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Most Popular Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Schools in California

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

165 Colleges
$32,218 Avg Salary
$19,856 Avg Student Debt

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

Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies is the #14 most popular major in California with 11,237 degrees and certificates awarded in 2020-2021.

With all the programs available today, it can be tough to choose which one is the best for you. With more and more schools offering online options, you could even register for a great program on the other side of the country. On top of that, there are a considerable number of trade schools that offer fast-track entry to many fields.

To assist you in seeing some of the education options that are available to you, Course Advisor has created its Most Popular Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Schools in California ranking. Our analysis looked at 165 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, & Fitness Studies program at each school on the list.

The following schools top our list of the Most Popular Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Colleges.

Our analysis found California State University - Fullerton to be the most popular school for parks, recreation, leisure, and fitness studies students who want to pursue a degree in California. Located in the suburb of Fullerton, Cal State Fullerton is a public school with a very large student population.

After completing their degree, parks and rec graduates from Cal State Fullerton carry an average student debt load of $15,000. Assuming that a graduate chooses a 10-year repayment plan, the average monthly loan payment is $196.

Full Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies at California State University - Fullerton Report

Out of the 165 schools in California that were part of this year’s ranking, Mt. San Antonio College landed the # 2 spot on the list. Located in the suburb of Walnut, Mt. SAC is a public college with a fairly large student population.

While working on their degree, parks and rec majors at Mt. SAC accumulate an average of around $7,677 in student debt.

Full Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies at Mt. San Antonio College Report

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

Parks & Rec majors at CSUN take out an average of $16,000 in student loans while working on their egree.

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

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend California State University - Long Beach. It ranked #4 on our 2023 Most Popular Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Schools in California list. Located in the city of Long Beach, CSULB is a public college with a very large student population.

On average, parks and rec graduates from CSULB take out $16,625 in student loans while working on their degree.

Full Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies at California State University - Long Beach Report

#5

San Diego State University

San Diego, CA

Out of the 165 schools in California that were part of this year’s ranking, San Diego State University landed the # 5 spot on the list. SDSU is a very large public school located in the large city of San Diego.

After completing their degree, parks and rec graduates from SDSU carry an average student debt load of $17,793. For students who choose a 10-year repayment plan, the average monthly student loan payment is $241.

Read full report on Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies at San Diego State University

Concordia University, Irvine ranked #6 on this year’s Most Popular Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Schools in California list. Located in the city of Irvine, Concordia University, Irvine is a private not-for-profit college with a small student population.

The average amount in student loans that parks and rec majors at Concordia University, Irvine take out is $26,000. For students who choose a 10-year repayment plan, the average monthly student loan payment is $602.

Full Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies at Concordia University, Irvine Report

California State University - Sacramento came in at #7 in this year’s edition of the Most Popular Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Schools in California ranking. Sac State is a very large public school located in the city of Sacramento.

After completing their degree, parks and rec graduates from Sac State carry an average student debt load of $18,455. The average monthly payment of a loan this size is about $199, assuming that the borrower is on a 10-year repayment plan.

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#8

College of the Canyons

Santa Clarita, CA

College of the Canyons did quite well in this year’s ranking of the most popular schools for parks, recreation, leisure, and fitness studies students. It came in at #8 on the list. Located in the suburb of Santa Clarita, College of the Canyons is a public school with a large student population.

Full Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies at College of the Canyons Report

With a ranking of #9, California State University - Los Angeles did quite well on this year’s most popular schools for parks, recreation, leisure, and fitness studies students. Cal State LA is a very large public school located in the city of Los Angeles.

The average amount in student loans that parks and rec majors at Cal State LA take out is $14,592.

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California State University - Chico did quite well in this year’s ranking of the most popular schools for parks, recreation, leisure, and fitness studies students. It came in at #10 on the list. Located in the midsize city of Chico, Chico State is a public college with a large student population.

After completing their degree, parks and rec graduates from Chico State carry an average student debt load of $19,726.

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California State University - Fresno came in at #11 in this year’s edition of the Most Popular Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Schools in California ranking. Fresno State is a fairly large public school located in the large city of Fresno.

While working on their degree, parks and rec majors at Fresno State accumulate an average of around $14,029 in student debt.

Full Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies at California State University - Fresno Report

#12

San Jose State University

San Jose, CA

San Jose State University landed the #12 spot in the 2023 rankings for the most popular parks, recreation, leisure, and fitness studies programs. Located in the city of San Jose, San Jose State is a public school with a fairly large student population.

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

California Baptist University came in at #13 in this year’s edition of the Most Popular Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Schools in California ranking. Located in the large city of Riverside, Cal Baptist is a private not-for-profit college with a fairly large student population.

Parks & Rec majors at Cal Baptist take out an average of $29,470 in student loans while working on their egree. This translates to an average monthly loan payment of $487, based on a 10-year repayment plan.

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#14

San Francisco State University

San Francisco, CA

San Francisco State University ranked #14 on this year’s Most Popular Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Schools in California list. SFSU is a fairly large public school located in the large city of San Francisco.

While working on their degree, parks and rec majors at SFSU accumulate an average of around $17,137 in student debt. For students who choose a 10-year repayment plan, the average monthly student loan payment is $204.

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California State University - East Bay landed the #15 spot in the 2023 rankings for the most popular parks, recreation, leisure, and fitness studies programs. Cal State East Bay is a fairly large public school located in the large suburb of Hayward.

On average, parks and rec graduates from Cal State East Bay take out $16,084 in student loans while working on their degree. This translates to an average monthly loan payment of $188, based on a 10-year repayment plan.

Read full report on Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies at California State University - East Bay

California Polytechnic State University - San Luis Obispo landed the #16 spot in the 2023 rankings for the most popular parks, recreation, leisure, and fitness studies programs. Located in the small suburb of San Luis Obispo, Cal Poly San Luis Obispo is a public school with a very large student population.

While working on their degree, parks and rec majors at Cal Poly San Luis Obispo accumulate an average of around $17,428 in student debt. Assuming that a graduate chooses a 10-year repayment plan, the average monthly loan payment is $299.

Read full report on Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies at California Polytechnic State University - San Luis Obispo

California State University - San Bernardino did quite well in this year’s ranking of the most popular schools for parks, recreation, leisure, and fitness studies students. It came in at #17 on the list. CSUSB is a fairly large public school located in the medium-sized city of San Bernardino.

After completing their degree, parks and rec graduates from CSUSB carry an average student debt load of $15,500. Assuming that a graduate chooses a 10-year repayment plan, the average monthly loan payment is $127.

Read full report on Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies at California State University - San Bernardino

With a ranking of #18, California State Polytechnic University - Pomona did quite well on this year’s most popular schools for parks, recreation, leisure, and fitness studies students. Cal Poly Pomona is a very large public school located in the large suburb of Pomona.

Parks & Rec majors at Cal Poly Pomona take out an average of $21,326 in student loans while working on their egree.

Full Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies at California State Polytechnic University - Pomona Report

California State University - San Marcos ranked #19 on this year’s Most Popular Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Schools in California list. CSUSM is a large public school located in the large suburb of San Marcos.

On average, parks and rec graduates from CSUSM take out $18,963 in student loans while working on their degree. This translates to an average monthly loan payment of $185, based on a 10-year repayment plan.

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#20

Riverside City College

Riverside, CA

Riverside City College came in at #20 in this year’s edition of the Most Popular Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Schools in California ranking. Located in the large city of Riverside, Riverside City College is a public school with a large student population.

After completing their degree, parks and rec graduates from Riverside City College carry an average student debt load of $8,230.

Read full report on Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies at Riverside City College

California State University - Dominguez Hills ranked #21 on this year’s Most Popular Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Schools in California list. Located in the city of Carson, CSUDH is a public school with a large student population.

Parks & Rec majors at CSUDH take out an average of $14,556 in student loans while working on their egree.

Full Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies at California State University - Dominguez Hills Report

#22

Cabrillo College

Aptos, CA

Cabrillo College came in at #22 in this year’s edition of the Most Popular Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Schools in California ranking. Located in the medium-sized suburb of Aptos, Cabrillo College is a public college with a moderately-sized student population.

While working on their degree, parks and rec majors at Cabrillo College accumulate an average of around $7,930 in student debt.

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California State University - Monterey Bay ranked #23 on this year’s Most Popular Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Schools in California list. CSUMB is a moderately-sized public school located in the medium-sized suburb of Seaside.

The average amount in student loans that parks and rec majors at CSUMB take out is $13,500. This translates to an average monthly loan payment of $153, based on a 10-year repayment plan.

Read More…

#24

University of San Francisco

San Francisco, CA

University of San Francisco came in at #24 in this year’s edition of the Most Popular Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Schools in California ranking. USFCA is a fairly large private not-for-profit school located in the large city of San Francisco.

Parks & Rec majors at USFCA take out an average of $25,000 in student loans while working on their egree.

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

Additional Noteworthy Schools

Here are some additional popular schools for Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness students in the state of California that almost earned our Most Popular Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Schools in California award.

Rank College Location
25 Humboldt State University Arcata, CA
25 California State University - Bakersfield Bakersfield, CA
27 International Sports Sciences Association Carpinteria, CA
28 Pasadena City College Pasadena, CA
29 California State University - Stanislaus Turlock, CA
30 MiraCosta College Oceanside, CA
31 Long Beach City College Long Beach, CA
32 Fresno City College Fresno, CA
33 Diablo Valley College Pleasant Hill, CA

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

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

State Degrees Awarded
Washington 673
Oregon 629
Hawaii 171
Nevada 273
Alaska 35

Parks & Rec Majors to Study

Major Annual Graduates
Health & Physical Education 67,146
Recreation Administration 3,122
Parks, Recreation & Leisure Studies 3,106
Outdoor Education 265
Other Parks, Recreation & Leisure Studies 174

Majors Similar to Parks & Rec

Related Major Annual Graduates
Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting 142,610
Public Administration & Social Service 98,583
Legal Professions 61,055
Military Technologies & Applied Sciences 4,477

Notes and References

*These averages are for the top 26 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).
  • Credit for the banner image above goes to NPS Photo/Zurbuch.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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