Back
Religion
What you'll do in college
Religion and theology majors take a comparative approach to the world's religious traditions, sacred texts, and spiritual practices. Coursework spans biblical studies, world religions, theology, religious history, and the intersection of religion with culture, politics, and ethics. Ministry and pastoral tracks add practical training in counseling, worship leadership, and community outreach.
The major is reading- and discussion-intensive, with small seminars and research papers that demand careful interpretation of complex texts. Many students pair it with study abroad or service-learning experiences.
What you'll do after college
Grads pursue careers in ministry, chaplaincy, religious education, nonprofit leadership, social work, counseling, journalism, and academia. Many continue to divinity school (M.Div.) or seminary for ordination, or to graduate programs in religious studies, theology, or ethics.
The analytical and interpersonal skills the major builds transfer well to law, education, healthcare, and community organizing. Pay varies widely—ministry and nonprofit roles tend to be modest, while those who move into law, consulting, or institutional leadership earn more.
Famous graduates
- Phil Jackson — Legendary NBA coach; B.A. in Philosophy, Religion, and Psychology from University of North Dakota
Selectivity vs. earnings
By acceptance rate
Acceptance rate · bar = degree-weighted earnings
By SAT median
Combined SAT composite median (submitters + non-submitters) · bar = degree-weighted earnings
Earnings by acceptance rate and institution category
Each dot = a college · y = degree-weighted earnings
Majors in this category
| Major | Colleges | Degrees ▼ | Male/Female | Intl | Earnings | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Religion | 559 | 4,596 | 54% / 46% | 2% | $50,956 | 93% |
| Religious Studies | 281 | 1,170 | 52% / 48% | 2% | $54,978 | 91% |
| Biblical Studies | 70 | 590 | 67% / 33% | 1% | $48,052 | 92% |
| Theology | 83 | 451 | 55% / 45% | 3% | $51,265 | 94% |
| Ministry | 28 | 346 | 38% / 62% | 1% | $47,291 | 94% |
| Christian Studies | 45 | 267 | 58% / 42% | 1% | $49,751 | 95% |
| Religion | 72 | 235 | 45% / 55% | 2% | $56,925 | 93% |
| Youth Ministry | 41 | 131 | 51% / 49% | 2% | $46,395 | 95% |
| Religious Education | 22 | 116 | 37% / 63% | 2% | $46,713 | 97% |
| Divinity/Ministry | 10 | 110 | 69% / 31% | 2% | $47,061 | 92% |
| Christian Ministry | 12 | 108 | 62% / 38% | 1% | $48,475 | 96% |
| Theology/Theological Studies | 22 | 101 | 41% / 59% | 3% | $48,416 | 94% |
| Worship Leadership | 2 | 75 | 55% / 45% | 1% | $45,827 | 100% |
| Jewish Studies | 26 | 67 | 30% / 70% | 1% | $58,961 | 90% |
| Pastoral Studies/Counseling | 14 | 67 | 55% / 45% | 4% | $49,397 | 91% |
| Biblical and Theological Studies | 4 | 60 | 65% / 35% | 0% | $45,479 | 100% |
| Pastoral Ministry | 9 | 53 | 58% / 42% | 0% | $48,155 | 95% |
| Missions | 17 | 41 | 34% / 66% | 0% | $49,917 | 100% |
| Worship Ministry | 14 | 40 | 45% / 55% | 0% | $50,470 | |
| Christian Leadership & Church Ministries | 1 | 35 | 49% / 51% | 0% | $53,786 | 86% |
| Ministry Leadership | 1 | 30 | 47% / 53% | 0% | $46,937 | 89% |
| Pre-Theology | 5 | 29 | 90% / 10% | 0% | $49,783 | 95% |
| Ministry Studies | 5 | 28 | 68% / 32% | 0% | $51,694 | 92% |
| Pre-Ministry | 2 | 28 | 100% / 0% | 0% | $56,468 | 94% |
| Theology and Religious Vocations | 12 | 26 | 69% / 31% | 4% | $50,082 | 100% |
| Biblical Literature | 2 | 24 | 62% / 38% | 0% | $54,131 | |
| Youth Ministries | 1 | 24 | 50% / 50% | 4% | $50,083 | 92% |
| Worship Arts | 13 | 22 | 32% / 68% | 0% | $48,646 | 96% |
| Lay Ministry | 11 | 20 | 60% / 40% | 0% | $42,032 | 96% |
| Intercultural Studies | 8 | 19 | 21% / 79% | 0% | $40,866 | 86% |
| Pastoral Leadership | 1 | 16 | 88% / 12% | 6% | $50,083 | 92% |
| Theology & Apologetics | 1 | 15 | 80% / 20% | 0% | $49,924 | |
| Religion and Cultural Studies | 1 | 14 | 36% / 64% | 0% | $51,400 | |
| Judaic Studies | 8 | 12 | 17% / 83% | 0% | $57,672 | |
| Theological and Ministerial Studies | 3 | 12 | 25% / 75% | 0% | $55,328 | 93% |
| Religion and Culture | 2 | 12 | 50% / 50% | 0% | $56,076 | |
| Worship Studies | 2 | 12 | 50% / 50% | 0% | $51,916 | |
| World Missions | 1 | 11 | 55% / 45% | 0% | $54,536 | |
| Worship Arts and Ministry | 1 | 11 | 45% / 55% | 0% | $46,807 | |
| Specialized Ministry | 2 | 10 | 50% / 50% | 0% | $45,056 | 95% |
| Biblical Counseling | 1 | 9 | 22% / 78% | 0% | $76,017 | |
| Religious Vocations | 1 | 9 | 44% / 56% | 0% | $41,983 | |
| Urban Ministry | 6 | 8 | 50% / 50% | 0% | $45,005 | 91% |
| Pastoral Ministries | 2 | 8 | 75% / 25% | 0% | $37,164 | 93% |
| Church Music | 6 | 7 | 57% / 43% | 0% | $49,963 | |
| Bible and Ministry | 1 | 7 | 71% / 29% | 0% | $50,872 | |
| Family Ministry | 1 | 7 | 0% / 100% | 0% | $45,932 | |
| Pre-Ministerial Studies | 1 | 7 | 71% / 29% | 0% | $43,045 | 86% |
| Christian Missions | 3 | 6 | 50% / 50% | 0% | $43,678 | |
| Bible & Theology | 2 | 6 | 83% / 17% | 0% | $45,556 | |
| Religious Music and Worship | 2 | 6 | 50% / 50% | 0% | $41,226 | |
| Biblical Text | 1 | 5 | 80% / 20% | 0% | $53,295 | |
| Church Administration | 1 | 5 | 60% / 40% | 0% | $48,826 | |
| Pastoral Counseling and Specialized Ministries | 3 | 4 | 50% / 50% | 0% | $51,641 | |
| Pre-Theology/Pre-Ministerial Studies | 2 | 4 | 75% / 25% | 0% | $52,872 | 96% |
| Global Engagement | 1 | 4 | 0% / 100% | 0% | $40,794 | 84% |
| Worship and Music Studies | 1 | 4 | 75% / 25% | 0% | $42,928 | |
| Bible and Theology | 4 | 3 | 67% / 33% | 0% | $46,687 | |
| Music (Worship Leadership) | 1 | 3 | 100% / 0% | 0% | $50,012 | |
| Pre-Seminary Studies | 1 | 3 | 67% / 33% | 0% | $52,362 | |
| Religious Traditions | 1 | 3 | 0% / 100% | 0% | $47,372 | |
| Student Ministry | 1 | 3 | 100% / 0% | 0% | $76,927 | |
| Worship Arts & Music Ministry | 1 | 3 | 33% / 67% | 0% | $41,221 | |
| Music Ministry | 3 | 2 | 50% / 50% | 0% | $46,322 | |
| Catholic Studies | 2 | 2 | 50% / 50% | 0% | $59,968 | |
| Intercultural Studies (Missions) | 2 | 2 | 0% / 100% | 0% | $47,125 | |
| Pre-Theology/Pre-Ministerial | 2 | 2 | 100% / 0% | 0% | $49,342 | 89% |
| Theology and Ministerial Studies | 2 | 2 | 50% / 50% | 0% | $61,882 | 94% |
| Christian Education (Cross-Cultural Ministry) | 1 | 2 | 50% / 50% | 0% | $49,070 | |
| Comparative Religion | 1 | 2 | 50% / 50% | 0% | $56,136 | |
| Missional Engagement | 1 | 2 | 0% / 100% | 0% | $53,186 | |
| Pastoral Counseling | 1 | 2 | 100% / 0% | 0% | $41,998 | 97% |
| World Religions | 1 | 2 | 50% / 50% | 0% | $53,369 | |
| Islamic Studies | 4 | 1 | 0% / 100% | 0% | $60,717 | |
| Pre-Ministry Studies | 2 | 1 | 100% / 0% | 0% | $45,022 | |
| Christian Education | 1 | 1 | 100% / 0% | 0% | $50,856 | |
| Christian Ministry: Missions | 1 | 1 | 0% / 100% | 0% | $48,469 | |
| Christian Missions and Church Planting | 1 | 1 | 0% / 100% | 0% | $42,537 | |
| Cross-Cultural Ministry | 1 | 1 | 100% / 0% | 0% | $50,671 | |
| Modern Jewish Studies | 1 | 1 | 0% / 100% | 0% | $50,735 | |
| Music and Worship Leadership | 1 | 1 | 0% / 100% | 0% | $42,279 | |
| Religion and Church Leadership | 1 | 1 | 100% / 0% | 0% | $44,117 | |
| Theological Studies | 1 | 1 | 100% / 0% | 0% | $51,984 | |
| Theology and Religious Studies | 1 | 1 | 100% / 0% | 0% | $58,373 | |
| Theology/Religious Studies | 1 | 1 | 0% / 100% | 0% | $63,832 | |
| Theology: Mission and Ministry | 1 | 1 | 100% / 0% | 0% | $55,407 | |
| Youth and Family Ministry | 1 | 1 | 100% / 0% | 0% | $51,869 | |
| Bible | 1 | 0 | $49,071 | |||
| Bible, Theology and Ministry | 1 | 0 | $43,391 | |||
| Biblical Studies (Missions) | 1 | 0 | $56,556 | |||
| Christian Studies: Missions | 1 | 0 | $53,072 | |||
| Global Studies and Service | 1 | 0 | $45,499 | |||
| Music & Worship | 1 | 0 | $53,328 | |||
| Music with Church Music Concentration | 1 | 0 | $48,618 | |||
| Music: Worship Arts | 1 | 0 | $42,739 | |||
| Religion Studies | 1 | 0 | $60,216 | |||
| Religion and Contemporary Issues | 1 | 0 | $55,099 | |||
| Religion and the Arts | 1 | 0 | $57,513 | |||
| Religion, Ethics & Meaning | 1 | 0 | $53,221 | |||
| Religion: Biblical Studies Emphasis | 1 | 0 | $40,548 | |||
| Womens Ministry | 1 | 0 | $43,031 |