by our College Data Analytics Team
[Recreation Administration](/majors/parks-recreation-fitness/recreation-administration/) programs reward a close look at where graduates go on to earn the most. The schools below stand out for the salaries their recreation administration graduates go on to command.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 49 schools on the early-career earnings of their recreation administration graduates.
What’s on this page:
Below are the schools whose recreation administration graduates go on to earn the most.
Saint Cloud State University earned the #1 spot for highest-paid recreation administration graduates in the United States. Set in the city of Saint Cloud, Saint Cloud State University is a public institution. Recreation Administration graduates of Saint Cloud State University earn a median of about $53,020 a year early in their careers.
Strong graduate earnings at Southern Connecticut State University earned it the #2 place for recreation administration. Located in the city of New Haven, Southern Connecticut State University is a public institution. Early-career recreation administration graduates from Southern Connecticut State University make a median of around $50,895 per year.
Kean University came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying recreation administration schools. Set in the suburb of Union, Kean University is a public institution. Students who complete the recreation administration program here go on to a median salary of roughly $59,761.
A rank of #4 makes University Of Florida one of the highest-paying schools for recreation administration. Set in the city of Gainesville, University Of Florida is a public institution. Early-career recreation administration graduates from University Of Florida make a median of around $52,792 per year.
University Of New Hampshire Main Campus produces some of the highest-paid graduates in recreation administration, landing the #5 spot this year. University Of New Hampshire Main Campus is a public school located in the town of Durham. Early-career recreation administration graduates from University Of New Hampshire Main Campus make a median of around $56,149 per year.
Saint Josephs College New York earned the #6 position for recreation administration graduate earnings this year. Located in the city of Brooklyn, Saint Josephs College New York is a private not-for-profit institution. Early-career recreation administration graduates from Saint Josephs College New York make a median of around $56,687 per year.
University Of Northern Colorado landed the #7 spot for recreation administration salaries this year. Set in the city of Greeley, University Of Northern Colorado is a public institution. Early-career recreation administration graduates from University Of Northern Colorado make a median of around $56,189 per year.
University Of North Texas ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying recreation administration schools. University Of North Texas is a public school located in the city of Denton. Early-career recreation administration graduates from University Of North Texas make a median of around $53,543 per year.
North Carolina State University At Raleigh came in at #9 for recreation administration graduate earnings this year. North Carolina State University At Raleigh is a public school located in the city of Raleigh. Early-career recreation administration graduates from North Carolina State University At Raleigh make a median of around $50,810 per year.
South Dakota State University placed #10 among the highest-paying schools for recreation administration. Set in the town of Brookings, South Dakota State University is a public institution. Students who complete the recreation administration program here go on to a median salary of roughly $49,651.
Minnesota State University Mankato placed #11 among the highest-paying schools for recreation administration. Located in the city of Mankato, Minnesota State University Mankato is a public institution. Students who complete the recreation administration program here go on to a median salary of roughly $51,659.
Illinois State University placed #12 among the highest-paying schools for recreation administration. Illinois State University is a public school located in the suburb of Normal. Early-career recreation administration graduates from Illinois State University make a median of around $47,002 per year.
Missouri Western State University ranked #13 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying recreation administration schools. Set in the city of Saint Joseph, Missouri Western State University is a public institution. Recreation Administration graduates of Missouri Western State University earn a median of about $41,623 a year early in their careers.
West Virginia University landed the #14 spot for recreation administration salaries this year. Located in the city of Morgantown, West Virginia University is a public institution. After graduating, recreation administration degree recipients from West Virginia University typically earn about $41,378 annually.
Colorado State University Fort Collins placed #15 among the highest-paying schools for recreation administration. Located in the city of Fort Collins, Colorado State University Fort Collins is a public institution. Recreation Administration graduates of Colorado State University Fort Collins earn a median of about $52,324 a year early in their careers.
University Of Wisconsin La Crosse came in at #16 for recreation administration graduate earnings this year. Located in the city of La Crosse, University Of Wisconsin La Crosse is a public institution. Early-career recreation administration graduates from University Of Wisconsin La Crosse make a median of around $49,815 per year.
Indiana State University landed the #17 spot for recreation administration salaries this year. Located in the city of Terre Haute, Indiana State University is a public institution. After graduating, recreation administration degree recipients from Indiana State University typically earn about $50,136 annually.
University Of Idaho ranked #18 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying recreation administration schools. Located in the town of Moscow, University Of Idaho is a public institution. Students who complete the recreation administration program here go on to a median salary of roughly $40,440.
University Of West Georgia placed #19 among the highest-paying schools for recreation administration. Set in the town of Carrollton, University Of West Georgia is a public institution. Recreation Administration graduates of University Of West Georgia earn a median of about $53,752 a year early in their careers.
Old Dominion University came in at #20 for recreation administration graduate earnings this year. Located in the city of Norfolk, Old Dominion University is a public institution. Students who complete the recreation administration program here go on to a median salary of roughly $47,451.
University Of St Francis ranked #21 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying recreation administration schools. University Of St Francis is a private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Joliet. After graduating, recreation administration degree recipients from University Of St Francis typically earn about $38,999 annually.
Johnson And Wales University Charlotte placed #22 among the highest-paying schools for recreation administration. Set in the city of Charlotte, Johnson And Wales University Charlotte is a private not-for-profit institution. After graduating, recreation administration degree recipients from Johnson And Wales University Charlotte typically earn about $50,488 annually.
Johnson And Wales University Online landed the #23 spot for recreation administration salaries this year. Located in the city of Providence, Johnson And Wales University Online is a private not-for-profit institution. Early-career recreation administration graduates from Johnson And Wales University Online make a median of around $50,488 per year.
Johnson And Wales University Providence earned the #24 position for recreation administration graduate earnings this year. Located in the city of Providence, Johnson And Wales University Providence is a private not-for-profit institution. Recreation Administration graduates of Johnson And Wales University Providence earn a median of about $50,488 a year early in their careers.
Clemson University ranked #25 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying recreation administration schools. Set in the suburb of Clemson, Clemson University is a public institution. Recreation Administration graduates of Clemson University earn a median of about $47,171 a year early in their careers.
These schools also send recreation administration graduates into strong-paying careers this year:
Looking for a different degree level? Compare highest-paid Recreation Administration rankings across degree levels:
This list is compiled by College Factual, 2026 edition. The methodology measures the salaries recreation administration 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 · 49 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.