Parks, Recreation and Leisure Studies at California State University-East Bay

Hayward, CA · Public · Bachelor's Degree
42 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition
42
Optimistic
42
Base Case
31
Pessimistic
Earnings $43,700/yr (30% vs median)
AI Risk Very High (56% exposed)
Job Market Very Small (1,100 openings/yr)
ROI 17.6x earnings multiple (6.5x out-of-state)
Ranked #10 of 59 Parks, Recreation and Leisure Studies programs Top 25%

How AI Changes the Outlook

Three scenarios based on how aggressively AI disrupts the career paths available to Parks, Recreation and Leisure Studies graduates.

Optimistic
No Disruption
Base Case
Gradual AI
Pessimistic
Aggressive AI
10-Year Earnings $496K $496K $461K
Earnings Multiple (In-State) 17.6x 17.6x 16.3x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State) 6.6x 6.5x 6.1x
Probability of Field Employment 42% 36% 26%
DegreeOutlook Score 42 42 31

10-Year Earnings Projection

*Year 1 uses actual reported earnings. Scenarios diverge as AI impact compounds over time.

4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)
$28,220
Out-of-state: $75,740 (6.5x ROI)
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$45,104
-60% less than sticker · See by income
Reported Earnings (4 Year)
$47,830
9% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

At $43,700 per year, Parks, Recreation and Leisure Studies graduates from California State University-East Bay significantly outpace the $33,731 national average for this major, reflecting strong employer demand for this program's graduates.

The 17.6x earnings multiple means ten-year projected earnings exceed tuition cost by an order of magnitude. By pure financial math, this is a standout.

AI risk is moderate — 56% task exposure — and the 7% scenario spread suggests disruption would dent but not destroy the earnings outlook.

Ranked #10 out of 59 programs, California State University-East Bay's Parks, Recreation and Leisure Studies program lands in the top 5% — a strong signal of graduate success.

About California State University-East Bay

With 97% of applicants admitted, California State University-East Bay prioritizes broad access, with a mid-sized student body of 10,422 in Hayward, CA. With 44% of students on Pell Grants, the campus draws from a broad economic spectrum.

See all programs and financial aid at California State University-East Bay →

Top Career Paths

Recreation and fitness studies teachers, postsecondary $75,890/yr
View all 1 career paths with salary ranges and AI risk →

Compare & Explore

Parks, Recreation and Leisure Studies at Other Schools

Other Majors at California State University-East Bay

Frequently Asked Questions

How does California State University-East Bay's Parks, Recreation and Leisure Studies program score?
This program scores 42/100 — on the lower end for Parks, Recreation and Leisure Studies. Prospective students should carefully weigh costs against likely earnings.
How vulnerable is Parks, Recreation and Leisure Studies to AI automation?
AI won't 'replace' Parks, Recreation and Leisure Studies careers outright, but it is likely to reduce the number of job openings. We model 56% task exposure, which compresses field employment probability in our scenarios.
Why does California State University-East Bay rank so high for Parks, Recreation and Leisure Studies?
The #10 ranking out of 59 programs is driven by strong financial outcomes — graduates earn well, debt is manageable relative to income, and the job market supports the field.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →