Parks, Recreation and Leisure Studies at Central State University

Based on comparable recreation programs in Ohio, this bachelor's degree appears to track with state norms—first-year earnings around $36,850 sit right at Ohio's median for the field and actually outpace the national benchmark by about $2,400. The estimated debt load of $22,448 translates to a manageable ratio of 0.61, meaning graduates would owe roughly seven months of their first-year salary. That's reasonable for a four-year degree, though worth noting that other Ohio recreation programs carry slightly higher debt (state median is $26,000), suggesting Central State may offer a modest cost advantage.

The challenge with recreation degrees isn't the math—it's the ceiling. All those Ohio University campuses reporting identical $36,850 earnings suggest this field has a fairly consistent starting point across institutions, which means your child won't necessarily earn more by going elsewhere. However, it also means advancement depends heavily on career path: parks administrators and recreation directors eventually earn significantly more than activity coordinators, but that growth isn't captured in first-year data.

For families where Central State's environment is the right fit and especially for those receiving Pell grants (42% of students here do), these estimated numbers suggest a sustainable entry point into a stable field. The debt won't be crushing, and the earnings align with what the profession typically pays in Ohio. Just understand that recreation careers reward longevity and specialization, so your child's trajectory five years out matters more than that first paycheck.