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Parks, Recreation and Leisure Studies at Northwest Missouri State University

Maryville, MO · Public · Bachelor's Degree
36 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition
37
Optimistic
36
Base Case
26
Pessimistic
Earnings $42,389/yr (26% vs median)
AI Risk Very High (56% exposed)
Job Market Very Small (1,100 openings/yr)
ROI 12.0x earnings multiple (7.4x out-of-state)
Ranked #26 of 59 Parks, Recreation and Leisure Studies programs Top 50%

How AI Changes the Outlook

Three scenarios based on how aggressively AI disrupts the career paths available to Parks, Recreation and Leisure Studies graduates.

Optimistic
No Disruption		 Base Case
Gradual AI		 Pessimistic
Aggressive AI
10-Year Earnings $490K $490K $457K
Earnings Multiple (In-State) 12.0x 12.0x 11.2x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State) 7.4x 7.4x 6.9x
Probability of Field Employment 42% 36% 26%
DegreeOutlook Score 37 36 26

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)
$40,724
Out-of-state: $66,492 (7.4x ROI)
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$59,296
-46% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$22,750
6.4 months of Year 1 earnings

Program Analysis

Northwest Missouri State University Parks, Recreation and Leisure Studies graduates command $42,389/yr out of the gate, well above the $33,731 national median. That 26% premium suggests the program's reputation carries real labor-market weight.

The 12.0x 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 — 56% task exposure — and the 7% scenario spread suggests disruption would dent but not destroy the earnings outlook.

The $22,750 debt-to-$42,389 income ratio translates to about 6 months of earnings. Standard loan terms should handle this comfortably.

Ranked #26 out of 59 programs, Northwest Missouri State University's Parks, Recreation and Leisure Studies offering sits in the upper half but doesn't break into the top tier.

About Northwest Missouri State University

A 86% acceptance rate means Northwest Missouri State University is accessible to most applicants, with a smaller student body of 4,550 in Maryville, MO.

See all programs and financial aid at Northwest Missouri State University →

Top Career Paths

Recreation and fitness studies teachers, postsecondary $75,890/yr
View all 1 career paths with salary ranges and AI risk →

Compare & Explore

Compare this program → View all 59 schools offering Parks, Recreation and Leisure Studies →

Parks, Recreation and Leisure Studies at Other Schools

Brigham Young University ($47,596) California State University-East Bay ($43,700) Arizona State University Campus Immersion ($43,149) Arizona State University Digital Immersion ($43,149) Metropolitan State University of Denver ($42,886) CUNY Lehman College ($41,484) California State University-Sacramento ($40,338) California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo ($39,157)

Other Majors at Northwest Missouri State University

Computer and Information Sciences, General ($65,444) Computer Software and Media Applications ($51,790) Marketing ($48,557) Agricultural Business and Management ($48,302) Plant Sciences ($47,170) Industrial Production Technologies/Technicians ($46,647) Finance and Financial Management Services ($45,810) Business Administration, Management and Operations ($43,672)

Frequently Asked Questions

How does Northwest Missouri State University's Parks, Recreation and Leisure Studies program score?
This program scores 36/100 — on the lower end for Parks, Recreation and Leisure Studies. Prospective students should carefully weigh costs against likely earnings.
How vulnerable is Parks, Recreation and Leisure Studies to AI automation?
AI won't 'replace' Parks, Recreation and Leisure Studies careers outright, but it is likely to reduce the number of job openings. We model 56% task exposure, which compresses field employment probability in our scenarios.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →