Parks and Recreation programs produce graduates with career earnings ranging from $16,478 to $73,106, demonstrating significant variation across 507 programs. The median earnings of $43,348 reflect diverse pathways in recreation management and outdoor careers, where program selection directly impacts long-term earning potential.
Leading the list is University of Scranton, achieving the highest program earnings at $73,106. The top tier includes Pepperdine University ($72,554) and Saint Louis University ($72,217), with these programs demonstrating how quality recreation management education translates into strong graduate outcomes that exceed typical expectations for the field.
| Rank | School | Location | Earnings | Net Price | Acceptance Rate | Grad Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| #541 | Bob Jones UniversityPrivate | Greenville, SC | $32,481 Median Parks & Recreation Earnings | $14,037 | — | 69.6% |
| #542 | Ottawa University-OttawaPrivate | Ottawa, KS | $32,400 Median Parks & Recreation Earnings | $21,092 | 80.0% | 28.7% |
| #543 | University Of St FrancisPrivate | Joliet, IL | $32,159 Median Parks & Recreation Earnings | $9,707 | 63.9% | 64.6% |
| #544 | Fort Lewis CollegePublic | Durango, CO | $31,963 Median Parks & Recreation Earnings | $17,272 | 93.2% | 43.1% |
| #545 | Reinhardt UniversityPrivate | Waleska, GA | $31,900 Median Parks & Recreation Earnings | $24,424 | 55.2% | 35.6% |
| #546 | Johnson C Smith UniversityPrivate | Charlotte, NC | $31,843 Median Parks & Recreation Earnings | $19,693 | 42.9% | 34.1% |
| #547 | Winona Lake, IN | $31,798 Median Parks & Recreation Earnings | $6,409 | 80.8% | 69.9% | |
| #548 | Cuny Lehman CollegePublic | Bronx, NY | $31,685 Median Parks & Recreation Earnings | $2,047 | 55.4% | 49.3% |
| #549 | Bethel UniversityPrivate | Mckenzie, TN | $31,638 Median Parks & Recreation Earnings | $22,495 | 97.2% | 34.9% |
| #550 | Gallaudet UniversityPrivate | Washington, DC | $31,577 Median Parks & Recreation Earnings | $12,221 | 60.9% | 46.6% |
| #551 | Holy Family UniversityPrivate | Philadelphia, PA | $31,518 Median Parks & Recreation Earnings | $8,401 | 74.2% | 60.4% |
| #552 | Millikin UniversityPrivate | Decatur, IL | $31,307 Median Parks & Recreation Earnings | $2,842 | 54.0% | 59.1% |
| #553 | Jacksonville, AL | $31,303 Median Parks & Recreation Earnings | $13,268 | 76.2% | 51.1% | |
| #554 | Rogers State UniversityPublic | Claremore, OK | $31,167 Median Parks & Recreation Earnings | $11,564 | — | 25.4% |
| #555 | Fayette, MO | $31,133 Median Parks & Recreation Earnings | $22,570 | 87.9% | 52.5% | |
| #556 | Seward, NE | $31,127 Median Parks & Recreation Earnings | $19,320 | 90.0% | 64.1% | |
| #557 | Grambling, LA | $31,093 Median Parks & Recreation Earnings | $16,447 | 23.7% | 32.3% | |
| #558 | Clarke UniversityPrivate | Dubuque, IA | $31,013 Median Parks & Recreation Earnings | $23,570 | 68.2% | 54.9% |
| #559 | Catawba CollegePrivate | Salisbury, NC | $30,889 Median Parks & Recreation Earnings | $15,892 | 77.7% | 52.1% |
| #560 | Claflin UniversityPrivate | Orangeburg, SC | $30,873 Median Parks & Recreation Earnings | $19,663 | 72.5% | 49.1% |
