Parks, Recreation and Leisure Studies at Southern Illinois University-Carbondale

Southern Illinois University-Carbondale's Parks, Recreation and Leisure Studies program produces graduates who earn slightly below both state and national benchmarks, landing at $32,357 in first-year earnings compared to Illinois's median of $33,550. While this places the program in the 40th percentile statewide, the gap isn't dramatic—you're looking at about $1,200 less annually than the typical Illinois graduate in this field. The debt load of $20,525 is actually lower than both state and national medians, which helps offset the earnings shortfall.

The 0.63 debt-to-earnings ratio is reasonable for a field that generally doesn't promise high starting salaries. Graduates owe roughly eight months of their first-year income, which is manageable compared to many bachelor's programs. For students genuinely interested in parks and recreation careers—which often prioritize lifestyle and mission over compensation—this represents a workable financial foundation, particularly given SIU-Carbondale's accessible admission standards and significant Pell Grant population.

The reality is that this field caps out relatively quickly across all schools; even top Illinois programs like UIUC only reach $34,742. If your student is passionate about outdoor education, park management, or community recreation, SIU-Carbondale delivers adequate preparation at a reasonable cost. Just ensure they understand they're choosing purpose over paycheck.