Parksat South Dakota State University
Graduates earn $38,076/yr in their first year — about 13.0% above the national Parks average. Base-case 10-year earnings $505K; scenarios range from $472K to $505K depending on AI disruption.
What this degree looks like at South Dakota State University
South Dakota State's program stands out because it goes beyond traditional recreation, deeply integrating the crucial business and operational aspects of **facilities management**. This focus equips you with practical, hands-on skills in areas like budgeting, maintenance, and event coordination, which are highly valued across a diverse range of employers. You'll be prepared for leadership roles managing everything from municipal sports complexes and university recreational centers to state and national parks, including opportunities in the unique natural landscapes of the Dakotas and broader Midwest. This practical, management-oriented curriculum, coupled with the program's strong reputation, explains why graduates consistently secure roles with greater responsibility and better compensation than their national peers. To maximize your potential, actively seek internships that expose you to the financial and logistical oversight of large-scale operations.
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 South Dakota State University'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 South Dakota State University stacks up against other schools offering this major.
Other top programs at South Dakota State University
Other highest-scoring programs offered at South Dakota State University, 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 South Dakota State University
What does a 56/100 DegreeOutlook Score mean for Parks at South Dakota State University?
At 56/100, South Dakota State University's Parks program delivers middling returns. School cost and personal fit become important decision factors.
Is South Dakota State University one of the best schools for Parks?
Among 45 Parks programs, South Dakota State University's #7 position reflects consistently above-average results across earnings, ROI, and employment probability.