HEALTH Specialization

Parks

Parks graduates earn $50,468 four years out. The middle 50% of earners fall between $37,507 and $64,333. Where you land depends on specialization, employer, and how far you advance in the field.

Explore Program

About Parks

This page covers Parks as a course of study: what it costs, where it is taught, and what graduates go on to earn. It sits inside the wider field of Recreation & Fitness and how it pays overall, which is the better comparison if you are still choosing between subjects.

Parks is a focused area of study within Recreation & Fitness. Pick this and you can expect to earn around $50,468 four years out, a solid return for a focused credential. You will not have trouble finding it: 168 colleges offer this program, from community colleges to research universities. About 2,492 students complete it each year, most walking away with a bachelor's. Training is clinical and hands-on, often leading to licensure or certification.

Median Earnings · 1yr: $34,040
Median Earnings · 4yr: $50,468
Colleges Offering: 168
Graduates / Year: 2,492
Avg Net Price / yr: $19,193

How Much Do Parks Graduates Earn?

Four years after finishing Parks, a typical graduate earns $50,468, below average for bachelor's degree holders. Half of earners land somewhere between $37,507 and $64,333, so where you end up depends on the job and the employer. Do not judge the field on a starting paycheck alone: pay tends to jump in the first few years, climbing from $34,040 at one year out to $50,468 by year four. Source: College Scorecard.

What that figure means in practice depends on what the degree cost to get, which is a matter of lifetime earnings against total outlay.

$34,040

1 Year After Graduation

Starting salaries only. Earnings in this field grow substantially in the first 3 to 5 years.

$50,468

4-Year National Median

Below average for bachelor's degree holders.

$49,799

4-Year Institutional Median

Median of per-school medians. Each reporting college counts equally, regardless of size.

Earnings Range

Not every Parks graduate ends up in the same place. Earnings spread out a moderate amount, so know what pushes people to one end or the other. Specialization and credential level drive most of the gap. Advanced practice roles (nurse practitioners, CRNAs, physician assistants) anchor the top; entry-level clinical and support roles sit at the bottom.

$37,507 25th pct.

$50,468 Median

$64,333 75th pct.

A Solid Financial Return

Solid ROI. At median 4-year earnings of $50,468 and an estimated $76,772 four-year net cost, the typical graduate reaches earnings breakeven in roughly 3.8 years.

Based on outcomes from 121 schools. Colleges with fewer than 30 graduates are excluded from national averages.

Who Studies This? Credential Breakdown

Of the 2,492 students who complete Parks programs each year, the majority (77%) earn a bachelor's degree. The breakdown below shows the full credential distribution.

77%

Bachelor's 77%

Master's 15%

Associate's 6%

What Can You Do With a Parks Degree?

This degree does not lock you into one job. Parks graduates show up in 4 different occupations, and Facilities Managers pay the most at $106,660/yr median. Expand any card below to see daily responsibilities, in-demand skills, and 10-year growth projections.

The best-paid of these is what Facilities Managers earn and how fast those roles are growing, though entry requirements vary across the list.

↗ +4.6% Zone 3: Medium preparation

Facilities Managers

$106,660

$82K $139K 25th–75th pct.

Bachelor's degree 14,200 openings/yr 156K employed nationally

Critical Thinking Reading Comprehension Active Listening Judgment and Decision Making Speaking

Day-to-day responsibilities

Plan, direct, or coordinate operations and functionalities of facilities and buildings. May include surrounding grounds or multiple facilities of an organization's campus.

Monitor the facility to ensure that it remains safe, secure, and well-maintained.
Oversee the maintenance and repair of machinery, equipment, and electrical and mechanical systems.
Oversee construction and renovation projects to improve efficiency and to ensure that facilities meet environmental, health, and security standards, and comply with government regulations.

↗ +5.0% Zone 4: Considerable preparation

General & Operations Manager

$105,770

$72K $167K 25th–75th pct.

Bachelor's degree 285,000 openings/yr 3.5M employed nationally

Speaking Active Listening Monitoring Reading Comprehension Critical Thinking

Day-to-day responsibilities

Plan, direct, or coordinate the operations of public or private sector organizations, overseeing multiple departments or locations. Duties and responsibilities include formulating policies, managing daily operations, and planning the use of materials and human resources, but are too diverse and general in nature to be classified in any one functional area of management or administration, such as personnel, purchasing, or administrative services. Usually manage through subordinate supervisors. Excludes First-Line Supervisors.

Review financial statements, sales or activity reports, or other performance data to measure productivity or goal achievement or to identify areas needing cost reduction or program improvement.
Direct and coordinate activities of businesses or departments concerned with the production, pricing, sales, or distribution of products.
Direct administrative activities directly related to making products or providing services.

↗ +6.0% Zone 4: Considerable preparation

Entertainment and Recreation Managers

$79,520

$61K $105K 25th–75th pct.

Bachelor's degree 5,100 openings/yr 38K employed nationally

Active Listening Speaking Service Orientation Reading Comprehension Critical Thinking

Day-to-day responsibilities

Plan, direct, or coordinate entertainment and recreational activities and operations of a recreational facility, including cruise ships and parks.

Plan, organize, or lead group activities for customers, such as exercise routines, athletic events, or arts and crafts.
Plan programs of events or schedules of activities.
Talk to coworkers using electronic devices, such as computers and radios.

↗ +4.0% Zone 3: Medium preparation

Landscaping Supervisors

$58,430

$47K $73K 25th–75th pct.

High school diploma or equivalent 23,900 openings/yr 131K employed nationally

Monitoring Time Management Management of Personnel Resources Active Listening Speaking

Day-to-day responsibilities

Directly supervise and coordinate activities of workers engaged in landscaping or groundskeeping activities. Work may involve reviewing contracts to ascertain service, machine, and workforce requirements; answering inquiries from potential customers regarding methods, material, and price ranges; and preparing estimates according to labor, material, and machine costs.

Establish and enforce operating procedures and work standards that will ensure adequate performance and personnel safety.
Schedule work for crews, depending on work priorities, crew or equipment availability, or weather conditions.
Tour grounds, such as parks, botanical gardens, cemeteries, or golf courses, to inspect conditions of plants and soil.

Top Colleges for Parks

Not sure where to study Parks? These 20 colleges graduate the most students in it each year. Scroll right to compare acceptance rate, net price, and median earnings side by side.

Ranked by score, that list starts with the cost and outcomes at Clemson University, and the rest follow the same measures.

#	College	Graduates	Acceptance	Net Price/yr	Earnings 10yr
1	Clemson University Clemson, SC · Public	165	38.3%	$22,253	$71,513
2	Florida International University Miami, FL · Public	145	54.7%	$9,288	$60,249
3	North Carolina State University at Raleigh Raleigh, NC · Public	93	41.7%	$17,303	$68,758
4	Pennsylvania State University-Main Campus University Park, PA · Public	81	60.6%	$32,875	$63,435
5	Colorado State University-Fort Collins Fort Collins, CO · Public	81	88.5%	$21,279	$60,543
6	Appalachian State University Boone, NC · Public	81	90.1%	$16,836	$51,836
7	University of Florida Gainesville, FL · Public	79	24.2%	$6,541	$71,588
8	Illinois State University Normal, IL · Public	76	88.2%	$19,398	$62,117
9	Slippery Rock University of Pennsylvania Slippery Rock, PA · Public	72	71.5%	$19,608	$53,032
10	University of New Hampshire-Main Campus Durham, NH · Public	62	88.2%	$23,805	$66,479
11	University of West Georgia Carrollton, GA · Public	56	51.6%	$12,786	$49,587
12	University of North Texas Denton, TX · Public	53	72.2%	$15,649	$57,010
13	Keiser University-Ft Lauderdale Fort Lauderdale, FL · Nonprofit	52	97%	$30,498	$39,696
14	Western Kentucky University Bowling Green, KY · Public	50	93.9%	$10,990	$43,889
15	Brigham Young University-Idaho Rexburg, ID · Nonprofit	44	95.8%	$8,221	$53,406
16	Texas State University San Marcos, TX · Public	43	89.3%	$16,805	$56,906
17	Johnson & Wales University-Providence Providence, RI · Nonprofit	43	88.4%	$31,027	$43,418
18	Old Dominion University Norfolk, VA · Public	41	90.4%	$14,638	$54,914
19	Frostburg State University Frostburg, MD · Public	40	89.2%	$16,715	$55,493
20	Professional Golfers Career College Temecula, CA · For-Profit	40	Open	$37,351	$46,079

View all colleges

Ranked by Parks graduate volume. Scroll right to compare key stats. Read our methodology →

Plan Your Path

Decide with data, not guesswork. These tools turn the numbers on this page into a personal plan. Estimate the real cost of a Parks program, compare colleges side-by-side, weigh the long-term payoff, and find schools that match your profile.

College ROI Calculator

See if a Parks degree pays off. Weighs each college's cost against the earnings its graduates actually see.

College Cost Calculator

Enter a budget and see the colleges whose net price fits, with the out-of-pocket cost and likely loan load for each.

Compare Colleges

Put any 2–4 colleges side-by-side. Admissions, cost, outcomes, and earnings, all on one screen, no tab-hopping.

College Match Quiz

Answer six quick questions and see your best-fit colleges ranked by budget, field of study, and what matters most to you.

Parks Degree: Pros & Cons

The data on Parks shows 3 measurable strengths and 3 real trade-offs. All points are sourced from College Scorecard earnings, BLS projections, and IPEDS graduate counts.

PROS

Strong salary growth Median earnings climb from $34,040 at graduation to $50,468 four years later, a clear sign of career momentum in this field.
Positive job outlook Related careers project up to +6.0% job growth over the next 10 years, a solid signal for long-term demand.
Strong hiring volume Related occupations generate more than 328,200 job openings per year combined, creating consistent demand for graduates.

CONS

Modest median earnings Four-year median of $50,468 lags STEM and business fields, affecting ROI at higher-cost programs.
Licensure often required Most roles in this field require state licensure or certification before you can practice. Budget time and costs for board exams alongside your degree.
High earnings variance Gap between 25th ($37,507) and 75th ($64,333) percentile is wide. Where you land depends heavily on employer, role, and location.

Parks Degree: Frequently Asked Questions

How much do Parks graduates earn?

$50,468 four years after finishing the program. Half of graduates land between $37,507 and $64,333, so employer, role, and location move that number more than the degree itself. Source: College Scorecard.

What is the starting salary for a Parks degree?

$34,040 in the first year out. That grows to $50,468 by year four, so do not judge this field on the entry-level number alone. Most of the gain shows up once you clear the first few years and move past entry-level roles. Source: College Scorecard.

What jobs can you get with a Parks degree?

Facilities Managers are one path, and it pays a median of $106,660 a year. It is not the only one: the Career Paths section below lists every occupation graduates actually go into, with wages and 10-year growth for each.

How long does a Parks program take?

Four years of full-time study for a Parks bachelor's degree, the standard timeline for this field. If you want a faster route into the workforce, community colleges offer a two-year associate option instead.

How many colleges offer Parks?

168 colleges and universities, so you are not short on options. That range runs from community colleges granting certificates and associate degrees to research universities with full doctoral tracks. Source: IPEDS.

Is a Parks degree worth it?

$50,468 median earnings four years out against $19,193 a year in average net price. That is a reasonable payback window, best at lower-cost schools and in high-demand roles. Use the Top Colleges section below to compare specific schools before deciding. Source: College Scorecard.

What is the difference between Parks and Recreation & Fitness?

Parks is the narrower of the two: Recreation & Fitness covers the full discipline, while this program limits the curriculum to Parks-specific courses, skills, and career tracks. Pick the specialization once you already know this is the direction you want; it gets you a more targeted credential, not a broader one.

What skills do employers look for in Parks graduates?

Coursework alone will not get you hired. Employers hiring Parks graduates consistently look for clinical judgment, patient communication, and evidence-based decision-making. Licensure, certifications, and supervised clinical hours are typically required or strongly preferred in most roles. Build those into your coursework and internships now, and the job search later gets easier.

Is graduate school worth it for Parks graduates?

Often, yes. Advanced degrees in this field (nurse practitioner, physician assistant, doctor of physical therapy) typically come with significantly higher pay and a wider scope of practice, which is why most students in health fields eventually go back for one. Weigh that against your own career goals, the program's cost, and whether your target role actually rewards the advanced credential.

What is the job outlook for Parks graduates?

Outlook is moderate overall: related occupations average +4.9% projected job growth over the next 10 years. Entertainment and Recreation Managers are among the strongest-growth roles at +6.0%. That average hides real differences by role and location, so check the Career Paths section below for the projection on each specific occupation before you count on any single number.