WhatGradsMake
Master's+7% vs national median353 grads tracked

Parks, Recreation, Leisure, Fitness, and Kinesiology at Northern Illinois University

Ranked 38th of 113 master's programs in Parks, Recreation, Leisure, Fitness, and Kinesiology by 5-year earnings.

Median · 1 year out
$44,915
middle 50%: $34,677 – $57,262
Median · 5 years out
$67,465
middle 50%: $53,407 – $87,772
Median · 10 years out
$77,273
middle 50%: $59,452 – $110,259

Salary trajectory

Median earnings vs the national median for Parks, Recreation, Leisure, Fitness, and Kinesiology (master's) graduates.

This program (median)National median, same major & degreeMiddle 50% of graduates

Graduates of Northern Illinois University's master's program in Parks, Recreation, Leisure, Fitness, and Kinesiology earn a median $44,915 one year after graduating, rising to $77,273 by year ten. Five years out, earnings run 7% above the national median of $63,275 for this field, ranking 38th of 113 reporting programs.

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
6.3 yrs
≈ $7,290 total interest

Same major at other universities

Southeastern Oklahoma State University
$68,098 · 5 yrs out
University of Utah
$67,967 · 5 yrs out
Midwestern State University
$67,936 · 5 yrs out
University of Wisconsin - Milwaukee
$67,835 · 5 yrs out
Stephen F Austin State University
$67,692 · 5 yrs out
North Carolina State University
$67,639 · 5 yrs out
Iowa State University of Science & Technology
$67,042 · 5 yrs out
Lamar University
$66,438 · 5 yrs out
Tarleton State University
$66,251 · 5 yrs out
Kennesaw State University
$65,986 · 5 yrs out
University of Texas at San Antonio
$65,534 · 5 yrs out
University of Northern Iowa
$65,516 · 5 yrs out

Other majors at Northern Illinois University

Education (Doctorate)
$119,874 · 5 yrs out
Business, Management, Marketing, and Related Support Services (Master's)
$115,599 · 5 yrs out
Engineering (Master's)
$111,551 · 5 yrs out
Computer and Information Sciences and Support Services (Master's)
$111,291 · 5 yrs out
Mathematics and Statistics (Doctorate)
$109,443 · 5 yrs out
Engineering/Engineering-Related Technologies/Technicians (Master's)
$102,156 · 5 yrs out
Biomedical/Medical Engineering (Bachelor's)
$97,392 · 5 yrs out
Psychology (Doctorate)
$97,297 · 5 yrs out
Public Administration and Social Service Professions (Master's)
$95,329 · 5 yrs out
Electrical, Electronics, and Communications Engineering (Bachelor's)
$95,041 · 5 yrs out
Mathematics and Statistics (Master's)
$93,400 · 5 yrs out
Social Sciences (Doctorate)
$92,787 · 5 yrs out

Related fields of study

Outdoor Education
Compare universities
Parks, Recreation, and Leisure Facilities Management
Compare universities
Parks, Recreation, and Leisure Studies
Compare universities
Parks, Recreation, Leisure, Fitness, and Kinesiology, Other
Compare universities
Sports, Kinesiology, and Physical Education/Fitness
Compare universities