Program Analysis
Graduates earn $28,978/yr, roughly in line with the $33,642 national median for Parks. The value proposition here depends on cost, not earnings.
A 7.9x earnings multiple over ten years puts this program in solid financial territory. Tuition is well-justified by projected earnings.
The 5% difference between AI scenarios reflects partial automation exposure. Some Parks career paths face displacement, but others in the field are more insulated.
At $27,000 against $28,978/yr in earnings, the debt burden is moderate. Most graduates should manage repayment without extended financial strain.
A #42 ranking among 45 Parks programs places Western Illinois University in the lower half. Price, proximity, and personal fit become the stronger arguments.
A 42% earnings increase from $28,978 to $41,189 over five years is solid — not a moonshot, but evidence of normal career advancement.