Parks, Recreation and Leisure Studies at Oklahoma State University-Main Campus

Oklahoma State's Parks, Recreation and Leisure Studies program graduates earn about $3,000 more than the national median for this field—placing it in the 77th percentile nationally. With only four schools offering this major in Oklahoma, direct in-state comparisons are limited, but OSU sits at the state median for both earnings and debt. The $37,393 starting salary won't impress anyone, yet it's solidly above what most recreation management graduates earn across the country.

The debt picture looks reasonable at $21,313, translating to a 0.57 debt-to-earnings ratio that suggests manageable monthly payments. This is actually slightly below the national median debt for recreation programs, which typically saddle graduates with around $22,500. For a field that rarely generates six-figure salaries, keeping debt under control matters more than chasing marginal earnings differences.

The fundamental question is whether your child genuinely wants to work in parks and recreation—because while OSU performs well relative to other programs in this major, the field itself pays modestly. If they're committed to outdoor education, recreation planning, or park management, OSU delivers competitive preparation without excessive debt. But if they're uncertain about the career path, the limited earning potential should factor heavily into that decision. This works best for students who value the mission over the paycheck and understand what they're signing up for financially.