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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| #41 | Utah Valley UniversityPublic | Orem, UT | $56,514 Median Parks & Recreation Earnings | $6,381 | — | 40.7% |
| #42 | Cuny Brooklyn CollegePublic | Brooklyn, NY | $56,437 Median Parks & Recreation Earnings | $1,466 | 53.7% | 56.6% |
| #43 | Boston, MA | $56,255 Median Parks & Recreation Earnings | $13,072 | 83.0% | 51.1% | |
| #44 | Raleigh, NC | $56,170 Median Parks & Recreation Earnings | $6,200 | 39.9% | 84.6% | |
| #45 | Pacific Union CollegePrivate | Angwin, CA | $56,152 Median Parks & Recreation Earnings | $14,903 | 42.5% | 51.5% |
| #46 | Marshall UniversityPublic | Huntington, WV | $55,966 Median Parks & Recreation Earnings | $4,820 | 96.5% | 48.7% |
| #47 | Elon UniversityPrivate | Elon, NC | $55,945 Median Parks & Recreation Earnings | $27,108 | 67.3% | 83.0% |
| #48 | Columbia, SC | $55,909 Median Parks & Recreation Earnings | $14,421 | 61.5% | 77.8% | |
| #49 | Abilene Christian UniversityPrivate | Abilene, TX | $55,898 Median Parks & Recreation Earnings | $22,928 | 100.0% | 60.2% |
| #50 | Rocky Mountain CollegePrivate | Billings, MT | $55,806 Median Parks & Recreation Earnings | $15,604 | 72.9% | 46.8% |
| #51 | University Of EvansvillePrivate | Evansville, IN | $55,141 Median Parks & Recreation Earnings | $14,270 | 77.6% | 71.3% |
| #52 | Norman, OK | $54,694 Median Parks & Recreation Earnings | $12,555 | 76.5% | 75.3% | |
| #53 | Baton Rouge, LA | $54,654 Median Parks & Recreation Earnings | $14,035 | 74.0% | 71.0% | |
| #54 | University Of GeorgiaPublic | Athens, GA | $54,482 Median Parks & Recreation Earnings | $7,897 | 37.2% | 87.2% |
| #55 | Immaculata UniversityPrivate | Immaculata, PA | $54,324 Median Parks & Recreation Earnings | $21,180 | 78.5% | 64.5% |
| #56 | University Of DaytonPrivate | Dayton, OH | $54,248 Median Parks & Recreation Earnings | $25,086 | 61.7% | 81.5% |
| #57 | Drexel UniversityPrivate | Philadelphia, PA | $53,919 Median Parks & Recreation Earnings | $27,737 | 77.5% | 77.1% |
| #58 | Iowa State UniversityPublic | Ames, IA | $53,773 Median Parks & Recreation Earnings | $11,734 | 89.1% | 75.5% |
| #59 | Chicago, IL | $53,754 Median Parks & Recreation Earnings | $9,257 | 78.5% | 60.3% | |
| #60 | Harding UniversityPrivate | Searcy, AR | $53,747 Median Parks & Recreation Earnings | $16,473 | 100.0% | 70.9% |
