by our College Data Analytics Team
[Religious Education](/majors/theology-and-religious-vocations/religious-education/) graduates earn very different salaries depending on where they study. The highest-paying schools turn a religious education degree into the strongest early-career earnings.
For its 2026 highest-paid-graduates ranking, College Factual looked at 13 schools to find where religious education graduates earn the most.
What’s on this page:
Below are the schools whose religious education graduates go on to earn the most.
Leading the list is Concordia University Seward, our #1 for religious education graduate salaries in the United States. Concordia University Seward is a private not-for-profit school located in the town of Seward. Early-career religious education graduates from Concordia University Seward make a median of around $40,341 per year.
Olivet Nazarene University came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying religious education schools. Set in the suburb of Bourbonnais, Olivet Nazarene University is a private not-for-profit institution. Early-career religious education graduates from Olivet Nazarene University make a median of around $44,789 per year.
Strong graduate earnings at Dallas Baptist University earned it the #3 place for religious education. Dallas Baptist University is a private not-for-profit school located in the city of Dallas. Students who complete the religious education program here go on to a median salary of roughly $58,392.
A rank of #4 makes Grand Canyon University one of the highest-paying schools for religious education. Grand Canyon University is a private for-profit school located in the city of Phoenix. After graduating, religious education degree recipients from Grand Canyon University typically earn about $42,169 annually.
A rank of #5 makes Trinity International University Illinois one of the highest-paying schools for religious education. Set in the suburb of Deerfield, Trinity International University Illinois is a private not-for-profit institution. Religious Education graduates of Trinity International University Illinois earn a median of about $50,005 a year early in their careers.
Franciscan University Of Steubenville came in at #6 for religious education graduate earnings this year. Located in the city of Steubenville, Franciscan University Of Steubenville is a private not-for-profit institution. Students who complete the religious education program here go on to a median salary of roughly $41,201.
Biola University earned the #7 position for religious education graduate earnings this year. Biola University is a private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of La Mirada. After graduating, religious education degree recipients from Biola University typically earn about $41,982 annually.
Benedictine College came in at #8 for religious education graduate earnings this year. Located in the town of Atchison, Benedictine College is a private not-for-profit institution. Students who complete the religious education program here go on to a median salary of roughly $35,133.
Messiah College landed the #9 spot for religious education salaries this year. Set in the suburb of Mechanicsburg, Messiah College is a private not-for-profit institution. Students who complete the religious education program here go on to a median salary of roughly $41,655.
Grace Bible College came in at #10 for religious education graduate earnings this year. Grace Bible College is a private not-for-profit school located in the city of Wyoming. Religious Education graduates of Grace Bible College earn a median of about $33,308 a year early in their careers.
Moody Bible Institute placed #11 among the highest-paying schools for religious education. Moody Bible Institute is a private not-for-profit school located in the city of Chicago. Religious Education graduates of Moody Bible Institute earn a median of about $35,073 a year early in their careers.
Crown College placed #12 among the highest-paying schools for religious education. Located in the rural area of Saint Bonifacius, Crown College is a private not-for-profit institution. Religious Education graduates of Crown College earn a median of about $32,276 a year early in their careers.
Wheaton College Illinois earned the #13 position for religious education graduate earnings this year. Located in the suburb of Wheaton, Wheaton College Illinois is a private not-for-profit institution. Early-career religious education graduates from Wheaton College Illinois make a median of around $31,892 per year.
Looking for a different degree level? Compare highest-paid Religious Education rankings across degree levels:
This ranking is produced by College Factual, 2026 edition. Schools are ranked on the median early-career earnings of their religious education 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.