College ROI

Smarter Choices, Brighter Futures
General

Theology And Religious Vocations

Share

Data derived specifically from PUMS raw data for Theology And Religious Vocations.

Entry Level Salary
$33,000
Median Salary
$58,526
Unemployment Rate
2.1%
Avg: 2.2%
Underemployment Rate
31.6%
Working non-college jobs

Earnings Trajectory

Lifetime: $2,341,040
Entry (Early)
$33,000
Median (Prime)
$58,526
High (Prime)
$57,269

ROI Sensitivity Analysis

This analysis tests three "What-If" scenarios. While most students start at the Entry Level, calculating ROI using Median and High salaries helps illustrate the potential long-term payoff for top performers relative to the degree cost.

Lifetime Value Added (NPV)

Entry Level
Median
High
$0 Cost
-159k
+68k
+58k
$25k / yr
-249k
-22k
-32k
$50k / yr
-339k
-112k
-122k

Break-even Age

Entry Level
Median
High
$0 Cost
Never
35
37
$25k / yr
Never
Never
Never
$50k / yr
Never
Never
Never

Return on Investment %

Entry Level
Median
High
$0 Cost
0%
$25k / yr
-229%
-20%
-30%
$50k / yr
-156%
-51%
-56%
Sensitivity Analysis Methodology: These grids assume you begin your career earning the salary specified in the column header (Entry Level = conservative baseline, Median/High = potential upside).
Important Note: Your ROI with any major will depend on the cost you pay to attend the program, and your starting salary. Both vary significantly across institutions. We encourage you to explore the ROI of a specific program variant by selecting the Program title of the credential level you are interested in. You will then have a more detailed return analysis for programs at specific institutions. We also encourage you to use the ROI calculator with your specific estimates of cost and salary.

Education Impact

Advanced Degree Rate41.7%
Analysis: A large percentage of students in this field pursue Master's or Doctoral degrees to maximize earnings.

Top Professions

Clergy

24.1% of graduates map to this role
Growing
Entry Salary
$39,568
Median Salary (PUMS | BLS)
$51,021|$60,820
openings
23,000 /yr
Growth (10yr): +1%

Elementary and middle school teachers

3.4% of graduates map to this role
Stable
Entry Salary
$27,000
Median Salary (PUMS | BLS)
$48,000|$62,500
openings
132,400 /yr
Growth (10yr): -2%

Management occupations

2.6% of graduates map to this role
Growing
Entry Salary
$45,020
Median Salary (PUMS | BLS)
$74,283|$122,090
openings
1,147,900 /yr
Growth (10yr): +6.1%

Secondary school teachers

1.7% of graduates map to this role
Stable
Entry Salary
$40,116
Median Salary (PUMS | BLS)
$55,186|$64,530
openings
72,400 /yr
Growth (10yr): -1.6%

Postsecondary teachers

1.6% of graduates map to this role
Growing
Entry Salary
$20,000
Median Salary (PUMS | BLS)
$62,475|$81,600
openings
136,400 /yr
Growth (10yr): +5.9%

Education and childcare administrators

1.6% of graduates map to this role
Stable
Entry Salary
$27,137
Median Salary (PUMS | BLS)
$64,894|$100,650
openings
45,600 /yr
Growth (10yr): -0.3%

Driver/sales workers and truck drivers

1.6% of graduates map to this role
Growing
Entry Salary
$32,200
Median Salary (PUMS | BLS)
$50,000|$49,550
openings
409,100 /yr
Growth (10yr): +5.5%

First-line supervisors of retail sales workers

1.4% of graduates map to this role
Stable
Entry Salary
$36,000
Median Salary (PUMS | BLS)
$55,600|$47,320
openings
125,100 /yr
Growth (10yr): -5%

Retail salespersons

1.3% of graduates map to this role
Stable
Entry Salary
$27,137
Median Salary (PUMS | BLS)
$35,397|$34,580
openings
555,800 /yr
Growth (10yr): -0.5%

Directors, religious activities and education

1.3% of graduates map to this role
Growing
Entry Salary
$33,000
Median Salary (PUMS | BLS)
$42,769|$54,840
openings
13,800 /yr
Growth (10yr): +2.1%

About this Data:

  • Entry: Median salary for graduates aged 27 and under (PUMS).
  • Median (PUMS | BLS): Comparison of this major's graduates vs. the national market average for the role.
  • Growth & Openings: 10-year national projections (2024–2034).

Program Variants & Earnings Ranges

Summary of specific program titles and credential levels mapped to this major, showing the range of earnings across different colleges.

Program TitleCredential Level# CollegesMedian Earnings Range
bible/biblical studies.Undergrad Certificate18$47,160 - $47,160
bible/biblical studies.Associate's Degree52$29,886 - $45,704
bible/biblical studies.Bachelor's Degree158$26,873 - $58,569
bible/biblical studies.Post-bacc Certificate7Data N/A
bible/biblical studies.Master's Degree57$53,194 - $66,956
bible/biblical studies.Doctoral Degree12Data N/A
bible/biblical studies.Level 994$60,419 - $60,419
missions/missionary studies and missiology.Undergrad Certificate2$29,325 - $34,437
missions/missionary studies and missiology.Associate's Degree10$40,202 - $41,803
missions/missionary studies and missiology.Bachelor's Degree75$31,744 - $49,310
missions/missionary studies and missiology.Master's Degree25$60,853 - $70,717
missions/missionary studies and missiology.Doctoral Degree1Data N/A
pastoral counseling and specialized ministries.Associate's Degree19$18,251 - $42,908
pastoral counseling and specialized ministries.Bachelor's Degree127$30,430 - $55,360
pastoral counseling and specialized ministries.Master's Degree92$38,749 - $71,857
pastoral counseling and specialized ministries.Doctoral Degree17$84,791 - $84,791
pastoral counseling and specialized ministries.First Professional Degree4Data N/A
pastoral counseling and specialized ministries.Graduate Certificate8Data N/A
religious education.Associate's Degree7$35,131 - $35,131
religious education.Bachelor's Degree65$36,770 - $55,729
religious education.Post-bacc Certificate2$57,871 - $57,871
religious education.Master's Degree39$49,751 - $86,481
religious education.Doctoral Degree11Data N/A
theological and ministerial studies.Undergrad Certificate13$20,994 - $37,081
theological and ministerial studies.Associate's Degree29$45,142 - $45,166
theological and ministerial studies.Bachelor's Degree184$36,829 - $58,775
theological and ministerial studies.Master's Degree261$36,869 - $117,823
theological and ministerial studies.Doctoral Degree90$51,327 - $97,542
theological and ministerial studies.First Professional Degree30$46,690 - $97,227
theological and ministerial studies.Graduate Certificate17$55,739 - $55,739
theology and religious vocations, other.Associate's Degree8$33,507 - $33,507
theology and religious vocations, other.Bachelor's Degree47$36,278 - $47,663
theology and religious vocations, other.Master's Degree49$34,062 - $80,560
theology and religious vocations, other.Doctoral Degree12$82,608 - $82,608
theology and religious vocations, other.First Professional Degree1Data N/A