Program Analysis
First-year earnings of $34,751 track close to the $33,731 national median for Parks, Recreation and Leisure Studies programs. This is a middle-of-the-road outcome on salary alone.
With a 16.7x 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.
At $15,667 in median debt against $34,751 in first-year earnings, graduates can expect to clear their loan balance in under six months of full earnings.
A #27 ranking among 59 Parks, Recreation and Leisure Studies programs places East Carolina University in the middle-to-upper range. Solid, not exceptional.
A 33% earnings increase from $34,751 to $46,129 over five years is solid — not a moonshot, but evidence of normal career advancement.