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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| #81 | Wayne, NJ | $51,866 Median Parks & Recreation Earnings | $15,420 | 92.5% | 47.7% | |
| #82 | Cuny Queens CollegePublic | Queens, NY | $51,858 Median Parks & Recreation Earnings | $1,816 | 68.5% | 60.2% |
| #83 | Sonoma State UniversityPublic | Rohnert Park, CA | $51,845 Median Parks & Recreation Earnings | $9,406 | 94.7% | 60.5% |
| #84 | Mount St. Joseph UniversityPrivate | Cincinnati, OH | $51,803 Median Parks & Recreation Earnings | $11,206 | 56.5% | 54.7% |
| #85 | Northwood UniversityPrivate | Midland, MI | $51,782 Median Parks & Recreation Earnings | $23,137 | 83.9% | 61.1% |
| #86 | University Of Puget SoundPrivate | Tacoma, WA | $51,762 Median Parks & Recreation Earnings | $28,409 | 76.3% | 67.9% |
| #87 | Minneapolis, MN | $51,760 Median Parks & Recreation Earnings | $7,262 | 77.0% | 84.8% | |
| #88 | University Of IowaPublic | Iowa City, IA | $51,650 Median Parks & Recreation Earnings | $13,811 | 84.7% | 73.1% |
| #89 | Buena Vista UniversityPrivate | Storm Lake, IA | $51,571 Median Parks & Recreation Earnings | $14,583 | 71.8% | 47.3% |
| #90 | Bethel UniversityPrivate | Saint Paul, MN | $51,431 Median Parks & Recreation Earnings | $22,031 | 91.0% | 75.2% |
| #91 | Shawnee State UniversityPublic | Portsmouth, OH | $51,418 Median Parks & Recreation Earnings | $13,734 | — | 43.0% |
| #92 | East Lansing, MI | $51,329 Median Parks & Recreation Earnings | $8,119 | 83.9% | 82.2% | |
| #93 | Belton, TX | $51,305 Median Parks & Recreation Earnings | $25,906 | 95.1% | 53.4% | |
| #94 | Texas State UniversityPublic | San Marcos, TX | $51,235 Median Parks & Recreation Earnings | $12,144 | 89.5% | 56.2% |
| #95 | Aquinas CollegePrivate | Grand Rapids, MI | $51,147 Median Parks & Recreation Earnings | $12,141 | 71.1% | 62.5% |
| #96 | Georgian Court UniversityPrivate | Lakewood, NJ | $51,012 Median Parks & Recreation Earnings | $15,879 | 70.5% | 55.1% |
| #97 | Truman State UniversityPublic | Kirksville, MO | $50,959 Median Parks & Recreation Earnings | $7,322 | 80.0% | 68.4% |
| #98 | Deerfield, IL | $50,919 Median Parks & Recreation Earnings | $17,250 | 93.2% | 45.6% | |
| #99 | Baylor UniversityPrivate | Waco, TX | $50,913 Median Parks & Recreation Earnings | $30,674 | 51.0% | 80.2% |
| #100 | University Of ArkansasPublic | Fayetteville, AR | $50,904 Median Parks & Recreation Earnings | $13,017 | 71.7% | 70.0% |
