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.
College Factual analyzed 6 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.
North Carolina State University At Raleigh tops our 2026 list of the highest-paying recreation administration schools in North Carolina. 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 $50,810 annually.
Johnson And Wales University Charlotte produces some of the highest-paid graduates in recreation administration, landing the #2 spot this year. Johnson And Wales University Charlotte is a private not-for-profit school located in the city of Charlotte. After graduating, recreation administration degree recipients from Johnson And Wales University Charlotte typically earn about $50,488 annually.
University Of North Carolina At Wilmington produces some of the highest-paid graduates in recreation administration, landing the #3 spot this year. Set in the city of Wilmington, University Of North Carolina At Wilmington is a public institution. Students who complete the recreation administration program here go on to a median salary of roughly $44,415.
Strong graduate earnings at Western Carolina University earned it the #4 place for recreation administration. Set in the town of Cullowhee, Western Carolina University is a public institution. Students who complete the recreation administration program here go on to a median salary of roughly $41,615.
A rank of #5 makes Appalachian State University one of the highest-paying schools for recreation administration. Located in the town of Boone, Appalachian State University is a public institution. After graduating, recreation administration degree recipients from Appalachian State University typically earn about $39,498 annually.
North Carolina Central University landed the #6 spot for recreation administration salaries this year. North Carolina Central University is a public school located in the city of Durham. After graduating, recreation administration degree recipients from North Carolina Central University typically earn about $35,544 annually.
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 · 6 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.