Parks & Recreation at Shepherd University
Shepherdstown, WV · Public · Bachelor's Degree · Parks, Recreation and Leisure Studies
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition
37
Optimistic
37
Base Case
27
Pessimistic
Earnings
$34,287/yr (2% vs median)
AI Risk
Very High (56% exposed)
Job Market
Very Small (1,100 openings/yr)
ROI
14.9x earnings multiple (6.7x out-of-state)
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 | $518K | $515K | $475K |
| Earnings Multiple (In-State) | 15.0x | 14.9x | 13.7x |
| Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State) | 6.8x | 6.7x | 6.2x |
| Probability of Field Employment | 42% | 36% | 26% |
| DegreeOutlook Score | 37 | 37 | 27 |
10-Year Earnings Projection
*Year 1 uses actual reported earnings. Scenarios diverge as AI impact compounds over time.
4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)
$34,568
Out-of-state: $76,328 (6.7x ROI)
Median Debt at Graduation
$22,625
7.9 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$50,742
48% growth from Year 1
About Shepherd University
With 96% of applicants admitted, Shepherd University prioritizes broad access, a smaller institution with 2,375 students in Shepherdstown, WV.
See all programs and financial aid at Shepherd University →Top Career Paths
Recreation and fitness studies teachers, postsecondary
$75,890/yr
Compare & Explore
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Frequently Asked Questions
How does Shepherd University's Parks & Recreation program score?
This program scores 37/100 — 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.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research.
See full methodology →