Religious Studies Major — Salary & ROI 2026
Study of religious traditions, beliefs, and their role in human culture and society.
Starting Salary
$50K
median
Mid-Career
$55K
salary
ROI Payback
7.5 yrs
avg payback
Unemployment
5%
rate
Religious Studies Overview
Study of religious traditions, beliefs, and their role in human culture and society.
Category
Humanities
Degree Level
Bachelor's
Graduation Rate
62%
Enrollment Trend
declining
Online Available
Yes
Underemployment
42%
Lifetime Premium
$150K
Female Graduates
48%
Religious Studies Degree ROI Calculator
Estimate your actual return on investment based on school type and scholarships.
0 to $40K/year in aid
Est. Total Cost
$15,750
4-year tuition
Net Cost (w/ aid)
$15,750
after scholarships
ROI Payback
1 years
to break even
Lifetime Return
$134,250
Lifetime earnings premium ($150,000) minus net degree cost ($15,750)
Religious Studies Salary Progression
Common Religious Studies Careers
Clergy
Non-Profit Director
Counselor
Teacher
Top Employers
Skills You'll Learn
Top Schools for Religious Studies
#1
Harvard
#2
Yale
#3
University of Chicago
#4
Princeton
#5
Duke
Related Majors
Religious Studies Degree FAQ
Data Sources: Salary data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Enrollment and graduation data from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES/IPEDS). Tuition estimates based on College Board Annual Survey of Colleges. Last updated March 2026.
Religious Studies Programs by City
Tuition, salary outcomes, and cost of living for religious studies programs vary by city. See your local numbers:
Compare All College Majors
Analyze ROI, salary potential, and career outcomes for 150+ college majors.