Illinois · Parks

Best Parks institutions in Illinois, ranked by earnings

The Parks, Recreation, and Leisure Studies program focuses on the study of parks, recreation, leisure, fitness, and kinesiology. It is designed for students interested in promoting healthy lifestyles and enhancing community well-being…

Institutions
4
offering CIP 31.01
States offered
9
with a program page
Degrees / yr
126
IPEDS completions 2026
Median grad earnings
$32,357
1 year after graduation
With earnings data
2
College Scorecard
Median net price
$28,141
IPEDS 2026
Avg graduation rate
69%
IPEDS 2026
State pay · Recreation and Fitness Studies Teachers, Postsecondary
$83,760
BLS OEWS 2024

Top 2 institutions, ranked by graduate earnings

Earnings = median 1 year after graduation (College Scorecard).

#InstitutionGrad earnings (1 yr)CompletionsGrad rateNet priceMedian debt
1University of Illinois Urbana - Champaign
Champaign Public · Bachelor's degree
$34,74210885%$23,447
2Southern Illinois University - Carbondale
Carbondale Public · Bachelor's degree
$32,3571262%$20,525

Career outlook

What this program leads to: Recreation and Fitness Studies Teachers, Postsecondary (SOC 25-1193).

Projected growth (2024–2034)
+2.4%
About as fast as average
Openings / yr (US)
~1,100
BLS Employment Projections
US median wage
$75,890
typically Doctoral or professional degree

Top skills

SpeakingActive ListeningWritingReading ComprehensionLearning StrategiesCritical Thinking

What Recreation and Fitness Studies Teachers, Postsecondary earn in Illinois

Jobs in Illinois
530
BLS OEWS May 2024
State average pay
$83,760
median $75,840
Best-paying metro
$130,770
Champaign-Urbana, IL

Related careers

Recreation and Fitness Studies Teachers, Postsecondary
$83,760 avg · 530 jobs

Common questions

Answers for students comparing Parks programs in Illinois.

Which Parks program in Illinois has the highest-earning graduates?+

By median earnings one year after graduation (College Scorecard), University of Illinois Urbana - Champaign tops the list at $34,742. Compare it against completions, graduation rate, cost, and debt in the ranked table above.

How much do Recreation and Fitness Studies Teachers, Postsecondary earn in Illinois?+

The average annual wage for Recreation and Fitness Studies Teachers, Postsecondary in Illinois is $83,760 (median $75,840), across about 530 jobs. Source: BLS OEWS, May 2024.

What is the focus of the Parks program?+

The Parks, Recreation, and Leisure Studies program focuses on the study of parks, recreation, leisure, fitness, and kinesiology. It is designed for students interested in promoting healthy lifestyles and enhancing community well-being…

What skills will I develop in this program?+

You will develop speaking, active listening, writing, reading comprehension, and related professional skills.

What is the job outlook for Recreation and Fitness Studies Teachers, Postsecondary?+

The national job outlook is about +2.4% growth with around 1,100 annual openings (BLS Employment Projections 2024–2034).

What is the typical education requirement?+

A Doctoral or professional degree is the typical entry-level education for this field (BLS).

Related programs in IllinoisParksSportsOutdoor EducationParks

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