by our College Data Analytics Team
[Religious Studies](/majors/philosophy-and-religious-studies/religious-studies/) graduates earn very different salaries depending on where they study. The highest-paying schools turn a religious studies degree into the strongest early-career earnings.
For its 2026 highest-paid-graduates ranking, College Factual looked at 48 schools to find where religious studies graduates earn the most.
What’s on this page:
If you want to know which schools send religious studies graduates into the highest-paying careers, see the list below.
Leading the list is Jewish Theological Seminary Of America, our #1 for religious studies graduate salaries in the United States. Set in the city of New York, Jewish Theological Seminary Of America is a private not-for-profit institution. After graduating, religious studies degree recipients from Jewish Theological Seminary Of America typically earn about $98,891 annually.
A rank of #2 makes Yeshivas Beer Yitzchok one of the highest-paying schools for religious studies. Yeshivas Beer Yitzchok is a private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Elizabeth. Students who complete the religious studies program here go on to a median salary of roughly $61,244.
Students chasing top earnings in religious studies will find them at Florida State University, which ranked #3. Located in the city of Tallahassee, Florida State University is a public institution. Early-career religious studies graduates from Florida State University make a median of around $53,041 per year.
A rank of #4 makes Fordham University one of the highest-paying schools for religious studies. Fordham University is a private not-for-profit school located in the city of Bronx. Early-career religious studies graduates from Fordham University make a median of around $85,741 per year.
Strong graduate earnings at University Of South Florida Main Campus earned it the #5 place for religious studies. Located in the city of Tampa, University Of South Florida Main Campus is a public institution. Religious Studies graduates of University Of South Florida Main Campus earn a median of about $46,607 a year early in their careers.
Furman University ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying religious studies schools. Furman University is a private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Greenville. Students who complete the religious studies program here go on to a median salary of roughly $46,350.
Virginia Commonwealth University came in at #7 for religious studies graduate earnings this year. Set in the city of Richmond, Virginia Commonwealth University is a public institution. After graduating, religious studies degree recipients from Virginia Commonwealth University typically earn about $46,061 annually.
Beth Medrash Govoha ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying religious studies schools. Set in the city of Lakewood, Beth Medrash Govoha is a private not-for-profit institution. Early-career religious studies graduates from Beth Medrash Govoha make a median of around $55,680 per year.
University Of Florida ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying religious studies schools. Set in the city of Gainesville, University Of Florida is a public institution. Religious Studies graduates of University Of Florida earn a median of about $44,263 a year early in their careers.
Luther College ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying religious studies schools. Set in the town of Decorah, Luther College is a private not-for-profit institution. Early-career religious studies graduates from Luther College make a median of around $44,246 per year.
Liberty University landed the #11 spot for religious studies salaries this year. Set in the city of Lynchburg, Liberty University is a private not-for-profit institution. Religious Studies graduates of Liberty University earn a median of about $49,603 a year early in their careers.
Hellenic College Holy Cross Greek Orthodox School Of Theology ranked #12 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying religious studies schools. Located in the suburb of Brookline, Hellenic College Holy Cross Greek Orthodox School Of Theology is a private not-for-profit institution. Religious Studies graduates of Hellenic College Holy Cross Greek Orthodox School Of Theology earn a median of about $42,512 a year early in their careers.
Faith Evangelical College And Seminary landed the #13 spot for religious studies salaries this year. Set in the city of Tacoma, Faith Evangelical College And Seminary is a private not-for-profit institution. Early-career religious studies graduates from Faith Evangelical College And Seminary make a median of around $42,103 per year.
University Of Virginia Main Campus came in at #14 for religious studies graduate earnings this year. University Of Virginia Main Campus is a public school located in the suburb of Charlottesville. Students who complete the religious studies program here go on to a median salary of roughly $62,116.
Beulah Heights University landed the #15 spot for religious studies salaries this year. Beulah Heights University is a private not-for-profit school located in the city of Atlanta. Students who complete the religious studies program here go on to a median salary of roughly $39,130.
University Of North Carolina At Charlotte placed #16 among the highest-paying schools for religious studies. Located in the city of Charlotte, University Of North Carolina At Charlotte is a public institution. After graduating, religious studies degree recipients from University Of North Carolina At Charlotte typically earn about $47,478 annually.
Baylor University came in at #17 for religious studies graduate earnings this year. Set in the city of Waco, Baylor University is a private not-for-profit institution. Religious Studies graduates of Baylor University earn a median of about $46,611 a year early in their careers.
Gardner Webb University landed the #18 spot for religious studies salaries this year. Located in the rural area of Boiling Springs, Gardner Webb University is a private not-for-profit institution. Religious Studies graduates of Gardner Webb University earn a median of about $37,084 a year early in their careers.
St Olaf College placed #19 among the highest-paying schools for religious studies. Set in the town of Northfield, St Olaf College is a private not-for-profit institution. Religious Studies graduates of St Olaf College earn a median of about $36,329 a year early in their careers.
University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee ranked #20 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying religious studies schools. Located in the city of Milwaukee, University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee is a public institution. Early-career religious studies graduates from University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee make a median of around $44,527 per year.
Ohio Christian University came in at #21 for religious studies graduate earnings this year. Set in the rural area of Circleville, Ohio Christian University is a private not-for-profit institution. Early-career religious studies graduates from Ohio Christian University make a median of around $43,386 per year.
University Of St Thomas Minnesota came in at #22 for religious studies graduate earnings this year. Set in the city of Saint Paul, University Of St Thomas Minnesota is a private not-for-profit institution. Religious Studies graduates of University Of St Thomas Minnesota earn a median of about $48,307 a year early in their careers.
Evangel University ranked #23 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying religious studies schools. Set in the city of Springfield, Evangel University is a private not-for-profit institution. Religious Studies graduates of Evangel University earn a median of about $47,618 a year early in their careers.
California Baptist University earned the #24 position for religious studies graduate earnings this year. California Baptist University is a private not-for-profit school located in the city of Riverside. Early-career religious studies graduates from California Baptist University make a median of around $40,623 per year.
University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill came in at #25 for religious studies graduate earnings this year. Located in the city of Chapel Hill, University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill is a public institution. Students who complete the religious studies program here go on to a median salary of roughly $33,690.
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s highest-paid religious studies ranking:
Explore the highest-paying religious studies schools at other degree levels:
The ranking above is published by College Factual, 2026 edition. Schools are ranked on the median early-career earnings of their religious studies graduates, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (College Scorecard field-of-study earnings and IPEDS).
Ranking method: College Major Earnings · 48 schools evaluated.
*Salary figures reflect median early-career earnings (about 5 years after graduation) and may vary by how long a person takes to complete their degree.
More about our data sources and methodologies.
