Parksat North Carolina State University at Raleigh
Graduates earn $38,116/yr in their first year — about 13.0% above the national Parks average. Base-case 10-year earnings $511K; scenarios range from $477K to $512K depending on AI disruption.
What this degree looks like at NC State
North Carolina State's program in Parks, Recreation and Leisure Facilities Management truly stands out, reflecting the university's strong applied science tradition and its location in a dynamic growth region. You're not just learning about leisure activities; this degree emphasizes the critical operational and business aspects of managing complex recreational facilities. The Triangle area's rapid expansion means a constant demand for professionals who can oversee everything from municipal parks and greenways to private sports complexes and large event venues.
Your education here will likely connect you directly with local employers like the City of Raleigh Parks & Recreation, Wake County, or even major private sector entities managing golf courses, resorts, or corporate wellness centers. The focus on *facilities management* prepares you for roles with significant responsibility, including budgeting, personnel, and operations, which explains the strong career trajectory. To maximize your opportunities, actively seek out internships that give you hands-on experience with facility operations and project management.
Three scenarios, ten years out
Each scenario is a different assumption about how AI reshapes the career paths this major feeds into. Earnings projections stack the full 10-year cumulative trajectory; scores use the same 0–100 metric as the hero, recomputed under that scenario's assumptions.
10 year projection
Year-by-year earnings under each scenario. Base case reflects BLS growth patterns applied to NC State's starting earnings; optimistic and pessimistic adjust for AI's effect on each career path this major feeds into.
Common career destinations for this program's graduates, weighted by the school's specific occupation mix. Salary is BLS national median; AI risk is per-role task-exposure research.
Peer schools offering Parks
How NC State stacks up against other schools offering this major.
Other top programs at NC State
Other highest-scoring programs offered at NC State, ranked by DegreeOutlook Score.
Consider the trade route
Not sure a 4-year degree is the right path? Trade programs in Parks offer shorter timelines, lower debt, and strong AI resilience for hands-on careers.
Compare Parks trade programs on TradeSchoolOutlook →Frequently asked about Parks at NC State
What does a 58/100 DegreeOutlook Score mean for Parks at North Carolina State University at Raleigh?
At 58/100, North Carolina State University at Raleigh's Parks program delivers middling returns. School cost and personal fit become important decision factors.