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2022 Best Value Parks & Rec Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Far Western US Region For Those Getting Aid

14 Ranked Colleges
654 Degrees Awarded
$13,500 Avg Net Price*
Best Value Parks & Rec Schools for a Bachelor's in the Far Western US Region For Those Getting Aid

When pursuing a degree in today’s world, students have many different options to choose from. 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 Bachelor’s in the Far Western US Region For Those Getting Aid” ranking - to help you make that decision.

Parks, Recreation & Leisure Studies is the 152nd most popular major in the country with 3,224 degrees awarded in 2019-2020. In 2017-2018, parks, recreation and leisure studies graduates who were awarded their degree in 2015-2017, earned an average of $29,957 and had an average of $22,487 in loans still to pay off.

Across the Far Western US region, there were 733 parks, recreation and leisure studies graduates with average earnings and debt of $32,378 and $18,768 respectively. At the bachelor’s degree level specifically, there were 654 parks, recreation and leisure studies graduates with average earnings and debt of $38,083 and $22,209 respectively.

For this year’s “Best Value Parks & Rec Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Far Western US Region For Those Getting Aid” ranking, we looked at 14 colleges that offer a degree in parks, recreation and leisure studies. This ranking identifies schools with high-quality parks, recreation and leisure studies programs that also have a lower cost than schools of similar quality.

To come up with these rankings, we looked at factors such as the cost to attend the school after aid is awarded and overall quality of the parks, recreation and leisure studies program at the school. See our ranking methodology to learn more.

More Ways to Rank Parks, Recreation & Leisure 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 Bachelor’s in the Far Western US Region For Those Getting Aid” list to help you make the college decision.

In addition to College Factual’s rankings, you may want to take a look at College Combat, our unique tool that lets you pit your favorite schools head-to-head and compare how they rate on factors that most interest you. 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 for a Bachelor’s in the Far Western US Region For Those Getting Aid

The following schools top our list of the Best Best Value Parks & Rec Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Far Western US Region For Those Getting Aid.

Top 14 Best Value Bachelor’s Degree Colleges for Parks, Recreation & Leisure Studies in the Far Western US Region (With Aid)

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend California State University - Fresno. The school came in at #1 for the Best Value Parks & Rec Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Far Western US Region For Those Getting Aid. California State University - Fresno is a large school located in Fresno, California that handed out 37 bachelors’s parks and rec degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Fresno State, the school also landed the #6 spot in our “Best Parks, Recreation & Leisure Studies Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Far Western US Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Fresno State is $5,464 for Far Western US Region Bachelor’s Degree Parks & Rec students with aid.

The low student loan default rate of 4.7% 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%. With a freshman retention rate of 87%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its students.

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

Out of the 14 schools in the Best Value Parks & Rec Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Far Western US Region For Those Getting Aid that were part of this year’s ranking, California State University - Long Beach landed the #2 spot on the list. California State University - Long Beach is a public institution located in Long Beach, California. The school has a large population, and it awarded 87 bachelors’s degrees in 2019-2020.

CSULB also made our “Best Parks, Recreation & Leisure Studies Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Far Western US Region” list, coming in at #3. It costs about $9,622 for Far Western US Region Bachelor’s Degree Parks & Rec students with aid per year to attend California State University - Long Beach.

The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 89%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. The low student loan default rate of 1.6% 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%.

Full CSULB Parks, Recreation & Leisure Studies Report

Out of the 14 schools in the Best Value Parks & Rec Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Far Western US Region For Those Getting Aid that were part of this year’s ranking, California State University - Sacramento landed the #3 spot on the list. California State University - Sacramento is a public institution located in Sacramento, California. The school has a large population, and it awarded 121 bachelors’s degrees in 2019-2020.

Sac State also took the #2 spot in our “Best Parks, Recreation & Leisure Studies Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Far Western US Region” ranking. It costs about $9,979 for far western us region bachelor’s degree parks & rec students with aid per year to attend Sac State.

The low student loan default rate of 4.6% 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 Studies at California State University - Sacramento

#4

San Diego State University

San Diego, California

Out of the 14 schools in the Best Value Parks & Rec Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Far Western US Region For Those Getting Aid that were part of this year’s ranking, San Diego State University landed the #4 spot on the list. Located in San Diego, California, this large public school awarded 41 diplomas to qualified bachelors’s parks and rec students in 2019-2020.

SDSU not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #5 on our “Best Parks, Recreation & Leisure Studies Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Far Western US Region” list. The estimated yearly cost for San Diego State University is $14,788 for far western us region bachelor’s degree parks & rec students with aid.

The student loan default rate at the school is 2.8%, 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.

Full SDSU Parks, Recreation & Leisure Studies Report

#5

San Jose State University

San Jose, California

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend San Jose State University. It ranked #5 on our 2022 Best Value Parks & Rec Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Far Western US Region For Those Getting Aid list. San Jose State is a large public school situated in San Jose, California. It awarded 31 bachelors’s parks and rec degrees in 2019-2020.

San Jose State also made our “Best Parks, Recreation & Leisure Studies Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Far Western US Region” list, coming in at #1. The yearly cost to attend San Jose State is $14,928 for Far Western US Region Bachelor’s Degree Parks & Rec students with aid.

The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 86%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. The student loan default rate at the school is 3.7%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

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

With a ranking of #6, California State University - East Bay did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Parks & Rec Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Far Western US Region For Those Getting Aid list. California State University - East Bay is a public institution located in Hayward, California. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 32 bachelors’s degrees in 2019-2020.

Cal State East Bay also made our “Best Parks, Recreation & Leisure Studies Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Far Western US Region” list, coming in at #8. It costs about $11,116 for far western us region bachelor’s degree parks & rec students with aid per year to attend California State University - East Bay.

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

California State University - Chico landed the #7 spot on the 2022 Best Value Parks & Rec Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Far Western US Region For Those Getting Aid ranking. This fairly large school is located in Chico, California, and it awarded 87 bachelors’s parks and rec degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our far western us region bachelor’s degree parks & rec students with aid list, Chico State has also earned the #4 rank in our “Best Parks, Recreation & Leisure Studies Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Far Western US Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Chico State is $15,017 for Far Western US Region Bachelor’s Degree Parks & Rec students with aid.

The low student loan default rate of 3.3% 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 Studies at California State University - Chico

#8

Eastern Washington University

Cheney, Washington
#11 in overall quality

Eastern Washington University ranked #8 on this year’s Best Value Parks & Rec Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Far Western US Region For Those Getting Aid list. Located in Cheney, Washington, this fairly large public school handed out 7 diplomas to qualified bachelors’s parks and rec students in 2019-2020.

EWU also made our “Best Parks, Recreation & Leisure Studies Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Far Western US Region” list, coming in at #11. The yearly cost to attend Eastern Washington University is $12,607 for far western us region bachelor’s degree parks & rec students with aid.

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

#9

San Francisco State University

San Francisco, California

San Francisco State University landed the #9 spot on the 2022 Best Value Parks & Rec Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Far Western US Region For Those Getting Aid ranking. SFSU is a large school located in San Francisco, California that handed out 35 bachelors’s parks and rec degrees in 2019-2020.

SFSU also took the #9 spot in our “Best Parks, Recreation & Leisure Studies Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Far Western US Region” ranking. It costs about $15,113 for far western us region bachelor’s degree parks & rec students with aid per year to attend San Francisco State University.

Read more about Parks, Recreation & Leisure Studies at SFSU

#10

Southern Oregon University

Ashland, Oregon

With a ranking of #10, Southern Oregon University did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Parks & Rec Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Far Western US Region For Those Getting Aid list. Ashland, Oregon is the setting for this medium-sized institution of higher learning. The public school handed out bachelors’s parks and rec degrees to 15 students in 2019-2020.

Southern Oregon University not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #13 on our “Best Parks, Recreation & Leisure Studies Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Far Western US Region” list. It costs about $10,386 for Far Western US Region Bachelor’s Degree Parks & Rec students with aid per year to attend Southern Oregon University.

Full Southern Oregon University Parks, Recreation & Leisure Studies Report

#11

Western Washington University

Bellingham, Washington

Western Washington University came in at #11 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Parks & Rec Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Far Western US Region For Those Getting Aid ranking. Western Washington University is located in Bellingham, Washington and, has a fairly large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 40 bachelors’s parks and rec degrees to qualified students.

WWU not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #7 on our “Best Parks, Recreation & Leisure Studies Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Far Western US Region” list. It costs about $16,529 for far western us region bachelor’s degree parks & rec students with aid per year to attend WWU.

The school has an impressive student loan default rate. It’s only 2.7%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

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

#12

Oregon State University

Corvallis, Oregon

With a ranking of #12, Oregon State University did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Parks & Rec Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Far Western US Region For Those Getting Aid list. Oregon State is a large school located in Corvallis, Oregon that handed out 20 bachelors’s parks and rec degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our far western us region bachelor’s degree parks & rec students with aid list, Oregon State has also earned the #10 rank in our “Best Parks, Recreation & Leisure Studies Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Far Western US Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Oregon State University is $20,016 for Far Western US Region Bachelor’s Degree Parks & Rec students with aid.

With a freshman retention rate of 85%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its students. The school has an impressive student loan default rate. It’s only 3.4%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Full Oregon State Parks, Recreation & Leisure Studies Report

#13

Humboldt State University

Arcata, California
#14 in overall quality

Humboldt State University ranked #13 on this year’s Best Value Parks & Rec Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Far Western US Region For Those Getting Aid list. This medium-sized school is located in Arcata, California, and it awarded 13 bachelors’s parks and rec degrees in 2019-2020.

Humboldt State University also made our “Best Parks, Recreation & Leisure Studies Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Far Western US Region” list, coming in at #14. The yearly cost to attend Humboldt State University is $14,692 for Far Western US Region Bachelor’s Degree Parks & Rec students with aid.

Full Humboldt State University Parks, Recreation & Leisure Studies Report

#14

Alaska Pacific University

Anchorage, Alaska

Alaska Pacific University ranked #14 on this year’s Best Value Parks & Rec Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Far Western US Region For Those Getting Aid list. This small school is located in Anchorage, Alaska, and it awarded 6 bachelors’s parks and rec degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Alaska Pacific, the school also landed the #12 spot in our “Best Parks, Recreation & Leisure Studies Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Far Western US Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Alaska Pacific is $18,602 for far western us region bachelor’s degree parks & rec students with aid.

Since the school has a student-to-faculty ratio of 8 to 1, those pursuing a degree will have more opportunities to interact with their professors.

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

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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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