Parks & Recreation at California State University-Sacramento

Sacramento, CA · Public · Bachelor's Degree · Parks, Recreation and Leisure Studies
48 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition
48
Optimistic
48
Base Case
37
Pessimistic
Earnings $40,338/yr (20% vs median)
AI Risk Very High (56% exposed)
Job Market Very Small (1,100 openings/yr)
ROI 18.2x earnings multiple (7.1x out-of-state)
Ranked #2 of 59 Parks, Recreation and Leisure Studies programs Top 5%

Program Analysis

Your strong outcomes from Sac State's Parks, Recreation and Leisure Studies program reflect both the robust California labor market and Sacramento's unique position. As the state capital with vast surrounding natural areas, there's a consistent demand for skilled professionals across state park systems, local government recreation departments, and private outdoor adventure companies. This program’s reputation and location likely provide excellent pipelines into these diverse roles, contributing to your earning potential. While the data shows a high AI risk, this primarily pertains to administrative or scheduling tasks. Your true value lies in the human element: designing compelling experiences, leading groups, and adapting to real-time situations in the field. Focus on developing your interpersonal, leadership, and program management skills, as these are increasingly vital and far less susceptible to automation in this dynamic sector.

How AI Changes the Outlook

Three scenarios based on how aggressively AI disrupts the career paths available to Parks & Recreation graduates.

Optimistic
No Disruption
Base Case
Gradual AI
Pessimistic
Aggressive AI
10-Year Earnings $562K $553K $502K
Earnings Multiple (In-State) 18.5x 18.2x 16.5x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State) 7.2x 7.1x 6.4x
Probability of Field Employment 42% 36% 26%
DegreeOutlook Score 48 48 37

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)
$30,408
Out-of-state: $77,928 (7.1x ROI)
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$42,048
-38% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$19,181
5.7 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$60,227
49% growth from Year 1

About California State University-Sacramento

A 94% acceptance rate means California State University-Sacramento is accessible to most applicants, serving a student body of 27,867 in Sacramento, CA. 49% of students receive Pell Grants, indicating strong socioeconomic diversity.

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

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 at Other Schools

Other Majors at California State University-Sacramento

Frequently Asked Questions

How does California State University-Sacramento's Parks & Recreation program score?
This program scores 48/100 — on the lower end for Parks & Recreation. Prospective students should carefully weigh costs against likely earnings.
How vulnerable is Parks & Recreation to AI automation?
AI won't 'replace' Parks & Recreation 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-Sacramento rank so high for Parks & Recreation?
The #2 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 →