Parks, Recreation and Leisure Facilities Management at Northwest Missouri State University

Northwest Missouri State's Recreation Management program delivers earnings well above the national median—in fact, graduates match the national 75th percentile at $36,247. While that's solid for this field, the more concerning pattern is what happens next: four years out, earnings have barely budged to $36,587, suggesting graduates hit their ceiling almost immediately after starting work.

The debt picture adds another wrinkle. At $26,198, borrowers carry slightly more than average for the field, resulting in a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.72. That's manageable, but only if you accept that $36,000-$37,000 is likely your earnings plateau for years to come. Among Missouri's seven programs, this one sits at the 60th percentile—better than some in-state options, but not a clear standout.

For parents, the calculus here depends heavily on career expectations. If your student is passionate about parks and recreation work and understands they're choosing lifestyle over paycheck, the debt load is reasonable enough. But if the hope is that this bachelor's degree will lead to steady income growth, the data suggests otherwise. The program does what it promises—gets graduates employed in the field—but the financial upside appears limited from the start.