Home › San Francisco State University › Parks, Recreation and Leisure Studies

Parks, Recreation and Leisure Studies at San Francisco State University

San Francisco, CA · Public · Bachelor's Degree

DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition

Optimistic

Base Case

Pessimistic

Earnings $28,427/yr (-16% vs median)

AI Risk Very High (56% exposed)

Job Market Very Small (1,100 openings/yr)

ROI 17.6x earnings multiple (6.8x out-of-state)

Ranked #29 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	$528K	$524K	$481K
Earnings Multiple (In-State)	17.8x	17.6x	16.2x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State)	6.8x	6.8x	6.2x
Probability of Field Employment	42%	36%	26%
DegreeOutlook Score	34	34	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)

$29,696

Out-of-state: $77,216 (6.8x ROI)

4-Year Net Price (After Aid)

$51,528

-74% less than sticker · See by income

Median Debt at Graduation

$16,500

7.0 months of Year 1 earnings

Reported Earnings (5 Year)

$49,799

75% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

Starting salaries of $28,427/yr fall 16% below the $33,731 national median for Parks, Recreation and Leisure Studies. The financial case depends heavily on whether tuition compensates.

The 17.6x 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 9% scenario spread suggests disruption would dent but not destroy the earnings outlook.

The $16,500 debt-to-$28,427 income ratio translates to about 7 months of earnings. Standard loan terms should handle this comfortably.

Ranked #29 out of 59 programs, San Francisco State University's Parks, Recreation and Leisure Studies offering sits in the upper half but doesn't break into the top tier.

Earnings growth from $28,427 to $49,799 over five years (75% increase) indicates that graduates in this field see meaningful salary progression.

About San Francisco State University

San Francisco State University has a 96% acceptance rate, making it broadly accessible, serving a student body of 20,033 in San Francisco, CA. 41% of students receive Pell Grants, indicating strong socioeconomic diversity.

See all programs and financial aid at San Francisco 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 and Leisure Studies at Other Schools

Other Majors at San Francisco State University

Frequently Asked Questions

How does San Francisco State University's Parks, Recreation and Leisure Studies program score?

This program scores 34/100 — 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.

Why are Parks, Recreation and Leisure Studies earnings lower at San Francisco State University?

Lower starting pay at San Francisco State University may reflect local labor market conditions rather than program quality. Many graduates see convergence with national averages within 3-5 years.

Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →