Parks at University of Wisconsin-La Crosse

La Crosse, WI · Public · Bachelor's Degree · Parks, Recreation and Leisure Facilities Management
53 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition
54
Optimistic
53
Base Case
49
Pessimistic
Earnings $34,490/yr (3% vs median)
AI Risk Moderate (34% exposed)
Job Market Very Large (508,800 openings/yr)
ROI 13.2x earnings multiple (6.8x out-of-state)
Ranked #11 of 45 Parks programs Top 25%

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 $512K $511K $477K
Earnings Multiple (In-State) 13.3x 13.2x 12.4x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State) 6.9x 6.8x 6.4x
Probability of Field Employment 42% 40% 32%
DegreeOutlook Score 54 53 49

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)
$38,604
Out-of-state: $74,764 (6.8x ROI)
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$61,496
-59% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$21,666
7.5 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$49,815
44% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

Graduates earn $34,490/yr, roughly in line with the $33,642 national median for Parks. The value proposition here depends on cost, not earnings.

The 13.2x 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 — 34% task exposure — and the 7% scenario spread suggests disruption would dent but not destroy the earnings outlook.

The $21,666 debt-to-$34,490 income ratio translates to about 8 months of earnings. Standard loan terms should handle this comfortably.

Ranked #11 out of 45 programs, University of Wisconsin-La Crosse's Parks program lands in the top 5% — a strong signal of graduate success.

The five-year earnings trajectory from $34,490 to $49,815 shows 44% growth, reflecting steady but unremarkable salary progression.

About University of Wisconsin-La Crosse

University of Wisconsin-La Crosse accepts 73% of applicants — an open-access institution by design, serving 9,194 students in La Crosse, WI.

See all programs and financial aid at University of Wisconsin-La Crosse →

Top Career Paths

Facilities managers $104,690/yr
General and operations managers $102,950/yr
Entertainment and recreation managers, except gambling $77,180/yr
View all 5 career paths with salary ranges and AI risk →

Compare & Explore

Parks at Other Schools

Other Majors at University of Wisconsin-La Crosse

Is a Trade Program a Better Fit?

For students who prefer applied learning, trade programs can deliver strong earnings with significantly less debt and shorter time to employment.

Frequently Asked Questions

How does University of Wisconsin-La Crosse's Parks program score?
This program scores 53/100, reflecting respectable but not exceptional financial outcomes for Parks graduates.
Why does University of Wisconsin-La Crosse rank so high for Parks?
The #11 ranking out of 45 programs is driven by strong financial outcomes — graduates earn well, debt is manageable relative to income, and the job market supports the field.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →