Parks, Recreation, Leisure, and Fitness Studies at Chadron State College

Chadron State College graduates in this program earn slightly above the national median right out of school, then see impressive 43% earnings growth by year four—reaching nearly $39,000. That upward trajectory matters, especially in a field where starting salaries often hover in the mid-$20,000s nationwide. The program sits at the 60th percentile among Nebraska recreation programs and 56th percentile nationally, suggesting solidly average outcomes for the field. With debt just above $26,000 and a nearly 1:1 debt-to-earnings ratio at graduation, the financial burden is manageable compared to many four-year programs.

The elephant in the room: the sample size here is small, so these figures could shift significantly with different cohorts. That said, the combination of controlled debt (in the 5th percentile nationally, meaning 95% of similar programs have higher debt), steady earnings growth, and serving a meaningful share of Pell-eligible students suggests this program does what it sets out to do without overcharging.

If your child is genuinely passionate about parks and recreation work, this represents a reasonable path—but understand they'll need to supplement that bachelor's degree income through advancement, additional certifications, or moving into management roles. The four-year earnings growth hints that trajectory exists for graduates who stick with the field.