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2022 Best Value Master’s Degree Colleges for Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies (Income $30-$48k) in the Far Western US Region

31 Ranked Colleges
1,314 Degrees Awarded
$20,400 Avg Grad Tuition & Fees*
Best Value Parks & Rec Schools for a Master's in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $30-$48k

It’s not easy to decide which college to attend when there so many options available for students. 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 Master’s in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $30-$48k” ranking - to help you make that decision.

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 the Far Western US region, there were 13,292 parks, recreation, leisure, and fitness studies graduates with average earnings and debt of $30,601 and $24,679 respectively. At the master’s degree level specifically, there were 1,314 parks, recreation, leisure, and fitness studies graduates with average earnings and debt of $59,319 and $48,880 respectively.

This year’s “Best Value Parks & Rec Schools for a Master’s in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $30-$48k” ranking analyzed 31 colleges that offered a degree in parks, recreation, leisure, and fitness studies. This ranking identifies schools with high-quality parks, recreation, leisure, and fitness studies programs that also have a lower cost than schools of similar quality.

When determining these rankings, we looked at things such as overall quality of the parks, recreation, leisure, and fitness studies program at the school and the cost to attend the school once aid has been awarded. For more information, check out our ranking methodology.

One Size Does Not Fit All

The parks & rec school you choose to invest your time and money in matters. To help you make the decision that is right for you, we’ve developed a number of major-specific rankings, including this list of “Best Value Parks & Rec Schools for a Master’s in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $30-$48k”.

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.

Best Value Parks & Rec Schools for a Master’s in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $30-$48k

The colleges and universities below are the best for far western us region master’s degree parks & rec students whose families make $30-$48k.

Top 25 Best Value Master’s Degree Colleges for Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies (Income $30-$48k) in the Far Western US Region

Out of the 31 schools in the Best Value Parks & Rec Schools for a Master’s in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $30-$48k that were part of this year’s ranking, California State University - Los Angeles landed the #1 spot on the list. Los Angeles, California is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out masters’s parks and rec degrees to 9 students in 2019-2020.

Average graduate tuition and fees at Cal State LA are $17,723, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

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

#9 in overall quality

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend California State University - Long Beach. It ranked #2 on our 2022 Best Value Parks & Rec Schools for a Master’s in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $30-$48k 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.

CSULB did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #9 on our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Master’s Degree Schools in the Far Western US Region” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at CSULB are $17,784, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

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

#17 in overall quality

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend California State University - Fullerton. The school came in at #3 for the Best Value Parks & Rec Schools for a Master’s in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $30-$48k. California State University - Fullerton is a large school located in Fullerton, California that handed out 36 masters’s parks and rec degrees in 2019-2020.

Cal State Fullerton also took the #17 spot in our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Master’s Degree Schools in the Far Western US Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at California State University - Fullerton are $17,892, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

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

#23 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 the Far Western US Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. California State University - Fresno is a large school located in Fresno, California that handed out 23 masters’s parks and rec degrees in 2019-2020.

Fresno State not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #23 on our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Master’s Degree Schools in the Far Western US Region” list. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at California State University - Fresno are $17,581.

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

#25 in overall quality

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend California State University - Northridge. The school came in at #5 for the Best Value Parks & Rec Schools for a Master’s in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $30-$48k. Northridge, California is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out masters’s parks and rec degrees to 18 students in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at CSUN, the school also landed the #25 spot in our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Master’s Degree Schools in the Far Western US Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at CSUN are $17,955, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

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

#6

Washington State University

Pullman, Washington
#8 in overall quality

Washington State University ranked #6 on this year’s Best Value Parks & Rec Schools for a Master’s in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. Located in Pullman, Washington, this large public school handed out 13 diplomas to qualified masters’s parks and rec students in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our far western us region master’s degree parks & rec students whose families make $30-$48k list, Wazzu has also earned the #8 rank in our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Master’s Degree Schools in the Far Western US Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at Washington State University are $27,561, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Full Washington State University Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Report

#7

San Diego State University

San Diego, California
#11 in overall quality

San Diego State University came in at #7 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Parks & Rec Schools for a Master’s in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. SDSU is a large public school situated in San Diego, California. It awarded 8 masters’s parks and rec degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at SDSU, the school also landed the #11 spot in our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Master’s Degree Schools in the Far Western US Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at San Diego State University are $18,658, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

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

#21 in overall quality

California State University - Sacramento ranked #8 on this year’s Best Value Parks & Rec Schools for a Master’s in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. Sac State is a large public school situated in Sacramento, California. It awarded 7 masters’s parks and rec degrees in 2019-2020.

Sac State did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #21 on our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Master’s Degree Schools in the Far Western US Region” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at Sac State 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

#9

Eastern Washington University

Cheney, Washington

Eastern Washington University landed the #9 spot on the 2022 Best Value Parks & Rec Schools for a Master’s in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Located in Cheney, Washington, this fairly large public school handed out 4 diplomas to qualified masters’s parks and rec students in 2019-2020.

EWU also made our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Master’s Degree Schools in the Far Western US Region” list, coming in at #0. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at EWU are $28,921.

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

#10

Western Washington University

Bellingham, Washington
#19 in overall quality

Western Washington University came in at #10 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Parks & Rec Schools for a Master’s in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. WWU is a public institution located in Bellingham, Washington. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 6 masters’s degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our far western us region master’s degree parks & rec students whose families make $30-$48k list, WWU has also earned the #19 rank in our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Master’s Degree Schools in the Far Western US Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at WWU are $24,105, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

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

#11

Southern Oregon University

Ashland, Oregon

Southern Oregon University ranked #11 on this year’s Best Value Parks & Rec Schools for a Master’s in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. This medium-sized school is located in Ashland, Oregon, and it awarded 8 masters’s parks and rec degrees in 2019-2020.

Average graduate tuition and fees at Southern Oregon University are $23,445, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read full report on Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies at Southern Oregon University

#12

Central Washington University

Ellensburg, Washington
#7 in overall quality

Central Washington University did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Parks & Rec Schools for a Master’s in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #12. CWU is a fairly large school located in Ellensburg, Washington that handed out 36 masters’s parks and rec degrees in 2019-2020.

CWU not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #7 on our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Master’s Degree Schools in the Far Western US Region” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at Central Washington University are $24,976, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

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

#13

San Jose State University

San Jose, California
#14 in overall quality

San Jose State University ranked #13 on this year’s Best Value Parks & Rec Schools for a Master’s in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. San Jose State is a large school located in San Jose, California that handed out 29 masters’s parks and rec degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at San Jose State, the school also landed the #14 spot in our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Master’s Degree Schools in the Far Western US Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at San Jose State University are $18,790, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

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

University of Nevada - Las Vegas ranked #14 on this year’s Best Value Parks & Rec Schools for a Master’s in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. University of Nevada - Las Vegas is a large public school situated in Las Vegas, Nevada. It awarded 4 masters’s parks and rec degrees in 2019-2020.

UNLV not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #0 on our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Master’s Degree Schools in the Far Western US Region” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at University of Nevada - Las Vegas are $21,962, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Full University of Nevada - Las Vegas Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Report

#15

University of Hawaii at Manoa

Honolulu, Hawaii
#16 in overall quality

University of Hawaii at Manoa did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Parks & Rec Schools for a Master’s in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #15. Located in Honolulu, Hawaii, this fairly large public school awarded 16 diplomas to qualified masters’s parks and rec students in 2019-2020.

UH Manoa not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #16 on our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Master’s Degree Schools in the Far Western US Region” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at University of Hawaii at Manoa are $34,550, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Full University of Hawaii at Manoa Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Report

#16

San Francisco State University

San Francisco, California
#20 in overall quality

San Francisco State University did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Parks & Rec Schools for a Master’s in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #16. SFSU 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 #20 on our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Master’s Degree Schools in the Far Western US Region” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at SFSU are $17,944, but some majors have different tuition rates.

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

California State University - East Bay landed the #17 spot on the 2022 Best Value Parks & Rec Schools for a Master’s in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Hayward, California is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out masters’s parks and rec degrees to 10 students in 2019-2020.

Average graduate tuition and fees at California State University - East Bay are $17,828, but some majors have different tuition rates.

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

California State University - San Marcos landed the #18 spot on the 2022 Best Value Parks & Rec Schools for a Master’s in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. San Marcos, California is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out masters’s parks and rec degrees to 8 students in 2019-2020.

Average graduate tuition and fees at California State University - San Marcos are $18,661, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

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

#15 in overall quality

California State University - Chico did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Parks & Rec Schools for a Master’s in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #19. Chico, California is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out masters’s parks and rec degrees to 19 students in 2019-2020.

Chico State also took the #15 spot in our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Master’s Degree Schools in the Far Western US Region” ranking. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at California State University - Chico are $18,802.

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

California State Polytechnic University - Pomona ranked #20 on this year’s Best Value Parks & Rec Schools for a Master’s in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. This large school is located in Pomona, California, and it awarded 4 masters’s parks and rec degrees in 2019-2020.

Cal Poly Pomona also made our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Master’s Degree Schools in the Far Western US Region” list, coming in at #0. Average graduate tuition and fees at California State Polytechnic University - Pomona are $18,377, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

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

#21

Oregon State University

Corvallis, Oregon
#10 in overall quality

Oregon State University came in at #21 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Parks & Rec Schools for a Master’s in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Oregon State University is a public institution located in Corvallis, Oregon. The school has a large population, and it awarded 5 masters’s degrees in 2019-2020.

Oregon State did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #10 on our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Master’s Degree Schools in the Far Western US Region” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at Oregon State are $28,121, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Full Oregon State University Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Report

#22

Humboldt State University

Arcata, California

Humboldt State University landed the #22 spot on the 2022 Best Value Parks & Rec Schools for a Master’s in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Arcata, California is the setting for this medium-sized institution of higher learning. The public school handed out masters’s parks and rec degrees to 7 students in 2019-2020.

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

#23

Concordia University, Irvine

Irvine, California
#5 in overall quality

Concordia University, Irvine did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Parks & Rec Schools for a Master’s in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #23. Irvine, California is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out masters’s parks and rec degrees to 452 students in 2019-2020.

Concordia University, Irvine also made our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Master’s Degree Schools in the Far Western US Region” list, coming in at #5. Average graduate tuition and fees at Concordia University, Irvine are $8,121, but some majors have different tuition rates.

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

#24

Gonzaga University

Spokane, Washington
#6 in overall quality

Gonzaga University did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Parks & Rec Schools for a Master’s in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #24. Gonzaga is a medium-sized private not-for-profit school situated in Spokane, Washington. It awarded 29 masters’s parks and rec degrees in 2019-2020.

Gonzaga also took the #6 spot in our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Master’s Degree Schools in the Far Western US Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at Gonzaga are $17,675, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

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

#25

California Baptist University

Riverside, California
#12 in overall quality

California Baptist University came in at #25 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Parks & Rec Schools for a Master’s in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. This fairly large school is located in Riverside, California, and it awarded 103 masters’s parks and rec degrees in 2019-2020.

Cal Baptist also took the #12 spot in our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Master’s Degree Schools in the Far Western US Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at California Baptist University are $14,140, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Full California Baptist University 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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