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Parks at Michigan State University

East Lansing, MI · Public · Bachelor's Degree · Parks, Recreation and Leisure Facilities Management
47 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition
47
Optimistic
47
Base Case
42
Pessimistic
Earnings $35,343/yr (5% vs median)
AI Risk Moderate (34% exposed)
Job Market Very Large (508,800 openings/yr)
ROI 7.2x earnings multiple (2.6x out-of-state)
Ranked #27 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 $456K $458K $434K
Earnings Multiple (In-State) 7.1x 7.2x 6.8x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State) 2.6x 2.6x 2.5x
Probability of Field Employment 42% 40% 32%
DegreeOutlook Score 47 47 42

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)
$63,952
Out-of-state: $173,488 (2.6x ROI)
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$83,004
-30% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$23,250
7.9 months of Year 1 earnings

Program Analysis

Graduates earn $35,343/yr, edging above the $33,642 national average for Parks — a modest premium that suggests solid regional demand.

At 7.2x 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 $23,250 debt-to-$35,343 income ratio translates to about 8 months of earnings. Standard loan terms should handle this comfortably.

At #27 out of 45 programs, Michigan State University's financial outcomes for Parks trail the majority of peers. The value case depends on other factors.

About Michigan State University

Michigan State University has a 84% acceptance rate, making it broadly accessible, serving a student body of 40,243 in East Lansing, MI.

See all programs and financial aid at Michigan 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 Michigan State University

Computer and Information Sciences, General ($86,192) Computer Engineering ($83,934) Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering ($83,874) Mechanical Engineering ($80,259) Chemical Engineering ($79,023) Materials Engineering ($78,276) Engineering-Related Fields ($76,563) Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing ($75,081)

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 Michigan State 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 →