Religion/Religious Studies: degree ROI, salary & best colleges
Religion/Religious Studies graduates earn a median $41,390 four years after finishing — at or below the $48,360 high-school baseline, so on national medians the degree does not clear a typical bill on earnings alone. Where you study and the specific role matter more here than the field average. (Scorecard field-of-study, 2026 · our math.)
Religion/Religious Studies ranks #199 of 202 bachelor's fields by earnings — pays more than 2% of majors.
| # | College | State | Grad earnings |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Fordham University | NY | $61,877 |
| 2 | University of California-Davis | CA | $59,448 |
| 3 | Beth Medrash Govoha | NJ | $59,036 |
| 4 | University of Virginia-Main Campus | VA | $58,324 |
| 5 | Arizona State University Campus Immersion | AZ | $53,789 |
| 6 | Arizona State University Digital Immersion | AZ | $53,789 |
| 7 | University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill | NC | $52,716 |
| 8 | University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee | WI | $52,659 |
| 9 | The Catholic University of America | DC | $52,638 |
| 10 | University of North Carolina at Charlotte | NC | $52,012 |
| 11 | California State University-Northridge | CA | $51,235 |
| 12 | Baylor University | TX | $50,002 |
College Scorecard field-of-study (2026), program-level median earnings for this CIP · our ranking.
How we compute this. Earnings are the national median for graduates of this field measured 1 and 4 years after completion (Scorecard field-of-study, bachelor's). Premium = 4-year earnings − the $48,360 high-school baseline. Payback = a representative 4-year net cost (median college net price × 4) ÷ premium. Field medians blend every school — a specific program can pay far more or less. Full method on the methodology page; the field ranking is on ROI by major.