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. This very large public university is located in the suburb of San Luis Obispo. California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo graduates 86% of students within six years. About 93 parks, recreation & leisure studies degrees were awarded at California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo in the most recent year. Graduates of the parks, recreation & leisure studies program make about $39,157 in their early career. California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo graduates carry a median of $16,369 in student loans. More information about a degree in parks, recreation & leisure studies from California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo

2

California State University Sacramento
Sacramento, CA

California State University Sacramento is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in parks, recreation & leisure studies, ranking #2. This very large public university is located in the city of Sacramento. California State University Sacramento graduates 56% of students within six years. About 69 parks, recreation & leisure studies degrees were awarded at California State University Sacramento in the most recent year. Graduates of the parks, recreation & leisure studies program make about $40,338 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $20,024 to complete this degree. Get the full parks, recreation & leisure studies details for 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. Located in the city of San Jose, San Jose State University is a very large public university. 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. Get the full parks, recreation & leisure studies details 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. Set in the city of San Diego, San Diego State University is a very large public institution. San Diego State University graduates 76% of students within six years. About 14 parks, recreation & leisure studies degrees were awarded at San Diego State University in the most recent year. Students who receive their parks, recreation & leisure studies degree from San Diego State University earn around $33,692 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $14,999 to complete this degree. 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 a great choice for students pursuing a degree in parks, recreation & leisure studies, landing the #5 spot this year. Set in the suburb of Hayward, California State University East Bay is a large public institution. Roughly 48% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 30 parks, recreation & leisure studies degrees were awarded at California State University East Bay in the most recent 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. See the full parks, recreation & leisure studies program report for California State University East Bay

6

California State University Fresno
Fresno, CA

California State University Fresno came in at #6 for parks, recreation & leisure studies this year. California State University Fresno is a very large public school located in the city of Fresno. Roughly 57% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 33 parks, recreation & leisure studies degrees were awarded at California State University Fresno in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, parks, recreation & leisure studies degree recipients from California State University Fresno generally make around $32,697. California State University Fresno graduates carry a median of $14,061 in student loans. 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. Set in the city of Long Beach, California State University Long Beach is a very large public institution. About 69% of students finish within six years. About 48 parks, recreation & leisure studies degrees were awarded at California State University Long Beach in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, parks, recreation & leisure studies degree recipients from California State University Long Beach generally make around $35,532. California State University Long Beach graduates carry a median of $14,500 in student loans. Read more about the parks, recreation & leisure studies program at California State University Long Beach

8

California State University Chico
Chico, CA

California State University Chico landed the #8 spot for parks, recreation & leisure studies this year. Located in the city of Chico, California State University Chico is a large public university. Roughly 63% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 49 parks, recreation & leisure studies degrees were awarded at California State University Chico in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, parks, recreation & leisure studies degree recipients from California State University Chico generally make around $33,920. California State University Chico graduates carry a median of $18,179 in student loans. Get the full parks, recreation & leisure studies details for California State University Chico

9

Oregon State University
Corvallis, OR

Oregon State University ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the best parks, recreation & leisure studies schools. Set in the city of Corvallis, Oregon State University is a very large public institution. Oregon State University graduates 70% of students within six years. About 29 parks, recreation & leisure studies degrees were awarded at Oregon State University in the most recent year. Graduates of the parks, recreation & leisure studies program make about $34,451 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $22,500. Read more about the parks, recreation & leisure studies program at Oregon State University

10

Western Washington University
Bellingham, WA

Western Washington University earned the #10 position for parks, recreation & leisure studies this year. Set in the city of Bellingham, Western Washington University is a large public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 65%. There were roughly 31 parks, recreation & leisure studies students who graduated with this degree at Western Washington University in the most recent data year. Parks, Recreation & Leisure Studies graduates of Western Washington University earn a median of $27,558 early in their careers. 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 landed the #11 spot for parks, recreation & leisure studies this year. 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. See the full parks, recreation & leisure studies program report for Allan Hancock College

12

Southern Oregon University
Ashland, OR

Southern Oregon University landed the #12 spot for parks, recreation & leisure studies this year. This moderately-sized public university is located in the suburb of Ashland. The six-year graduation rate is 42%. There were roughly 21 parks, recreation & leisure studies students who graduated with this degree at Southern Oregon University in the most recent data year. Students who receive their parks, recreation & leisure studies degree from Southern Oregon University earn around $19,139 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $24,951 to complete this degree. Read more about the parks, recreation & leisure studies program at Southern Oregon University