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Parks at Eastern Illinois University

Charleston, IL · Public · Bachelor's Degree · Parks, Recreation and Leisure Facilities Management
47 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition
48
Optimistic
47
Base Case
43
Pessimistic
Earnings $35,425/yr (5% vs median)
AI Risk Moderate (34% exposed)
Job Market Very Large (508,800 openings/yr)
ROI 8.6x earnings multiple (7.2x out-of-state)
Ranked #26 of 45 Parks programs

How AI Changes the Outlook

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

Optimistic
No Disruption		 Base Case
Gradual AI		 Pessimistic
Aggressive AI
10-Year Earnings $457K $459K $434K
Earnings Multiple (In-State) 8.5x 8.6x 8.1x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State) 7.2x 7.2x 6.8x
Probability of Field Employment 42% 40% 32%
DegreeOutlook Score 48 47 43

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)
$53,612
Out-of-state: $63,516 (7.2x ROI)
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$56,372
-5% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$21,500
7.3 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (4 Year)
$38,234
8% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

At $35,425 per year, Parks graduates from Eastern Illinois University earn slightly above the $33,642 national median. The premium is real but not dramatic.

At 8.6x the cost of in-state tuition, the ten-year earnings outlook represents a strong return. Not exceptional, but meaningfully positive.

AI risk is moderate — 34% task exposure — and the 5% scenario spread suggests disruption would dent but not destroy the earnings outlook.

The $21,500 debt-to-$35,425 income ratio translates to about 7 months of earnings. Standard loan terms should handle this comfortably.

At #26 out of 45 programs, Eastern Illinois University's financial outcomes for Parks trail the majority of peers. The value case depends on other factors.

About Eastern Illinois University

Eastern Illinois University accepts 68% of applicants, balancing access with selectivity, a compact campus enrolling 4,398 students in Charleston, IL.

See all programs and financial aid at Eastern Illinois University →

Top Career Paths

Facilities managers $104,690/yr
General and operations managers $102,950/yr
Entertainment and recreation managers, except gambling $77,180/yr
View all 5 career paths with salary ranges and AI risk →

Compare & Explore

Compare this program → View all 45 schools offering Parks →

Parks at Other Schools

Southern Connecticut State University ($46,274) University of Florida ($41,046) Illinois State University ($39,104) Southwestern Oklahoma State University ($38,506) University of New Hampshire-Main Campus ($38,201) North Carolina State University at Raleigh ($38,116) South Dakota State University ($38,076) Kean University ($37,884)

Other Majors at Eastern Illinois University

Industrial Production Technologies/Technicians ($58,817) Finance and Financial Management Services ($51,370) Accounting and Related Services ($48,070) Marketing ($46,844) Special Education and Teaching ($43,955) Management Sciences and Quantitative Methods ($42,500) Computer and Information Sciences, General ($42,284) Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods ($41,582)

Explore the Trade Alternative

Compare Parks trade programs on TradeSchoolWorth →

Not every career requires a four-year degree. Trade programs in related fields can offer competitive salaries with a fraction of the student loan burden.

Frequently Asked Questions

How does Eastern Illinois University's Parks program score?
This program scores 47/100 — on the lower end for Parks. Prospective students should carefully weigh costs against likely earnings.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →