by our College Data Analytics Team
[Religious Education](/majors/theology-and-religious-vocations/religious-education/) programs reward a close look at where graduates go on to earn the most. A top-earning program sends graduates into careers with strong starting pay.
College Factual analyzed 3 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.
Our analysis ranked Concordia University Seward the top school for religious education graduate earnings in the The Plains States Region. Located in the town of Seward, Concordia University Seward is a private not-for-profit institution. After graduating, religious education degree recipients from Concordia University Seward typically earn about $40,341 annually.
Benedictine College came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying religious education schools. Benedictine College is a private not-for-profit school located in the town of Atchison. Religious Education graduates of Benedictine College earn a median of about $35,133 a year early in their careers.
Crown College came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying religious education schools. Set in the rural area of Saint Bonifacius, Crown College is a private not-for-profit institution. Students who complete the religious education program here go on to a median salary of roughly $32,276.
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 · 3 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.