Theology and Ministry
Theology & Religious Vocations · federal classification: Theological and Ministerial Studies
Median earnings by degree level
| Degree | Median earnings | Typical range | Schools | Clear the bar |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bachelor's Degree | $45,716 | $39,734 to $51,082 | 32 | 91% |
| Master's Degree | $59,546 | $53,037 to $66,253 | 108 | 99% |
| Doctoral Degree | $74,934 | $62,060 to $84,024 | 16 | 100% |
| First Professional Degree | $64,631 | $52,924 to $68,724 | 12 | 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 +1% (2024 to 2034), about 36,100 openings a year across the occupations this field commonly leads to.
| Occupation | Median pay | Growth | Openings/yr |
|---|---|---|---|
| Clergy | $60,820 | +1% | 23,000 |
| Religious Workers, All Other | $45,120 | +0.6% | 11,100 |
| Philosophy and Religion Teachers, Postsecondary | $78,050 | +0.7% | 2,000 |
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.
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.