1,455 colleges are offering Parks, Recreation, Leisure, and Fitness Studies program through certificate, undergraduate, and graduate levels. For bachelor's degree, 989 schools have the Parks, Recreation, Leisure, and Fitness Studies program and 403 schools are offering the program in graduate levels. In 2023, a total of 72,162 students completed the program and earned a degree or certificate in the area. By degree level, 1,977 students earned undergraduate certificate, 6,266 students earned associate's, 53,403 students earned bachelor's, and 10,166 students earned master's or doctoral degrees.
- 1 March 2024 (Updated)
Expected Earning after Completing Parks, Recreation, Leisure, and Fitness Studies Program is $38,015
Colleges Offering Parks, Recreation, Leisure, and Fitness Studies and Number of Degree Earners
The 2024 average tuition of schools that have Parks, Recreation, Leisure, and Fitness Studies program is $10,206 for state residents and $29,015 for out-of-state students. For graduate Parks, Recreation, Leisure, and Fitness Studies programs, the average tuition is $10,990 for state residents and $20,815 for out-of-state students.
The following table summarizes the Parks, Recreation, Leisure, and Fitness Studies schools by offered degree and number of completers.
| Degree Level | Schools Offered | Completers | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Total | Men | Women | ||
| Associate | 414 | 6,266 | 3,215 | 3,051 |
| Bachelor | 989 | 53,403 | 27,057 | 26,346 |
| Master | 403 | 9,843 | 5,529 | 4,314 |
| Doctoral | ||||
| Doctoral (Research) | 63 | 306 | 143 | 163 |
| Doctoral (Professional Practice) | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Doctoral (Other) | 2 | 17 | 12 | 5 |
| Undergraduate Certificate | ||||
| 2-Years Certificate | 121 | 563 | 327 | 236 |
| 2-4 Years Certificate | 4 | 3 | 1 | 2 |
| Certificates of less than 12 weeks | 18 | 135 | 87 | 48 |
| Certificates of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 year | 220 | 1,276 | 558 | 718 |
| Graduate Certificate | ||||
| Post-Bachelor Certificate | 71 | 350 | 202 | 148 |
| Post-Master Certificate | 10 | 8 | 3 | 5 |
Data Source: IPEDS, U.S. Department of Education
Average Salary by Program in Parks, Recreation, Leisure, and Fitness Studies Study
The average salary after completing bachelor's Parks, Recreation, Leisure, and Fitness Studies is $38,015. The salary is based on the median annual earnings of students three years after graduation. The earning with Parks, Recreation, Leisure, and Fitness Studies Master's degree is $46,739.
The average loan debt of the completers in Parks, Recreation, Leisure, and Fitness Studies programs is $23,308
and the estimated monthly loan payment is $233. The debt amount is based only on federal loan debt originated at the school awarding the credential, if it were repaid over 10 years at a 3.73% interest rate.
For Parks, Recreation, Leisure, and Fitness Studies program, the graduates from Carroll University have the highest earning of $60,076 (Bachelor's degree). Students from University of Michigan-Ann Arbor and Southern Methodist University follow it with average earning $57,040 and $56,789 respectively.
| Tuition & Fees | Annual Salary | Monthly Earning | Loan Debt | Monthly Loan Payment | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Carroll University | $37,230 | $60,076 | $5,006 | $27,000 | $270 |
| University of Michigan-Ann Arbor | $58,072 | $57,040 | $4,753 | $16,454 | $164 |
| Southern Methodist University | $64,460 | $56,789 | $4,732 | $20,000 | $200 |
| California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo | $30,995 | $55,295 | $4,608 | $15,200 | $152 |
| Citadel Military College of South Carolina | $37,370 | $55,155 | $4,596 | $19,790 | $198 |
Data Source: College Scorecard
Average Earning and Debt by Parks, Recreation, Leisure, and Fitness Studies Sub Major Programs
In Parks, Recreation, Leisure, and Fitness Studies area, the graduates who completing Parks, Recreation and Leisure Studies program have the highest salary of $39,247 and Health and Physical Education/Fitness program have the second highest salary of $37,986 in average.
Associate's Parks, Recreation and Leisure Facilities Management program shows the highest earning ($30,516) and Parks, Recreation and Leisure Studies program follows with $26,669 average salary.
Parks, Recreation and Leisure Studies Master's program has $48,293 average salary and Health and Physical Education/Fitness program completers earn $46,986 yearly.
The next table shows the average earning and debt after completing Parks, Recreation, Leisure, and Fitness Studies area by major program and degree. The average annual earning is calculated based on the earning of students three years after graduation.
- Only data from students who received federal financial aid are included in the calculation.
- The actual earning may differ from the average value.
| Annual Salary | Monthly Earning | Loan Debt | Monthly Loan Payment | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Parks, Recreation and Leisure Studies Program Details | ||||
| Associate | $26,669 | $2,222 | - | - |
| Bachelor's | $39,247 | $3,271 | $21,541 | $215 |
| Master's | $48,293 | $4,024 | $24,758 | $278 |
| Parks, Recreation and Leisure Facilities Management Program Details | ||||
| Associate | $30,516 | $2,543 | $15,336 | $153 |
| Bachelor's | $37,165 | $3,097 | $22,212 | $222 |
| Master's | $43,138 | $3,595 | $30,390 | $342 |
| Post-MS | $45,980 | $3,832 | - | - |
| Health and Physical Education/Fitness Program Details | ||||
| Certificate | $24,511 | $2,043 | $14,262 | $143 |
| Associate | $26,314 | $2,193 | $15,857 | $159 |
| Bachelor's | $37,986 | $3,165 | $23,576 | $236 |
| Master's | $46,986 | $3,915 | $30,839 | $347 |
| Doctoral | $73,355 | $6,113 | $44,976 | $506 |
| Outdoor Education Program Details | ||||
| Master's | $41,926 | $3,494 | - | - |
Data Source: College Scorecard
