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.
For its 2026 highest-paid-graduates ranking, College Factual looked at 10 schools to find where parks recreation leisure studies graduates earn the most.
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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 California. Set in the city of San Jose, San Jose State University is a public institution. 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. Set in the city of Sacramento, California State University Sacramento is a public institution. Parks Recreation Leisure Studies graduates of California State University Sacramento earn a median of about $60,227 a year early in their careers.
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. After graduating, parks recreation leisure studies degree recipients from San Diego State University typically earn about $62,734 annually.
Strong graduate earnings at California State University East Bay earned it the #4 place for parks recreation leisure studies. Located in the suburb of Hayward, California State University East Bay is a public institution. After graduating, parks recreation leisure studies degree recipients from California State University East Bay typically earn about $43,700 annually.
Students chasing top earnings in parks recreation leisure studies will find them at California State University Chico, which ranked #5. California State University Chico is a public school located in the city of Chico. Students who complete the parks recreation leisure studies program here go on to a median salary of roughly $56,924.
California State University Long Beach placed #6 among the highest-paying schools for parks recreation leisure studies. California State University Long Beach is a public school located in the city of Long Beach. 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 earned the #7 position for parks recreation leisure studies graduate earnings this year. Set in the suburb of San Luis Obispo, California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo is a public institution. Early-career parks recreation leisure studies graduates from California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo make a median of around $39,157 per year.
California State University Fresno landed the #8 spot for parks recreation leisure studies salaries this year. Located in the city of Fresno, California State University Fresno is a public institution. After graduating, parks recreation leisure studies degree recipients from California State University Fresno typically earn about $45,967 annually.
San Francisco State University placed #9 among the highest-paying schools for parks recreation leisure studies. Located in the city of San Francisco, San Francisco State University is a public institution. Parks Recreation Leisure Studies graduates of San Francisco State University earn a median of about $49,799 a year early in their careers.
Humboldt State University ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying parks recreation leisure studies schools. Located 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.
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 · 10 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.