HUMANITIES
+1.8%Liberal Arts
A broad foundation across writing, history, social science, and the arts — a flexible entry point into graduate school, business, or public service.
HUMANITIES
Theology
Salary data, career paths, top colleges, and every specialization, all sourced from College Scorecard, IPEDS, and the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
About Theology
Divinity, ministry, and religious studies — for those pursuing clergy, chaplaincy, faith-based nonprofit leadership, and academic careers studying religion and culture. Graduates earn a national median of $44,533 four years after completing their degree, per College Scorecard data. The field is offered at 621 colleges and universities across the United States. Approximately 26,672 students complete degrees in this area each year.
- Median Earnings · 1yr
- $32,351
- Median Earnings · 4yr
- $44,533
- Colleges Offering
- 621
- Graduates / Year
- 26,672
- Specializations
- 8
- Avg Net Price / yr
- $23,106
Is a Theology Degree Right for You?
$44,533
Median earnings · 4yr
+2.2%
10yr job growth
8
Specializations
Is the Investment Worth It?
Breaks even in
~6.4
yrs
vs $30K/yr baseline wage
At median 4-year earnings of $44,533 and an estimated $92,424 four-year net cost, earnings breakeven against a baseline wage takes approximately 6.4 years. Compare your specific program carefully.
ROI varies significantly by specialization and institution. A top program in a high-demand specialization can return many multiples of its cost. A lower-tier program in a saturated field may take a decade to break even. Use the Specializations and Best Colleges sections above to compare your specific options before deciding.
How Much Do Theology Majors Earn?
Theology graduates start at a median $32,351 one year out and reach $44,533 four years later. Both figures are national medians from College Scorecard, measured across all 621 US institutions offering programs in this field.
$32,351
1 Year After Graduation
Median at the institutional level. Entry-level salaries; reflects career start, not peak earnings.
$44,533
4-Year National Median
Enrollment-weighted national median across all institutions. Most graduates have 2-3 years of career experience at this point.
$44,925
4-Year Institutional Median
Median of per-school medians. Each reporting college counts equally, regardless of size. Closer to what a typical school's graduates earn.
Earnings Range Across Specializations
Not all Theology specializations pay the same. The most lucrative programs pay $44,535/yr nationally, while the lowest-earning specializations average $40,103/yr. See the Specializations section below for a program-by-program breakdown.
$40,103
Lowest
$44,533
Median
$44,535
Highest
What Can You Do With a Theology Degree?
Career Paths for Theology Graduates
Theology connects to 5 occupations tracked by the Bureau of Labor Statistics, spanning entry-level and senior roles. Law Teachers leads in median earnings at $128,500/yr. Each row includes national wages, employment levels, and 10-year growth projections.
Law Teachers
Doctoral or professional degree
$128,500
↗ +2.2% growth
Philosophy and Religion Teachers
Doctoral or professional degree
$80,260
↗ +0.7% growth
Music Director & Composer
Bachelor's degree
$73,710
↘ -0.3% growth
Clergy
Bachelor's degree
$60,810
↗ +1.0% growth
Directors
Bachelor's degree
$52,100
↗ +2.1% growth
Theology Specializations
Theology spans 8 specializations with relatively consistent earnings, from $40,103 to $44,535 at the four-year mark, per College Scorecard. Each row links to a full program profile with institution counts and annual completion data.
Specialization
Colleges
Grads/yr
Earnings · 4yr
Best Colleges for Theology
The 20 colleges below are ranked by Theology graduate volume, how many students completed this degree in the last reporting year. All data points shown (acceptance rate, net price, earnings, grad rate) come from College Scorecard and IPEDS.
1
Liberty University
Lynchburg, VA · Nonprofit
Acceptance
99%
Net price/yr
$29,357
Earnings 10yr
$44,813
Grad rate
34%
2
Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary
Kansas City, MO · Nonprofit
Acceptance
96.4%
Net price/yr
$23,006
Earnings 10yr
$50,535
Grad rate
59%
3
Moody Bible Institute
Chicago, IL · Nonprofit
Acceptance
82.7%
Net price/yr
$22,221
Earnings 10yr
$45,399
Grad rate
55%
4
Southeastern University
Lakeland, FL · Nonprofit
Acceptance
53%
Net price/yr
$31,942
Earnings 10yr
$46,744
Grad rate
38%
5
Grand Canyon University
Phoenix, AZ · Nonprofit
Acceptance
78.9%
Net price/yr
$22,472
Earnings 10yr
$42,186
Grad rate
42%
6
Word of Life Bible Institute
Pottersville, NY · Nonprofit
Acceptance
Open
Net price/yr
$14,516
Earnings 10yr
$36,173
Grad rate
34%
7
Regent University
Virginia Beach, VA · Nonprofit
Acceptance
38.1%
Net price/yr
$19,923
Earnings 10yr
$44,498
Grad rate
47%
8
Franciscan University of Steubenville
Steubenville, OH · Nonprofit
Acceptance
58.4%
Net price/yr
$23,589
Earnings 10yr
$50,030
Grad rate
73%
9
The Master's University and Seminary
Santa Clarita, CA · Nonprofit
Acceptance
84%
Net price/yr
$32,647
Earnings 10yr
$57,106
Grad rate
59%
10
Lancaster Bible College
Lancaster, PA · Nonprofit
Acceptance
55.9%
Net price/yr
$25,480
Earnings 10yr
$44,096
Grad rate
48%
11
University of Northwestern-St Paul
Saint Paul, MN · Nonprofit
Acceptance
93.5%
Net price/yr
$27,705
Earnings 10yr
$50,755
Grad rate
65%
12
Johnson University
Knoxville, TN · Nonprofit
Acceptance
65.1%
Net price/yr
$22,063
Earnings 10yr
$40,596
Grad rate
30%
13
Columbia International University
Columbia, SC · Nonprofit
Acceptance
94.5%
Net price/yr
$26,036
Earnings 10yr
$38,951
Grad rate
56%
14
Biola University
La Mirada, CA · Nonprofit
Acceptance
74.4%
Net price/yr
$31,495
Earnings 10yr
$56,778
Grad rate
71%
15
Duke University
Durham, NC · Nonprofit
Acceptance
5.7%
Net price/yr
$29,612
Earnings 10yr
$97,800
Grad rate
94%
16
University of Providence
Great Falls, MT · Nonprofit
Acceptance
50.3%
Net price/yr
$17,649
Earnings 10yr
$48,296
Grad rate
36%
17
Nelson University
Waxahachie, TX · Nonprofit
Acceptance
89%
Net price/yr
$21,662
Earnings 10yr
$46,238
Grad rate
39%
18
Oral Roberts University
Tulsa, OK · Nonprofit
Acceptance
98.9%
Net price/yr
$25,365
Earnings 10yr
$46,885
Grad rate
51%
19
Andrews University
Berrien Springs, MI · Nonprofit
Acceptance
81.9%
Net price/yr
$12,547
Earnings 10yr
$53,187
Grad rate
57%
20
Trinity International University-Illinois
Deerfield, IL · Nonprofit
Acceptance
100%
Net price/yr
$2,835
Earnings 10yr
$46,989
Grad rate
44%
Ranked by number of Theology graduates per IPEDS completion data. Acceptance rate, net price, earnings, and graduation rate from College Scorecard. Read our methodology →
How Theology Compares to Similar Majors
Major
$30k
$40k
$50k
$60k
$70k
$80k
$90k
$100k
Plan Your Path
Decide with data, not guesswork. These tools turn the numbers on this page into a personal plan. Estimate the real cost of a Theology degree, compare colleges side-by-side, weigh the long-term payoff, and find programs that match your profile.
College ROI Calculator
See if a Theology degree pays off. Weighs each college's cost against the earnings its graduates actually see.
College Cost Calculator
Enter a budget and see the colleges whose net price fits, with the out-of-pocket cost and likely loan load for each.
Compare Colleges
Put any 2–4 colleges side-by-side. Admissions, cost, outcomes, and earnings, all on one screen, no tab-hopping.
College Match Quiz
Answer six quick questions and see your best-fit colleges ranked by budget, field of study, and what matters most to you.
Theology Degree: Pros & Cons
Theology carries financial trade-offs that prospective students should weigh carefully before committing. The 1 strengths and 3 concerns below are drawn from College Scorecard earnings, BLS job growth data, and IPEDS completion counts.
PROS
- Wide availability Offered at 621 colleges nationwide, including community colleges and online programs.
CONS
- Below-average earnings Four-year median of $44,533 falls below the national median for bachelor's degree holders, limiting near-term financial returns.
- Declining roles in some areas 1 related career within this field show negative 10-year employment projections per BLS. Research specific roles carefully before committing.
- Long earnings breakeven At median salary and average net price, recovering education costs versus a baseline wage takes roughly 6.4 years. Compare program costs carefully.
Theology Degree: Frequently Asked Questions
How much do Theology graduates earn?
Theology graduates earn a national median of $44,533 four years after completing their degree, per College Scorecard data. Earnings vary significantly by specialization, institution, and region. Use the specializations table on this page to compare programs.
What is the starting salary for a Theology degree?
The median earnings one year after graduation for Theology degree holders is $32,351 at the institutional level, per College Scorecard. Starting salaries vary by employer, location, and specific specialization within the field.
What jobs can you get with a Theology degree?
Theology degree holders work in a range of careers. Law Teachers is one of the top roles by median wage ($128,500/yr nationally per BLS data). See the Career Paths section on this page for a full breakdown of related occupations, employment levels, and 10-year growth projections.
How many colleges offer Theology?
621 colleges and universities in the United States offer programs in Theology, per IPEDS data. Options range from community colleges offering associate degrees to research universities with doctoral programs. The Best Colleges section on this page ranks the top institutions by graduation volume.
Is a Theology degree worth it?
At a median 4-year earnings of $44,533 and an average net price of roughly $23,106/yr across institutions offering this major, a Theology degree can deliver strong returns, particularly in high-earning specializations. The ROI depends heavily on which institution and specialization you choose.
How long does it take to earn a Theology degree?
A bachelor's degree in Theology typically takes four years of full-time study. Community colleges offer associate programs in two years. Online and part-time options can adjust these timelines based on your schedule and transfer credits.
What skills do employers look for in Theology graduates?
Employers hiring Theology graduates consistently prioritize writing, critical analysis, research, and cross-cultural communication. Employers value the ability to synthesize complex information and communicate clearly, skills that transfer into communications, law, consulting, and content roles.
What is the 10-year job outlook for Theology graduates?
Based on BLS projections, the job outlook for Theology graduates is steady but slow, with an average of +1.1% projected growth across related occupations. Law Teachers is among the strongest-growth roles at +2.2%. Demand will vary by specialization, employer sector, and geographic region.
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- Engineering tech
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- Program earnings
- Applied degree
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-
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- STEM earnings
- Engineering pay
- Computer science
- Program earnings
- Major choice
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