Parks & Recreation at San Diego State University

San Diego, CA · Public · Bachelor's Degree · Parks, Recreation and Leisure Studies
43 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition
44
Optimistic
43
Base Case
34
Pessimistic
Earnings $33,692/yr (-0% vs median)
AI Risk Very High (56% exposed)
Job Market Very Small (1,100 openings/yr)
ROI 17.6x earnings multiple (7.2x out-of-state)
Ranked #8 of 59 Parks, Recreation and Leisure Studies programs Top 25%

Program Analysis

Your San Diego State degree positions you uniquely in a region brimming with opportunities in leisure and recreation. San Diego's abundant natural parks, world-class beaches, and vibrant tourism industry—from Balboa Park to major resorts—create a robust local job market. You'll find pipelines into city recreation departments, large-scale event management firms, and even conservation education roles with local non-profits or attractions. While many entry-level positions in this human-centric field reflect public or non-profit sector pay structures, the program's reputation and strong local internship connections are invaluable. To truly thrive and future-proof your career, prioritize developing management and program development skills, as these leadership roles are less susceptible to automation and offer significant upward mobility.

How AI Changes the Outlook

Three scenarios based on how aggressively AI disrupts the career paths available to Parks & Recreation graduates.

Optimistic
No Disruption
Base Case
Gradual AI
Pessimistic
Aggressive AI
10-Year Earnings $599K $584K $524K
Earnings Multiple (In-State) 18.1x 17.6x 15.8x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State) 7.4x 7.2x 6.5x
Probability of Field Employment 42% 36% 26%
DegreeOutlook Score 44 43 34

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)
$33,160
Out-of-state: $80,680 (7.2x ROI)
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$64,696
-95% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$14,999
5.3 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$62,734
86% growth from Year 1

About San Diego State University

Admission to San Diego State University is competitive, with 34% of applicants accepted, one of the larger campuses at 33,654 students in San Diego, CA.

See all programs and financial aid at San Diego 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

Parks & Recreation at Other Schools

Other Majors at San Diego State University

Frequently Asked Questions

How does San Diego State University's Parks & Recreation program score?
This program scores 43/100 — on the lower end for Parks & Recreation. Prospective students should carefully weigh costs against likely earnings.
How vulnerable is Parks & Recreation to AI automation?
AI won't 'replace' Parks & Recreation 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.
Why does San Diego State University rank so high for Parks & Recreation?
The #8 ranking out of 59 programs is driven by strong financial outcomes — graduates earn well, debt is manageable relative to income, and the job market supports the field.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →