Religious Education graduates earn $43,633 four years out. The middle 50% of earners fall between $28,064 and $57,392. Where you land depends on specialization, employer, and how far you advance in the field.
Religious Education is a focused area of study within Theology. Graduates typically earn around $43,633 four years out, a modest return for a focused credential. The program is available at 135 colleges across the U.S., from community colleges to research universities. About 1,185 students complete this program each year, most earning a bachelor's. The focus is on writing, analysis, and communication that transfer across industries.
Median Earnings · 1yr
$32,351
Median Earnings · 4yr
$43,633
Colleges Offering
135
Graduates / Year
1,185
Avg Net Price / yr
$22,239
How Much Do Religious Education Graduates Earn?
Religious Education graduates earn $43,633 four years out, significantly below average for bachelor's degree holders. The middle 50% of earners fall between $28,064 and $57,392.
$32,351
1 Year After Graduation
Earnings grow steadily as you advance past entry-level roles. The four-year figure is a better long-term target.
$43,633
4-Year National Median
Significantly below average. Graduate credentials or high-demand roles can raise this considerably.
$43,885
4-Year Institutional Median
Median of per-school medians. Each reporting college counts equally, regardless of size.
Earnings Range
There is a moderate earnings spread across Religious Education graduates. Career path divergence explains most of the range. Law, consulting, and tech-adjacent roles pull the top end up; writing, education, and nonprofit roles tend to sit near the bottom.
$28,06425th pct.
$43,633Median
$57,39275th pct.
Is the Cost Worth It?
At median 4-year earnings of $43,633 and an estimated $88,956 four-year net cost, earnings breakeven against a baseline wage takes approximately 6.5 years. Compare specific programs before committing to a high-cost option.
Based on outcomes from 99 schools.
Colleges with fewer than 30 graduates are excluded from national averages.
Who Studies This? Credential Breakdown
Of the 1,185 students who complete Religious Education programs each year, the majority (51%) earn a bachelor's degree.
The breakdown below shows the full credential distribution.
51%36%
Bachelor's51%
Master's36%
Doctorate8%
What Can You Do With a Religious Education Degree?
Religious Education connects to 2 occupations in the job market. Philosophy and Religion Teachers leads at $80,260/yr median. Expand any card to see daily responsibilities, in-demand skills, and 10-year growth projections.
Teach courses in philosophy, religion, and theology. Includes both teachers primarily engaged in teaching and those who do a combination of teaching and research.
Evaluate and grade students' class work, assignments, and papers.
Initiate, facilitate, and moderate classroom discussions.
Prepare and deliver lectures to undergraduate or graduate students and the community on topics such as ethics, logic, and contemporary religious thought.
Coordinate or design programs and conduct outreach to promote the religious education or activities of a denominational group. May provide counseling, guidance, and leadership relative to marital, health, financial, and religious problems.
Develop or direct study courses or religious education programs within congregations.
Identify and recruit potential volunteer workers.
Select appropriate curricula or class structures for educational programs.
Top Colleges for Religious Education
The 20 colleges below are ranked by how many Religious Education students they graduate each year. Scroll right to compare acceptance rate, net price, and median earnings side by side.
Decide with data, not guesswork. These tools turn the numbers on this page
into a personal plan. Estimate the real cost of a Religious Education program, compare colleges side-by-side, weigh the long-term payoff, and find
schools that match your profile.
Religious Education carries financial trade-offs prospective students should weigh carefully. The 2 strengths and 4 concerns below are drawn from College Scorecard earnings, BLS job growth data, and IPEDS completion counts.
PROS
Strong salary growthMedian earnings climb from $32,351 at graduation to $43,633 four years later, a clear sign of career momentum in this field.
Strong hiring volumeRelated occupations generate more than 15,800 job openings per year combined, creating consistent demand for graduates.
CONS
Below-average earningsFour-year median of $43,633 falls below the national median for bachelor's degree holders.
Advanced degree often expectedTop roles in this field typically expect a master's degree or higher. A bachelor's may be a starting point rather than a terminal credential for the most competitive positions.
Slow job growthTop related careers project less than 3% growth over the next decade; limited expansion means more competition for new openings.
Long earnings breakevenAt median salary and average net price, recovering education costs versus a baseline wage takes roughly 6.5 years.
Religious Education Degree: Frequently Asked Questions
How much do Religious Education graduates earn?
Religious Education graduates earn a national median of $43,633 four years after completing their program. The middle 50% of earners fall between $28,064 and $57,392. Where you land typically depends on employer, role, and location.
What is the starting salary for a Religious Education degree?
One year after graduation, Religious Education degree holders earn a median of $32,351. That climbs to $43,633 four years out. The biggest salary jumps typically come once you move past entry-level roles.
What jobs can you get with a Religious Education degree?
Religious Education degree holders pursue careers including Philosophy and Religion Teachers, which pays a median of $80,260/yr. Scroll down to the Career Paths section to see wages and job growth projections for every related occupation.
How long does a Religious Education program take?
A Religious Education bachelor's degree typically takes four years of full-time study. Community colleges offer associate programs in two years for students who want a faster path into the workforce.
How many colleges offer Religious Education?
135 colleges and universities in the United States offer Religious Education programs. Options range from community colleges with certificates and associate degrees to research universities with doctoral tracks.
Is a Religious Education degree worth it?
With a median 4-year salary of $43,633 and an average net price of roughly $22,239/yr, a Religious Education degree can pay off well, especially at lower-cost schools and in high-demand roles. Use the Top Colleges section below to compare specific programs before deciding.
What is the difference between Religious Education and Theology?
Religious Education is a focused concentration within the broader Theology field. The Theology major covers the full discipline; this program narrows the curriculum to Religious Education-specific courses, skills, and career tracks. If you already know this is the direction you want, the specialized program gives you a more targeted credential.
What skills do employers look for in Religious Education graduates?
Employers hiring Religious Education graduates consistently prioritize writing, critical analysis, and cross-cultural communication. Employers value the ability to synthesize complex information clearly, skills that transfer into communications, law, consulting, and content roles.
What is the job outlook for Religious Education graduates?
The job outlook for Religious Education graduates is slow overall. Related occupations project an average of +1.4% job growth over the next 10 years. Directors is among the strongest-growth roles at +2.1%. Growth varies by role and location, so check the Career Paths section for projections on each specific occupation.
Related Theology Programs
Other programs in Theology. Compare earnings, credentials, and career paths before committing to a specialization.
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