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2022 Best Value Master’s Degree Colleges for Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies (Income $0-$30k) in California

21 Ranked Colleges
1,150 Degrees Awarded
$19,900 Avg Grad Tuition & Fees*
Best Value Parks & Rec Schools for a Master's in California For Those Making $0-$30k

Students have lots of options to chooose from today when trying to decide which college to attend. At College Factual, we’re committed to helping you make that decision by providing information such as that found in our “Best Value Parks & Rec Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Making $0-$30k” ranking.

In 2019-2020, 72,122 people earned their degree in parks, recreation, leisure, and fitness studies, making the major the 15th most popular in the United States. In 2017-2018, parks, recreation, leisure, and fitness studies graduates who were awarded their degree in 2015-2017, earned an average of $29,823 and had an average of $24,576 in loans still to pay off.

Across California, there were 11,357 parks, recreation, leisure, and fitness studies graduates with average earnings and debt of $30,588 and $23,018 respectively. At the master’s degree level specifically, there were 1,150 parks, recreation, leisure, and fitness studies graduates with average earnings and debt of $60,281 and $50,119 respectively.

This year’s “Best Value Parks & Rec Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Making $0-$30k” ranking analyzed 21 colleges that offered 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.

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, leisure, and fitness studies program at the school. Check out our ranking methodology for more information.

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

Since picking the right college can be one of the most important decisions of your life, we’ve developed the “Best Value Parks & Rec Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Making $0-$30k” 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.

Best Value Parks & Rec Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Making $0-$30k

The following schools top our list of the Best Best Value Parks & Rec Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Making $0-$30k.

Top 21 Best Value Master’s Degree Colleges for Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies (Income $0-$30k) in California

#19 in overall quality

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend California State University - Los Angeles. The school came in at #1 for the Best Value Parks & Rec Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Making $0-$30k. This large school is located in Los Angeles, California, and it awarded 9 masters’s parks and rec degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our california master’s degree parks & rec students whose families make $0-$30k list, Cal State LA has also earned the #19 rank in our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Master’s Degree Schools in California” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at California State University - Los Angeles are $17,723, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read more about Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies at California State University - Los Angeles

#4 in overall quality

Out of the 21 schools in the Best Value Parks & Rec Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Making $0-$30k that were part of this year’s ranking, California State University - Long Beach landed the #2 spot on the list. Located in Long Beach, California, this large public school handed out 120 degrees to qualified masters’s parks and rec students in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our california master’s degree parks & rec students whose families make $0-$30k list, CSULB has also earned the #4 rank in our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Master’s Degree Schools in California” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at CSULB are $17,784, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

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

#10 in overall quality

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend California State University - Fullerton. It ranked #3 on our 2022 Best Value Parks & Rec Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Making $0-$30k list. Fullerton, California is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out masters’s parks and rec degrees to 36 students in 2019-2020.

Cal State Fullerton also made our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Master’s Degree Schools in California” list, coming in at #10. Average graduate tuition and fees at California State University - Fullerton are $17,892, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

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

#14 in overall quality

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend California State University - Fresno. It ranked #4 on our 2022 Best Value Parks & Rec Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Making $0-$30k list. Located in Fresno, California, this large public school handed out 23 degrees to qualified masters’s parks and rec students in 2019-2020.

Fresno State not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #14 on our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Master’s Degree Schools in California” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at Fresno State are $17,581, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Full Fresno State Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Report

#16 in overall quality

Out of the 21 schools in the Best Value Parks & Rec Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Making $0-$30k that were part of this year’s ranking, California State University - Northridge landed the #5 spot on the list. CSUN is a large school located in Northridge, California that handed out 18 masters’s parks and rec degrees in 2019-2020.

CSUN did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #16 on our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Master’s Degree Schools in California” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at CSUN are $17,955, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

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

#6

San Diego State University

San Diego, California
#5 in overall quality

San Diego State University ranked #6 on this year’s Best Value Parks & Rec Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Making $0-$30k list. Located in San Diego, California, this large public school handed out 8 diplomas to qualified masters’s parks and rec students in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our california master’s degree parks & rec students whose families make $0-$30k list, SDSU has also earned the #5 rank in our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Master’s Degree Schools in California” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at San Diego State University are $18,658, but some majors have different tuition rates.

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

California State University - Sacramento did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Parks & Rec Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #7. Sac State is located in Sacramento, California and, has a large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 7 masters’s parks and rec degrees to qualified students.

Sac State also made our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Master’s Degree Schools in California” list, coming in at #0. Average graduate tuition and fees at California State University - Sacramento are $18,356, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

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

#8

San Jose State University

San Jose, California
#8 in overall quality

With a ranking of #8, San Jose State University did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Parks & Rec Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Making $0-$30k list. San Jose State is a public institution located in San Jose, California. The school has a large population, and it awarded 29 masters’s degrees in 2019-2020.

San Jose State not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #8 on our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Master’s Degree Schools in California” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at San Jose State are $18,790, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Full San Jose State Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Report

#9

San Francisco State University

San Francisco, California
#12 in overall quality

San Francisco State University landed the #9 spot on the 2022 Best Value Parks & Rec Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. San Francisco State University is a large school located in San Francisco, California that handed out 8 masters’s parks and rec degrees in 2019-2020.

SFSU not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #12 on our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Master’s Degree Schools in California” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at SFSU are $17,944, but some majors have different tuition rates.

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

#18 in overall quality

California State University - East Bay landed the #10 spot on the 2022 Best Value Parks & Rec Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Located in Hayward, California, this fairly large public school handed out 10 degrees to qualified masters’s parks and rec students in 2019-2020.

Cal State East Bay also made our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Master’s Degree Schools in California” list, coming in at #18. Average graduate tuition and fees at Cal State East Bay are $17,828, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Full Cal State East Bay Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Report

California State Polytechnic University - Pomona ranked #11 on this year’s Best Value Parks & Rec Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Making $0-$30k list. California State Polytechnic University - Pomona is a public institution located in Pomona, California. The school has a large population, and it awarded 4 masters’s degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Cal Poly Pomona, the school also landed the #0 spot in our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Master’s Degree Schools in California” ranking. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at Cal Poly Pomona are $18,377.

Read more about Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies at Cal Poly Pomona

#17 in overall quality

California State University - San Marcos ranked #12 on this year’s Best Value Parks & Rec Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Making $0-$30k list. Located in San Marcos, California, this fairly large public school awarded 8 degrees to qualified masters’s parks and rec students in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our california master’s degree parks & rec students whose families make $0-$30k list, CSUSM has also earned the #17 rank in our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Master’s Degree Schools in California” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at CSUSM are $18,661, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read full report on Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies at California State University - San Marcos

#9 in overall quality

California State University - Chico ranked #13 on this year’s Best Value Parks & Rec Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Making $0-$30k list. Chico State is located in Chico, California and, has a fairly large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 19 masters’s parks and rec degrees to qualified students.

Chico State not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #9 on our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Master’s Degree Schools in California” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at Chico State are $18,802, but some majors have different tuition rates.

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

#14

Humboldt State University

Arcata, California

With a ranking of #14, Humboldt State University did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Parks & Rec Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Making $0-$30k list. Humboldt State University is a medium-sized school located in Arcata, California that handed out 7 masters’s parks and rec degrees in 2019-2020.

Humboldt State University did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #0 on our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Master’s Degree Schools in California” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at Humboldt State University are $18,802, but some majors have different tuition rates.

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

#15

Concordia University, Irvine

Irvine, California
#3 in overall quality

With a ranking of #15, Concordia University, Irvine did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Parks & Rec Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Making $0-$30k list. Concordia University, Irvine is a small private not-for-profit school situated in Irvine, California. It awarded 452 masters’s parks and rec degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our california master’s degree parks & rec students whose families make $0-$30k list, Concordia University, Irvine has also earned the #3 rank in our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Master’s Degree Schools in California” ranking. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at Concordia University, Irvine are $8,121.

Read full report on Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies at Concordia University, Irvine

#16

National University

La Jolla, California
#15 in overall quality

National University did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Parks & Rec Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #16. National University is a fairly large school located in La Jolla, California that handed out 38 masters’s parks and rec degrees in 2019-2020.

National University did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #15 on our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Master’s Degree Schools in California” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at National University are $15,480, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

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

#17

California Baptist University

Riverside, California
#6 in overall quality

With a ranking of #17, California Baptist University did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Parks & Rec Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Making $0-$30k list. Cal Baptist is a private not-for-profit institution located in Riverside, California. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 103 masters’s degrees in 2019-2020.

Cal Baptist did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #6 on our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Master’s Degree Schools in California” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at Cal Baptist are $14,140, but some majors have different tuition rates.

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

#18

University of the Pacific

Stockton, California
#13 in overall quality

University of the Pacific came in at #18 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Parks & Rec Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Pacific is a medium-sized school located in Stockton, California that handed out 10 masters’s parks and rec degrees in 2019-2020.

Pacific did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #13 on our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Master’s Degree Schools in California” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at University of the Pacific are $49,374, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

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

#19

Point Loma Nazarene University

San Diego, California
#7 in overall quality

With a ranking of #19, Point Loma Nazarene University did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Parks & Rec Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Making $0-$30k list. PLNU is a small school located in San Diego, California that handed out 64 masters’s parks and rec degrees in 2019-2020.

PLNU did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #7 on our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Master’s Degree Schools in California” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at PLNU are $11,880, but some majors have different tuition rates.

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

#1 in overall quality

Saint Mary’s College of California ranked #20 on this year’s Best Value Parks & Rec Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Making $0-$30k list. SMC is a small school located in Moraga, California that handed out 21 masters’s parks and rec degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our california master’s degree parks & rec students whose families make $0-$30k list, SMC has also earned the #1 rank in our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Master’s Degree Schools in California” ranking. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at Saint Mary’s College of California are $33,509.

Read more about Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies at Saint Mary’s College of California

#21

University of San Francisco

San Francisco, California
#2 in overall quality

University of San Francisco landed the #21 spot on the 2022 Best Value Parks & Rec Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. USFCA is a private not-for-profit institution located in San Francisco, California. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 95 masters’s degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our california master’s degree parks & rec students whose families make $0-$30k list, USFCA has also earned the #2 rank in our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Master’s Degree Schools in California” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at University of San Francisco are $26,710, but some majors have different tuition rates.

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

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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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