by our College Data Analytics Team
[Recreation Administration](/majors/parks-recreation-fitness/recreation-administration/) graduates earn very different salaries depending on where they study. The schools below stand out for the salaries their recreation administration graduates go on to command.
For its 2026 highest-paid-graduates ranking, College Factual looked at 9 schools to find where recreation administration graduates earn the most.
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.
Leading the list is Texas State University San Marcos, our #1 for recreation administration graduate salaries in the United States. Texas State University San Marcos is a public school located in the city of San Marcos. Students who complete the recreation administration program here go on to a median salary of roughly $53,162.
University Of Arkansas produces some of the highest-paid graduates in recreation administration, landing the #2 spot this year. Set in the city of Fayetteville, University Of Arkansas is a public institution. Early-career recreation administration graduates from University Of Arkansas make a median of around $56,024 per year.
A rank of #3 makes Western Kentucky University one of the highest-paying schools for recreation administration. Located in the city of Bowling Green, Western Kentucky University is a public institution. After graduating, recreation administration degree recipients from Western Kentucky University typically earn about $57,770 annually.
A rank of #4 makes Slippery Rock University Of Pennsylvania one of the highest-paying schools for recreation administration. Set in the town of Slippery Rock, Slippery Rock University Of Pennsylvania is a public institution. After graduating, recreation administration degree recipients from Slippery Rock University Of Pennsylvania typically earn about $53,029 annually.
A rank of #5 makes University Of North Texas one of the highest-paying schools for recreation administration. Located in the city of Denton, University Of North Texas is a public institution. Early-career recreation administration graduates from University Of North Texas make a median of around $57,681 per year.
Florida International University earned the #6 position for recreation administration graduate earnings this year. Located in the suburb of Miami, Florida International University is a public institution. Recreation Administration graduates of Florida International University earn a median of about $61,226 a year early in their careers.
North Carolina State University At Raleigh placed #7 among the highest-paying schools for recreation administration. Set in the city of Raleigh, North Carolina State University At Raleigh is a public institution. After graduating, recreation administration degree recipients from North Carolina State University At Raleigh typically earn about $45,117 annually.
Clemson University came in at #8 for recreation administration graduate earnings this year. Located in the suburb of Clemson, Clemson University is a public institution. After graduating, recreation administration degree recipients from Clemson University typically earn about $43,992 annually.
Western Illinois University came in at #9 for recreation administration graduate earnings this year. Located in the town of Macomb, Western Illinois University is a public institution. After graduating, recreation administration degree recipients from Western Illinois University typically earn about $41,854 annually.
Explore the highest-paying recreation administration schools at other degree levels:
This ranking is produced 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 · 9 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.