Parks at Kent State University at Kent

Kent, OH · 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 $31,422/yr (-7% vs median)
AI Risk Moderate (34% exposed)
Job Market Very Large (508,800 openings/yr)
ROI 9.6x earnings multiple (5.5x out-of-state)
Ranked #37 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 $494K $494K $463K
Earnings Multiple (In-State) 9.6x 9.6x 9.0x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State) 5.5x 5.5x 5.2x
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)
$51,384
Out-of-state: $89,264 (5.5x ROI)
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$78,456
-53% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$19,500
7.4 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$45,691
45% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

Graduates earn $31,422/yr, roughly in line with the $33,642 national median for Parks. The value proposition here depends on cost, not earnings.

A 9.6x earnings multiple over ten years puts this program in solid financial territory. Tuition is well-justified by projected earnings.

The 6% difference between AI scenarios reflects partial automation exposure. Some Parks career paths face displacement, but others in the field are more insulated.

At $19,500 against $31,422/yr in earnings, the debt burden is moderate. Most graduates should manage repayment without extended financial strain.

A #37 ranking among 45 Parks programs places Kent State University at Kent in the lower half. Price, proximity, and personal fit become the stronger arguments.

A 45% earnings increase from $31,422 to $45,691 over five years is solid — not a moonshot, but evidence of normal career advancement.

About Kent State University at Kent

Kent State University at Kent accepts 87% of applicants — an open-access institution by design, serving 19,134 students in Kent, OH.

See all programs and financial aid at Kent State University at Kent →

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

Parks at Other Schools

Other Majors at Kent State University at Kent

Is a Trade Program a Better Fit?

For students who prefer applied learning, trade programs can deliver strong earnings with significantly less debt and shorter time to employment.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does a 44/100 DegreeOutlook Score mean for Parks at Kent State University at Kent?
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 →