by our College Data Analytics Team
[Parks Recreation Leisure Studies](/majors/parks-recreation-fitness/parks-recreation-leisure-studies/) is a field where your choice of school can shape what you earn after graduation. A top-earning program sends graduates into careers with strong starting pay.
College Factual analyzed 13 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the highest-paying parks recreation leisure studies schools.
What’s on this page:
Below are the schools whose parks recreation leisure studies graduates go on to earn the most.
For graduate earnings in parks recreation leisure studies, no school beat San Jose State University this year. 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.
California State University Sacramento came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying parks recreation leisure studies schools. California State University Sacramento is a public school located in the city of Sacramento. Early-career parks recreation leisure studies graduates from California State University Sacramento make a median of around $60,227 per year.
A rank of #3 makes San Diego State University one of the highest-paying schools for parks recreation leisure studies. Located in the city of San Diego, San Diego State University is a public institution. Students who complete the parks recreation leisure studies program here go on to a median salary of roughly $62,734.
Students chasing top earnings in parks recreation leisure studies will find them at California State University East Bay, which ranked #4. 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.
A rank of #5 makes California State University Chico one of the highest-paying schools for parks recreation leisure studies. 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.
Oregon State University landed the #6 spot for parks recreation leisure studies salaries this year. Set in the city of Corvallis, Oregon State University is a public institution. Parks Recreation Leisure Studies graduates of Oregon State University earn a median of about $50,685 a year early in their careers.
California State University Long Beach placed #7 among the highest-paying schools for parks recreation leisure studies. Located in the city of Long Beach, California State University Long Beach is a public institution. Students who complete the parks recreation leisure studies program here go on to a median salary of roughly $47,459.
California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo landed the #8 spot for parks recreation leisure studies salaries this year. California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo is a public school located in the suburb of San Luis Obispo. After graduating, parks recreation leisure studies degree recipients from California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo typically earn about $39,157 annually.
California State University Fresno landed the #9 spot for parks recreation leisure studies salaries this year. Located in the city of Fresno, California State University Fresno is a public institution. Early-career parks recreation leisure studies graduates from California State University Fresno make a median of around $45,967 per year.
San Francisco State University landed the #10 spot for parks recreation leisure studies salaries this year. Located in the city of San Francisco, San Francisco State University is a public institution. Students who complete the parks recreation leisure studies program here go on to a median salary of roughly $49,799.
Western Washington University came in at #11 for parks recreation leisure studies graduate earnings this year. Western Washington University is a public school located in the city of Bellingham. Early-career parks recreation leisure studies graduates from Western Washington University make a median of around $42,232 per year.
Humboldt State University ranked #12 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying parks recreation leisure studies schools. Set in the town of Arcata, Humboldt State University is a public institution. Parks Recreation Leisure Studies graduates of Humboldt State University earn a median of about $26,224 a year early in their careers.
Southern Oregon University ranked #13 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying parks recreation leisure studies schools. Southern Oregon University is a public school located in the suburb of Ashland. After graduating, parks recreation leisure studies degree recipients from Southern Oregon University typically earn about $19,139 annually.
This list is compiled 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 · 13 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.