Program Analysis
At $38,725 per year, Parks, Recreation and Leisure Studies graduates from University of Missouri-Columbia earn slightly above the $33,731 national median. The premium is real but not dramatic.
The earnings-to-cost ratio of 9.4x signals a solid financial return — projected decade earnings comfortably exceed the tuition investment.
Some AI exposure exists in Parks, Recreation and Leisure Studies's typical career paths, with 56% of job tasks potentially affected. The pessimistic scenario still projects solid returns, with a 9% gap from the optimistic case.
Median debt of $20,500 represents roughly 6 months of the $38,725 starting salary — a manageable burden by most borrower standards.
At #20 of 59 Parks, Recreation and Leisure Studies programs, University of Missouri-Columbia scores above the median — competitive but not a standout.
Earnings grow from $38,725 to $55,583 over five years — a 44% increase that's moderate and in line with typical career progression.