2026 Best Parks, Recreation & Leisure Studies Schools in the Far Western Region

1

California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo
San Luis Obispo, CA

California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo is one of the finest schools in the country for getting a degree in parks, recreation & leisure studies. California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo is a very large public school located in the suburb of San Luis Obispo. The six-year graduation rate is 86%. California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo awarded about 93 parks, recreation & leisure studies degrees in the most recent data year. Parks, Recreation & Leisure Studies graduates of California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo earn a median of $39,157 early in their careers. California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo graduates carry a median of $16,369 in student loans. See the full parks, recreation & leisure studies program report for California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo

2

California State University Sacramento
Sacramento, CA

California State University Sacramento came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best parks, recreation & leisure studies schools. Set in the city of Sacramento, California State University Sacramento is a very large public institution. Roughly 56% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 69 parks, recreation & leisure studies students who graduated with this degree at California State University Sacramento in the most recent data year. Parks, Recreation & Leisure Studies graduates of California State University Sacramento earn a median of $40,338 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $20,024 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in parks, recreation & leisure studies from California State University Sacramento

3

San Jose State University
San Jose, CA

San Jose State University is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in parks, recreation & leisure studies, landing the #3 spot this year. This very large public university is located in the city of San Jose. About 69% of students finish within six years. San Jose State University awarded about 21 parks, recreation & leisure studies degrees in the most recent data year. See the full parks, recreation & leisure studies program report for San Jose State University

4

San Diego State University
San Diego, CA

Students looking for a strong parks, recreation & leisure studies program will find one at San Diego State University, which ranked #4. This very large public university is located in the city of San Diego. The six-year graduation rate is 76%. About 14 parks, recreation & leisure studies degrees were awarded at San Diego State University in the most recent year. Parks, Recreation & Leisure Studies graduates of San Diego State University earn a median of $33,692 early in their careers. San Diego State University graduates carry a median of $14,999 in student loans. Get the full parks, recreation & leisure studies details for San Diego State University

5

California State University East Bay
Hayward, CA

California State University East Bay is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in parks, recreation & leisure studies, ranking #5. Located in the suburb of Hayward, California State University East Bay is a large public university. The six-year graduation rate is 48%. California State University East Bay awarded about 30 parks, recreation & leisure studies degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, parks, recreation & leisure studies degree recipients from California State University East Bay generally make around $43,700. California State University East Bay graduates carry a median of $20,306 in student loans. Get the full parks, recreation & leisure studies details for California State University East Bay

6

California State University Fresno
Fresno, CA

California State University Fresno placed #6 among the best parks, recreation & leisure studies schools. Set in the city of Fresno, California State University Fresno is a very large public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 57%. California State University Fresno awarded about 33 parks, recreation & leisure studies degrees in the most recent data year. Parks, Recreation & Leisure Studies graduates of California State University Fresno earn a median of $32,697 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $14,061. See the full parks, recreation & leisure studies program report for California State University Fresno

7

California State University Long Beach
Long Beach, CA

California State University Long Beach ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best parks, recreation & leisure studies schools. Located in the city of Long Beach, California State University Long Beach is a very large public university. The six-year graduation rate is 69%. California State University Long Beach awarded about 48 parks, recreation & leisure studies degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their parks, recreation & leisure studies degree from California State University Long Beach earn around $35,532 in the first couple years of their career. California State University Long Beach graduates carry a median of $14,500 in student loans. See the full parks, recreation & leisure studies program report for California State University Long Beach

8

California State University Chico
Chico, CA

California State University Chico placed #8 among the best parks, recreation & leisure studies schools. Set in the city of Chico, California State University Chico is a large public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 63%. There were roughly 49 parks, recreation & leisure studies students who graduated with this degree at California State University Chico in the most recent data year. Parks, Recreation & Leisure Studies graduates of California State University Chico earn a median of $33,920 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $18,179. Read more about the parks, recreation & leisure studies program at California State University Chico

9

Oregon State University
Corvallis, OR

Oregon State University landed the #9 spot for parks, recreation & leisure studies this year. Oregon State University is a very large public school located in the city of Corvallis. Oregon State University graduates 70% of students within six years. There were roughly 29 parks, recreation & leisure studies students who graduated with this degree at Oregon State University in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, parks, recreation & leisure studies degree recipients from Oregon State University generally make around $34,451. Oregon State University graduates carry a median of $22,500 in student loans. Get the full parks, recreation & leisure studies details for Oregon State University

10

Western Washington University
Bellingham, WA

Western Washington University came in at #10 for parks, recreation & leisure studies this year. This large public university is located in the city of Bellingham. Western Washington University graduates 65% of students within six years. There were roughly 31 parks, recreation & leisure studies students who graduated with this degree at Western Washington University in the most recent data year. Graduates of the parks, recreation & leisure studies program make about $27,558 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $17,897 to complete this degree. See the full parks, recreation & leisure studies program report for Western Washington University

11

Allan Hancock College
Santa Maria, CA

Allan Hancock College ranked #11 on our 2026 list of the best parks, recreation & leisure studies schools. This large public university is located in the city of Santa Maria. There were roughly 24 parks, recreation & leisure studies students who graduated with this degree at Allan Hancock College in the most recent data year. More information about a degree in parks, recreation & leisure studies from Allan Hancock College

12

Southern Oregon University
Ashland, OR

Southern Oregon University earned the #12 position for parks, recreation & leisure studies this year. Located in the suburb of Ashland, Southern Oregon University is a moderately-sized public university. The six-year graduation rate is 42%. About 21 parks, recreation & leisure studies degrees were awarded at Southern Oregon University in the most recent year. Parks, Recreation & Leisure Studies graduates of Southern Oregon University earn a median of $19,139 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $24,951 to complete this degree. Read more about the parks, recreation & leisure studies program at Southern Oregon University