2023 Best Value Colleges for Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies (Income $75-$110k) in the Rocky Mountains Region
18
Ranked Colleges
2,772
Degrees Awarded
$16,600
Avg Net Price*
When pursuing a degree in today’s world, students have many different options to choose from. College Factual was founded, in part, to help students make the decision as to what would be the best school for them. Our “Best Value Parks & Rec Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region For Those Making $75-$110k” ranking is part of that endeavor.
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 Rocky Mountains region, there were 2,772 parks, recreation, leisure, and fitness studies graduates with average earnings and debt of $29,911 and $19,677 respectively.
This year’s “Best Value Parks & Rec Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region For Those Making $75-$110k” ranking analyzed 18 colleges that offered a degree in parks, recreation, leisure, and fitness studies. Not only do the schools that top this list have excellent parks, recreation, leisure, and fitness studies programs, but they also 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 in the Rocky Mountains Region For Those Making $75-$110k” ranking, along with many other major-related rankings, to help you make that decision.
To further help you make the college decision, we’ve developed a unique tool called College Combat that allows you to compare schools based on the factors that matter the most to you. If you’re torn between two schools, you can use it to help you see how they stack up against one another. Bookmark it so you can compare any new schools that might interest you.
Best Value Parks & Rec Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region For Those Making $75-$110k
The following schools top our list of the Best Best Value Parks & Rec Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region For Those Making $75-$110k.
Top 18 Best Value Colleges for Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies (Income $75-$110k) in the Rocky Mountains Region
Out of the 18 schools in the Best Value Parks & Rec Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region For Those Making $75-$110k that were part of this year’s ranking, Brigham Young University - Provo landed the #1 spot on the list. BYU is located in Provo, Utah and, has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 267 ’s parks and rec degrees to qualified students.
In addition to being on our rocky mountains region parks & rec students whose families make $75-$110k list, BYU has also earned the #2 rank in our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend BYU is $15,777 for Rocky Mountains Region Parks & Rec students whose families make $75-$110k.
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%. With a freshman retention rate of 92%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.
Full Brigham Young University - Provo Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Report
Out of the 18 schools in the Best Value Parks & Rec Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region For Those Making $75-$110k that were part of this year’s ranking, University of Utah landed the #2 spot on the list. Located in Salt Lake City, Utah, this large public school awarded 382 degrees to qualified ’s parks and rec students in 2020-2021.
U of U did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #1 on our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region” list. The yearly cost to attend University of Utah is $15,746 for Rocky Mountains Region Parks & Rec students whose families make $75-$110k.
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%. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 89%.
Full U of U Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Report
You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend University of Wyoming. It ranked #3 on our 2023 Best Value Parks & Rec Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region For Those Making $75-$110k list. UW is a fairly large public school situated in Laramie, Wyoming. It awarded 97 ’s parks and rec degrees in 2020-2021.
UW did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #5 on our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region” list. The yearly cost to attend UW is $15,178 for rocky mountains region parks & rec students whose families make $75-$110k.
The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 3.5%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.
Read more about Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies at UW
You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Brigham Young University - Idaho. The school came in at #4 for the Best Value Parks & Rec Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region For Those Making $75-$110k. Located in Rexburg, Idaho, this large private not-for-profit school awarded 46 diplomas to qualified ’s parks and rec students in 2020-2021.
BYU - I also took the #16 spot in our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend BYU - I is $9,843 for rocky mountains region parks & rec students whose families make $75-$110k.
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 full report on Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies at BYU - I
You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Utah Valley University. It ranked #5 on our 2023 Best Value Parks & Rec Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region For Those Making $75-$110k list. Utah Valley University is a large school located in Orem, Utah that handed out 133 ’s parks and rec degrees in 2020-2021.
As a testament to the quality of education offered at UVU, the school also landed the #15 spot in our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend UVU is $12,446 for rocky mountains region parks & rec students whose families make $75-$110k.
The low undergrad student loan default rate of 4.4% 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 Utah Valley University
Utah State University landed the #6 spot on the 2023 Best Value Parks & Rec Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region For Those Making $75-$110k ranking. Logan, Utah is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s parks and rec degrees to 131 students in 2020-2021.
USU also made our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region” list, coming in at #6. The yearly cost to attend USU is $16,801 for rocky mountains region parks & rec students whose families make $75-$110k.
The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 3.6%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.
Full Utah State University Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Report
University of Northern Colorado ranked #7 on this year’s Best Value Parks & Rec Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region For Those Making $75-$110k list. University of Northern Colorado is a fairly large public school situated in Greeley, Colorado. It awarded 202 ’s parks and rec degrees in 2020-2021.
University of Northern Colorado also took the #4 spot in our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend University of Northern Colorado is $16,144 for rocky mountains region parks & rec students whose families make $75-$110k.
The low undergrad student loan default rate of 4.4% 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 University of Northern Colorado
Weber State University landed the #8 spot on the 2023 Best Value Parks & Rec Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region For Those Making $75-$110k ranking. Weber State University is a large school located in Ogden, Utah that handed out 46 ’s parks and rec degrees in 2020-2021.
WSU did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #12 on our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region” list. The yearly cost to attend WSU is $14,506 for rocky mountains region parks & rec students whose families make $75-$110k.
The low undergrad student loan default rate of 4.1% 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 Weber State University
Southern Utah University did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Parks & Rec Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region For Those Making $75-$110k ranking, coming in at #9. This fairly large school is located in Cedar City, Utah, and it awarded 117 ’s parks and rec degrees in 2020-2021.
Southern Utah University not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #13 on our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region” list. The yearly cost to attend Southern Utah University is $15,037 for Rocky Mountains Region Parks & Rec students whose families make $75-$110k.
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 full report on Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies at Southern Utah University
Metropolitan State University of Denver landed the #10 spot on the 2023 Best Value Parks & Rec Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region For Those Making $75-$110k ranking. Metropolitan State University of Denver is a fairly large school located in Denver, Colorado that handed out 127 ’s parks and rec degrees in 2020-2021.
MSU Denver also made our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region” list, coming in at #8. It costs about $18,158 for Rocky Mountains Region Parks & Rec students whose families make $75-$110k per year to attend MSU Denver.
Read full report on Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies at Metropolitan State University of Denver
University of Idaho came in at #11 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Parks & Rec Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region For Those Making $75-$110k ranking. Moscow, Idaho is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s parks and rec degrees to 47 students in 2020-2021.
U of I did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #10 on our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region” list. The yearly cost to attend U of I is $17,652 for Rocky Mountains Region Parks & Rec students whose families make $75-$110k.
The low undergrad student loan default rate of 4.1% 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 University of Idaho
Colorado State University - Fort Collins ranked #12 on this year’s Best Value Parks & Rec Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region For Those Making $75-$110k list. Located in Fort Collins, Colorado, this large public school awarded 326 degrees to qualified ’s parks and rec students in 2020-2021.
Colorado State not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #3 on our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region” list. The yearly cost to attend Colorado State University - Fort Collins is $21,657 for Rocky Mountains Region Parks & Rec students whose families make $75-$110k.
With a freshman retention rate of 85%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 2.6%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.
Read full report on Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies at Colorado State University - Fort Collins
Boise State University ranked #13 on this year’s Best Value Parks & Rec Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region For Those Making $75-$110k list. This large school is located in Boise, Idaho, and it awarded 97 ’s parks and rec degrees in 2020-2021.
As a testament to the quality of education offered at Boise State, the school also landed the #7 spot in our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Boise State University is $18,867 for Rocky Mountains Region Parks & Rec students whose families make $75-$110k.
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%.
Read more about Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies at Boise State University
Colorado Mesa University ranked #14 on this year’s Best Value Parks & Rec Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region For Those Making $75-$110k list. This medium-sized school is located in Grand Junction, Colorado, and it awarded 151 ’s parks and rec degrees in 2020-2021.
As a testament to the quality of education offered at Colorado Mesa, the school also landed the #9 spot in our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Colorado Mesa University is $19,143 for Rocky Mountains Region Parks & Rec students whose families make $75-$110k.
Full Colorado Mesa Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Report
Adams State University ranked #15 on this year’s Best Value Parks & Rec Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region For Those Making $75-$110k list. Adams State is a small public school situated in Alamosa, Colorado. It awarded 70 ’s parks and rec degrees in 2020-2021.
Adams State not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #11 on our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region” list. The yearly cost to attend Adams State is $18,159 for rocky mountains region parks & rec students whose families make $75-$110k.
Full Adams State University Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Report
Fort Lewis College did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Parks & Rec Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region For Those Making $75-$110k ranking, coming in at #16. This small school is located in Durango, Colorado, and it awarded 65 ’s parks and rec degrees in 2020-2021.
FLC did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #14 on our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region” list. The yearly cost to attend Fort Lewis College is $18,562 for rocky mountains region parks & rec students whose families make $75-$110k.
Read full report on Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies at FLC
Colorado State University - Pueblo landed the #17 spot on the 2023 Best Value Parks & Rec Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region For Those Making $75-$110k ranking. Colorado State University - Pueblo is a public institution located in Pueblo, Colorado. The school has a medium-sized population, and it awarded 40 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.
In addition to being on our rocky mountains region parks & rec students whose families make $75-$110k list, Colorado State University - Pueblo has also earned the #18 rank in our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Colorado State University - Pueblo is $17,343 for Rocky Mountains Region Parks & Rec students whose families make $75-$110k.
Read more about Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies at Colorado State University - Pueblo
Western Colorado University came in at #18 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Parks & Rec Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region For Those Making $75-$110k ranking. This small school is located in Gunnison, Colorado, and it awarded 57 ’s parks and rec degrees in 2020-2021.
As a testament to the quality of education offered at Western, the school also landed the #17 spot in our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Western Colorado University is $18,169 for Rocky Mountains Region Parks & Rec students whose families make $75-$110k.
Full Western Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Report
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Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies students in the Rocky Mountains Region
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Best Value Colleges for Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies (Income $75-$110k) in the Rocky Mountains Region
Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies students with family income $75-$110k in the Rocky Mountains Region
Best Value Colleges for Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies in the Rocky Mountains Region
Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies students in the Rocky Mountains Region
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
- *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.
Credits
