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Parks, Recreation and Leisure Studies at University of Northern Iowa

Cedar Falls, IA · Public · Bachelor's Degree

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

Optimistic

Base Case

Pessimistic

Earnings $37,233/yr (10% vs median)

AI Risk Very High (56% exposed)

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

ROI 12.9x earnings multiple (5.9x out-of-state)

Ranked #25 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	$503K	$501K	$465K
Earnings Multiple (In-State)	12.9x	12.9x	12.0x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State)	5.9x	5.9x	5.5x
Probability of Field Employment	42%	36%	26%
DegreeOutlook Score	37	36	26

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)

$38,912

Out-of-state: $85,088 (5.9x ROI)

4-Year Net Price (After Aid)

$58,436

-50% less than sticker · See by income

Median Debt at Graduation

$20,000

6.4 months of Year 1 earnings

Reported Earnings (5 Year)

$48,941

31% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

University of Northern Iowa's Parks, Recreation and Leisure Studies graduates start at $37,233/yr — above the $33,731 national average, though not by a wide margin.

The 12.9x 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 7% scenario spread suggests disruption would dent but not destroy the earnings outlook.

The $20,000 debt-to-$37,233 income ratio translates to about 6 months of earnings. Standard loan terms should handle this comfortably.

Ranked #25 out of 59 programs, University of Northern Iowa's Parks, Recreation and Leisure Studies offering sits in the upper half but doesn't break into the top tier.

The five-year earnings trajectory from $37,233 to $48,941 shows 31% growth, reflecting steady but unremarkable salary progression.

About University of Northern Iowa

A 94% acceptance rate means University of Northern Iowa is accessible to most applicants, serving 7,599 students in Cedar Falls, IA.

See all programs and financial aid at University of Northern Iowa →

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

How does University of Northern Iowa's Parks, Recreation and Leisure Studies program score?

This program scores 36/100 — 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.

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