2022 Best Value Master’s Degree Colleges for Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies in the Far Western US Region
With all of the options students have for higher education today, it can be tough to choose which direction to take. 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 for a Master’s in the Far Western US Region” ranking is part of that endeavor.
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” ranking looked at 31 colleges that offer degrees in a bachelor’s 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.
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More Ways to Rank Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Schools
When choosing the right school for you, it’s important to arm yourself with all the facts you can. To that end, we’ve created a number of major-specific rankings, including this “Best Value Parks & Rec Schools for a Master’s in the Far Western US Region” list to help you make the college decision.
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. 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 for a Master’s in the Far Western US Region
The colleges and universities below are the best for far western us region master’s degree parks & rec students.
Top 25 Best Value Master’s Degree Colleges for Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies in the Far Western US Region
You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend University of Western States. It ranked #1 on our 2022 Best Value Parks & Rec Schools for a Master’s in the Far Western US Region list. Portland, Oregon 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 14 students in 2019-2020.
As a testament to the quality of education offered at Western States Chiropractic College, the school also landed the #1 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 Western States Chiropractic College are $9,600.
Read more about Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies at Western States Chiropractic College
You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Concordia University, Irvine. It ranked #2 on our 2022 Best Value Parks & Rec Schools for a Master’s in the Far Western US Region list. Concordia University, Irvine is a small school located in Irvine, California that handed out 452 masters’s parks and rec degrees in 2019-2020.
Concordia University, Irvine did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #5 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 Concordia University, Irvine are $8,121.
Read full report on Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies at Concordia University, Irvine
Out of the 31 schools in the Best Value Parks & Rec Schools for a Master’s in the Far Western US Region that were part of this year’s ranking, Seattle University landed the #3 spot on the list. Seattle, Washington is the setting for this medium-sized institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out masters’s parks and rec degrees to 23 students in 2019-2020.
In addition to being on our far western us region master’s degree parks & rec students list, Seattle U has also earned the #4 rank 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 Seattle University are $14,040.
Read full report on Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies at Seattle University
You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Point Loma Nazarene University. The school came in at #4 for the Best Value Parks & Rec Schools for a Master’s in the Far Western US Region. PLNU is a small school located in San Diego, California that handed out 64 masters’s parks and rec degrees in 2019-2020.
PLNU not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #13 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 Point Loma Nazarene University are $11,880, but some majors have different tuition rates.
Read full report on Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies at Point Loma Nazarene University
You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend California Baptist University. The school came in at #5 for the Best Value Parks & Rec Schools for a Master’s in the Far Western US Region. Riverside, California is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out masters’s parks and rec degrees to 103 students 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 Cal Baptist are $14,140, but some majors have different tuition rates.
Read more about Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies at Cal Baptist
Gonzaga University came in at #6 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Parks & Rec Schools for a Master’s in the Far Western US Region ranking. Gonzaga University is a private not-for-profit institution located in Spokane, Washington. The school has a medium-sized population, and it awarded 29 masters’s degrees in 2019-2020.
In addition to being on our far western us region master’s degree parks & rec students list, Gonzaga has also earned the #6 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 Gonzaga are $17,675, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.
Read more about Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies at Gonzaga
With a ranking of #7, California State University - Long Beach did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Parks & Rec Schools for a Master’s in the Far Western US Region list. California State University - Long Beach is a public institution located in Long Beach, California. The school has a large population, and it awarded 120 masters’s degrees 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 CSULB
Alaska Pacific University ranked #8 on this year’s Best Value Parks & Rec Schools for a Master’s in the Far Western US Region list. Alaska Pacific University is a small school located in Anchorage, Alaska that handed out 5 masters’s parks and rec degrees in 2019-2020.
Average graduate tuition and fees at Alaska Pacific University are $12,110, but some majors have different tuition rates.
Full Alaska Pacific Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Report
California State University - Fresno did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Parks & Rec Schools for a Master’s in the Far Western US Region ranking, coming in at #10. California State University - Fresno is located in Fresno, California and, has a large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 23 masters’s parks and rec degrees to qualified students.
Fresno State also took the #23 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 Fresno State are $17,581, but some majors have different tuition rates.
Read more about Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies at Fresno State
California State University - Chico came in at #11 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Parks & Rec Schools for a Master’s in the Far Western US Region ranking. 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.
As a testament to the quality of education offered at Chico State, the school also landed the #15 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 - Chico are $18,802, but some majors have different tuition rates.
Read more about Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies at Chico State
Central Washington University came in at #12 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Parks & Rec Schools for a Master’s in the Far Western US Region ranking. CWU is a fairly large public school situated in Ellensburg, Washington. It awarded 36 masters’s parks and rec degrees in 2019-2020.
CWU also made our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Master’s Degree Schools in the Far Western US Region” list, coming in at #7. Average graduate tuition and fees at Central Washington University are $24,976, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.
Read more about Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies at Central Washington University
With a ranking of #13, California State University - Northridge did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Parks & Rec Schools for a Master’s in the Far Western US Region list. This large school is located in Northridge, California, and it awarded 18 masters’s parks and rec degrees in 2019-2020.
CSUN also took 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.
With a ranking of #14, California State University - Fullerton did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Parks & Rec Schools for a Master’s in the Far Western US Region 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 the Far Western US Region” list, coming in at #17. 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 Cal State Fullerton Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Report
Washington State University ranked #15 on this year’s Best Value Parks & Rec Schools for a Master’s in the Far Western US Region list. Washington State University is a large school located in Pullman, Washington that handed out 13 masters’s parks and rec degrees in 2019-2020.
Wazzu did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #8 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 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
San Jose State University came in at #16 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Parks & Rec Schools for a Master’s in the Far Western US Region ranking. San Jose State University is a large public school situated in San Jose, California. It awarded 29 masters’s parks and rec degrees in 2019-2020.
San Jose 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 the Far Western US Region” 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
San Diego State University ranked #17 on this year’s Best Value Parks & Rec Schools for a Master’s in the Far Western US Region list. This large school is located in San Diego, California, and it awarded 8 masters’s parks and rec degrees in 2019-2020.
SDSU also took 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
San Francisco State University ranked #18 on this year’s Best Value Parks & Rec Schools for a Master’s in the Far Western US Region list. SFSU is located in San Francisco, California and, has a large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 8 masters’s parks and rec degrees to qualified students.
SFSU also made our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Master’s Degree Schools in the Far Western US Region” list, coming in at #20. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at SFSU are $17,944.
Full San Francisco State University Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Report
University of San Francisco came in at #19 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Parks & Rec Schools for a Master’s in the Far Western US Region ranking. This fairly large school is located in San Francisco, California, and it awarded 95 masters’s parks and rec degrees in 2019-2020.
USFCA also made our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Master’s Degree Schools in the Far Western US Region” list, coming in at #3. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at USFCA are $26,710.
Read more about Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies at University of San Francisco
National University landed the #20 spot on the 2022 Best Value Parks & Rec Schools for a Master’s in the Far Western US Region ranking. National University is a private not-for-profit institution located in La Jolla, California. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 38 masters’s degrees in 2019-2020.
National University not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #24 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 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
California State University - Sacramento ranked #21 on this year’s Best Value Parks & Rec Schools for a Master’s in the Far Western US Region 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 California State University - Sacramento are $18,356, but some majors have different tuition rates.
California State University - San Marcos landed the #22 spot on the 2022 Best Value Parks & Rec Schools for a Master’s in the Far Western US Region ranking. CSUSM is located in San Marcos, California and, has a fairly large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 8 masters’s parks and rec degrees to qualified students.
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 CSUSM
Western Washington University ranked #23 on this year’s Best Value Parks & Rec Schools for a Master’s in the Far Western US Region list. Western Washington University is a fairly large public school situated in Bellingham, Washington. It awarded 6 masters’s parks and rec degrees in 2019-2020.
In addition to being on our far western us region master’s degree parks & rec students 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. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at WWU are $24,105.
Read full report on Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies at WWU
California State University - East Bay did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Parks & Rec Schools for a Master’s in the Far Western US Region ranking, coming in at #24. Located in Hayward, California, this fairly large public school handed out 10 diplomas to qualified masters’s parks and rec students in 2019-2020.
Average graduate tuition and fees at Cal State East Bay are $17,828, but some majors have different tuition rates.
Oregon State University ranked #25 on this year’s Best Value Parks & Rec Schools for a Master’s in the Far Western US Region list. 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.
In addition to being on our far western us region master’s degree parks & rec students list, Oregon State has also earned the #10 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 Oregon State University are $28,121, but some majors have different tuition rates.
Read full report on Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies at Oregon State University
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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.
Credits
- Credit for the banner image above goes to NPS Photo/Zurbuch.
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