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Parks, Recreation and Leisure Studies at University of Nebraska at Kearney

Kearney, NE · Public · Bachelor's Degree

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

Optimistic

Base Case

Pessimistic

Earnings $28,241/yr (-16% vs median)

AI Risk Very High (56% exposed)

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

ROI 17.4x earnings multiple (10.1x out-of-state)

Ranked #21 of 59 Parks, Recreation and Leisure Studies programs Top 50%

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	$589K	$576K	$519K
Earnings Multiple (In-State)	17.8x	17.4x	15.6x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State)	10.3x	10.1x	9.1x
Probability of Field Employment	42%	36%	26%
DegreeOutlook Score	37	37	30

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)

$33,208

Out-of-state: $57,040 (10.1x ROI)

4-Year Net Price (After Aid)

$65,952

-99% less than sticker · See by income

Median Debt at Graduation

$21,000

8.9 months of Year 1 earnings

Reported Earnings (5 Year)

$58,149

106% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

University of Nebraska at Kearney's Parks, Recreation and Leisure Studies graduates start at $28,241/yr, trailing the $33,731 national average by 16%. The program's value hinges on affordability.

The 17.4x earnings multiple means ten-year projected earnings exceed tuition cost by an order of magnitude. By pure financial math, this is a standout.

AI risk is moderate — 56% task exposure — and the 12% scenario spread suggests disruption would dent but not destroy the earnings outlook.

The $21,000 debt-to-$28,241 income ratio translates to about 9 months of earnings. Standard loan terms should handle this comfortably.

Ranked #21 out of 59 programs, University of Nebraska at Kearney's Parks, Recreation and Leisure Studies offering sits in the upper half but doesn't break into the top tier.

Earnings growth from $28,241 to $58,149 over five years (106% increase) indicates that graduates in this field see meaningful salary progression.

About University of Nebraska at Kearney

A 86% acceptance rate means University of Nebraska at Kearney is accessible to most applicants, a compact campus enrolling 4,130 students in Kearney, NE.

See all programs and financial aid at University of Nebraska at Kearney →

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

Other Majors at University of Nebraska at Kearney

Frequently Asked Questions

How does University of Nebraska at Kearney's Parks, Recreation and Leisure Studies program score?

This program scores 37/100 — on the lower end for Parks, Recreation and Leisure Studies. Prospective students should carefully weigh costs against likely earnings.

How vulnerable is Parks, Recreation and Leisure Studies to AI automation?

AI won't 'replace' Parks, Recreation and Leisure Studies 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 and Leisure Studies earnings lower at University of Nebraska at Kearney?

Lower starting pay at University of Nebraska at Kearney may reflect local labor market conditions rather than program quality. Many graduates see convergence with national averages within 3-5 years.

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