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Most Popular Parks, Recreation & Leisure Studies Schools in California

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2023 Most Popular Parks, Recreation & Leisure Studies Schools in California

25 Colleges
$37,222 Avg Salary
$17,096 Avg Student Debt

Finding the Best Parks, Recreation & Leisure Studies School for You

In 2020-2021, 668 degrees and certificates were awarded to parks, recreation and leisure studies students who went to a California college or university. This makes it the #111 most popular major in the state.

There are so many programs in today's world that it can tough to figure out which one is the right one for you. As online education oppotunities continue to grow, you're not restricted to just schools in your local area anymore. Even some of the 'big name' schools are offering online courses. Also, there are a number of trade schools with offerings that you might find attractive.

Along with in-depth profiles of schools and the programs they offer, Course Advisor has created the Most Popular Parks, Recreation & Leisure Studies Schools in California to help you in your search for the best school for you. Our analysis looked at 25 schools in California to see which programs were the most popular for students. To create this ranking we looked at how many students graduated from the Parks, Recreation & Leisure Studies program at each school on the list.

Check out the parks and rec programs at these schools if you want to attend one of the most popular in California.

Our analysis found California Polytechnic State University - San Luis Obispo to be the most popular school for parks, recreation and leisure studies students who want to pursue a degree in California. Cal Poly San Luis Obispo is a very large public school located in the suburb of San Luis Obispo.

While working on their degree, parks and rec majors at Cal Poly San Luis Obispo accumulate an average of around $18,356 in student debt. When it comes time to repay the loan, graduates who are on a 10-year repayment plan pay an average monthly payment of $272.

Full Parks, Recreation & Leisure Studies at California Polytechnic State University - San Luis Obispo Report

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend California State University - Sacramento. It ranked #2 on our 2023 Most Popular Parks, Recreation & Leisure Studies Schools in California list. Located in the large city of Sacramento, Sac State is a public college with a fairly large student population.

After completing their degree, parks and rec graduates from Sac State carry an average student debt load of $20,097.

Read More…

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around you if you attend California State University - Chico. The school came in at #3 on this year’s Most Popular Parks, Recreation & Leisure Studies Schools in California list. Chico State is a fairly large public school located in the midsize city of Chico.

After completing their degree, parks and rec graduates from Chico State carry an average student debt load of $18,402.

Read full report on Parks, Recreation & Leisure Studies at California State University - Chico

A rank of #4 on this year’s list means California State University - Long Beach is a great place for parks, recreation and leisure studies students. CSULB is a fairly large public school located in the city of Long Beach.

While working on their degree, parks and rec majors at CSULB accumulate an average of around $15,750 in student debt.

Read full report on Parks, Recreation & Leisure Studies at California State University - Long Beach

#5

San Francisco State University

San Francisco, CA

A rank of #5 on this year’s list means San Francisco State University is a great place for parks, recreation and leisure studies students. Located in the large city of San Francisco, SFSU is a public school with a very large student population.

After completing their degree, parks and rec graduates from SFSU carry an average student debt load of $16,648.

Full Parks, Recreation & Leisure Studies at San Francisco State University Report

San Jose State University did quite well in this year’s ranking of the most popular schools for parks, recreation and leisure studies students. It came in at #6 on the list. San Jose State is a very large public school located in the large city of San Jose.

Full Parks, Recreation & Leisure Studies at San Jose State University Report

California State University - Fresno did quite well in this year’s ranking of the most popular schools for parks, recreation and leisure studies students. It came in at #7 on the list. Located in the large city of Fresno, Fresno State is a public college with a fairly large student population.

While working on their degree, parks and rec majors at Fresno State accumulate an average of around $14,007 in student debt.

Read More…

#8

San Diego State University

San Diego, CA

San Diego State University came in at #8 in this year’s edition of the Most Popular Parks, Recreation & Leisure Studies Schools in California ranking. Located in the large city of San Diego, SDSU is a public school with a fairly large student population.

While working on their degree, parks and rec majors at SDSU accumulate an average of around $17,841 in student debt.

Full Parks, Recreation & Leisure Studies at San Diego State University Report

California State University - East Bay came in at #9 in this year’s edition of the Most Popular Parks, Recreation & Leisure Studies Schools in California ranking. Located in the large suburb of Hayward, Cal State East Bay is a public college with a fairly large student population.

While working on their degree, parks and rec majors at Cal State East Bay accumulate an average of around $15,668 in student debt.

Full Parks, Recreation & Leisure Studies at California State University - East Bay Report

Humboldt State University landed the #9 spot in the 2023 rankings for the most popular parks, recreation and leisure studies programs. Located in the remote town of Arcata, Humboldt State University is a public college with a moderately-sized student population.

Read full report on Parks, Recreation & Leisure Studies at Humboldt State University

Best Parks, Recreation & Leisure Studies Colleges in the Far Western US Region

Explore all the Most Popular Parks, Recreation & Leisure Studies Colleges in the Far Western US Area or other specific states within that region.

State Degrees Awarded
Washington 58
Oregon 41
Nevada 0
Alaska 7

One of 4 majors within the area of study, parks, recreation and leisure studies has other similar majors worth exploring.

Related Major Annual Graduates
Health & Physical Education 67,146
Recreation Administration 3,122
Outdoor Education 265
Other Parks, Recreation & Leisure Studies 174

Notes and References

*These averages are for the top 25 schools only.

  • 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 the rest 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).

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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