Religion/Religious Studies
What graduates really earn, where the degree pays off most, and whether the numbers add up for you.
Earnings Range (4 Years After Graduation)
Best Schools for Religion/Religious Studies by Earnings
School-by-school analysis: Religion/Religious Studies
Editorial breakdowns of how religion/religious studies graduates fare at the top-earning programs in our dataset.
The sole program with Scorecard data shows four-year median earnings of $98,832 and first-year median earnings of $61,244 - unusually high for a religion program and almost certainly reflecting a specific cohort of graduates from New Jersey's Orthodox community who combine religious credentials with professional careers in business, law, education, or communal leadership. The cohort of 21 graduates is small enough to limit statistical generalization. Debt data is not reported, preventing a debt-to-earnings ratio calculation. These earnings figures should be interpreted within the distinct occupational and community context of Be'er Yitzchok graduates rather than generalized to religion programs at other institutions.
Religion/Religious Studies is the only program with reportable Scorecard data at JTS, covering 36 graduates. Year-one median earnings are $56,236, rising to $74,060 at year four - a strong trajectory for a humanities field. Debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.298 (B+ grade) with median debt of $16,750 is unusually clean. The earnings figures likely reflect graduates who enter religious leadership, education, nonprofits, or pursue graduate study that leads to higher-paying roles. The B+ ROI grade for a religious studies program at a specialized seminary is a signal that JTS graduates find economically stable pathways despite the field's general reputation for low near-term earnings.
48 graduates, $73,567 four-year earnings, with no year-one or debt data reported. The $73,567 four-year figure - likely capturing graduates in their late 20s or early 30s who have completed rabbinical training and entered communal or educational roles - is higher than the national median for religion graduates from conventional institutions. This reflects the specific career pathways of yeshiva graduates: synagogue rabbis, Jewish day school educators, Jewish communal organization leaders, and religious organizational administrators earn in the $60,000-$100,000 range in many metropolitan communities.
Religion/Religious Studies (6 graduates) earns an F grade: $26,455 year-one and $69,988 year-four with $27,000 median debt and a ratio of 1.021. At year one, debt exceeds annual earnings. The year-four jump to $70k is large and may reflect graduate professional school completion (seminary, law, or other programs). The near-term financial burden is real; the F grade reflects the earnings at the point closest to graduation, not eventual career outcomes.
Religion/Religious Studies is one of Faith International's flagship programs. Graduates earn $42,103 at one year and $64,235 at four years against $17,813 of debt - a 0.42 debt-to-earnings ratio and a B grade. With 25 graduates per year this is a meaningful cohort. The relatively strong four-year earnings figure suggests graduates either move into established ministry roles with tenure-based pay scales or progress to graduate work (M.Div., MA Theology) before settling into longer-term careers.
Religion/Religious Studies earns a D with the highest debt-to-earnings ratio in Cairn's reportable programs at 0.887. Graduates carry $30,750 median debt against $34,663 first-year earnings. For students entering ministry as a primary career, the Scorecard earnings data understates true vocation value, but it accurately reflects what banks and federal underwriters see when loan repayment starts.
Is Religion/Religious Studies Worth It?
Proceed With a Plan
Be honest with yourself about the money on Religion/Religious Studies. At an average $32,275 four years out, the payback can be long, especially at a pricey school. That doesn't make the field a mistake - it means the cost side has to be managed tightly, so lean toward low debt.
This is a more specialized field, offered at 44 schools in our data. Fewer options means less room to optimize on cost, so weigh each aid offer closely.
The top earner here is Ner Israel Rabbinical College, where graduates pull $73,567 four years out. But an average hides a wide spread - where you go, and what you do with the degree, matter as much as the major itself.
Earnings data represents median earnings 4 years after graduation for graduates of bachelor's programs, as reported by the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. Individual outcomes vary significantly based on career path, location, and other factors.