Parks, Recreation and Leisure Facilities Management at Michigan State University

Michigan State's Parks and Recreation Management program earns graduates about $35,000 in their first year—roughly $2,000 above the national median for this field and right at Michigan's state median. The $25,000 debt load translates to a manageable 0.71 debt-to-earnings ratio, meaning graduates could theoretically pay off their loans in under nine months of gross earnings. That's a reasonable financial starting point for a field that typically doesn't command high initial salaries but often offers stable employment in parks departments, recreation centers, and tourism operations.

The significant caveat here is sample size—with fewer than 30 graduates tracked, these numbers could shift considerably with a larger dataset. What we can say is that among the handful of Michigan schools offering this program, MSU performs at the median level, neither standing out nor lagging behind. The program's 68th percentile national ranking suggests it's positioned in the upper half of similar programs nationwide, though competition is limited with only 120 schools offering this degree.

For families considering this path, the math works if your student is genuinely committed to parks and recreation management as a career. The debt is reasonable, the earnings are slightly above average for the field, and MSU's name recognition may help with regional job placement. Just understand that this isn't a high-earning field—if financial return is the priority, other majors at MSU would likely deliver better outcomes.