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Parks, Recreation and Leisure Studies at California State University-Long Beach

Long Beach, CA · Public · Bachelor's Degree

DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition

Optimistic

Base Case

Pessimistic

Earnings $35,532/yr (5% vs median)

AI Risk Very High (56% exposed)

Job Market Very Small (1,100 openings/yr)

ROI 17.7x earnings multiple (6.6x out-of-state)

Ranked #15 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	$497K	$496K	$462K
Earnings Multiple (In-State)	17.7x	17.7x	16.5x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State)	6.6x	6.6x	6.1x
Probability of Field Employment	42%	36%	26%
DegreeOutlook Score	38	38	28

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)

$28,032

Out-of-state: $75,552 (6.6x ROI)

4-Year Net Price (After Aid)

$35,724

-27% less than sticker · See by income

Median Debt at Graduation

$14,750

5.0 months of Year 1 earnings

Reported Earnings (5 Year)

$47,459

34% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

California State University-Long Beach's Parks, Recreation and Leisure Studies graduates start at $35,532/yr — above the $33,731 national average, though not by a wide margin.

With a 17.7x return on in-state tuition over ten years, the financial case for this program is compelling by virtually any measure.

The 7% difference between AI scenarios reflects partial automation exposure. Some Parks, Recreation and Leisure Studies career paths face displacement, but others in the field are more insulated.

Loan repayment is a non-issue here — $14,750 in median debt clears quickly against $35,532 in annual earnings.

California State University-Long Beach ranks #15 among 59 Parks, Recreation and Leisure Studies programs, placing it in the top 5% nationally by our financial outcomes measure.

A 34% earnings increase from $35,532 to $47,459 over five years is solid — not a moonshot, but evidence of normal career advancement.

About California State University-Long Beach

California State University-Long Beach's 47% acceptance rate reflects moderate selectivity, serving a student body of 34,131 in Long Beach, CA. With 49% of students on Pell Grants, the campus draws from a broad economic spectrum.

See all programs and financial aid at California State University-Long Beach →

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-Long Beach

Frequently Asked Questions

What does a 38/100 DegreeOutlook Score mean for Parks, Recreation and Leisure Studies at California State University-Long Beach?

At 38/100, the financial outlook is modest. Higher-scoring Parks, Recreation and Leisure Studies programs exist, though non-financial factors may justify this choice.

Should I worry about AI if I study Parks, Recreation and Leisure Studies at California State University-Long Beach?

The 56% AI task exposure score is above average. Our model shows this affecting job availability more than salaries — graduates may face stiffer competition for fewer positions.

Is California State University-Long Beach one of the best schools for Parks, Recreation and Leisure Studies?

Among 59 Parks, Recreation and Leisure Studies programs, California State University-Long Beach's #15 position reflects consistently above-average results across earnings, ROI, and employment probability.

Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →