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

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

17 Colleges
$29,570 Avg Salary
$20,509 Avg Student Debt

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

With 1,093 degrees and certificates handed out in 2020-2021, parks, recreation, leisure, and fitness studies is the #15 most popular major in Colorado.

When it comes to higher education, there are a lot of options for students. Along with traditional schools that require in-person attendence, you can attend one of many reputable online schools. Some programs even offer a hybrid experience. Alternatively, you may choose a trade school that prepares you to enter the workforce with knowledge in a specific field.

To help you arm yourself with the information you need to make your decision, Course Advisor has developed this Most Popular Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Schools in Colorado ranking. This report analyzed 17 schools in Colorado to see which ones were the most popular programs 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 2023 rankings named Colorado State University - Fort Collins the most popular school in Colorado for parks, recreation, leisure, and fitness studies students. Located in the midsize city of Fort Collins, Colorado State is a public college with a fairly large student population.

The average amount in student loans that parks and rec majors at Colorado State take out is $21,018. The average monthly payment of a loan this size is about $343, assuming that the borrower is on a 10-year repayment plan.

Full Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies at Colorado State University - Fort Collins Report

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend University of Northern Colorado. It ranked #2 on our 2023 Most Popular Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Schools in Colorado list. Located in the city of Greeley, University of Northern Colorado is a public school with a fairly large student population.

The average amount in student loans that parks and rec majors at University of Northern Colorado take out is $24,625. When it comes time to repay the loan, graduates who are on a 10-year repayment plan pay an average monthly payment of $327.

Full Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies at University of Northern Colorado Report

#3

Colorado Mesa University

Grand Junction, CO

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around you if you attend Colorado Mesa University. The school came in at #3 on this year’s Most Popular Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Schools in Colorado list. Located in the small city of Grand Junction, Colorado Mesa is a public college with a moderately-sized student population.

While working on their degree, parks and rec majors at Colorado Mesa accumulate an average of around $25,000 in student debt. For students who choose a 10-year repayment plan, the average monthly student loan payment is $222.

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You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Metropolitan State University of Denver. It ranked #4 on our 2023 Most Popular Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Schools in Colorado list. MSU Denver is a large public school located in the city of Denver.

The average amount in student loans that parks and rec majors at MSU Denver take out is $23,739.

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#5

Adams State University

Alamosa, CO

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Adams State University. It ranked #5 on our 2023 Most Popular Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Schools in Colorado list. Adams State is a small public school located in the remote town of Alamosa.

After completing their degree, parks and rec graduates from Adams State carry an average student debt load of $24,000.

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#6

Fort Lewis College

Durango, CO

Fort Lewis College ranked #6 on this year’s Most Popular Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Schools in Colorado list. Located in the town of Durango, FLC is a public school with a small student population.

Parks & Rec majors at FLC take out an average of $16,007 in student loans while working on their egree.

Read full report on Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies at Fort Lewis College

Western Colorado University landed the #7 spot in the 2023 rankings for the most popular parks, recreation, leisure, and fitness studies programs. Western is a small public school located in the town of Gunnison.

On average, parks and rec graduates from Western take out $22,735 in student loans while working on their degree. Assuming that a graduate chooses a 10-year repayment plan, the average monthly loan payment is $270.

Read full report on Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies at Western Colorado University

Colorado State University - Pueblo came in at #8 in this year’s edition of the Most Popular Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Schools in Colorado ranking. Located in the midsize city of Pueblo, Colorado State University - Pueblo is a public college with a moderately-sized student population.

While working on their degree, parks and rec majors at Colorado State University - Pueblo accumulate an average of around $24,000 in student debt. The average monthly payment of a loan this size is about $194, assuming that the borrower is on a 10-year repayment plan.

Read full report on Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies at Colorado State University - Pueblo

#9

Regis University

Denver, CO

Regis University 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 #9 on the list. Regis U is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Denver.

Full Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies at Regis University Report

Red Rocks Community College came in at #10 in this year’s edition of the Most Popular Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Schools in Colorado ranking. Located in the city of Lakewood, Red Rocks Community College is a public college with a medium-sized student population.

Full Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies at Red Rocks Community College Report

Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Colleges in the Rocky Mountains Region

Explore all the Most Popular Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Colleges in the Rocky Mountains Area or other specific states within that region.

State Degrees Awarded
Utah 1,178
Montana 94
Idaho 249
Wyoming 126

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

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 17 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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