Best Religious Education institutions in the US, ranked by earnings
Compare 77 U.S. colleges offering Religious Education by graduate earnings, cost, and outcomes. Federal data across 29 states.
About Religious Education programs
The Religious Education program focuses on equipping students with the skills and knowledge necessary to develop and direct educational programs within religious contexts. It is ideal for those interested in fostering spiritual growth and understanding through structured learning experiences in congregations and community settings.
Students in this program will gain core skills in speaking, active listening, critical thinking, and writing. They will also acquire knowledge in philosophy, theology, education, psychology, and counseling, preparing them to effectively engage with diverse individuals and groups.
Top 12 institutions, ranked by graduate earnings
Earnings = median 1 year after graduation (College Scorecard, predominant credential).
| # | Institution | Grad earnings (1 yr) | Completions | Grad rate | Net price | Median debt |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Concordia University - Nebraska Seward, NE Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $55,023 | 32 | 65% | $22,390 | $29,000 |
| 2 | Grand Canyon University Phoenix, AZ Private for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $37,273 | 369 | 43% | $21,535 | $35,436 |
| 3 | Franciscan University of Steubenville Steubenville, OH Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $35,803 | 30 | 75% | $21,122 | $26,980 |
| 4 | Benedictine College Atchison, KS Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $35,133 | 6 | 62% | $24,826 | $24,625 |
| 5 | Grace Christian University Wyoming, MI Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $33,308 | 5 | 51% | $14,254 | $30,750 |
| 6 | Dallas Baptist University Dallas, TX Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $32,426 | 22 | 57% | $29,227 | $21,500 |
| 7 | Crown College Saint Bonifacius, MN Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $32,276 | 36 | 45% | $26,706 | $25,937 |
| 8 | Trinity International University - Illinois Deerfield, IL Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $31,903 | 19 | 46% | $20,539 | $32,934 |
| 9 | Wheaton College Wheaton, IL Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $31,892 | 44 | 85% | $23,461 | $25,000 |
| 10 | Biola University La Mirada, CA Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $30,887 | 11 | 68% | $26,727 | $25,454 |
| 11 | Moody Bible Institute Chicago, IL Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $30,671 | 26 | 62% | $24,848 | $14,000 |
| 12 | Messiah University Mechanicsburg, PA Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $28,885 | 6 | 75% | $25,675 | $26,000 |
Offered across 29 states
The same program, compared state by state. Pick a state for in-state earnings and institutions.
| State | Institutions | Median earnings | Top institution by earnings |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nebraskalimited | 1 | $55,023 | Concordia University - Nebraska |
| Arizonalimited | 1 | $37,273 | Grand Canyon University |
| Ohio | 4 | $35,803 | Franciscan University of Steubenville |
| Kansaslimited | 1 | $35,133 | Benedictine College |
| Michiganlimited | 2 | $33,308 | Grace Christian University |
| Texas | 3 | $32,426 | Dallas Baptist University |
| Minnesota | 3 | $32,276 | Crown College |
| Illinois | 8 | $31,892 | Trinity International University - Illinois |
| California | 4 | $30,887 | Biola University |
| Pennsylvanialimited | 2 | $28,885 | Messiah University |
| Alabama | 3 | — | — |
| Coloradolimited | 1 | — | — |
| District of Columbialimited | 2 | — | — |
| Georgialimited | 2 | — | — |
| Indiana | 3 | — | — |
| Iowalimited | 1 | — | — |
| Kentucky | 5 | — | — |
| Louisianalimited | 2 | — | — |
| Massachusetts | 3 | — | — |
| Mississippilimited | 1 | — | — |
| Missourilimited | 2 | — | — |
| New York | 5 | — | — |
| North Carolina | 3 | — | — |
| Oklahomalimited | 1 | — | — |
| South Carolina | 3 | — | — |
| Tennessee | 4 | — | — |
| Utahlimited | 1 | — | — |
| Virginialimited | 2 | — | — |
| Washingtonlimited | 1 | — | — |
Careers & outlook
The payoff after graduation: occupation 21-2021, Directors, Religious Activities and Education, and its national outlook.
Graduates of the Religious Education program can pursue careers in various educational and religious settings. The job outlook is about as fast as average, with an expected growth rate of 2.1% and approximately 13,800 annual openings. The median wage for related positions is $54,840, typically requiring a Bachelor's degree.
Top-paying metros
Related careers
Skills & knowledge in Religious Education programs
From the U.S. Dept. of Labor for the occupation this program most leads to.
Skills you'll build
Knowledge areas
What graduates do on the job
- Develop or direct study courses or religious education programs within congregations.
- Identify and recruit potential volunteer workers.
- Select appropriate curricula or class structures for educational programs.
- Schedule special events, such as camps, conferences, meetings, seminars, or retreats.
- Counsel individuals regarding interpersonal, health, financial, or religious problems.
- Collaborate with other ministry members to establish goals and objectives for religious education programs or to develop ways to encourage program participation.
Tools & technology
Concentrations within Religious Education
Specializations under this field (NCES CIP 2020).
- Religious EducationCIP 39.0401
A program that focuses on the theory and practice of providing educational services to members of faith communities, within the context of a particular religion, and that prepares individuals to serve
Common questions
What is Religious Education?+
Religious Education is a program that prepares students to develop and direct educational programs within religious contexts.
What skills will I learn?+
You will learn skills such as speaking, active listening, critical thinking, and writing, along with knowledge in philosophy, theology, and education.
What are the career prospects?+
The job outlook is about as fast as average, with a growth rate of 2.1% and around 13,800 annual openings.
What is the typical education required?+
A Bachelor's degree is typically required for careers in Religious Education.
Related programs
Other programs in the same field of study.
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