Leisure and Recreational Activities: is this bachelor's degree worth it?
National picture across 4 reporting college programs.
10-year estimate · Negative payoff
−$293,352 over 10 years
National scenario across reporting bachelor's degree programs, using median year-4 earnings, their institutions’ average net prices and a typical 4-year duration.
With these assumptions, the added earnings do not recover the cost within ten years.
—Modeled economic break-even
−110%Modeled 10-year ROI
$42,292Observed earnings · year 4
Not reachedMaximum annual price for positive 10-year payoff
Observed national outcomes
$42,292Median reported earnings · year 4
$46,760Average reported earnings · year 5
$26,000Median federal debt
7thYear-4 earnings percentile at this credential
Not availableIPEDS 2023–24 first-major awards across matched colleges
3With year-4 earnings
The award total covers 0 matched college records and is not extrapolated to colleges without a match.
The same field can produce a different equation.
Keep the federal field fixed and compare observed outcomes at every reportable credential level. These are separate graduate cohorts—not a promise that more schooling causes the difference.
OPEN PROFILE
Undergraduate Certificate or Diploma
- Year-4 earnings
- Not available
- Federal debt
- $23,158
- Reporting programs
- 1
Bachelor's Degree
- Year-4 earnings
- $42,292
- Federal debt
- $26,000
- Reporting programs
- 4
Non-Credential Program (Preparatory Coursework/Teacher Certification)
- Year-4 earnings
- $46,155
- Federal debt
- Not available
- Reporting programs
- 1
Where the middle half of programs lands
Year‑4 earnings differ by college. This band shows the 25th percentile, national median and 75th percentile among reporting programs.
Median
25th percentile$39,609National median$42,29275th percentile$42,292
3 programs report year‑4 earnings.DECISION CHECK
What to compare before choosing a program
The national result is only the starting point. Price, debt and the college-level earnings spread can materially change the payoff.
Put the same degree side by side.
Start with the leading reportable programs, then change the selection to match your shortlist.
Compare 3 programs →Choose colleges offering this exact degree
Narrow one field and credential by location, sector and debt, then compare two to four programs side by side.
4 matchesSelect up to four · showing 25 currently operating colleges
Open the full program search →
See the spread, not just the national number.
1Fitchburg State University$54,8132SUNY at Fredonia$42,2923Western Connecticut State University$39,6094Drexel UniversityNot availableObserved year-4 earnings · top displayed records are not a universal ranking
Related occupations, wages and demand
Official CIP–SOC links show where this field can lead. They do not imply that every graduate enters the same occupation.
NO MATCHUnreported U.S. jobs · SOC 99-9999
BLS May 2025 wages and 2025–35 employment projections. Career context is separate from graduate outcomes.
Same degree, different outcomes
Compare reported outcomes using the same federal field and credential. ROI uses each institution’s average net price as a scenario—not an individual aid offer.
| # | College | Location | Earnings, year 4 | Federal debt | 10-year ROI | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Fitchburg State UniversityBachelor's Degree | Fitchburg, MA | $54,813 | Not available | -59% | Negative payoff |
| 2 | SUNY at FredoniaBachelor's Degree | Fredonia, NY | $42,292 | $24,500 | -111% | Negative payoff |
| 3 | Western Connecticut State UniversityBachelor's Degree | Danbury, CT | $39,609 | $26,000 | -122% | Negative payoff |
| 4 | Drexel UniversityBachelor's Degree | Philadelphia, PA | Not available | $27,000 | WithheldPrice-proxy sensitive | $38,509 |
This page keeps the field and credential level fixed. Federal categories can still combine multiple catalog programs or concentrations. Automated ROI is limited to associate and bachelor’s degrees because institution-wide annual net price is not a reliable proxy for short certificate prices. ROI is an illustrative scenario, not a federal determination.