well in the 2023 Most Well Attended Parks & Rec Major in the Far Western US Region ranking, coming in at #21. California State University - San Marcos is a fairly large public school situated in San Marcos, California. It awarded 183 ’s parks and rec degrees in 2020-2021.

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 California State University - San Marcos Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Report

22
Riverside City College crest
Riverside City College
Riverside, California

Riverside City College did quite well in the 2023 Most Well Attended Parks & Rec Major in the Far Western US Region ranking, coming in at #22. Riverside City College is located in Riverside, California and, has a fairly large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 179 ’s parks and rec degrees to qualified students.

Read full report on Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies at Riverside City College

23

California State University - Dominguez Hills did quite well in the 2023 Most Well Attended Parks & Rec Major in the Far Western US Region ranking, coming in at #23. This fairly large school is located in Carson, California, and it awarded 163 ’s parks and rec degrees in 2020-2021.

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%.

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

24
Cabrillo College crest
Cabrillo College
Aptos, California

Cabrillo College did quite well in the 2023 Most Well Attended Parks & Rec Major in the Far Western US Region ranking, coming in at #24. Located in Aptos, California, this medium-sized public school awarded 161 diplomas to qualified ’s parks and rec students in 2020-2021.

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

24
Wazzu crest
Washington State University
Pullman, Washington

Washington State University came in at #24 in this year’s edition of the Most Well Attended Parks & Rec Major in the Far Western US Region ranking. Wazzu is located in Pullman, Washington and, has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 156 ’s parks and rec degrees to qualified students.

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 Washington State University

Rest of the Best 31 in Most Well Attended 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
27
USFCA crest
University of San Francisco
San Francisco, California
28
Humboldt State University crest
Humboldt State University
Arcata, California
28
CWU crest
Central Washington University
Ellensburg, Washington
28
31
WWU crest
Western Washington University
Bellingham, Washington

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