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.
For its 2026 highest-paid-graduates ranking, College Factual looked at 11 schools to find where parks recreation leisure studies graduates earn the most.
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Below are the schools whose parks recreation leisure studies graduates go on to earn the most.
University Of Arkansas earned the #1 spot for highest-paid parks recreation leisure studies graduates in the Southeast Region. Located in the city of Fayetteville, University Of Arkansas is a public institution. Students who complete the parks recreation leisure studies program here go on to a median salary of roughly $65,926.
A rank of #2 makes Shepherd University one of the highest-paying schools for parks recreation leisure studies. Shepherd University is a public school located in the rural area of Shepherdstown. After graduating, parks recreation leisure studies degree recipients from Shepherd University typically earn about $50,742 annually.
East Carolina University produces some of the highest-paid graduates in parks recreation leisure studies, landing the #3 spot this year. Set in the city of Greenville, East Carolina University is a public institution. Students who complete the parks recreation leisure studies program here go on to a median salary of roughly $46,129.
A rank of #4 makes Georgia Southern University one of the highest-paying schools for parks recreation leisure studies. Georgia Southern University is a public school located in the town of Statesboro. Parks Recreation Leisure Studies graduates of Georgia Southern University earn a median of about $47,279 a year early in their careers.
A rank of #5 makes Radford University one of the highest-paying schools for parks recreation leisure studies. Located in the town of Radford, Radford University is a public institution. Early-career parks recreation leisure studies graduates from Radford University make a median of around $47,941 per year.
University Of South Alabama placed #6 among the highest-paying schools for parks recreation leisure studies. Set in the city of Mobile, University Of South Alabama is a public institution. Students who complete the parks recreation leisure studies program here go on to a median salary of roughly $42,033.
Shaw University ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying parks recreation leisure studies schools. Set in the city of Raleigh, Shaw University is a private not-for-profit institution. Parks Recreation Leisure Studies graduates of Shaw University earn a median of about $31,390 a year early in their careers.
University Of North Carolina At Greensboro ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying parks recreation leisure studies schools. Set in the city of Greensboro, University Of North Carolina At Greensboro is a public institution. Students who complete the parks recreation leisure studies program here go on to a median salary of roughly $31,561.
Jacksonville State University placed #9 among the highest-paying schools for parks recreation leisure studies. Jacksonville State University is a public school located in the suburb of Jacksonville. Students who complete the parks recreation leisure studies program here go on to a median salary of roughly $31,303.
Mount Olive College landed the #10 spot for parks recreation leisure studies salaries this year. Located in the rural area of Mount Olive, Mount Olive College is a private not-for-profit institution. Early-career parks recreation leisure studies graduates from Mount Olive College make a median of around $27,219 per year.
Grambling State University landed the #11 spot for parks recreation leisure studies salaries this year. Set in the town of Grambling, Grambling State University is a public institution. Parks Recreation Leisure Studies graduates of Grambling State University earn a median of about $36,507 a year early in their careers.
This ranking is produced by College Factual, 2026 edition. Schools are ranked on the median early-career earnings of their parks recreation leisure studies graduates, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (College Scorecard field-of-study earnings and IPEDS).
Ranking method: College Major Earnings · 11 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.