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Parks at Henderson State University

Arkadelphia, AR · Public · Bachelor's Degree · Parks, Recreation and Leisure Facilities Management
44 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition
45
Optimistic
44
Base Case
41
Pessimistic
Earnings $29,307/yr (-13% vs median)
AI Risk Moderate (34% exposed)
Job Market Very Large (508,800 openings/yr)
ROI 13.7x earnings multiple (10.9x out-of-state)
Ranked #35 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 $427K $431K $412K
Earnings Multiple (In-State) 13.5x 13.7x 13.1x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State) 10.8x 10.9x 10.4x
Probability of Field Employment 42% 40% 32%
DegreeOutlook Score 45 44 41

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)
$31,540
Out-of-state: $39,528 (10.9x ROI)
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$67,716
-115% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$20,850
8.5 months of Year 1 earnings

Program Analysis

First-year earnings of $29,307 track close to the $33,642 national median for Parks programs. This is a middle-of-the-road outcome on salary alone.

With a 13.7x return on in-state tuition over ten years, the financial case for this program is compelling by virtually any measure.

The 4% difference between AI scenarios reflects partial automation exposure. Some Parks career paths face displacement, but others in the field are more insulated.

At $20,850 against $29,307/yr in earnings, the debt burden is moderate. Most graduates should manage repayment without extended financial strain.

A #35 ranking among 45 Parks programs places Henderson State University in the lower half. Price, proximity, and personal fit become the stronger arguments.

About Henderson State University

Henderson State University has a 82% acceptance rate, making it broadly accessible, a compact campus enrolling 1,491 students in Arkadelphia, AR. 48% of students receive Pell Grants, indicating strong socioeconomic diversity.

See all programs and financial aid at Henderson State 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 Henderson State University

Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing ($72,326) Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas ($38,106) Business/Commerce, General ($36,606) Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods ($36,511) Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities ($32,875) Social Work ($22,458) Psychology, General ($21,846)

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

What does a 44/100 DegreeOutlook Score mean for Parks at Henderson State University?
At 44/100, the financial outlook is modest. Higher-scoring Parks programs exist, though non-financial factors may justify this choice.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →