Recreation, Sport and Tourism

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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

91% employed or continuing education

36% employed after graduation

55% attending graduate school

$39,875 average starting annual income

Sample employer destinations: Echo Global Logistics (2), Busey Bank (2), Chestnut Mountain Resort (1) View All

Sample grad school destinations: University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, University of Illinois Chicago, Washington University in St. Louis 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 Handbook

Graduation & Retention²

4.0 years to degree

86% first-year retention rate

76% four-year graduation rate

88% six-year graduation rate

Annual Program Costs³

Illinois Resident

Tuition: $13,252
Fees: $5,182
Expenses: $19,558
Total: $37,992

Non-Resident

Tuition: $35,928
Fees: $5,182
Expenses:$19,898
Total: $61,008

International

Tuition: $36,970
Fees: $5,182
Expenses: $19,898
Total: $62,050

Related Majors

Management - BUS

Marketing - BUS

Natural Resources and Environmental Sciences - ACES

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.