Parks, Recreation and Leisure Facilities Management at Trinity Christian College

Based on comparable programs in Illinois, Trinity Christian's Parks, Recreation and Leisure program appears positioned in the middle of the state's range, with estimated first-year earnings around $35,400 against roughly $27,000 in debt. That 0.76 debt-to-earnings ratio sits in workable territory—graduates would owe about three-quarters of their first-year salary, which is manageable compared to many fields. The national benchmark for this major shows earnings of $33,161, so Illinois programs generally perform somewhat better, though the variation is significant: Illinois State graduates earn nearly $10,000 more annually than those from Western Illinois.

The estimated $27,000 debt figure exceeds both the Illinois median ($22,500) and national median ($25,000) for this major, which matters in a field where starting salaries hover in the mid-$30,000s. For context, Trinity's admission profile suggests it serves a broad range of students, including a third on Pell grants, so the debt load becomes a more pressing consideration for families without financial cushion.

The practical reality: if your child is passionate about parks and recreation management, this program's estimated outcomes suggest a financially viable path, but not one with much room for error. The debt is digestible but not trivial, and career advancement will be essential since entry-level earnings in this field don't offer much buffer. If cost is a primary concern, understanding Trinity's actual financial aid package—and comparing it to public options like Illinois State—becomes critical before committing.