Parks at Western Carolina University
Cullowhee, NC · Public · Bachelor's Degree · Parks, Recreation and Leisure Facilities Management
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition
53
Optimistic
52
Base Case
48
Pessimistic
Earnings
$30,485/yr (-9% vs median)
AI Risk
Moderate (34% exposed)
Job Market
Very Large (508,800 openings/yr)
ROI
26.1x earnings multiple (13.9x out-of-state)
How AI Changes the Outlook
Three scenarios based on how aggressively AI disrupts the career paths available to Parks graduates.
| Optimistic No Disruption |
Base Case Gradual AI |
Pessimistic Aggressive AI |
|
|---|---|---|---|
| 10-Year Earnings | $472K | $473K | $446K |
| Earnings Multiple (In-State) | 26.0x | 26.1x | 24.6x |
| Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State) | 13.8x | 13.9x | 13.1x |
| Probability of Field Employment | 42% | 40% | 32% |
| DegreeOutlook Score | 53 | 52 | 48 |
10-Year Earnings Projection
*Year 1 uses actual reported earnings. Scenarios diverge as AI impact compounds over time.
4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)
$18,128
Out-of-state: $34,128 (13.9x ROI)
Median Debt at Graduation
$21,415
8.4 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$41,615
37% growth from Year 1
About Western Carolina University
Western Carolina University accepts 87% of applicants — an open-access institution by design, with a mid-sized student body of 9,867 in Cullowhee, NC.
See all programs and financial aid at Western Carolina University →Top Career Paths
Facilities managers
$104,690/yr
General and operations managers
$102,950/yr
Entertainment and recreation managers, except gambling
$77,180/yr
Compare & Explore
Parks at Other Schools
Other Majors at Western Carolina University
Consider the Trade Route?
Trade programs often mean less time in school, lower student debt, and hands-on career paths that tend to be more resilient to AI disruption.
Frequently Asked Questions
How does Western Carolina University's Parks program score?
This program scores 52/100, reflecting respectable but not exceptional financial outcomes for Parks graduates.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research.
See full methodology →