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Religious Music and Worship

HUMANITIES Specialization

Religious Music and Worship

Religious Music and Worship graduates earn $41,456 four years out. The middle 50% of earners fall between $26,674 and $54,490. Where you land depends on specialization, employer, and how far you advance in the field.

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About Religious Music and Worship

Religious Music and Worship is a focused area of study within Theology. Graduates typically earn around $41,456 four years out, a modest return for a focused credential. The program is available at 162 colleges across the U.S., from community colleges to research universities. About 511 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: $30,092
Median Earnings · 4yr: $41,456
Colleges Offering: 162
Graduates / Year: 511
Avg Net Price / yr: $25,877

How Much Do Religious Music and Worship Graduates Earn?

Religious Music and Worship graduates earn $41,456 four years out, significantly below average for bachelor's degree holders. The middle 50% of earners fall between $26,674 and $54,490. Earnings typically jump significantly in the first few years. The one-year figure of $30,092 climbs to $41,456 by year four.

$30,092

1 Year After Graduation

Earnings grow steadily as you advance past entry-level roles. The four-year figure is a better long-term target.

$41,456

4-Year National Median

Significantly below average. Graduate credentials or high-demand roles can raise this considerably.

$45,579

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 Music and Worship 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.

$26,674 25th pct.

$41,456 Median

$54,490 75th pct.

Is the Cost Worth It?

At median 4-year earnings of $41,456 and an estimated $103,508 four-year net cost, earnings breakeven against a baseline wage takes approximately 9.0 years. Compare specific programs before committing to a high-cost option.

Based on outcomes from 139 schools. Colleges with fewer than 30 graduates are excluded from national averages.

Who Studies This? Credential Breakdown

Of the 511 students who complete Religious Music and Worship programs each year, the majority (59%) earn a bachelor's degree. The breakdown below shows the full credential distribution.

59% 26%

Bachelor's 59%

Master's 26%

Doctorate 6%

What Can You Do With a Religious Music and Worship Degree?

Religious Music and Worship connects to 3 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.

↗ +0.7% Zone 5: Extensive preparation

Philosophy and Religion Teachers

$80,260

$63K $105K 25th–75th pct.

Doctoral or professional degree 2,000 openings/yr 20K employed nationally

Reading Comprehension Instructing Speaking Active Listening Critical Thinking

Day-to-day responsibilities

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.

↘ -0.3% Zone 4: Considerable preparation

Music Director & Composer

$73,710

$53K $104K 25th–75th pct.

Bachelor's degree 4,300 openings/yr 13K employed nationally

Active Listening Speaking Judgment and Decision Making Critical Thinking Reading Comprehension

Day-to-day responsibilities

Conduct, direct, plan, and lead instrumental or vocal performances by musical artists or groups, such as orchestras, bands, choirs, and glee clubs; or create original works of music.

Use gestures to shape the music being played, communicating desired tempo, phrasing, tone, color, pitch, volume, and other performance aspects.
Direct groups at rehearsals and live or recorded performances to achieve desired effects such as tonal and harmonic balance dynamics, rhythm, and tempo.
Study scores to learn the music in detail, and to develop interpretations.

↗ +2.1% Zone 4: Considerable preparation

Directors

$52,100

$44K $74K 25th–75th pct.

Bachelor's degree 13,800 openings/yr 22K employed nationally

Speaking Social Perceptiveness Active Listening Reading Comprehension Critical Thinking

Day-to-day responsibilities

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 Music and Worship

The 20 colleges below are ranked by how many Religious Music and Worship students they graduate each year. Scroll right to compare acceptance rate, net price, and median earnings side by side.

#	College	Graduates	Acceptance	Net Price/yr	Earnings 10yr
1	Liberty University Lynchburg, VA · Nonprofit	113	99%	$29,357	$44,813
2	California Baptist University Riverside, CA · Nonprofit	21	84.9%	$26,285	$61,504
3	Southeastern University Lakeland, FL · Nonprofit	18	53%	$31,942	$46,744
4	Cedarville University Cedarville, OH · Nonprofit	14	65.3%	$24,468	$55,443
5	University of Notre Dame Notre Dame, IN · Nonprofit	13	11.3%	$26,780	$99,980
6	Lee University Cleveland, TN · Nonprofit	11	70.5%	$18,878	$43,222
7	Moody Bible Institute Chicago, IL · Nonprofit	10	82.7%	$22,221	$45,399
8	Biola University La Mirada, CA · Nonprofit	9	74.4%	$31,495	$56,778
9	University of Mobile Mobile, AL · Nonprofit	9	77.9%	$22,382	$43,611
10	Life Pacific University San Dimas, CA · Nonprofit	9	95.8%	$20,898	$43,299
11	Baylor University Waco, TX · Nonprofit	8	51.3%	$41,104	$65,793
12	Dallas Baptist University Dallas, TX · Nonprofit	8	88.8%	$28,516	$56,807
13	Hope International University Fullerton, CA · Nonprofit	8	33%	$29,310	$49,697
14	University of St Thomas Houston, TX · Nonprofit	7	89.9%	$19,359	$59,224
15	Greenville University Greenville, IL · Nonprofit	7	97.5%	$19,533	$46,827
16	Ozark Christian College Joplin, MO · Nonprofit	7	93.6%	$20,580	$41,297
17	The King's University Southlake, TX · Nonprofit	7	60.6%	$14,140	$41,471
18	Southern Methodist University Dallas, TX · Nonprofit	6	63.4%	$40,892	$78,354
19	Union University Jackson, TN · Nonprofit	6	60.4%	$27,171	$53,990
20	Truett McConnell University Cleveland, GA · Nonprofit	6	78.3%	$22,227	$46,700

View all colleges

Ranked by Religious Music and Worship graduate volume. Scroll right to compare key stats. Read our methodology →

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 Religious Music and Worship program, compare colleges side-by-side, weigh the long-term payoff, and find schools that match your profile.

College ROI Calculator

See if a Religious Music and Worship 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.

Religious Music and Worship Degree: Pros & Cons

Religious Music and Worship 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 growth Median earnings climb from $30,092 at graduation to $41,456 four years later, a clear sign of career momentum in this field.
Strong hiring volume Related occupations generate more than 20,100 job openings per year combined, creating consistent demand for graduates.

CONS

Below-average earnings Four-year median of $41,456 falls below the national median for bachelor's degree holders.
Advanced degree often expected Top 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.
Declining roles in some areas 1 related career show negative 10-year employment projections. Research specific roles before committing.
Long earnings breakeven At median salary and average net price, recovering education costs versus a baseline wage takes roughly 9.0 years.

Religious Music and Worship Degree: Frequently Asked Questions

How much do Religious Music and Worship graduates earn?

Religious Music and Worship graduates earn a national median of $41,456 four years after completing their program. The middle 50% of earners fall between $26,674 and $54,490. Where you land typically depends on employer, role, and location.

What is the starting salary for a Religious Music and Worship degree?

One year after graduation, Religious Music and Worship degree holders earn a median of $30,092. That climbs to $41,456 four years out. The biggest salary jumps typically come once you move past entry-level roles.

What jobs can you get with a Religious Music and Worship degree?

Religious Music and Worship 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 Music and Worship program take?

A Religious Music and Worship 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 Music and Worship?

162 colleges and universities in the United States offer Religious Music and Worship programs. Options range from community colleges with certificates and associate degrees to research universities with doctoral tracks.

Is a Religious Music and Worship degree worth it?

With a median 4-year salary of $41,456 and an average net price of roughly $25,877/yr, a Religious Music and Worship 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 Music and Worship and Theology?

Religious Music and Worship is a focused concentration within the broader Theology field. The Theology major covers the full discipline; this program narrows the curriculum to Religious Music and Worship-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 Music and Worship graduates?

Employers hiring Religious Music and Worship 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 Music and Worship graduates?

The job outlook for Religious Music and Worship graduates is slow overall. Related occupations project an average of +0.8% 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.