Bachelor's-14% vs national median446 grads tracked
Parks, Recreation, and Leisure Studies at Western Colorado University
Ranked 43rd of 50 bachelor's programs in Parks, Recreation, and Leisure Studies by 5-year earnings.
Median · 1 year out
$27,317
middle 50%: $21,094 – $36,253
Median · 5 years out
$42,872
middle 50%: $29,658 – $59,225
Median · 10 years out
$52,839
middle 50%: $37,388 – $74,301
Salary trajectory
Median earnings vs the national median for Parks, Recreation, and Leisure Studies (bachelor's) graduates.
This program (median)National median, same major & degreeMiddle 50% of graduates
Western Colorado University graduates in Parks, Recreation, and Leisure Studies earn a median of $27k in their first year. Mid-career pay reaches $43k, while year-ten earnings hit $53k.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau PSEO, release V4.13.0 2025Q4. Earnings are for graduates working in covered states; figures are medians in nominal dollars.
Will the degree pay for itself?
Drag the sliders — payback uses this program's actual salary curve.
Assumes a 6.5% APR loan and this program's median salary trajectory (interpolated between years 1, 5 and 10).
Paid off in
10.1 yrs
≈ $12,490 total interest
Same major at other universities
Southern Oregon University
$45,300 · 5 yrs out
Aurora University
$44,669 · 5 yrs out
University of Minnesota Duluth
$44,612 · 5 yrs out
Newberry College
$44,549 · 5 yrs out
Missouri State University
$44,424 · 5 yrs out
Grambling State University
$43,532 · 5 yrs out
South Dakota State University
$42,800 · 5 yrs out
Northwest Missouri State University
$42,709 · 5 yrs out
Southeast Missouri State University
$41,533 · 5 yrs out
Central State University
$41,244 · 5 yrs out
North Greenville University
$39,793 · 5 yrs out
University of Maine - Machias
$38,692 · 5 yrs out
Other majors at Western Colorado University
Computer Programming (Bachelor's)
$96,791 · 5 yrs out
Computer and Information Sciences and Support Services (Bachelor's)
$96,791 · 5 yrs out
Management Information Systems and Services (Bachelor's)
$76,015 · 5 yrs out
Chemistry (Bachelor's)
$73,271 · 5 yrs out
Geological and Earth Sciences/Geosciences (Bachelor's)
$72,585 · 5 yrs out
Physical Sciences (Bachelor's)
$72,585 · 5 yrs out
Accounting and Related Services (Bachelor's)
$67,042 · 5 yrs out
Business Administration, Management and Operations (Bachelor's)
$62,595 · 5 yrs out
Economics (Bachelor's)
$61,737 · 5 yrs out
Business, Management, Marketing, and Related Support Services (Bachelor's)
$60,618 · 5 yrs out
Education (Master's)
$58,808 · 5 yrs out
Business/Commerce, General (Bachelor's)
$56,833 · 5 yrs out
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