Parks, Recreation and Leisure Facilities Management at Kent State University at Kent

Kent State's Parks, Recreation and Leisure Facilities Management program starts graduates at $31,422—about $1,700 below the national median for this field—but manages to keep debt reasonable at $21,074. The debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.67 means graduates owe roughly eight months of their first year's salary, which is manageable compared to many programs. The positive development here is 26% earnings growth by year four, reaching $39,565, though this still represents modest compensation given the bachelor's degree requirement.

Within Ohio, this program actually performs at the median (60th percentile), which means half of similar programs in the state pay less. Nationally, it ranks in the 34th percentile—not impressive, but the field itself tends toward lower starting salaries regardless of school. The small sample size (under 30 graduates) adds uncertainty to these figures, so individual outcomes could vary significantly from these medians.

The practical reality: this is an affordable path into recreation management, but you're trading lower debt for lower earnings. Graduates should expect entry-level salaries in the low $30,000s with gradual improvement, making this viable mainly if your child is passionate about the field and willing to accept these income levels. If financial return is the primary concern, there are higher-paying programs available even at Kent State.