Parks and Recreation Management: Program Overview, Universities, Careers & Salaries
Program Overview
Prepared for leadership in the dynamic field of public and private recreation services, this program equips students with the strategic, operational, and managerial expertise needed to design, implement, and oversee parks, recreational facilities, and leisure programs. Graduates emerge ready to steward community well-being through effective resource management, inclusive programming, and sustainable facility operations.
- Recreation Facility Planning and Development: Learn to assess community needs and design accessible, sustainable spaces that support diverse recreational activities and promote public engagement.
- Leisure Services Management: Explore frameworks for organizing and delivering programs that meet the evolving interests of diverse populations across age, culture, and ability.
- Health, Safety, and Risk Management: Master protocols for minimizing hazards, ensuring compliance with regulations, and creating secure environments for all users.
- Supervision and Staff Leadership: Develop skills in hiring, training, and leading multidisciplinary teams responsible for daily operations and service delivery.
- Public Relations and Community Engagement: Cultivate strategies to build trust, foster partnerships, and communicate effectively with stakeholders, media, and the public.
- Business and Marketing Fundamentals: Apply principles of budgeting, financial planning, and promotional outreach to support program viability and community outreach.
Parks and Recreation Management Graduate Trends (2010-2024)
Parks and Recreation Management Career Pathways & Salary Outlook
The following table presents salary data for occupations typically aligned with Parks and Recreation Management degrees, including Facilities Managers, General and Operations Managers and Entertainment and Recreation Managers, Except Gambling. These career paths represent common employment outcomes but are not guaranteed for all graduates. Salary ranges vary by location, employer, experience level, and specific role requirements. Nationally, these occupations employ approximately 3,762,210 professionals.
National Average Salaries
| Occupation | Median Salary | Salary Range | Total Employment | Hourly Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Facilities Managers 11-3013 | $104,690 | $62,550 - $173,080 | 141,090 | $50.33 |
| General and Operations Managers 11-1021 | $102,950 | $47,420 - $239,200 | 3,584,420 | $49.50 |
| Entertainment and Recreation Managers, Except Gambling 11-9072 | $77,180 | $45,320 - $134,680 | 36,700 | $37.11 |
Parks and Recreation Management Salary Map by State
Geographic location significantly impacts earning potential for these careers. Average salaries range from $73,370 in Arkansas to $133,220 in Delaware—a 82% difference. The highest-paying states include Delaware, District of Columbia, and New Jersey. Nationwide, these occupations employ over 3,762,210 professionals across all states. Explore the interactive map below to compare regional compensation and identify optimal markets for your career goals.
Average Salary Range:
Top Universities for Parks and Recreation Management by Graduate Enrollment
Below are the top 100 institutions offering Parks and Recreation Management programs for the 2023-2024 academic year (the most recent data reported as of 2025), ranked by the number of graduates. The highest graduate enrollment in Parks and Recreation Management is found at Clemson University (143 graduates), University of Florida (UF) (97 graduates), Pennsylvania State University, Main Campus (86 graduates), Florida International University (FIU) (77 graduates), and University of North Texas (UNT) (76 graduates). Combined, these colleges produced 2,091 graduates across all degree levels. Program availability varies by award level, including Associate, Bachelor's, Master's, and Doctoral degrees at participating universities and schools.
| College Name | Award Levels | Graduates | Location | Control | Website |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Clemson University |
Bachelor's
Postbac Cert.
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
143 | Clemson, South Carolina | Public | clemson.edu |
| University of Florida (UF) |
Bachelor's
Master's
Residency
|
97 | Gainesville, Florida | Public | ufl.edu |
| Pennsylvania State University |
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
86 | University Park, Pennsylvania | Public | psu.edu |
| Florida International University (FIU) |
Bachelor's
Master's
|
77 | Miami, Florida | Public | fiu.edu |
| University of North Texas (UNT) |
Bachelor's
Master's
|
76 | Denton, Texas | Public | unt.edu |
| Colorado State University (CSU) |
Bachelor's
Postbac Cert.
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
72 | Fort Collins, Colorado | Public | colostate.edu |
| North Carolina State University (NC State) |
Bachelor's
Postbac Cert.
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
68 | Raleigh, North Carolina | Public | ncsu.edu |
| Appalachian State University (App State) |
Bachelor's
|
67 | Boone, North Carolina | Public | appstate.edu |
| Middle Tennessee State University (MTSU) |
Bachelor's
|
64 | Murfreesboro, Tennessee | Public | mtsu.edu |
| Illinois State University (ISU) |
Bachelor's
|
54 | Normal, Illinois | Public | illinoisstate.edu |
| University of New Hampshire (UNH) |
Bachelor's
Master's
|
54 | Durham, New Hampshire | Public | unh.edu |
| Western Kentucky University (WKU) |
Bachelor's
Postbac Cert.
Master's
|
53 | Bowling Green, Kentucky | Public | wku.edu |
| Slippery Rock University of Pennsylvania (SRU) |
Bachelor's
Master's
|
52 | Slippery Rock, Pennsylvania | Public | sru.edu |
| University of West Georgia (UWG) |
Bachelor's
|
48 | Carrollton, Georgia | Public | westga.edu |
| Brigham Young University (BYU–I) |
Bachelor's
Other Award
|
39 | Rexburg, Idaho | Private | byui.edu |
| Frostburg State University (FSU) |
Bachelor's
Master's
|
37 | Frostburg, Maryland | Public | frostburg.edu |
| University of Mississippi (Ole Miss) |
Bachelor's
|
36 | University, Mississippi | Public | olemiss.edu |
| University of North Carolina Wilmington (UNCW) |
Bachelor's
|
36 | Wilmington, North Carolina | Public | uncw.edu |
| Johnson & Wales University |
Bachelor's
|
34 | Providence, Rhode Island | Private | jwu.edu |
| Utah Tech University (UT) |
Bachelor's
Other Award
|
33 | Saint George, Utah | Public | utahtech.edu |
| Texas State University (TXST) |
Bachelor's
Master's
|
32 | San Marcos, Texas | Public | txst.edu |
| Western Carolina University (WCU) |
Bachelor's
|
31 | Cullowhee, North Carolina | Public | wcu.edu |
| Florida State University (FSU) |
Bachelor's
|
29 | Tallahassee, Florida | Public | fsu.edu |
| Red Rocks Community College (RRCC) |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Other Award
|
27 | Lakewood, Colorado | Public | rrcc.edu |
| Old Dominion University (ODU) |
Bachelor's
Master's
|
27 | Norfolk, Virginia | Public | odu.edu |
| University of Wisconsin (UWL) |
Bachelor's
Master's
|
26 | La Crosse, Wisconsin | Public | uwlax.edu |
| University of Idaho (U of I) |
Bachelor's
Master's
|
24 | Moscow, Idaho | Public | uidaho.edu |
| Western Illinois University (WIU) |
Bachelor's
Postbac Cert.
Master's
|
24 | Macomb, Illinois | Public | wiu.edu |
| University of Florida (UF Online) |
Bachelor's
|
24 | Gainesville, Florida | Public | ufonline.ufl.edu |
| Kansas State University (K‑State) |
Bachelor's
|
23 | Manhattan, Kansas | Public | k-state.edu |
| Southern Connecticut State University (SCSU) |
Bachelor's
Master's
|
20 | New Haven, Connecticut | Public | southernct.edu |
| Minnesota State University |
Bachelor's
|
20 | Mankato, Minnesota | Public | mnsu.edu |
| Eastern Kentucky University (EKU) |
Bachelor's
Master's
|
18 | Richmond, Kentucky | Public | eku.edu |
| South Dakota State University (SDSU) |
Bachelor's
Master's
|
18 | Brookings, South Dakota | Public | sdstate.edu |
| Green River College (GRC) |
Associate's
|
18 | Auburn, Washington | Public | greenriver.edu |
| Henderson State University (HSU) |
Bachelor's
|
17 | Arkadelphia, Arkansas | Public | hsu.edu |
| New England College (NEC) |
Bachelor's
Master's
|
16 | Henniker, New Hampshire | Private | nec.edu |
| West Virginia University (WVU) |
Bachelor's
Master's
|
16 | Morgantown, West Virginia | Public | wvu.edu |
| Johnson & Wales University (JWU) |
Bachelor's
|
16 | Providence, Rhode Island | Private | online.jwu.edu |
| Michigan State University (MSU) |
Bachelor's
|
15 | East Lansing, Michigan | Public | msu.edu |
| SUNY Brockport |
Bachelor's
|
15 | Brockport, New York | Public | brockport.edu |
| University of Arkansas (U of A) |
Master's
|
14 | Fayetteville, Arkansas | Public | uark.edu |
| Colorado Mesa University (CMU) |
Bachelor's
|
14 | Grand Junction, Colorado | Public | coloradomesa.edu |
| Chowan University |
Bachelor's
|
13 | Murfreesboro, North Carolina | Private | chowan.edu |
| George Mason University |
Bachelor's
|
13 | Fairfax, Virginia | Public | www2.gmu.edu |
| University of Northern Colorado (UNCO) |
Bachelor's
|
12 | Greeley, Colorado | Public | unco.edu |
| Missouri Western State University (MWSU) |
Bachelor's
|
12 | Saint Joseph, Missouri | Public | missouriwestern.edu |
| Herkimer County Community College |
Associate's
|
12 | Herkimer, New York | Public | herkimer.edu |
| St. Joseph's University (SJNY) |
Bachelor's
|
12 | Brooklyn, New York | Private | sjny.edu |
| Lees-McRae College |
Bachelor's
|
12 | Banner Elk, North Carolina | Private | lmc.edu |
| University of North Carolina at Greensboro (UNCG) |
Master's
|
12 | Greensboro, North Carolina | Public | uncg.edu |
| Mt San Antonio College (Mt. SAC) |
Associate's
Other Award
|
11 | Walnut, California | Public | mtsac.edu |
| Southwestern Oklahoma State University (SWOSU) |
Bachelor's
|
11 | Weatherford, Oklahoma | Public | swosu.edu |
| Kean University |
Bachelor's
|
10 | Union, New Jersey | Public | kean.edu |
| Pennsylvania State University |
Bachelor's
|
10 | University Park, Pennsylvania | Public | worldcampus.psu.edu |
| Trinity Christian College |
Bachelor's
|
9 | Palos Heights, Illinois | Private | trnty.edu |
| North Carolina Central University (NCCU) |
Bachelor's
|
9 | Durham, North Carolina | Public | nccu.edu |
| Arkansas Tech University (ATU) |
Bachelor's
|
8 | Russellville, Arkansas | Public | atu.edu |
| Santa Rosa Junior College (SRJC) |
Associate's
Other Award
|
8 | Santa Rosa, California | Public | santarosa.edu |
| University of St Francis (USF) |
Bachelor's
|
8 | Joliet, Illinois | Private | stfrancis.edu |
| University of Maine (UMaine) |
Bachelor's
|
8 | Orono, Maine | Public | umaine.edu |
| Morris College |
Bachelor's
|
8 | Sumter, South Carolina | Private | morris.edu |
| Reedley College |
Other Award
|
7 | Reedley, California | Public | reedleycollege.edu |
| Aurora University |
Bachelor's
|
7 | Aurora, Illinois | Private | aurora.edu |
| Saint Cloud State University (SCSU) |
Bachelor's
|
7 | Saint Cloud, Minnesota | Public | stcloudstate.edu |
| Central Methodist University-College of Liberal Arts and Sciences (CMU) |
Bachelor's
|
7 | Fayette, Missouri | Private | centralmethodist.edu |
| Stephen F Austin State University (SFASU) |
Master's
|
7 | Nacogdoches, Texas | Public | sfasu.edu |
| Marshall University |
Bachelor's
|
7 | Huntington, West Virginia | Public | marshall.edu |
| Johnson & Wales University (JWU) |
Bachelor's
|
7 | Charlotte, North Carolina | Private | jwu.edu |
| Commonwealth University of Pennsylvania (CU) |
Bachelor's
|
7 | Bloomsburg, Pennsylvania | Public | commonwealthu.edu |
| Alabama State University (ASU) |
Bachelor's
|
6 | Montgomery, Alabama | Public | alasu.edu |
| Lindsey Wilson College (LWC) |
Bachelor's
|
6 | Columbia, Kentucky | Private | lindsey.edu |
| College of the Ozarks (C of O) |
Bachelor's
|
6 | Point Lookout, Missouri | Private | cofo.edu |
| Kent State University |
Bachelor's
|
6 | Kent, Ohio | Public | kent.edu |
| Mount Marty University (MMU) |
Bachelor's
|
6 | Yankton, South Dakota | Private | mountmarty.edu |
| Snow College |
Associate's
|
6 | Ephraim, Utah | Public | snow.edu |
| Germanna Community College (GCC) |
Other Award
|
6 | Locust Grove, Virginia | Public | germanna.edu |
| Indiana State University (ISU) |
Bachelor's
|
5 | Terre Haute, Indiana | Public | indstate.edu |
| Sullivan County Community College (SUNY Sullivan) |
Associate's
|
5 | Loch Sheldrake, New York | Public | sunysullivan.edu |
| Eastern Washington University (EWU) |
Bachelor's
|
5 | Cheney, Washington | Public | ewu.edu |
| Central Arizona College (CAC) |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Associate's
Other Award
|
4 | Coolidge, Arizona | Public | centralaz.edu |
| Scottsdale Community College (SCC) |
Associate's
|
4 | Scottsdale, Arizona | Public | scottsdalecc.edu |
| Cypress College |
Other Award
|
4 | Cypress, California | Public | cypresscollege.edu |
| Gogebic Community College (GCC) |
Associate's
|
4 | Ironwood, Michigan | Public | gogebic.edu |
| Hannibal-LaGrange University (HLGU) |
Bachelor's
|
4 | Hannibal, Missouri | Private | hlg.edu |
| Vermont State University (VTSU) |
Associate's
Bachelor's
|
4 | Randolph, Vermont | Public | vermontstate.edu |
| Tidewater Community College (TCC) |
Other Award
|
4 | Norfolk, Virginia | Public | tcc.edu |
| Davis & Elkins College (D&E) |
Bachelor's
|
4 | Elkins, West Virginia | Private | dewv.edu |
| Northcentral Technical College (NTC) |
Associate's
|
4 | Wausau, Wisconsin | Public | ntc.edu |
| Central Wyoming College (CWC) |
Associate's
|
4 | Riverton, Wyoming | Public | cwc.edu |
| John Brown University (JBU) |
Master's
|
3 | Siloam Springs, Arkansas | Private | jbu.edu |
| Chicago State University (CSU) |
Bachelor's
|
3 | Chicago, Illinois | Public | csu.edu |
| Springfield College |
Bachelor's
|
3 | Springfield, Massachusetts | Private | springfield.edu |
| Lake Superior State University (LSSU) |
Bachelor's
|
3 | Sault Ste Marie, Michigan | Public | lssu.edu |
| North Country Community College (NCCC) |
Associate's
|
3 | Saranac Lake, New York | Public | nccc.edu |
| State University of New York |
Bachelor's
|
3 | Cortland, New York | Public | www2.cortland.edu |
| Wingate University |
Bachelor's
|
3 | Wingate, North Carolina | Private | wingate.edu |
| Oklahoma State University (OSU) |
Postbac Cert.
|
3 | Stillwater, Oklahoma | Public | okstate.edu |
| Oklahoma Baptist University (OBU) |
Bachelor's
|
3 | Shawnee, Oklahoma | Private | okbu.edu |
| East Stroudsburg University of Pennsylvania (ESU) |
Bachelor's
|
3 | East Stroudsburg, Pennsylvania | Public | esu.edu |
Frequently Asked Questions
Find answers to the most common questions about Parks and Recreation Management programs
How much can I earn with a Parks and Recreation Management degree?
Salaries for Parks and Recreation Management graduates vary by role and location. Facilities Managers earn a median of $104,690 annually, while General and Operations Managers earn around $102,950. Geographic location significantly impacts earnings—professionals in Delaware average $133,220 compared to $73,370 in Arkansas. Approximately 3,762,210 professionals work in related occupations nationwide.
Salary data from U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS program, May 2024. Earnings vary by experience, employer, and market conditions.
Which universities have the largest Parks and Recreation Management programs?
Currently 122 accredited institutions offer Parks and Recreation Management degrees across the U.S. Programs with the highest enrollment include Clemson University (143 graduates), University of Florida (UF) (97 graduates), and Pennsylvania State University, Main Campus (86 graduates).
Program size doesn't necessarily indicate quality—consider factors like faculty expertise, production opportunities, location, and available degree levels when choosing a school.
Data based on IPEDS program completions for 2023-2024 academic year. Numbers reflect programs where students graduated.
Is enrollment in Parks and Recreation Management growing or declining?
Graduate numbers have decreased over the past decade, rising from 3,471 in 2010 to a peak of 3,432 in 2020, before declining slightly to 2,129 in 2023-24. This represents a 39% decrease overall from 2010.
The field remains specialized with consistent demand, though opportunities are most concentrated in major metropolitan areas with active arts scenes like New York, California, and Illinois.
Graduate enrollment data from IPEDS, 2010-2024 academic years. Trends reflect reported completions at participating institutions.
What career paths are available with a Parks and Recreation Management degree?
This degree prepares you for roles such as Facilities Managers, General and Operations Managers, and Entertainment and Recreation Managers, Except Gambling. Related occupations employ approximately 3,762,210 professionals nationwide.
Skills in project management, creative leadership, and collaboration also transfer to event planning, arts administration, marketing, and corporate training roles. Many professionals work freelance or on a project basis across theatre, film, and live events.
Career pathways mapped using CIP-SOC crosswalk from the National Center for Education Statistics. Employment data from BLS OEWS May 2024.
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