Parks, Recreation and Leisure Facilities Management at Professional Golfers Career College

This specialized golf industry program sits at an interesting crossroads: it dramatically outperforms national expectations while landing in the middle of California's pack. Earnings of $30,064 place it in the 95th percentile nationally—essentially at the very top of all Parks, Recreation and Leisure Facilities Management programs—yet at the exact median among California's five schools offering this degree. The $12,000 debt load is exceptionally low, creating a manageable 0.4 debt-to-earnings ratio that beats 95% of similar programs nationwide.

The real question is whether golf industry training justifies the modest absolute earnings. At $33,066 four years out, graduates are earning roughly what an entry-level retail manager makes, though in a niche field they presumably chose for passion rather than pure income. The 10% earnings growth suggests some advancement potential, but these aren't numbers that will quickly build wealth. Only 27% of students here receive Pell grants, suggesting families are choosing this path with eyes open about the lifestyle tradeoff.

The small sample size (under 30 graduates tracked) makes these figures less reliable than larger programs, but if your child is genuinely committed to working in golf—not just playing it—the minimal debt exposure limits downside risk. This works as a low-cost credential for someone already certain about the industry, not as an exploratory degree.