by our College Data Analytics Team
[Religious Studies](/majors/philosophy-and-religious-studies/religious-studies/) is a field where your choice of school can shape what you earn after graduation. The schools below stand out for the salaries their religious studies graduates go on to command.
College Factual analyzed 13 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the highest-paying religious studies schools.
What’s on this page:
Below are the schools whose religious studies graduates go on to earn the most.
Our analysis ranked Florida State University the top school for religious studies graduate earnings in the Southeast Region. Located in the city of Tallahassee, Florida State University is a public institution. Students who complete the religious studies program here go on to a median salary of roughly $53,041.
University Of South Florida Main Campus came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying religious studies schools. University Of South Florida Main Campus is a public school located in the city of Tampa. Early-career religious studies graduates from University Of South Florida Main Campus make a median of around $46,607 per year.
Furman University produces some of the highest-paid graduates in religious studies, landing the #3 spot this year. Set in the suburb of Greenville, Furman University is a private not-for-profit institution. Religious Studies graduates of Furman University earn a median of about $46,350 a year early in their careers.
Students chasing top earnings in religious studies will find them at Virginia Commonwealth University, which ranked #4. Set in the city of Richmond, Virginia Commonwealth University is a public institution. Religious Studies graduates of Virginia Commonwealth University earn a median of about $46,061 a year early in their careers.
University Of Florida produces some of the highest-paid graduates in religious studies, landing the #5 spot this year. Set in the city of Gainesville, University Of Florida is a public institution. Early-career religious studies graduates from University Of Florida make a median of around $44,263 per year.
Liberty University earned the #6 position for religious studies graduate earnings this year. Located in the city of Lynchburg, Liberty University is a private not-for-profit institution. Students who complete the religious studies program here go on to a median salary of roughly $49,603.
University Of Virginia Main Campus earned the #7 position for religious studies graduate earnings this year. Located in the suburb of Charlottesville, University Of Virginia Main Campus is a public institution. Students who complete the religious studies program here go on to a median salary of roughly $62,116.
Beulah Heights University ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying religious studies schools. Located in the city of Atlanta, Beulah Heights University is a private not-for-profit institution. Students who complete the religious studies program here go on to a median salary of roughly $39,130.
University Of North Carolina At Charlotte earned the #9 position for religious studies graduate earnings this year. 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.
Gardner Webb University came in at #10 for religious studies graduate earnings this year. Set 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.
University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill landed the #11 spot for religious studies salaries 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.
Southern Wesleyan University ranked #12 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying religious studies schools. Located in the suburb of Central, Southern Wesleyan University is a private not-for-profit institution. After graduating, religious studies degree recipients from Southern Wesleyan University typically earn about $28,636 annually.
Georgia State University ranked #13 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying religious studies schools. Set in the city of Atlanta, Georgia State University is a public institution. Students who complete the religious studies program here go on to a median salary of roughly $25,696.
This ranking is produced 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 · 13 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.