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.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 5 schools on the early-career earnings of their parks recreation leisure studies graduates.
What’s on this page:
Below are the schools whose parks recreation leisure studies graduates go on to earn the most.
Leading the list is Arizona State University, our #1 for parks recreation leisure studies graduate salaries in the Southwest Region. Set in the city of Tempe, Arizona State University is a public institution. After graduating, parks recreation leisure studies degree recipients from Arizona State University typically earn about $56,982 annually.
Arizona State University Skysong produces some of the highest-paid graduates in parks recreation leisure studies, landing the #2 spot this year. Set in the city of Scottsdale, Arizona State University Skysong is a public institution. After graduating, parks recreation leisure studies degree recipients from Arizona State University Skysong typically earn about $56,982 annually.
Midwestern State University came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying parks recreation leisure studies schools. Located in the city of Wichita Falls, Midwestern State University is a public institution. Early-career parks recreation leisure studies graduates from Midwestern State University make a median of around $47,288 per year.
Strong graduate earnings at Northern Arizona University earned it the #4 place for parks recreation leisure studies. Located in the city of Flagstaff, Northern Arizona University is a public institution. Early-career parks recreation leisure studies graduates from Northern Arizona University make a median of around $51,918 per year.
Students chasing top earnings in parks recreation leisure studies will find them at Oklahoma State University Main Campus, which ranked #5. Oklahoma State University Main Campus is a public school located in the town of Stillwater. Early-career parks recreation leisure studies graduates from Oklahoma State University Main Campus make a median of around $37,393 per year.
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 · 5 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.