Leisure and Recreational Activities: is this bachelor's degree worth it?
National picture across 4 reporting college programs.
−$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.
At these assumptions, the estimated earnings premium does not recover the modeled economic investment within ten years.
Observed national outcomes
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.
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.
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
Official CIP–SOC links add career context without claiming that every graduate enters the same job.
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.