WhatGradsMake
Bachelor's-2% vs national median162 grads tracked

Parks, Recreation, and Leisure Studies at University of South Dakota

Ranked 25th of 50 bachelor's programs in Parks, Recreation, and Leisure Studies by 5-year earnings.

Median · 1 year out
$33,431
middle 50%: $24,002 – $42,686
Median · 5 years out
$49,057
middle 50%: $35,253 – $65,864
Median · 10 years out
$56,212
middle 50%: $44,398 – $78,915

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

Graduates of University of South Dakota's bachelor's program in Parks, Recreation, and Leisure Studies earn a median $33,431 one year after graduating, rising to $56,212 by year ten. Five years out, earnings run 2% below the national median of $50,060 for this field, ranking 25th of 50 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
8.8 yrs
≈ $10,388 total interest

Same major at other universities

Virginia Commonwealth University
$50,111 · 5 yrs out
Bowling Green State University
$50,101 · 5 yrs out
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
Ohio University
$49,000 · 5 yrs out
Southern Illinois University at Carbondale
$48,449 · 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

Other majors at University of South Dakota

Medicine (Doctorate)
$232,751 · 5 yrs out
Health Professions and Related Programs (Doctorate)
$136,818 · 5 yrs out
Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions (Bachelor's)
$116,358 · 5 yrs out
Psychology (Doctorate)
$107,201 · 5 yrs out
Education (Doctorate)
$95,450 · 5 yrs out
Computer and Information Sciences and Support Services (Master's)
$95,189 · 5 yrs out
Rehabilitation and Therapeutic Professions (Doctorate)
$89,791 · 5 yrs out
Business, Management, Marketing, and Related Support Services (Master's)
$89,516 · 5 yrs out
Public Administration and Social Service Professions (Master's)
$87,051 · 5 yrs out
Legal Professions and Studies (Doctorate)
$83,134 · 5 yrs out
Law (Doctorate)
$83,134 · 5 yrs out
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing (Bachelor's)
$77,249 · 5 yrs out

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