2023 Best Value Parks & Rec Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region
18
Ranked Colleges
2,772
Degrees Awarded
$13,800
Avg Net Price*
When pursuing a degree in today’s world, students have many different options to choose from. College Factual has developed its “Best Value Parks & Rec Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region” ranking as one item you can use to help make this decision.
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” ranking analyzed 18 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. For more information, check out our ranking methodology.
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 Rocky Mountains Region” list, to help you choose the best school for you.
You can create your own custom comparison that focuses on the factors most important to you using our 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 in the Rocky Mountains Region
The colleges and universities below are the best for rocky mountains region parks & rec students.
Top 18 Best Value Colleges for Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies in the Rocky Mountains Region
Out of the 18 schools in the Best Value Parks & Rec Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region that were part of this year’s ranking, Brigham Young University - Provo landed the #1 spot on the list. Brigham Young University - Provo is a large private not-for-profit school situated in Provo, Utah. It awarded 267 ’s parks and rec degrees in 2020-2021.
BYU also took the #2 spot in our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region” ranking. It costs about $13,474 for rocky mountains region parks & rec students per year to attend Brigham Young University - Provo.
Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 92%. 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%.
Full Brigham Young University - Provo Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Report
You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Brigham Young University - Idaho. The school came in at #2 for the Best Value Parks & Rec Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region. BYU - I is located in Rexburg, Idaho and, has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 46 ’s parks and rec degrees to qualified students.
BYU - I did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #16 on our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region” list. It costs about $6,698 for Rocky Mountains Region Parks & Rec students per year to attend BYU - I.
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 Brigham Young University - Idaho
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 list. UW 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.
As a testament to the quality of education offered at UW, the school also landed the #5 spot in our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend UW is $11,085 for Rocky Mountains Region Parks & Rec students.
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 more about Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies at University of Wyoming
You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend University of Utah. It ranked #4 on our 2023 Best Value Parks & Rec Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region list. This large school is located in Salt Lake City, Utah, and it awarded 382 ’s parks and rec degrees in 2020-2021.
In addition to being on our rocky mountains region parks & rec students list, U of U has also earned the #1 rank in our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for University of Utah is $13,572 for Rocky Mountains Region Parks & Rec students.
The low undergrad student loan default rate of 1.7% 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%. With a freshman retention rate of 89%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.
Read full report on Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies at University of Utah
Out of the 18 schools in the Best Value Parks & Rec Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region that were part of this year’s ranking, Adams State University landed the #5 spot on the list. This small school is located in Alamosa, Colorado, and it awarded 70 ’s parks and rec degrees 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. The estimated yearly cost for Adams State is $13,388 for Rocky Mountains Region Parks & Rec students.
Read full report on Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies at Adams State
With a ranking of #6, Utah State University did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Parks & Rec Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region list. This large school is located in Logan, Utah, and it awarded 131 ’s parks and rec degrees in 2020-2021.
In addition to being on our rocky mountains region parks & rec students list, USU has also earned the #6 rank in our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region” ranking. It costs about $13,257 for Rocky Mountains Region Parks & Rec students per year to attend Utah State University.
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%.
Read full report on Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies at USU
With a ranking of #7, Weber State University did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Parks & Rec Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region list. WSU is a large public school situated in Ogden, Utah. It awarded 46 ’s parks and rec degrees in 2020-2021.
In addition to being on our rocky mountains region parks & rec students list, WSU has also earned the #12 rank in our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Weber State University is $11,647 for rocky mountains region parks & rec students.
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 full report on Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies at WSU
University of Northern Colorado landed the #8 spot on the 2023 Best Value Parks & Rec Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region ranking. University of Northern Colorado is a public institution located in Greeley, Colorado. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 202 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.
University of Northern Colorado also made our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region” list, coming in at #4. It costs about $15,570 for rocky mountains region parks & rec students per year to attend University of Northern Colorado.
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
Utah Valley University ranked #9 on this year’s Best Value Parks & Rec Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region list. Utah Valley University is a large public school situated in Orem, Utah. It awarded 133 ’s parks and rec degrees in 2020-2021.
In addition to being on our rocky mountains region parks & rec students list, UVU has also earned the #15 rank in our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for UVU is $9,955 for rocky mountains region parks & rec students.
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 full report on Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies at Utah Valley University
Southern Utah University came in at #10 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Parks & Rec Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region ranking. Southern Utah University is located in Cedar City, Utah and, has a fairly large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 117 ’s parks and rec degrees to qualified students.
In addition to being on our rocky mountains region parks & rec students list, Southern Utah University has also earned the #13 rank in our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Southern Utah University is $13,578 for rocky mountains region parks & rec students.
The low undergrad student loan default rate of 4.5% 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%.
Read full report on Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies at Southern Utah University
Colorado Mesa University came in at #11 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Parks & Rec Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region ranking. This medium-sized school is located in Grand Junction, Colorado, and it awarded 151 ’s parks and rec degrees 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 University is $16,118 for Rocky Mountains Region Parks & Rec students.
Read full report on Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies at Colorado Mesa
Colorado State University - Fort Collins landed the #12 spot on the 2023 Best Value Parks & Rec Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region ranking. Colorado State University - Fort Collins is located in Fort Collins, Colorado and, has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 326 ’s parks and rec degrees to qualified students.
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 estimated yearly cost for Colorado State is $18,679 for rocky mountains region parks & rec students.
The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 85%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. 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%.
Read full report on Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies at Colorado State
Fort Lewis College did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Parks & Rec Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region ranking, coming in at #13. FLC is a public institution located in Durango, Colorado. The school has a small population, and it awarded 65 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.
In addition to being on our rocky mountains region parks & rec students list, FLC has also earned the #14 rank in our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region” ranking. It costs about $16,255 for Rocky Mountains Region Parks & Rec students per year to attend Fort Lewis College.
Read more about Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies at FLC
With a ranking of #14, Colorado State University - Pueblo did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Parks & Rec Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region list. Colorado State University - Pueblo is a medium-sized school located in Pueblo, Colorado that handed out 40 ’s parks and rec degrees in 2020-2021.
Colorado State University - Pueblo did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #18 on our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region” list. The yearly cost to attend Colorado State University - Pueblo is $13,695 for Rocky Mountains Region Parks & Rec students.
Full Colorado State University - Pueblo Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Report
Boise State University came in at #15 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Parks & Rec Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region ranking. This large school is located in Boise, Idaho, and it awarded 97 ’s parks and rec degrees in 2020-2021.
Boise State not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #7 on our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region” list. It costs about $16,153 for rocky mountains region parks & rec students per year to attend Boise State.
The low undergrad student loan default rate of 4.3% 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 Boise State University Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Report
University of Idaho came in at #16 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Parks & Rec Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region ranking. Located in Moscow, Idaho, this fairly large public school handed out 47 diplomas to qualified ’s parks and rec students in 2020-2021.
As a testament to the quality of education offered at U of I, the school also landed the #10 spot in our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend U of I is $13,964 for Rocky Mountains Region Parks & Rec students.
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 full report on Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies at U of I
With a ranking of #17, Metropolitan State University of Denver did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Parks & Rec Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region list. MSU Denver is a public institution located in Denver, Colorado. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 127 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.
MSU Denver also took the #8 spot in our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region” ranking. It costs about $14,313 for rocky mountains region parks & rec students per year to attend MSU Denver.
Full MSU Denver Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Report
With a ranking of #18, Western Colorado University did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Parks & Rec Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region list. Western is located in Gunnison, Colorado and, has a small student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 57 ’s parks and rec degrees to qualified students.
Western did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #17 on our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region” list. The estimated yearly cost for Western is $16,690 for rocky mountains region parks & rec students.
Read full report on Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies at Western
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Best Value Colleges for Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies in the Southeast Region
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Best Value Colleges for Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies in the Rocky Mountains Region
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Best Value Colleges for Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies in the Middle Atlantic Region
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Best Value Colleges for Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies in the Southwest Region
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Best Value Colleges for Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies in the New England Region
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Best Value Colleges for Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies in the Plains States Region
Far Western US
Best Value Colleges for Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies in the Far Western US Region
Great Lakes
Best Value Colleges for Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies in the Great Lakes Region
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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
Most Focused Colleges for Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies in the Rocky Mountains Region
Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies students in the Rocky Mountains Region
Most Popular Online Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Schools
Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies students in the Rocky Mountains Region
Best Value Colleges for Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies (Income $0-$30k) in the Rocky Mountains Region
Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies students with family income less than $30k in the Rocky Mountains Region
Best Value Colleges for Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies (Income $48-$75k) in the Rocky Mountains Region
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
Highest Paid Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Graduates in the Rocky Mountains Region
Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies students in the Rocky Mountains Region
Most Popular Colleges for Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies in the Rocky Mountains Region
Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies students in the Rocky Mountains Region
Best Value Colleges for Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies in the Rocky Mountains Region (With Aid)
Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies students getting aid in the Rocky Mountains Region
Best Value Colleges for Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies (Income $30-$48k) in the Rocky Mountains Region
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
