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. 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 8 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.
University Of Missouri Columbia tops our 2026 list of the highest-paying parks recreation leisure studies schools in the The Plains States Region. University Of Missouri Columbia is a public school located in the city of Columbia. Early-career parks recreation leisure studies graduates from University Of Missouri Columbia make a median of around $55,583 per year.
A rank of #2 makes University Of Iowa one of the highest-paying schools for parks recreation leisure studies. 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.
Strong graduate earnings at Northwest Missouri State University earned it the #3 place for parks recreation leisure studies. Northwest Missouri State University is a public school located in the town of Maryville. Parks Recreation Leisure Studies graduates of Northwest Missouri State University earn a median of about $42,389 a year early in their careers.
University Of Northern Iowa produces some of the highest-paid graduates in parks recreation leisure studies, landing the #4 spot this year. Located in the city of Cedar Falls, University Of Northern Iowa is a public institution. After graduating, parks recreation leisure studies degree recipients from University Of Northern Iowa typically earn about $48,941 annually.
University Of Nebraska At Kearney produces some of the highest-paid graduates in parks recreation leisure studies, landing the #5 spot this year. University Of Nebraska At Kearney is a public school located in the town of Kearney. Early-career parks recreation leisure studies graduates from University Of Nebraska At Kearney make a median of around $58,149 per year.
Winona State University placed #6 among the highest-paying schools for parks recreation leisure studies. Winona State University is a public school located in the town of Winona. Students who complete the parks recreation leisure studies program here go on to a median salary of roughly $43,251.
Pittsburg State University came in at #7 for parks recreation leisure studies graduate earnings this year. Pittsburg State University is a public school located in the town of Pittsburg. Parks Recreation Leisure Studies graduates of Pittsburg State University earn a median of about $35,587 a year early in their careers.
Missouri State University Springfield landed the #8 spot for parks recreation leisure studies salaries this year. Set in the city of Springfield, Missouri State University Springfield is a public institution. Parks Recreation Leisure Studies graduates of Missouri State University Springfield earn a median of about $46,262 a year early in their careers.
The ranking above is published 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 · 8 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.