2023 Best Value Colleges for Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies (Income Over $110k) in the Rocky Mountains Region
18
Ranked Colleges
2,772
Degrees Awarded
$18,400
Avg Net Price*
It’s not easy to decide which college to attend when there so many options available for students. College Factual was founded, in part, to help students make the decision as to what would be the best school for them. Our “Best Vallue Parks & Rec Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region For Those Making Over $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 Vallue Parks & Rec Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region For Those Making Over $110k” ranking looked at 18 colleges that offer degrees in a bachelor’s 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.
Some of the factors we look at when determining these rankings are overall quality of the parks, recreation, leisure, and fitness studies program at the school and the cost of the school after aid is awarded among other things. Check out our ranking methodology for more information.
More Ways to Rank Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Schools
Since the program you select can have a significant impact on your future, we’ve developed a number of rankings, including this “Best Vallue Parks & Rec Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region For Those Making Over $110k” list, to help you choose the best school for you.
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. 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.
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Best Vallue Parks & Rec Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region For Those Making Over $110k
The colleges and universities below are the best for rocky mountains region parks & rec students whose families make more than $110k.
Top 18 Best Value Colleges for Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies (Income Over $110k) in the Rocky Mountains Region
You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend University of Utah. It ranked #1 on our 2023 Best Vallue Parks & Rec Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region For Those Making Over $110k list. U of U is a large public school situated in Salt Lake City, Utah. It awarded 382 ’s parks and rec degrees 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 estimated yearly cost for U of U is $13,572 for Rocky Mountains Region Parks & Rec students whose families make more than $110k.
Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 89%. 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 U of U Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Report
You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Brigham Young University - Provo. The school came in at #2 for the Best Vallue Parks & Rec Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region For Those Making Over $110k. Brigham Young University - Provo 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 more than $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 Brigham Young University - Provo is $13,474 for Rocky Mountains Region Parks & Rec students whose families make more than $110k.
With a freshman retention rate of 92%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. The low undergrad student loan default rate of 1.3% 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, & Fitness Studies at Brigham Young University - Provo
Out of the 18 schools in the Best Vallue Parks & Rec Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region For Those Making Over $110k that were part of this year’s ranking, University of Wyoming landed the #3 spot on the list. University of Wyoming is located in Laramie, Wyoming and, has a fairly large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 97 ’s parks and rec degrees to qualified students.
In addition to being on our rocky mountains region parks & rec students whose families make more than $110k list, UW has also earned the #5 rank in our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend University of Wyoming is $11,085 for Rocky Mountains Region Parks & Rec students whose families make more than $110k.
The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 3.5%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.
Full University of Wyoming Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Report
Out of the 18 schools in the Best Vallue Parks & Rec Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region For Those Making Over $110k that were part of this year’s ranking, Utah State University landed the #4 spot on the list. USU is a large public school situated in Logan, Utah. It awarded 131 ’s parks and rec degrees in 2020-2021.
USU also took the #6 spot in our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Utah State University is $13,257 for Rocky Mountains Region Parks & Rec students whose families make more than $110k.
The low undergrad student loan default rate of 3.6% 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 USU Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Report
Out of the 18 schools in the Best Vallue Parks & Rec Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region For Those Making Over $110k that were part of this year’s ranking, Utah Valley University landed the #5 spot on the list. Utah Valley University is located in Orem, Utah and, has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 133 ’s parks and rec degrees to qualified students.
UVU not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #15 on our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region” list. It costs about $9,955 for rocky mountains region parks & rec students whose families make more than $110k per year to attend Utah Valley University.
The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 4.4%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.
Read more about Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies at UVU
Brigham Young University - Idaho did quite well in the 2023 Best Vallue Parks & Rec Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region For Those Making Over $110k ranking, coming in at #6. BYU - I is a large school located in Rexburg, Idaho that handed out 46 ’s parks and rec degrees 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 Brigham Young University - Idaho is $6,698 for Rocky Mountains Region Parks & Rec students whose families make more than $110k.
The low undergrad student loan default rate of 3.1% 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 full report on Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies at Brigham Young University - Idaho
Weber State University landed the #7 spot on the 2023 Best Vallue Parks & Rec Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region For Those Making Over $110k ranking. WSU is located in Ogden, Utah and, has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 46 ’s parks and rec degrees to qualified students.
WSU not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #12 on our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region” list. The estimated yearly cost for WSU is $11,647 for Rocky Mountains Region Parks & Rec students whose families make more than $110k.
The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 4.1%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.
Read more about Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies at WSU
With a ranking of #8, University of Northern Colorado did quite well on the 2023 Best Vallue Parks & Rec Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region For Those Making Over $110k list. Located in Greeley, Colorado, this fairly large public school handed out 202 degrees to qualified ’s parks and rec students in 2020-2021.
University of Northern Colorado not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #4 on our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region” list. The estimated yearly cost for University of Northern Colorado is $15,570 for Rocky Mountains Region Parks & Rec students whose families make more than $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%.
Full University of Northern Colorado Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Report
With a ranking of #9, Southern Utah University did quite well on the 2023 Best Vallue Parks & Rec Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region For Those Making Over $110k list. Southern Utah University is a fairly large school located in Cedar City, Utah that handed out 117 ’s parks and rec degrees in 2020-2021.
Southern Utah University also made our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region” list, coming in at #13. It costs about $13,578 for Rocky Mountains Region Parks & Rec students whose families make more than $110k per year to attend Southern Utah University.
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, & Fitness Studies at Southern Utah University
Colorado State University - Fort Collins ranked #10 on this year’s Best Vallue Parks & Rec Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region For Those Making Over $110k list. Colorado State is a public institution located in Fort Collins, Colorado. The school has a large population, and it awarded 326 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.
Colorado State also made our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region” list, coming in at #3. The yearly cost to attend Colorado State University - Fort Collins is $18,679 for rocky mountains region parks & rec students whose families make more than $110k.
The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 2.6%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%. With a freshman retention rate of 85%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.
Read full report on Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies at Colorado State
Boise State University did quite well in the 2023 Best Vallue Parks & Rec Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region For Those Making Over $110k ranking, coming in at #11. Boise State University is a large school located in Boise, Idaho that handed out 97 ’s parks and rec degrees in 2020-2021.
In addition to being on our rocky mountains region parks & rec students whose families make more than $110k list, Boise State has also earned the #7 rank in our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Boise State is $16,153 for rocky mountains region parks & rec students whose families make more than $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%.
Full Boise State Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Report
With a ranking of #12, Metropolitan State University of Denver did quite well on the 2023 Best Vallue Parks & Rec Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region For Those Making Over $110k list. This fairly large school is located in Denver, Colorado, and it awarded 127 ’s parks and rec degrees in 2020-2021.
MSU Denver did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #8 on our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region” list. The estimated yearly cost for MSU Denver is $14,313 for rocky mountains region parks & rec students whose families make more than $110k.
Full Metropolitan State University of Denver Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Report
University of Idaho ranked #13 on this year’s Best Vallue Parks & Rec Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region For Those Making Over $110k list. University of Idaho is located in Moscow, Idaho and, has a fairly large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 47 ’s parks and rec degrees to qualified students.
In addition to being on our rocky mountains region parks & rec students whose families make more than $110k list, U of I has also earned the #10 rank in our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region” ranking. It costs about $13,964 for rocky mountains region parks & rec students whose families make more than $110k per year to attend U of I.
The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 4.1%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.
Full U of I Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Report
Colorado Mesa University did quite well in the 2023 Best Vallue Parks & Rec Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region For Those Making Over $110k ranking, coming in at #14. Grand Junction, Colorado is the setting for this medium-sized institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s parks and rec degrees to 151 students in 2020-2021.
Colorado Mesa also made our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region” list, coming in at #9. The estimated yearly cost for Colorado Mesa is $16,118 for rocky mountains region parks & rec students whose families make more than $110k.
Read full report on Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies at Colorado Mesa University
With a ranking of #15, Adams State University did quite well on the 2023 Best Vallue Parks & Rec Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region For Those Making Over $110k list. Located in Alamosa, Colorado, this small public school handed out 70 diplomas to qualified ’s parks and rec students in 2020-2021.
Adams State also took the #11 spot in our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region” ranking. It costs about $13,388 for Rocky Mountains Region Parks & Rec students whose families make more than $110k per year to attend Adams State University.
Read more about Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies at Adams State
Fort Lewis College did quite well in the 2023 Best Vallue Parks & Rec Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region For Those Making Over $110k ranking, coming in at #16. Located in Durango, Colorado, this small public school awarded 65 diplomas to qualified ’s parks and rec students in 2020-2021.
As a testament to the quality of education offered at FLC, the school also landed the #14 spot in our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Fort Lewis College is $16,255 for Rocky Mountains Region Parks & Rec students whose families make more than $110k.
Full Fort Lewis College Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Report
With a ranking of #17, Colorado State University - Pueblo did quite well on the 2023 Best Vallue Parks & Rec Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region For Those Making Over $110k list. Colorado State University - Pueblo is located in Pueblo, Colorado and, has a medium-sized student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 40 ’s parks and rec degrees to qualified students.
In addition to being on our rocky mountains region parks & rec students whose families make more than $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. It costs about $13,695 for rocky mountains region parks & rec students whose families make more than $110k per year to attend Colorado State University - Pueblo.
Read more about Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies at Colorado State University - Pueblo
With a ranking of #18, Western Colorado University did quite well on the 2023 Best Vallue Parks & Rec Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region For Those Making Over $110k list. Western is a small public school situated in Gunnison, Colorado. It awarded 57 ’s parks and rec degrees in 2020-2021.
Western not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #17 on our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region” list. The yearly cost to attend Western Colorado University is $16,690 for rocky mountains region parks & rec students whose families make more than $110k.
Full Western Colorado University Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Report
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Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region
Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies students in the Rocky Mountains Region
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Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies students in the Rocky Mountains Region
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Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies students with family income $48-$75k in the Rocky Mountains Region
Best Value Colleges for Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies (Income Over $110k) in the Rocky Mountains Region
Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies students with family income exceeding $110k in the Rocky Mountains Region
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Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies students in the Rocky Mountains Region
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Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies students in the Rocky Mountains Region
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Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies students with family income $30-$48k in the Rocky Mountains Region
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
