by our College Data Analytics Team
[Parks, Recreation & Leisure Studies](/majors/parks-recreation-fitness/parks-recreation-leisure-studies/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 25 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for parks, recreation & leisure studies students.
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If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the parks, recreation & leisure studies degrees they offer, see the list below.
Our analysis ranked Allan Hancock College the best value for a degree in parks, recreation & leisure studies in California. Allan Hancock College is a large public school located in the city of Santa Maria. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,156, while out-of-state students pay about $9,892. Median earnings reach $42,786 ten years out.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at California State University Fresno earned it the #2 place for parks, recreation & leisure studies. Located in the city of Fresno, California State University Fresno is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,341, with out-of-state students paying around $19,941. Parks, Recreation & Leisure Studies graduates carry a median of $14,061 in student loans. Early-career parks, recreation & leisure studies graduates make about $32,697. That is a strong return on a $14,061 median debt. California State University Fresno admits about 95% of applicants.
Students looking for strong value in parks, recreation & leisure studies will find it at California State University Long Beach, which ranked #3. Located in the city of Long Beach, California State University Long Beach is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $7,374 in tuition and fees, compared with $19,974 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for parks, recreation & leisure studies graduates is $14,500. Soon after graduation, parks, recreation & leisure studies degree recipients from California State University Long Beach generally make around $35,532. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. California State University Long Beach admits about 46% of applicants.
California State University Sacramento came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best value parks, recreation & leisure studies schools. California State University Sacramento is a very large public school located in the city of Sacramento. Students from in state pay about $8,018 in tuition and fees, compared with $20,618 for out-of-state students. Parks, Recreation & Leisure Studies graduates carry a median of $20,024 in student loans. Parks, Recreation & Leisure Studies graduates of California State University Sacramento earn a median of $40,338 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $20,024 median debt. California State University Sacramento admits about 94% of applicants.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at California State University East Bay earned it the #5 place for parks, recreation & leisure studies. California State University East Bay is a large public school located in the suburb of Hayward. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,583, compared with $20,183 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for parks, recreation & leisure studies graduates is $20,306. Soon after graduation, parks, recreation & leisure studies degree recipients from California State University East Bay generally make around $43,700. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. California State University East Bay admits about 97% of applicants.
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San Jose State University placed #6 among the best values for parks, recreation & leisure studies. Located in the city of San Jose, San Jose State University is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,410, compared with $21,010 for out-of-state students. Graduates go on to earn a median of $78,988 ten years after entry. The acceptance rate is 85%.
California State University Chico ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best value parks, recreation & leisure studies schools. Set in the city of Chico, California State University Chico is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,472, while out-of-state students pay about $21,072. Typical student debt for parks, recreation & leisure studies graduates is $18,179. Soon after graduation, parks, recreation & leisure studies degree recipients from California State University Chico generally make around $33,920. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 93%.
California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo landed the #8 spot for parks, recreation & leisure studies value this year. Set in the suburb of San Luis Obispo, California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $12,161 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $33,230. Parks, Recreation & Leisure Studies graduates carry a median of $16,369 in student loans. Early-career parks, recreation & leisure studies graduates make about $39,157. That is a strong return on a $16,369 median debt. California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo admits about 31% of applicants.
San Diego State University came in at #9 for value in parks, recreation & leisure studies this year. Set in the city of San Diego, San Diego State University is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,728, while out-of-state students pay about $21,328. Typical student debt for parks, recreation & leisure studies graduates is $14,999. Soon after graduation, parks, recreation & leisure studies degree recipients from San Diego State University generally make around $33,692. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 36% of applicants are accepted.
The ranking above is published by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. Schools are scored on the balance of cost (tuition and student debt) against student outcomes (post-graduation earnings) — a measure of return on investment, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 25 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 9 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.