Parks & Recreationat Southern Oregon University
Graduates earn $19,139/yr in their first year — about 43.0% below the national Parks & Recreation average. Base-case 10-year earnings $395K; scenarios range from $389K to $379K depending on AI disruption.
What this degree looks like at Southern Oregon University
Understanding Southern Oregon's Parks, Recreation and Leisure Studies program means looking beyond the university's scenic location. While a rewarding field for those passionate about community and outdoor experiences, many roles—like those in local parks departments, non-profits, or community centers—often face funding constraints, limiting salary growth. The listed postsecondary teaching path is a highly specialized role requiring advanced degrees, not typical for new graduates.
The regional job market around Ashland, while beautiful, doesn't offer the dense concentration of diverse, high-paying recreation opportunities found in larger metropolitan areas. This can make securing competitive roles challenging without relocating. Furthermore, increasing automation in administrative and scheduling tasks within recreation management contributes to the high AI risk, potentially impacting future job demand and the value of routine skills.
If this field truly aligns with your passion, actively seek internships with diverse employers—from private resorts to specialized outdoor adventure companies—to differentiate yourself. Gaining practical, in-demand skills beyond basic program management will be crucial for navigating a tight labor market and future technological shifts.
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 Southern Oregon 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 & Recreation
How Southern Oregon University stacks up against other schools offering this major.
Other top programs at Southern Oregon University
Other highest-scoring programs offered at Southern Oregon University, ranked by DegreeOutlook Score.
Frequently asked about Parks & Recreation at Southern Oregon University
How does Southern Oregon University's Parks & Recreation program score?
This program scores 16/100 — 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 are Parks & Recreation earnings lower at Southern Oregon University?
Lower starting pay at Southern Oregon University may reflect local labor market conditions rather than program quality. Many graduates see convergence with national averages within 3-5 years.