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Theology and Religious Vocations

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Theology and Religious Vocations

Theology and Religious Vocations graduates earn $43,566 four years out. The middle 50% of earners fall between $26,583 and $58,087. Where you land depends on specialization, employer, and how far you advance in the field.

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About Theology and Religious Vocations

Theology and Religious Vocations is a focused area of study within Theology. Graduates typically earn around $43,566 four years out, a modest return for a focused credential. The program is available at 115 colleges across the U.S., from community colleges to research universities. About 1,237 students complete this program each year, most earning a master's. The focus is on writing, analysis, and communication that transfer across industries.

Median Earnings · 1yr: $25,579
Median Earnings · 4yr: $43,566
Colleges Offering: 115
Graduates / Year: 1,237
Avg Net Price / yr: $25,669

How Much Do Theology and Religious Vocations Graduates Earn?

Theology and Religious Vocations graduates earn $43,566 four years out, significantly below average for bachelor's degree holders. The middle 50% of earners fall between $26,583 and $58,087. Earnings typically jump significantly in the first few years. The one-year figure of $25,579 climbs to $43,566 by year four.

$25,579

1 Year After Graduation

Starting salaries only. Earnings in this field grow substantially in the first 3 to 5 years.

$43,566

4-Year National Median

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

$43,088

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 Theology and Religious Vocations 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.

$26,583 25th pct.

$43,566 Median

$58,087 75th pct.

Is the Cost Worth It?

At median 4-year earnings of $43,566 and an estimated $102,676 four-year net cost, earnings breakeven against a baseline wage takes approximately 7.6 years. Compare specific programs before committing to a high-cost option.

Based on outcomes from 59 schools. Colleges with fewer than 30 graduates are excluded from national averages.

Who Studies This? Credential Breakdown

Of the 1,237 students who complete Theology and Religious Vocations programs each year, the majority (44%) earn a master's degree. The breakdown below shows the full credential distribution.

25% 44%

Master's 44%

Bachelor's 25%

Certificate 12%

What Can You Do With a Theology and Religious Vocations Degree?

Theology and Religious Vocations connects to 5 occupations in the job market. Law Teachers leads at $128,500/yr median. Expand any card to see daily responsibilities, in-demand skills, and 10-year growth projections.

↗ +2.2%

Law Teachers

$128,500

$89K $176K 25th–75th pct.

Doctoral or professional degree 2,200 openings/yr 20K employed nationally

↗ +0.7%

Philosophy and Religion Teachers

$80,260

$63K $105K 25th–75th pct.

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

↘ -0.3%

Music Director & Composer

$73,710

$53K $104K 25th–75th pct.

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

↗ +1.0%

Clergy

$60,810

$48K $77K 25th–75th pct.

Bachelor's degree 23,000 openings/yr 57K employed nationally

↗ +2.1%

Directors

$52,100

$44K $74K 25th–75th pct.

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

Top Colleges for Theology and Religious Vocations

The 20 colleges below are ranked by how many Theology and Religious Vocations 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	Moody Bible Institute Chicago, IL · Nonprofit	82	82.7%	$22,221	$45,399
2	George Fox University Newberg, OR · Nonprofit	49	93.5%	$31,679	$59,761
3	The Catholic University of America Washington, DC · Nonprofit	42	82.8%	$29,561	$73,250
4	Life Pacific University San Dimas, CA · Nonprofit	41	95.8%	$20,898	$43,299
5	Biola University La Mirada, CA · Nonprofit	21	74.4%	$31,495	$56,778
6	Dallas Baptist University Dallas, TX · Nonprofit	21	88.8%	$28,516	$56,807
7	Columbia International University Columbia, SC · Nonprofit	21	94.5%	$26,036	$38,951
8	Duke University Durham, NC · Nonprofit	18	5.7%	$29,612	$97,800
9	University of Redlands Redlands, CA · Nonprofit	18	82.7%	$30,031	$72,690
10	Evangel University Springfield, MO · Nonprofit	18	71.6%	$18,669	$46,573
11	Abilene Christian University Abilene, TX · Nonprofit	17	66%	$26,182	$55,736
12	Belmont University Nashville, TN · Nonprofit	15	95.3%	$33,147	$55,930
13	Trevecca Nazarene University Nashville, TN · Nonprofit	14	69.4%	$16,813	$49,378
14	The King's University Southlake, TX · Nonprofit	14	60.6%	$14,140	$41,471
15	Loyola University New Orleans New Orleans, LA · Nonprofit	12	93.1%	$23,696	$52,927
16	Union University Jackson, TN · Nonprofit	12	60.4%	$27,171	$53,990
17	Saint Johns University Collegeville, MN · Nonprofit	12	90.6%	$25,672	$76,786
18	Bethel University Saint Paul, MN · Nonprofit	11	87.8%	$28,556	$63,764
19	Liberty University Lynchburg, VA · Nonprofit	10	99%	$29,357	$44,813
20	Regent University Virginia Beach, VA · Nonprofit	10	38.1%	$19,923	$44,498

View all colleges

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

College ROI Calculator

See if a Theology and Religious Vocations 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 and Religious Vocations Degree: Pros & Cons

Theology and Religious Vocations 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 $25,579 at graduation to $43,566 four years later, a clear sign of career momentum in this field.
Strong hiring volume Related occupations generate more than 45,300 job openings per year combined, creating consistent demand for graduates.

CONS

Below-average earnings Four-year median of $43,566 falls below the national median for bachelor's degree holders.
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 7.6 years.
High earnings variance Gap between 25th ($26,583) and 75th ($58,087) percentile is wide. Where you land depends heavily on employer, role, and location.

Theology and Religious Vocations Degree: Frequently Asked Questions

How much do Theology and Religious Vocations graduates earn?

Theology and Religious Vocations graduates earn a national median of $43,566 four years after completing their program. The middle 50% of earners fall between $26,583 and $58,087. Where you land typically depends on employer, role, and location.

What is the starting salary for a Theology and Religious Vocations degree?

One year after graduation, Theology and Religious Vocations degree holders earn a median of $25,579. That climbs to $43,566 four years out. The biggest salary jumps typically come once you move past entry-level roles.

What jobs can you get with a Theology and Religious Vocations degree?

Theology and Religious Vocations degree holders pursue careers including Law Teachers, which pays a median of $128,500/yr. Scroll down to the Career Paths section to see wages and job growth projections for every related occupation.

How long does a Theology and Religious Vocations program take?

While a bachelor's in this area takes four years, many Theology and Religious Vocations students continue to a master's degree, adding one to two years. Some schools offer accelerated 5-year combined programs.

How many colleges offer Theology and Religious Vocations?

115 colleges and universities in the United States offer Theology and Religious Vocations programs. Options range from community colleges with certificates and associate degrees to research universities with doctoral tracks.

Is a Theology and Religious Vocations degree worth it?

With a median 4-year salary of $43,566 and an average net price of roughly $25,669/yr, a Theology and Religious Vocations 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 Theology and Religious Vocations and Theology?

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

Employers hiring Theology and Religious Vocations 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 Theology and Religious Vocations graduates?

The job outlook for Theology and Religious Vocations graduates is slow overall. Related occupations project an average of +1.1% job growth over the next 10 years. Law Teachers is among the strongest-growth roles at +2.2%. Growth varies by role and location, so check the Career Paths section for projections on each specific occupation.