Parks, Recreation, Leisure, and Fitness Studies at Northwestern Oklahoma State University

The numbers look impressive at first glance—Northwestern Oklahoma State's recreation certificate outperforms 95% of similar programs nationally and carries minimal debt—but there's a catch. Only a handful of schools even offer this certificate (just 10 nationwide), and Northwestern's cohort had fewer than 30 graduates. This means you're looking at statistical outliers rather than a proven track record. The $32,805 starting salary may represent one particularly successful graduate rather than a reliable outcome.

That said, the 0.62 debt-to-earnings ratio is genuinely favorable, and $20,500 in debt is manageable compared to many credential programs. The challenge is whether a certificate alone provides enough credential weight in the recreation field, where many entry-level positions don't require formal education and bachelor's degree holders often compete for the better-paying roles. You're essentially betting on whether this specific program's connections and training justify the investment over simply gaining work experience.

For parents, the small sample size is the critical factor here. If your child is passionate about recreation management and this certificate is part of a larger career plan (perhaps paired with work experience or leading to a bachelor's degree), the low debt makes it low-risk. But don't treat these earnings figures as guaranteed—with such few graduates, actual outcomes could vary significantly. Ask the school for employment specifics: where do graduates actually work, and what positions do they secure?