Parks, Recreation and Leisure Facilities Management at Chicago State University

Based on comparable parks and recreation programs in Illinois, this degree appears positioned right at the state median, with estimated first-year earnings around $35,400 and debt near $22,500. That debt load translates to roughly $250 in monthly payments—manageable but not trivial on a starting salary that works out to about $2,950 per month before taxes. The estimated figures put this program squarely in the middle of Illinois options, trailing Illinois State's graduates by a few thousand dollars but ahead of Western Illinois.

What makes this program challenging to evaluate is that parks and recreation management typically shows modest starting salaries nationwide (the national median is actually slightly lower at $33,161), yet the field often offers strong benefits packages and work-life balance that raw salary figures don't capture. Similar programs in Illinois suggest the debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.64 is better than many majors, meaning graduates aren't drowning in payments relative to income. For a student passionate about outdoor recreation, community programming, or facility management, these numbers suggest the field is financially viable—just not lucrative.

The key question is career trajectory: does this field offer salary growth and job security that justify the investment? With over half of Chicago State students qualifying for Pell grants, many families here are weighing opportunity cost carefully. The estimated figures suggest this path won't leave graduates financially strained, but it won't create quick wealth either.