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Recreation, Sport and Tourism

College of Applied Health Sciences

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What is Recreation, Sport and Tourism?

In this major, you’ll learn how to design, manage, and evaluate a variety of recreation, sport and tourism activities and services to diverse populations. You'll receive a broad general education and take courses in management, special events, and marketing to prepare you for a professional career. You’ll choose from one of three concentrations:

  • Recreation Management
  • Sport Management
  • Tourism Management

Recreation Management prepares you for leadership and administrative roles in public, nonprofit, and commercial recreational organizations. It focuses on knowledge and skills essential for developing and delivering recreation programs and services in many contexts (including youth development, health promotion, and outdoor recreation) at the local, state, and national levels.

Sport Management encompasses the governance, administration, and marketing of spectator, entertainment, and participatory sports (youth and amateur), and accompanying industries (e.g., multimedia, sport manufacturer and retail, and facilities).

Tourism management is one of the world’s largest industries. It covers the design and implementation of the travel experience. This includes the impact of attractions, events, environment, and technology in its development.

Career Options

  • Collegiate & scholastic athletic administration
  • Commercial recreation
  • Community recreation
  • Cultural arts administration
  • Destination marketing
  • Destination sales & promotion
  • Hospitality & event planning
  • Nonprofit & community sport
  • Olympic & international sport
  • Park management
  • Professional sport
  • Recreation program supervision
  • Resort development & management
  • Sport facility & event management
  • Sport governance
  • Sport marketing
  • Sport sales & promotion
  • Tourism development & planning

Post-Graduation Success1

89% employed or continuing education

72% employed after graduation

17% attending graduate school

$37,034 average starting annual income

Sample employer destinations: University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign Division of Intercollegiate Athletics, University of Illinois Football, The Walt Disney Company View All

Sample grad school destinations: University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, University of Michigan, Arizona State University View All

Program Resources

College of Applied Health Sciences Program Webpage Degree Requirements

Review Criteria

First-Year Major-Specific Criteria

  • Demonstrated understanding of the major and career options
  • Commitment to activities, employment, or community involvement and/or leadership experiences

View All Review Criteria

Transfer Criteria

Transfer Guide

Graduation & Retention2

4.1 years to degree

92% first-year retention rate

64% four-year graduation rate

89% six-year graduation rate

Annual Program Costs3

Illinois Resident

  • Tuition: $12,712
  • Fees: $4,928
  • Expenses: $18,222
  • Total: $35,862

Non-Resident

  • Tuition: $31,832
  • Fees: $4,928
  • Expenses:$18,562
  • Total: $55,322

International

  • Tuition: $32,780
  • Fees: $4,928
  • Expenses: $18,562
  • Total: $56,270

Related Majors

1 Post-graduate data was collected through the Illini Success initiative, which primarily relies on self-reported survey data sources. Statistics are aggregated from the past three years. Please note that total compensation may be greater than annual salary as other forms of compensation (e.g., signing bonus, commission, benefits) are not included. For more information on Illini Success data and methods, please visit the Illini Success website. For average wage or salary information five years after entry into an occupation, visit the Post-Secondary Employment Outcomes Explorer.

2 Graduation and retention data comes from several majors within a similar interest area. Data may not yet be available for newly created programs. Years-to-degree data is only available for programs from which you can earn a degree. Retention and graduation rates are only available for programs that you can apply directly into. Retention rates reflect retention to the university, not necessarily retention within the major.

3 "Expenses" are estimated and include books, supplies, housing, and other living expenses. The exact amount you’ll pay depends on where you decide to live, the meal plan you choose, and your overall lifestyle. To learn more about costs, please visit the Office of Student Financial Aid website. To learn the average monthly student loan payment over a period of 20 years based on estimated cost, visit the Illinois College2Career website.

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