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Parks, Recreation and Leisure Studies at Pittsburg State University

Pittsburg, KS · Public · Bachelor's Degree

DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition

Optimistic

Base Case

Pessimistic

Earnings $35,587/yr (6% vs median)

AI Risk Very High (56% exposed)

Job Market Very Small (1,100 openings/yr)

ROI 14.4x earnings multiple (5.9x out-of-state)

Ranked #32 of 59 Parks, Recreation and Leisure Studies programs

How AI Changes the Outlook

Three scenarios based on how aggressively AI disrupts the career paths available to Parks, Recreation and Leisure Studies graduates.

	Optimistic No Disruption	Base Case Gradual AI	Pessimistic Aggressive AI
10-Year Earnings	$457K	$462K	$438K
Earnings Multiple (In-State)	14.3x	14.4x	13.7x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State)	5.8x	5.9x	5.6x
Probability of Field Employment	42%	36%	26%
DegreeOutlook Score	33	33	23

10-Year Earnings Projection

*Year 1 uses actual reported earnings. Scenarios diverge as AI impact compounds over time.

4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)

$32,032

Out-of-state: $78,768 (5.9x ROI)

4-Year Net Price (After Aid)

$75,556

-136% less than sticker · See by income

Median Debt at Graduation

$18,245

6.2 months of Year 1 earnings

Program Analysis

At $35,587 per year, Parks, Recreation and Leisure Studies graduates from Pittsburg State University earn slightly above the $33,731 national median. The premium is real but not dramatic.

Every dollar of in-state tuition returns an estimated 14.4x in decade earnings — an exceptional ratio that places this among the highest-ROI Parks, Recreation and Leisure Studies programs nationally.

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 4% gap from the optimistic case.

Median debt of $18,245 represents roughly 6 months of the $35,587 starting salary — a manageable burden by most borrower standards.

Ranked #32 of 59 Parks, Recreation and Leisure Studies programs, Pittsburg State University falls below the median. Stronger options exist, though cost and location may compensate.

About Pittsburg State University

With 88% of applicants admitted, Pittsburg State University prioritizes broad access, a smaller institution with 4,162 students in Pittsburg, KS.

See all programs and financial aid at Pittsburg State University →

Top Career Paths

Recreation and fitness studies teachers, postsecondary $75,890/yr

View all 1 career paths with salary ranges and AI risk →

Compare & Explore

Parks, Recreation and Leisure Studies at Other Schools

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the DegreeOutlook Score for Parks, Recreation and Leisure Studies at Pittsburg State University?

A score of 33/100 indicates below-average financial outcomes for Parks, Recreation and Leisure Studies. Earnings, ROI, or AI risk factors are pulling the score down.

Will AI replace Parks, Recreation and Leisure Studies careers?

With 56% of typical job tasks exposed to AI, this is one of the higher-risk fields. Our pessimistic scenario projects $437,585 in decade earnings vs $457,496 in the optimistic case — a meaningful gap.

Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →