Parks at North Carolina Central University

Durham, NC · 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 $28,863/yr (-14% vs median)
AI Risk Moderate (34% exposed)
Job Market Very Large (508,800 openings/yr)
ROI 17.0x earnings multiple (5.7x out-of-state)
Ranked #36 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 $441K $444K $423K
Earnings Multiple (In-State) 16.9x 17.0x 16.1x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State) 5.6x 5.7x 5.4x
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)
$26,168
Out-of-state: $78,312 (5.7x ROI)
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$60,112
-130% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$30,434
12.7 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$35,544
23% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

Graduates earn $28,863/yr, roughly in line with the $33,642 national median for Parks. The value proposition here depends on cost, not earnings.

The 17.0x earnings multiple means ten-year projected earnings exceed tuition cost by an order of magnitude. By pure financial math, this is a standout.

AI risk is moderate — 34% task exposure — and the 4% scenario spread suggests disruption would dent but not destroy the earnings outlook.

The $30,434 debt load exceeds a year of the $28,863 starting salary, suggesting a multi-year repayment window before graduates break even financially.

At #36 out of 45 programs, North Carolina Central University's financial outcomes for Parks trail the majority of peers. The value case depends on other factors.

The five-year earnings trajectory from $28,863 to $35,544 shows 23% growth, reflecting steady but unremarkable salary progression.

About North Carolina Central University

North Carolina Central University accepts 90% of applicants — an open-access institution by design, serving 5,400 students in Durham, NC. 57% of students receive Pell Grants, indicating strong socioeconomic diversity.

See all programs and financial aid at North Carolina Central 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

Parks at Other Schools

Other Majors at North Carolina Central University

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

How does North Carolina Central University's Parks program score?
This program scores 44/100 — on the lower end for Parks. Prospective students should carefully weigh costs against likely earnings.
Do North Carolina Central University Parks graduates earn enough to justify the loans?
The debt-to-income ratio of 1.1x suggests an extended repayment window. Whether it's 'worth it' depends on career trajectory, not just first-year pay.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →