Parks, Recreation and Leisure Studies at University of Southern Mississippi

The small sample size here is critical—with fewer than 30 graduates, these numbers might not represent typical outcomes. That said, what we're seeing is troubling: first-year earnings of $25,354 fall in the bottom 5% nationally for parks and recreation programs, while the debt load exceeds what 95% of similar programs see. Starting salary barely covers living expenses in Mississippi, let alone meaningful debt payments on nearly $30,000 borrowed.

The state context offers little comfort. While this program ranks at the 60th percentile among Mississippi's parks and recreation degrees, that's largely because there are only two schools offering this major in the state—and the bar appears quite low. Nationally, the typical graduate in this field earns $34,451, about 36% more than what Southern Miss graduates are seeing. The debt-to-earnings ratio of 1.16 means graduates owe more than a full year's salary, creating real financial strain in those critical early career years.

For families considering this path, the economics are challenging regardless of the small sample caveat. Even if actual outcomes prove somewhat better than these numbers suggest, you're looking at a program that significantly underperforms national norms while carrying above-average debt. Unless your child has specific connections in Mississippi's recreation industry or plans for graduate school that will boost earnings, this investment looks risky compared to programs at other universities.