by our College Data Analytics Team
[Religious Education](/majors/theology-and-religious-vocations/religious-education/) is a field where your choice of school can shape what you earn after graduation. A top-earning program sends graduates into careers with strong starting pay.
College Factual analyzed 4 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the highest-paying religious education schools.
What’s on this page:
If you want to know which schools send religious education graduates into the highest-paying careers, see the list below.
Olivet Nazarene University earned the #1 spot for highest-paid religious education graduates in Illinois. Located in the suburb of Bourbonnais, Olivet Nazarene University is a private not-for-profit institution. After graduating, religious education degree recipients from Olivet Nazarene University typically earn about $44,789 annually.
Trinity International University Illinois came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying religious education schools. Set in the suburb of Deerfield, Trinity International University Illinois is a private not-for-profit institution. After graduating, religious education degree recipients from Trinity International University Illinois typically earn about $50,005 annually.
A rank of #3 makes Moody Bible Institute one of the highest-paying schools for religious education. Located in the city of Chicago, Moody Bible Institute is a private not-for-profit institution. Early-career religious education graduates from Moody Bible Institute make a median of around $35,073 per year.
Wheaton College Illinois produces some of the highest-paid graduates in religious education, landing the #4 spot this year. Wheaton College Illinois is a private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Wheaton. Early-career religious education graduates from Wheaton College Illinois make a median of around $31,892 per year.
This list is compiled 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 · 4 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.