WhatGradsMake
Bachelor's-18% vs national median780 grads tracked

Parks, Recreation, Leisure, Fitness, and Kinesiology at Western Carolina University

Ranked 237th of 273 bachelor's programs in Parks, Recreation, Leisure, Fitness, and Kinesiology by 5-year earnings.

Median · 1 year out
$30,802
middle 50%: $23,122 – $39,612
Median · 5 years out
$46,883
middle 50%: $36,232 – $60,247
Median · 10 years out
$59,253
middle 50%: $45,661 – $78,156

Salary trajectory

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

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

Graduates of Western Carolina University's bachelor's program in Parks, Recreation, Leisure, Fitness, and Kinesiology earn a median $30,802 one year after graduating, rising to $59,253 by year ten. Five years out, earnings run 18% below the national median of $57,171 for this field, ranking 237th of 273 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
9.1 yrs
≈ $11,034 total interest

Same major at other universities

Erskine College
$47,460 · 5 yrs out
Western Colorado University
$47,368 · 5 yrs out
Elizabeth City State University
$47,119 · 5 yrs out
Radford University
$47,093 · 5 yrs out
Georgia Southwestern State University
$46,967 · 5 yrs out
University of Maine
$46,967 · 5 yrs out
University of North Carolina at Pembroke
$46,799 · 5 yrs out
Limestone University
$46,764 · 5 yrs out
Emmanuel University
$46,532 · 5 yrs out
Virginia Wesleyan University
$46,532 · 5 yrs out
Eastern Mennonite University
$46,359 · 5 yrs out
Indiana Wesleyan University
$46,298 · 5 yrs out

Other majors at Western Carolina University

Education (Doctorate)
$96,791 · 5 yrs out
Engineering/Engineering-Related Technologies/Technicians (Master's)
$95,724 · 5 yrs out
Business, Management, Marketing, and Related Support Services (Master's)
$88,779 · 5 yrs out
Engineering, General (Bachelor's)
$88,474 · 5 yrs out
Engineering (Bachelor's)
$86,622 · 5 yrs out
Computer and Information Sciences and Support Services (Bachelor's)
$86,297 · 5 yrs out
Computer Science (Bachelor's)
$86,297 · 5 yrs out
Health Professions and Related Programs (Master's)
$86,216 · 5 yrs out
Electrical, Electronics, and Communications Engineering (Bachelor's)
$85,927 · 5 yrs out
Health Professions and Related Programs (Doctorate)
$85,430 · 5 yrs out
Rehabilitation and Therapeutic Professions (Doctorate)
$84,494 · 5 yrs out
Electrical/Electronic Engineering Technologies/Technicians (Bachelor's)
$81,907 · 5 yrs out

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