Theology

About Theology

Wondering whether Theology is worth studying? What matters is what graduates actually earn, where they end up working, and which colleges produce the most of them. Most graduates end up in this field, so it is worth knowing what Law Teachers earn and how the role is projected to grow.

Divinity, ministry, and religious studies. For those pursuing clergy, chaplaincy, faith-based nonprofit leadership, and academic careers studying religion and culture. Four years after finishing the degree, graduates in this field earn a national median of $44,533, per College Scorecard. You can study it at 621 colleges and universities across the country, so location is rarely the limiting factor. About 26,672 students complete a degree in this area every 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?

Is the Investment Worth It?

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.

How Much Do Theology Majors Earn?

Pay for Theology graduates climbs fast in the first few years out. The median start is $32,351 one year after graduation, rising to $44,533 by year four, so the early salary is not the ceiling. Source: College Scorecard, across all 621 US institutions offering programs in this field.

What Can You Do With a Theology Degree?

Career Paths for Theology Graduates

Studying Theology does not lock you into one job title. It opens 5 occupations tracked by the Bureau of Labor Statistics, from entry-level roles to senior ones, and Law Teachers pays the most among them at a median $128,500 a year. Each row below adds national wages, employment levels, and the 10-year growth outlook so you can weigh the rest.

Another common path leads to what Philosophy and Religion Teachers typically earn and how the field is trending.

Theology Specializations

Theology spans 8 specializations, and the choice among them will not swing your paycheck much: four-year earnings run from $40,103 to $44,535 across the whole group. Each row links to a full program profile with institution counts and annual completion data. Source: College Scorecard.

The highest-paying specialization is the cost and outcomes for a Theology program, which is worth a closer look before settling on the broader field.

Best Colleges for Theology

These are the 20 colleges that graduate the most students in Theology, ranked by how many completed the degree in the most recent reporting year, not by selectivity or prestige. Acceptance rate, net price, earnings, and graduation rate for each one come from College Scorecard and IPEDS.

By that measure, the list starts with the cost and admissions data for Liberty University.

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

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.

Theology Degree: Pros & Cons

Weigh the financial trade-offs in Theology carefully before committing to it. The 1 strengths and 2 concerns below come from College Scorecard earnings, BLS job growth data, and IPEDS completion counts, so you can see exactly what is driving the caution.

Theology Degree: Frequently Asked Questions