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 highest-paying schools turn a recreation administration degree into the strongest early-career earnings.
College Factual analyzed 8 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the highest-paying recreation administration schools.
What’s on this page:
If you want to know which schools send recreation administration graduates into the highest-paying careers, see the list below.
Illinois State University earned the #1 spot for highest-paid recreation administration graduates in the Great Lakes Region. Illinois State University is a public school located in the suburb of Normal. Recreation Administration graduates of Illinois State University earn a median of about $47,002 a year early in their careers.
University Of Wisconsin La Crosse produces some of the highest-paid graduates in recreation administration, landing the #2 spot this year. Set in the city of La Crosse, University Of Wisconsin La Crosse is a public institution. After graduating, recreation administration degree recipients from University Of Wisconsin La Crosse typically earn about $49,815 annually.
Strong graduate earnings at Indiana State University earned it the #3 place for recreation administration. Located in the city of Terre Haute, Indiana State University is a public institution. Early-career recreation administration graduates from Indiana State University make a median of around $50,136 per year.
Students chasing top earnings in recreation administration will find them at University Of St Francis, which ranked #4. Set in the suburb of Joliet, University Of St Francis is a private not-for-profit institution. After graduating, recreation administration degree recipients from University Of St Francis typically earn about $38,999 annually.
A rank of #5 makes Kent State University At Kent one of the highest-paying schools for recreation administration. Set in the suburb of Kent, Kent State University At Kent is a public institution. Early-career recreation administration graduates from Kent State University At Kent make a median of around $45,691 per year.
Eastern Illinois University came in at #6 for recreation administration graduate earnings this year. Located in the town of Charleston, Eastern Illinois University is a public institution. Students who complete the recreation administration program here go on to a median salary of roughly $35,425.
Michigan State University landed the #7 spot for recreation administration salaries this year. Michigan State University is a public school located in the city of East Lansing. Recreation Administration graduates of Michigan State University earn a median of about $35,343 a year early in their careers.
Western Illinois University landed the #8 spot for recreation administration salaries this year. Located in the town of Macomb, Western Illinois University is a public institution. Recreation Administration graduates of Western Illinois University earn a median of about $41,421 a year early in their careers.
The ranking above is published 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 · 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.