Program Analysis
Starting salaries of $25,903/yr fall 23% below the $33,731 national median for Parks, Recreation and Leisure Studies. The financial case depends heavily on whether tuition compensates.
The earnings-to-cost ratio of 9.7x signals a solid financial return — projected decade earnings comfortably exceed the tuition investment.
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 1% gap from the optimistic case.
Median debt of $14,753 represents roughly 7 months of the $25,903 starting salary — a manageable burden by most borrower standards.
Ranked #55 of 59 Parks, Recreation and Leisure Studies programs, Western Colorado University falls below the median. Stronger options exist, though cost and location may compensate.
Earnings grow from $25,903 to $31,184 over five years — a 20% increase that's moderate and in line with typical career progression.