by our College Data Analytics Team
[Parks Recreation Leisure Studies](/majors/parks-recreation-fitness/parks-recreation-leisure-studies/) graduates earn very different salaries depending on where they study. The schools below stand out for the salaries their parks recreation leisure studies graduates go on to command.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 52 schools on the early-career earnings of their parks recreation leisure studies graduates.
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If you want to know which schools send parks recreation leisure studies graduates into the highest-paying careers, see the list below.
San Jose State University earned the #1 spot for highest-paid parks recreation leisure studies graduates in the United States. San Jose State University is a public school located in the city of San Jose. After graduating, parks recreation leisure studies degree recipients from San Jose State University typically earn about $73,198 annually.
A rank of #2 makes Brigham Young University Provo one of the highest-paying schools for parks recreation leisure studies. Located in the city of Provo, Brigham Young University Provo is a private not-for-profit institution. Parks Recreation Leisure Studies graduates of Brigham Young University Provo earn a median of about $65,672 a year early in their careers.
Arizona State University produces some of the highest-paid graduates in parks recreation leisure studies, landing the #3 spot this year. Set in the city of Tempe, Arizona State University is a public institution. Parks Recreation Leisure Studies graduates of Arizona State University earn a median of about $56,982 a year early in their careers.
Students chasing top earnings in parks recreation leisure studies will find them at Arizona State University Skysong, which ranked #4. Located in the city of Scottsdale, Arizona State University Skysong is a public institution. Parks Recreation Leisure Studies graduates of Arizona State University Skysong earn a median of about $56,982 a year early in their careers.
Strong graduate earnings at California State University Sacramento earned it the #5 place for parks recreation leisure studies. Set in the city of Sacramento, California State University Sacramento is a public institution. Students who complete the parks recreation leisure studies program here go on to a median salary of roughly $60,227.
Midwestern State University landed the #6 spot for parks recreation leisure studies salaries this year. Midwestern State University is a public school located in the city of Wichita Falls. Students who complete the parks recreation leisure studies program here go on to a median salary of roughly $47,288.
Western Michigan University ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying parks recreation leisure studies schools. Set in the city of Kalamazoo, Western Michigan University is a public institution. Students who complete the parks recreation leisure studies program here go on to a median salary of roughly $47,227.
Metropolitan State College Of Denver landed the #8 spot for parks recreation leisure studies salaries this year. Metropolitan State College Of Denver is a public school located in the city of Denver. Students who complete the parks recreation leisure studies program here go on to a median salary of roughly $52,362.
University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign came in at #9 for parks recreation leisure studies graduate earnings this year. Set in the city of Champaign, University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign is a public institution. Early-career parks recreation leisure studies graduates from University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign make a median of around $63,748 per year.
Ohio University Main Campus ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying parks recreation leisure studies schools. Ohio University Main Campus is a public school located in the town of Athens. After graduating, parks recreation leisure studies degree recipients from Ohio University Main Campus typically earn about $59,913 annually.
University Of Missouri Columbia placed #11 among the highest-paying schools for parks recreation leisure studies. Set in the city of Columbia, University Of Missouri Columbia is a public institution. Parks Recreation Leisure Studies graduates of University Of Missouri Columbia earn a median of about $55,583 a year early in their careers.
University Of Arkansas earned the #12 position for parks recreation leisure studies graduate earnings this year. Located in the city of Fayetteville, University Of Arkansas is a public institution. Parks Recreation Leisure Studies graduates of University Of Arkansas earn a median of about $65,926 a year early in their careers.
San Diego State University landed the #13 spot for parks recreation leisure studies salaries this year. San Diego State University is a public school located in the city of San Diego. Parks Recreation Leisure Studies graduates of San Diego State University earn a median of about $62,734 a year early in their careers.
California State University East Bay ranked #14 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying parks recreation leisure studies schools. Located in the suburb of Hayward, California State University East Bay is a public institution. Early-career parks recreation leisure studies graduates from California State University East Bay make a median of around $43,700 per year.
Kutztown University Of Pennsylvania placed #15 among the highest-paying schools for parks recreation leisure studies. Located in the town of Kutztown, Kutztown University Of Pennsylvania is a public institution. After graduating, parks recreation leisure studies degree recipients from Kutztown University Of Pennsylvania typically earn about $53,562 annually.
California State University Chico landed the #16 spot for parks recreation leisure studies salaries this year. California State University Chico is a public school located in the city of Chico. Early-career parks recreation leisure studies graduates from California State University Chico make a median of around $56,924 per year.
University Of Iowa landed the #17 spot for parks recreation leisure studies salaries this year. Located in the city of Iowa City, University Of Iowa is a public institution. After graduating, parks recreation leisure studies degree recipients from University Of Iowa typically earn about $51,944 annually.
Northwest Missouri State University earned the #18 position for parks recreation leisure studies graduate earnings this year. Located in the town of Maryville, Northwest Missouri State University is a public institution. After graduating, parks recreation leisure studies degree recipients from Northwest Missouri State University typically earn about $42,389 annually.
University Of Utah landed the #19 spot for parks recreation leisure studies salaries this year. Located in the city of Salt Lake City, University Of Utah is a public institution. Early-career parks recreation leisure studies graduates from University Of Utah make a median of around $50,353 per year.
University Of Northern Iowa came in at #20 for parks recreation leisure studies graduate earnings this year. Set in the city of Cedar Falls, University Of Northern Iowa is a public institution. Students who complete the parks recreation leisure studies program here go on to a median salary of roughly $48,941.
Cuny Lehman College placed #21 among the highest-paying schools for parks recreation leisure studies. Cuny Lehman College is a public school located in the city of Bronx. Parks Recreation Leisure Studies graduates of Cuny Lehman College earn a median of about $41,484 a year early in their careers.
Indiana University Bloomington earned the #22 position for parks recreation leisure studies graduate earnings this year. Located in the city of Bloomington, Indiana University Bloomington is a public institution. After graduating, parks recreation leisure studies degree recipients from Indiana University Bloomington typically earn about $50,444 annually.
Oregon State University came in at #23 for parks recreation leisure studies graduate earnings this year. Set in the city of Corvallis, Oregon State University is a public institution. After graduating, parks recreation leisure studies degree recipients from Oregon State University typically earn about $50,685 annually.
Shepherd University earned the #24 position for parks recreation leisure studies graduate earnings this year. Located in the rural area of Shepherdstown, Shepherd University is a public institution. Parks Recreation Leisure Studies graduates of Shepherd University earn a median of about $50,742 a year early in their careers.
California State University Long Beach earned the #25 position for parks recreation leisure studies graduate earnings this year. California State University Long Beach is a public school located in the city of Long Beach. After graduating, parks recreation leisure studies degree recipients from California State University Long Beach typically earn about $47,459 annually.
Not far behind, these schools also produced high-earning parks recreation leisure studies graduates:
Explore the highest-paying parks recreation leisure studies schools at other degree levels:
This ranking is produced by College Factual, 2026 edition. The methodology measures the salaries parks recreation leisure studies graduates go on to earn early in their careers, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (College Scorecard field-of-study earnings and IPEDS).
Ranking method: College Major Earnings · 52 schools evaluated.
*Salary figures reflect median early-career earnings (about 5 years after graduation) and may vary by how long a person takes to complete their degree.
More about our data sources and methodologies.