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2023 Most Focused Colleges for Parks, Recreation & Leisure Studies in California

24 Ranked Colleges
$26,500 Avg Cost*
Schools Highly Focused on Parks & Rec Major in California

When it comes to choosing a college, students have a lot of options - but not all of them are good. College Factual was founded, in part, to help students make the decision as to what would be the best school for them. Our “Schools Highly Focused on Parks & Rec Major in California” ranking is part of that endeavor.

Parks, Recreation & Leisure Studies is the 218th most popular major in the country with 2,818 degrees awarded in 2021-2022.

Across California, there were 587 parks, recreation & leisure studies graduates with average earnings and debt of $0 and $0 respectively.

This year’s “Schools Highly Focused on Parks & Rec Major in California” ranking analyzed 24 colleges that offered a degree in parks, recreation & leisure studies. This a ranking of the schools where the largest percentage of students has enrolled in parks, recreation & leisure studies.

See our ranking methodology to learn more.

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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 California” ranking, along with many other major-related rankings, to help you make that 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. When you have some time, check it out - you may want to bookmark the link so you don’t forget it.

Schools Highly Focused on Parks & Rec Major in California

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

Top 24 Most Focused Colleges for Parks, Recreation & Leisure Studies in California

1

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend California State University - Chico. It ranked #1 on our 2023 Schools Highly Focused on Parks & Rec Major in California list. California State University - Chico is a fairly large school located in Chico, California that handed out 103 ’s parks & rec degrees in 2021-2022.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 2.2%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

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

2

Out of the 24 schools in the Schools Highly Focused on Parks & Rec Major in California that were part of this year’s ranking, California Polytechnic State University - San Luis Obispo landed the #2 spot on the list. San Luis Obispo, California is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s parks & rec degrees to 95 students in 2021-2022.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 0.8%, 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 95%.

Full Cal Poly San Luis Obispo Parks, Recreation & Leisure Studies Report

3
Humboldt State University crest
Humboldt State University
Arcata, California

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Humboldt State University. It ranked #3 on our 2023 Schools Highly Focused on Parks & Rec Major in California list. Humboldt State University is a medium-sized public school situated in Arcata, California. It awarded 20 ’s parks & rec degrees in 2021-2022.

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 full report on Parks, Recreation & Leisure Studies at Humboldt State University

4
LTCC crest
Lake Tahoe Community College
South Lake Tahoe, California

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Lake Tahoe Community College. It ranked #4 on our 2023 Schools Highly Focused on Parks & Rec Major in California list. Lake Tahoe Community College is a small school located in South Lake Tahoe, California that handed out 1 ’s parks & rec degrees in 2021-2022.

Read more about Parks, Recreation & Leisure Studies at LTCC

5

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend California State University - Sacramento. The school came in at #5 for the Schools Highly Focused on Parks & Rec Major in California. Sac State is a public institution located in Sacramento, California. The school has a large population, and it awarded 75 ’s degrees in 2021-2022.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 1.7%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

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

6

Feather River Community College District landed the #6 spot on the 2023 Schools Highly Focused on Parks & Rec Major in California ranking. Feather River Community College District is a small public school situated in Quincy, California. It awarded 5 ’s parks & rec degrees in 2021-2022.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 2.7% 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 Studies at Feather River Community College District

7

With a ranking of #7, California State University - Long Beach did quite well on the 2023 Schools Highly Focused on Parks & Rec Major in California list. California State University - Long Beach is a large public school situated in Long Beach, California. It awarded 83 ’s parks & rec degrees in 2021-2022.

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

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

8

With a ranking of #8, California State University - Fresno did quite well on the 2023 Schools Highly Focused on Parks & Rec Major in California list. This large school is located in Fresno, California, and it awarded 44 ’s parks & rec degrees in 2021-2022.

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%.

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

9
SFSU crest
San Francisco State University
San Francisco, California

San Francisco State University ranked #9 on this year’s Schools Highly Focused on Parks & Rec Major in California list. Located in San Francisco, California, this large public school awarded 28 diplomas to qualified ’s parks & rec students in 2021-2022.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 1.8%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 85%.

Full SFSU Parks, Recreation & Leisure Studies Report

10

California State University - East Bay landed the #10 spot on the 2023 Schools Highly Focused on Parks & Rec Major in California ranking. Cal State East Bay is a fairly large public school situated in Hayward, California. It awarded 41 ’s parks & rec degrees in 2021-2022.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 1.3%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Parks, Recreation & Leisure Studies at California State University - East Bay

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

San Jose State University ranked #11 on this year’s Schools Highly Focused on Parks & Rec Major in California list. Located in San Jose, California, this large public school handed out 28 diplomas to qualified ’s parks & rec students in 2021-2022.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 0.9%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 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 Studies at San Jose State University

12
SDSU crest
San Diego State University
San Diego, California

San Diego State University came in at #12 in this year’s edition of the Schools Highly Focused on Parks & Rec Major in California ranking. San Diego, California is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s parks & rec degrees to 19 students in 2021-2022.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 1.1%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 90%.

Read more about Parks, Recreation & Leisure Studies at San Diego State University

13
Sierra College crest
Sierra College
Rocklin, California

Sierra College came in at #13 in this year’s edition of the Schools Highly Focused on Parks & Rec Major in California ranking. Located in Rocklin, California, this fairly large public school handed out 14 degrees to qualified ’s parks & rec students in 2021-2022.

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%.

Read more about Parks, Recreation & Leisure Studies at Sierra College

14
Allan Hancock College crest
Allan Hancock College
Santa Maria, California

Allan Hancock College did quite well in the 2023 Schools Highly Focused on Parks & Rec Major in California ranking, coming in at #14. Allan Hancock College is a public institution located in Santa Maria, California. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 15 ’s degrees in 2021-2022.

Read more about Parks, Recreation & Leisure Studies at Allan Hancock College

15
Fresno City College crest
Fresno City College
Fresno, California

Fresno City College did quite well in the 2023 Schools Highly Focused on Parks & Rec Major in California ranking, coming in at #15. Fresno, California is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s parks & rec degrees to 5 students in 2021-2022.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 1.9%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Parks, Recreation & Leisure Studies at Fresno City College

16
American River crest
American River College
Sacramento, California

American River College came in at #16 in this year’s edition of the Schools Highly Focused on Parks & Rec Major in California ranking. American River College is a large school located in Sacramento, California that handed out 1 ’s parks & rec degrees in 2021-2022.

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 Studies at American River College

17
El Camino College crest
El Camino College
Torrance, California

El Camino College came in at #17 in this year’s edition of the Schools Highly Focused on Parks & Rec Major in California ranking. El Camino College is a fairly large public school situated in Torrance, California. It awarded 0 ’s parks & rec degrees in 2021-2022.

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 more about Parks, Recreation & Leisure Studies at El Camino College

18
College of the Canyons crest
College of the Canyons
Santa Clarita, California

College of the Canyons ranked #18 on this year’s Schools Highly Focused on Parks & Rec Major in California list. Santa Clarita, California is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s parks & rec degrees to 2 students in 2021-2022.

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%.

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

19
Cuesta College crest
Cuesta College
San Luis Obispo, California

Cuesta College did quite well in the 2023 Schools Highly Focused on Parks & Rec Major in California ranking, coming in at #19. Cuesta College is located in San Luis Obispo, California and, has a medium-sized student population. In 2021-2022, this school awarded 4 ’s parks & rec degrees to qualified students.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 2.1%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Parks, Recreation & Leisure Studies at Cuesta College

20

With a ranking of #20, California State University - Northridge did quite well on the 2023 Schools Highly Focused on Parks & Rec Major in California list. Located in Northridge, California, this large public school handed out 0 diplomas to qualified ’s parks & rec students in 2021-2022.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 1.7% 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 Studies at CSUN

21
Palomar College crest
Palomar College
San Marcos, California

Palomar College came in at #21 in this year’s edition of the Schools Highly Focused on Parks & Rec Major in California ranking. San Marcos, California is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s parks & rec degrees to 0 students in 2021-2022.

Read more about Parks, Recreation & Leisure Studies at Palomar College

21
College of the Desert crest
College of the Desert
Palm Desert, California

College of the Desert ranked #21 on this year’s Schools Highly Focused on Parks & Rec Major in California list. This fairly large school is located in Palm Desert, California, and it awarded 0 ’s parks & rec degrees in 2021-2022.

Read full report on Parks, Recreation & Leisure Studies at College of the Desert

21
Simpson U crest
Simpson University
Redding, California

Simpson University came in at #21 in this year’s edition of the Schools Highly Focused on Parks & Rec Major in California ranking. Simpson University is a small private not-for-profit school situated in Redding, California. It awarded 4 ’s parks & rec degrees in 2021-2022.

Read more about Parks, Recreation & Leisure Studies at Simpson University

21

California State University - Dominguez Hills came in at #21 in this year’s edition of the Schools Highly Focused on Parks & Rec Major in California ranking. Carson, California is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s parks & rec degrees to 0 students in 2021-2022.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 0.8%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on Parks, Recreation & Leisure Studies at California State University - Dominguez Hills

Notes and References

References

Read more about our data sources and methodologies

Footnotes

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