Religion/Religious Studies
Philosophy & Religious Studies
Median earnings by degree level
| Degree | Median earnings | Typical range | Schools | Clear the bar |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bachelor's Degree | $44,791 | $23,922 to $52,702 | 50 | 62% |
| Master's Degree | $59,184 | $49,302 to $71,038 | 5 | 100% |
"Clear the bar" is the share of programs whose graduates out-earn a typical high-school graduate (the federal earnings-premium test). Typical range is the 25th to 75th percentile of program medians.
Job outlook
Projected employment growth +2% (2025 to 2035), about 2,800 openings a year across the occupations this field commonly leads to.
| Occupation | Median pay | Growth | Openings/yr |
|---|---|---|---|
| Philosophy and Religion Teachers, Postsecondary | $80,260 | +2% | 1,800 |
| Area, Ethnic, and Cultural Studies Teachers, Postsecondary | $85,020 | +2.7% | 1,000 |
Occupation pay and outlook: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (OEWS wages, Employment Projections). A field maps to several occupations, and the same occupations serve many majors, so these are the jobs this major commonly leads to, not positions reserved for its graduates; the openings should not be added up across majors.
Where this is studied
The 8 colleges where the most students complete a religion/religious studies program, of 598 that report one. Ordered by number of completions only: this is where people study it, not a judgement about where to.
- Beth Medrash Govoha
- Liberty University
- Yeshiva University
- Uta Mesivta of Kiryas Joel
- Seminary Bnos Chaim
- United Talmudical Seminary
- Central Yeshiva Tomchei Tmimim Lubavitz
- Nelson University
Earnings source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard (release 2026-06-10), median earnings of graduates measured up to four years after completing. Figures describe past graduates and are never a promise. Method: methodology. Report an error.