Bachelor's-3% vs national median486 grads tracked
Parks, Recreation, and Leisure Studies at Southern Illinois University at Carbondale
Ranked 27th of 50 bachelor's programs in Parks, Recreation, and Leisure Studies by 5-year earnings.
Median · 1 year out
$33,556
middle 50%: $23,273 – $43,439
Median · 5 years out
$48,449
middle 50%: $36,766 – $61,775
Median · 10 years out
$63,259
middle 50%: $45,422 – $78,152
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
Parks and recreation graduates from Southern Illinois University earn a median $33,556 initially. Salaries reach $63,259 after ten years.
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
8.6 yrs
≈ $10,330 total interest
Same major at other universities
University of Georgia
$50,060 · 5 yrs out
Winona State University
$50,026 · 5 yrs out
Northern Arizona University
$49,951 · 5 yrs out
Utah State University
$49,659 · 5 yrs out
University of South Dakota
$49,057 · 5 yrs out
Ohio University
$49,000 · 5 yrs out
East Carolina University
$48,362 · 5 yrs out
University of Northern Iowa
$48,257 · 5 yrs out
University of Toledo
$47,444 · 5 yrs out
Radford University
$47,093 · 5 yrs out
University of North Carolina -Greensboro
$46,569 · 5 yrs out
Virginia Wesleyan University
$46,532 · 5 yrs out
Other majors at Southern Illinois University at Carbondale
Health Professions and Related Programs (Doctorate)
$183,045 · 5 yrs out
Medicine (Doctorate)
$183,045 · 5 yrs out
Business, Management, Marketing, and Related Support Services (Doctorate)
$146,060 · 5 yrs out
Fire Protection (Bachelor's)
$128,910 · 5 yrs out
Engineering (Doctorate)
$128,254 · 5 yrs out
Computer and Information Sciences and Support Services (Master's)
$112,207 · 5 yrs out
Engineering (Master's)
$110,141 · 5 yrs out
Mining and Mineral Engineering (Bachelor's)
$98,560 · 5 yrs out
Computer Engineering (Bachelor's)
$97,955 · 5 yrs out
Engineering/Engineering-Related Technologies/Technicians (Master's)
$97,921 · 5 yrs out
Education (Doctorate)
$95,779 · 5 yrs out
Electrical, Electronics, and Communications Engineering (Bachelor's)
$95,729 · 5 yrs out
Related fields of study
Outdoor Education
Compare universities
Parks, Recreation, and Leisure Facilities Management
Compare universities
Parks, Recreation, Leisure, Fitness, and Kinesiology
Compare universities
Parks, Recreation, Leisure, Fitness, and Kinesiology, Other
Compare universities
Sports, Kinesiology, and Physical Education/Fitness
Compare universities