General
Theology And Religious Vocations
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 Title | Credential Level | # Colleges | Median Earnings Range |
|---|---|---|---|
| bible/biblical studies. | Undergrad Certificate | 18 | $47,160 - $47,160 |
| bible/biblical studies. | Associate's Degree | 52 | $29,886 - $45,704 |
| bible/biblical studies. | Bachelor's Degree | 158 | $26,873 - $58,569 |
| bible/biblical studies. | Post-bacc Certificate | 7 | Data N/A |
| bible/biblical studies. | Master's Degree | 57 | $53,194 - $66,956 |
| bible/biblical studies. | Doctoral Degree | 12 | Data N/A |
| bible/biblical studies. | Level 99 | 4 | $60,419 - $60,419 |
| missions/missionary studies and missiology. | Undergrad Certificate | 2 | $29,325 - $34,437 |
| missions/missionary studies and missiology. | Associate's Degree | 10 | $40,202 - $41,803 |
| missions/missionary studies and missiology. | Bachelor's Degree | 75 | $31,744 - $49,310 |
| missions/missionary studies and missiology. | Master's Degree | 25 | $60,853 - $70,717 |
| missions/missionary studies and missiology. | Doctoral Degree | 1 | Data N/A |
| pastoral counseling and specialized ministries. | Associate's Degree | 19 | $18,251 - $42,908 |
| pastoral counseling and specialized ministries. | Bachelor's Degree | 127 | $30,430 - $55,360 |
| pastoral counseling and specialized ministries. | Master's Degree | 92 | $38,749 - $71,857 |
| pastoral counseling and specialized ministries. | Doctoral Degree | 17 | $84,791 - $84,791 |
| pastoral counseling and specialized ministries. | First Professional Degree | 4 | Data N/A |
| pastoral counseling and specialized ministries. | Graduate Certificate | 8 | Data N/A |
| religious education. | Associate's Degree | 7 | $35,131 - $35,131 |
| religious education. | Bachelor's Degree | 65 | $36,770 - $55,729 |
| religious education. | Post-bacc Certificate | 2 | $57,871 - $57,871 |
| religious education. | Master's Degree | 39 | $49,751 - $86,481 |
| religious education. | Doctoral Degree | 11 | Data N/A |
| theological and ministerial studies. | Undergrad Certificate | 13 | $20,994 - $37,081 |
| theological and ministerial studies. | Associate's Degree | 29 | $45,142 - $45,166 |
| theological and ministerial studies. | Bachelor's Degree | 184 | $36,829 - $58,775 |
| theological and ministerial studies. | Master's Degree | 261 | $36,869 - $117,823 |
| theological and ministerial studies. | Doctoral Degree | 90 | $51,327 - $97,542 |
| theological and ministerial studies. | First Professional Degree | 30 | $46,690 - $97,227 |
| theological and ministerial studies. | Graduate Certificate | 17 | $55,739 - $55,739 |
| theology and religious vocations, other. | Associate's Degree | 8 | $33,507 - $33,507 |
| theology and religious vocations, other. | Bachelor's Degree | 47 | $36,278 - $47,663 |
| theology and religious vocations, other. | Master's Degree | 49 | $34,062 - $80,560 |
| theology and religious vocations, other. | Doctoral Degree | 12 | $82,608 - $82,608 |
| theology and religious vocations, other. | First Professional Degree | 1 | Data N/A |