2023 Best Value Colleges for Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies in the Far Western US Region (With Aid)
47
Ranked Colleges
13,660
Degrees Awarded
$11,900
Avg Net Price*
When it comes to choosing a college, students have a lot of options - but not all of them are good. 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 in the Far Western US Region For Those Getting Aid” ranking - to help you make that decision.
Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies is the 15th most popular major in the country with 73,813 degrees awarded in 2020-2021. 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 Far Western US region, there were 13,660 parks, recreation, leisure, and fitness studies graduates with average earnings and debt of $31,616 and $20,987 respectively.
This year’s “Best Value Parks & Rec Schools in the Far Western US Region For Those Getting Aid” ranking analyzed 47 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.
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. See our ranking methodology to learn more.
One Size Does Not Fit All
Since the program you select can have a significant impact on your future, we’ve developed a number of rankings, including this “Best Value Parks & Rec Schools in the Far Western US Region For Those Getting Aid” list, to help you choose the best school for you.
In addition to our rankings, you can take two colleges and compare them based on the criteria that matters most to you in our unique tool, College Combat. 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 in the Far Western US Region For Those Getting Aid
The following schools top our list of the Best Best Value Parks & Rec Schools in the Far Western US Region For Those Getting Aid.
Top 25 Best Value Colleges for Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies in the Far Western US Region (With Aid)
You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend California State University - Los Angeles. It ranked #1 on our 2023 Best Value Parks & Rec Schools in the Far Western US Region For Those Getting Aid list. California State University - Los Angeles is a public institution located in Los Angeles, California. The school has a large population, and it awarded 339 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.
Cal State LA also took the #24 spot in our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Schools in the Far Western US Region” ranking. It costs about $3,302 for far western us region parks & rec students with aid per year to attend Cal State LA.
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%.
Read more about Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies at California State University - Los Angeles
You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend California State University - Fresno. It ranked #2 on our 2023 Best Value Parks & Rec Schools in the Far Western US Region For Those Getting Aid list. Fresno State is a large public school situated in Fresno, California. It awarded 323 ’s parks and rec degrees in 2020-2021.
Fresno State not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #21 on our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Schools in the Far Western US Region” list. The estimated yearly cost for California State University - Fresno is $6,230 for Far Western US Region Parks & Rec students with aid.
The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 87%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. The low undergrad student loan default rate of 3.2% 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 California State University - Fresno
You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Mt. San Antonio College. It ranked #3 on our 2023 Best Value Parks & Rec Schools in the Far Western US Region For Those Getting Aid list. This large school is located in Walnut, California, and it awarded 521 ’s parks and rec degrees in 2020-2021.
The yearly cost to attend Mt. San Antonio College is $3,144 for far western us region parks & rec students with aid.
Read full report on Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies at Mt. San Antonio College
You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend California State University - Fullerton. It ranked #4 on our 2023 Best Value Parks & Rec Schools in the Far Western US Region For Those Getting Aid list. This large school is located in Fullerton, California, and it awarded 581 ’s parks and rec degrees in 2020-2021.
In addition to being on our far western us region parks & rec students with aid list, Cal State Fullerton has also earned the #17 rank in our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Schools in the Far Western US Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend California State University - Fullerton is $8,003 for far western us region parks & rec students with aid.
The low undergrad student loan default rate of 2.5% 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%. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 89%.
Read more about Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies at Cal State Fullerton
You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend California State University - Dominguez Hills. It ranked #5 on our 2023 Best Value Parks & Rec Schools in the Far Western US Region For Those Getting Aid list. Carson, California is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s parks and rec degrees to 163 students in 2020-2021.
The estimated yearly cost for CSUDH is $4,026 for far western us region parks & rec students with aid.
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%.
Read full report on Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies at California State University - Dominguez Hills
California State University - Long Beach did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Parks & Rec Schools in the Far Western US Region For Those Getting Aid ranking, coming in at #6. California State University - Long Beach is a public institution located in Long Beach, California. The school has a large population, and it awarded 491 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.
CSULB also took the #12 spot in our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Schools in the Far Western US Region” ranking. It costs about $10,054 for Far Western US Region Parks & Rec students with aid per year to attend California State University - Long Beach.
The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 2.4%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%. With a freshman retention rate of 89%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.
Read more about Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies at California State University - Long Beach
California State University - Sacramento ranked #7 on this year’s Best Value Parks & Rec Schools in the Far Western US Region For Those Getting Aid list. Located in Sacramento, California, this large public school awarded 404 diplomas to qualified ’s parks and rec students in 2020-2021.
Sac State not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #13 on our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Schools in the Far Western US Region” list. The yearly cost to attend Sac State is $11,178 for far western us region parks & rec students with aid.
The low undergrad student loan default rate of 3.9% 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 Sac State
California State University - Northridge came in at #8 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Parks & Rec Schools in the Far Western US Region For Those Getting Aid ranking. California State University - Northridge is a large public school situated in Northridge, California. It awarded 495 ’s parks and rec degrees in 2020-2021.
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 Schools in the Far Western US Region” ranking. It costs about $8,523 for Far Western US Region Parks & Rec students with aid per year to attend CSUN.
The low undergrad student loan default rate of 3.7% 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%.
Read full report on Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies at CSUN
University of Nevada - Las Vegas landed the #9 spot on the 2023 Best Value Parks & Rec Schools in the Far Western US Region For Those Getting Aid ranking. University of Nevada - Las Vegas is a large public school situated in Las Vegas, Nevada. It awarded 265 ’s parks and rec degrees in 2020-2021.
UNLV not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #9 on our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Schools in the Far Western US Region” list. The yearly cost to attend UNLV is $10,993 for Far Western US Region Parks & Rec students with aid.
The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 4.9%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.
Read full report on Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies at UNLV
California State University - San Bernardino came in at #10 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Parks & Rec Schools in the Far Western US Region For Those Getting Aid ranking. California State University - San Bernardino is a fairly large public school situated in San Bernardino, California. It awarded 202 ’s parks and rec degrees in 2020-2021.
The estimated yearly cost for CSUSB is $8,107 for Far Western US Region Parks & Rec students with aid.
Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 85%. The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 4.0%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.
Read more about Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies at CSUSB
San Diego State University landed the #11 spot on the 2023 Best Value Parks & Rec Schools in the Far Western US Region For Those Getting Aid ranking. San Diego State University is located in San Diego, California and, has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 454 ’s parks and rec degrees to qualified students.
SDSU not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #4 on our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Schools in the Far Western US Region” list. The yearly cost to attend San Diego State University is $13,845 for Far Western US Region Parks & Rec students with aid.
The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 2.2%, 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%.
Read more about Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies at San Diego State University
San Jose State University ranked #12 on this year’s Best Value Parks & Rec Schools in the Far Western US Region For Those Getting Aid list. Located in San Jose, California, this large public school awarded 290 degrees to qualified ’s parks and rec students in 2020-2021.
San Jose State also made our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Schools in the Far Western US Region” list, coming in at #7. The estimated yearly cost for San Jose State University is $16,542 for Far Western US Region Parks & Rec students with aid.
The low undergrad student loan default rate of 2.9% 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 86%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.
Read full report on Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies at San Jose State
With a ranking of #13, California State University - East Bay did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Parks & Rec Schools in the Far Western US Region For Those Getting Aid list. Hayward, California is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s parks and rec degrees to 239 students in 2020-2021.
The yearly cost to attend California State University - East Bay is $13,298 for far western us region parks & rec students with aid.
The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 4.4%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.
Read full report on Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies at Cal State East Bay
California State University - Stanislaus did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Parks & Rec Schools in the Far Western US Region For Those Getting Aid ranking, coming in at #14. Stan State is a fairly large school located in Turlock, California that handed out 107 ’s parks and rec degrees in 2020-2021.
The estimated yearly cost for Stan State is $6,566 for Far Western US Region Parks & Rec students with aid.
The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 3.3%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%. With a freshman retention rate of 87%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.
Read full report on Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies at Stan State
California State University - San Marcos landed the #15 spot on the 2023 Best Value Parks & Rec Schools in the Far Western US Region For Those Getting Aid ranking. CSUSM is a public institution located in San Marcos, California. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 183 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.
CSUSM also took the #19 spot in our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Schools in the Far Western US Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend California State University - San Marcos is $13,218 for far western us region parks & rec students with aid.
The low undergrad 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%.
Full California State University - San Marcos Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Report
California State University - Chico ranked #16 on this year’s Best Value Parks & Rec Schools in the Far Western US Region For Those Getting Aid list. This fairly large school is located in Chico, California, and it awarded 325 ’s parks and rec degrees in 2020-2021.
Chico State not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #11 on our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Schools in the Far Western US Region” list. It costs about $16,218 for Far Western US Region Parks & Rec students with aid per year to attend Chico State.
The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 4.0%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.
Read full report on Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies at California State University - Chico
With a ranking of #17, Washington State University did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Parks & Rec Schools in the Far Western US Region For Those Getting Aid list. This large school is located in Pullman, Washington, and it awarded 156 ’s parks and rec degrees in 2020-2021.
Wazzu not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #2 on our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Schools in the Far Western US Region” list. The yearly cost to attend Washington State University is $15,300 for far western us region parks & rec students with aid.
The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 3.3%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.
Read full report on Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies at Wazzu
California State Polytechnic University - Pomona landed the #18 spot on the 2023 Best Value Parks & Rec Schools in the Far Western US Region For Those Getting Aid ranking. California State Polytechnic University - Pomona is a public institution located in Pomona, California. The school has a large population, and it awarded 201 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.
It costs about $14,304 for Far Western US Region Parks & Rec students with aid per year to attend Cal Poly Pomona.
Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 87%. 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%.
Full Cal Poly Pomona Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Report
Central Washington University ranked #19 on this year’s Best Value Parks & Rec Schools in the Far Western US Region For Those Getting Aid list. Ellensburg, Washington is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s parks and rec degrees to 129 students in 2020-2021.
CWU also took the #14 spot in our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Schools in the Far Western US Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend CWU is $16,514 for Far Western US Region Parks & Rec students with aid.
Full Central Washington University Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Report
San Francisco State University ranked #20 on this year’s Best Value Parks & Rec Schools in the Far Western US Region For Those Getting Aid list. San Francisco State University is a large public school situated in San Francisco, California. It awarded 274 ’s parks and rec degrees in 2020-2021.
SFSU also took the #20 spot in our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Schools in the Far Western US Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend SFSU is $14,459 for far western us region parks & rec students with aid.
The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 4.3%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.
Full San Francisco State University Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Report
Oregon State University came in at #21 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Parks & Rec Schools in the Far Western US Region For Those Getting Aid ranking. Corvallis, Oregon is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s parks and rec degrees to 253 students in 2020-2021.
Oregon State did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #6 on our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Schools in the Far Western US Region” list. The yearly cost to attend Oregon State is $21,508 for Far Western US Region Parks & Rec students with aid.
The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 2.8%, 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 more about Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies at Oregon State University
University of Hawaii at Manoa ranked #22 on this year’s Best Value Parks & Rec Schools in the Far Western US Region For Those Getting Aid list. Honolulu, Hawaii is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s parks and rec degrees to 108 students in 2020-2021.
It costs about $14,687 for Far Western US Region Parks & Rec students with aid per year to attend University of Hawaii at Manoa.
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%.
Read full report on Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies at University of Hawaii at Manoa
California Polytechnic State University - San Luis Obispo did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Parks & Rec Schools in the Far Western US Region For Those Getting Aid ranking, coming in at #23. Cal Poly San Luis Obispo is a large public school situated in San Luis Obispo, California. It awarded 227 ’s parks and rec degrees in 2020-2021.
Cal Poly San Luis Obispo did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #1 on our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Schools in the Far Western US Region” list. It costs about $20,677 for Far Western US Region Parks & Rec students with aid per year to attend Cal Poly San Luis Obispo.
Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 94%. The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 0.7%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.
Read full report on Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies at Cal Poly San Luis Obispo
Eastern Washington University ranked #24 on this year’s Best Value Parks & Rec Schools in the Far Western US Region For Those Getting Aid list. EWU is a fairly large public school situated in Cheney, Washington. It awarded 39 ’s parks and rec degrees in 2020-2021.
It costs about $12,335 for far western us region parks & rec students with aid per year to attend EWU.
The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 4.0%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.
Read more about Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies at Eastern Washington University
California State University - Monterey Bay landed the #25 spot on the 2023 Best Value Parks & Rec Schools in the Far Western US Region For Those Getting Aid ranking. CSUMB is a public institution located in Seaside, California. The school has a medium-sized population, and it awarded 154 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.
The yearly cost to attend California State University - Monterey Bay is $13,597 for Far Western US Region Parks & Rec students with aid.
The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 2.9%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.
Read more about Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies at CSUMB
