Religious Education: Program Overview, Universities, Careers & Salaries
Program Overview
Religious Education is a specialized academic field dedicated to the development and delivery of faith-based learning experiences within specific religious traditions. This program equips students with the theoretical foundations and practical skills needed to design, implement, and manage educational initiatives for religious communities across diverse age groups and settings.
- Religious Doctrine and Scripture Interpretation: In-depth study of core beliefs, sacred texts, and theological principles central to a specific faith tradition, emphasizing accurate and contextually grounded understanding.
- Curriculum Development for Faith-Based Learning: Training in creating structured, age-appropriate educational content that aligns with religious values and pedagogical best practices.
- Instructional Methods in Religious Contexts: Exploration of teaching strategies tailored to religious education, including storytelling, discussion-based learning, and experiential activities that deepen spiritual and moral understanding.
- Program Administration and Leadership: Preparation in managing religious education departments, overseeing staff and volunteers, and maintaining facilities to support effective learning environments.
- Assessment and Evaluation in Religious Settings: Techniques for measuring student learning and program effectiveness within faith-based educational frameworks, ensuring continuous improvement and accountability.
Religious Education Graduate Trends (2010-2024)
Religious Education Career Pathways & Salary Outlook
The following table presents salary data for occupations typically aligned with Religious Education degrees, including Philosophy and Religion Teachers, Postsecondary and Directors, Religious Activities and Education. These career paths represent common employment outcomes but are not guaranteed for all graduates. Salary ranges vary by location, employer, experience level, and specific role requirements. Nationally, these occupations employ approximately 42,300 professionals.
National Average Salaries
| Occupation | Median Salary | Salary Range | Total Employment | Hourly Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Philosophy and Religion Teachers, Postsecondary 25-1126 | $78,050 | $47,550 - $134,910 | 20,840 | N/A |
| Directors, Religious Activities and Education 21-2021 | $54,840 | $33,990 - $106,530 | 21,460 | $26.37 |
Religious Education Salary Map by State
Geographic location significantly impacts earning potential for these careers. Average salaries range from $38,790 in Montana to $90,280 in Maine—a 133% difference. The highest-paying states include Maine, California, and New Hampshire. Nationwide, these occupations employ over 42,300 professionals across all states. Explore the interactive map below to compare regional compensation and identify optimal markets for your career goals.
Average Salary Range:
Top Universities for Religious Education by Graduate Enrollment
Below are the top 78 institutions offering Religious Education programs for the 2023-2024 academic year (the most recent data reported as of 2025), ranked by the number of graduates. The highest graduate enrollment in Religious Education is found at Grand Canyon University (GCU) (370 graduates), Liberty University (99 graduates), Franciscan University of Steubenville (46 graduates), Wheaton College (45 graduates), and New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary (NOBTS) (41 graduates). Combined, these colleges produced 1,230 graduates across all degree levels. Program availability varies by award level, including Associate, Bachelor's, Master's, and Doctoral degrees at participating universities and schools.
| College Name | Award Levels | Graduates | Location | Control | Website |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Grand Canyon University (GCU) |
Bachelor's
Master's
|
370 | Phoenix, Arizona | Private | gcu.edu |
| Liberty University |
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
99 | Lynchburg, Virginia | Private | liberty.edu |
| Franciscan University of Steubenville |
Bachelor's
Master's
|
46 | Steubenville, Ohio | Private | franciscan.edu |
| Wheaton College |
Bachelor's
Master's
|
45 | Wheaton, Illinois | Private | wheaton.edu |
| New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary (NOBTS) |
Postbac Cert.
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
41 | New Orleans, Louisiana | Private | nobts.edu |
| Yeshiva Gedolah Imrei Yosef D'spinka |
Bachelor's
|
41 | Brooklyn, New York | Private | spinka58st.com |
| University of the Cumberlands |
Associate's
Bachelor's
|
38 | Williamsburg, Kentucky | Private | ucumberlands.edu |
| Crown College |
Associate's
Bachelor's
Master's
|
37 | Saint Bonifacius, Minnesota | Private | crown.edu |
| Concordia University-Nebraska |
Bachelor's
Postbac Cert.
|
36 | Seward, Nebraska | Private | cune.edu |
| Mount Vernon Nazarene University (MVNU) |
Bachelor's
|
27 | Mount Vernon, Ohio | Private | mvnu.edu |
| Moody Bible Institute (MBI) |
Bachelor's
|
26 | Chicago, Illinois | Private | moody.edu |
| North Park University |
Master's
|
24 | Chicago, Illinois | Private | northpark.edu |
| Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary (SEBTS) |
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
24 | Wake Forest, North Carolina | Private | sebts.edu |
| Hebrew Union College-Jewish Institute of Religion (HUC‑JIR) |
Postbac Cert.
Master's
|
22 | New York, New York | Private | huc.edu |
| Dallas Baptist University (DBU) |
Bachelor's
Postbac Cert.
Master's
|
22 | Dallas, Texas | Private | dbu.edu |
| Azusa Pacific University (APU) |
Master's
Doctorate (Professional)
|
21 | Azusa, California | Private | apu.edu |
| Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary (MBTS) |
Bachelor's
Master's
Post-Master's
Doctorate (Professional)
|
21 | Kansas City, Missouri | Private | mbts.edu |
| The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary (SBTS) |
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
20 | Louisville, Kentucky | Private | sbts.edu |
| Trinity International University (TIU) |
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
19 | Deerfield, Illinois | Private | tiu.edu |
| Union Presbyterian Seminary |
Postbac Cert.
Master's
|
19 | Richmond, Virginia | Private | upsem.edu |
| Jewish Theological Seminary of America (JTS) |
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
15 | New York, New York | Private | jtsa.edu |
| Veritas Baptist College (VBC) |
Associate's
Bachelor's
Master's
|
15 | Lawrenceburg, Indiana | Private | vbc.edu |
| Biola University |
Bachelor's
Doctorate (Research)
|
11 | La Mirada, California | Private | biola.edu |
| Wesley Theological Seminary |
Master's
|
10 | Washington, District of Columbia | Private | wesleyseminary.edu |
| Toccoa Falls College (TFC) |
Bachelor's
|
10 | Toccoa Falls, Georgia | Private | tfc.edu |
| Benedictine College |
Bachelor's
|
10 | Atchison, Kansas | Private | benedictine.edu |
| Lindsey Wilson College (LWC) |
Bachelor's
|
10 | Columbia, Kentucky | Private | lindsey.edu |
| Campbellsville University (CU) |
Bachelor's
|
7 | Campbellsville, Kentucky | Private | campbellsville.edu |
| University of St Thomas |
Postbac Cert.
|
7 | Saint Paul, Minnesota | Private | stthomas.edu |
| Fordham University |
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
7 | Bronx, New York | Private | fordham.edu |
| Lee University |
Bachelor's
|
7 | Cleveland, Tennessee | Private | leeuniversity.edu |
| Asbury University |
Bachelor's
|
6 | Wilmore, Kentucky | Private | asbury.edu |
| Loyola University New Orleans (LOYNO) |
Master's
|
6 | New Orleans, Louisiana | Private | loyno.edu |
| Randall University |
Bachelor's
|
6 | Moore, Oklahoma | Private | ru.edu |
| Messiah University |
Bachelor's
|
6 | Mechanicsburg, Pennsylvania | Private | messiah.edu |
| Universidad Teologica del Caribe (UTC) |
Bachelor's
|
6 | Trujillo Alto, Puerto Rico | Private | utcpr.edu |
| The Catholic University of America |
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
5 | Washington, District of Columbia | Private | catholic.edu |
| Andrews University |
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
5 | Berrien Springs, Michigan | Private | andrews.edu |
| Grace Christian University |
Bachelor's
|
5 | Wyoming, Michigan | Private | gracechristian.edu |
| Cedarville University |
Bachelor's
|
5 | Cedarville, Ohio | Private | cedarville.edu |
| Dallas Theological Seminary (DTS) |
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
5 | Dallas, Texas | Private | dts.edu |
| Bethel University |
Master's
|
4 | Saint Paul, Minnesota | Private | bethel.edu |
| Bryan College |
Bachelor's
Master's
|
4 | Dayton, Tennessee | Private | bryan.edu |
| Concordia University Texas (CTX) |
Bachelor's
|
4 | Austin, Texas | Private | concordia.edu |
| Eastern Nazarene College (ENC) |
Bachelor's
|
3 | Quincy, Massachusetts | Private | enc.edu |
| Wesley Biblical Seminary (WBS) |
Postbac Cert.
|
3 | Ridgeland, Mississippi | Private | wbs.edu |
| Shaw University |
Master's
|
3 | Raleigh, North Carolina | Private | shawu.edu |
| Columbia International University (CIU) |
Bachelor's
|
3 | Columbia, South Carolina | Private | ciu.edu |
| HJ International Graduate School for Peace and Public Leadership (HJI) |
Master's
|
3 | New York, New York | Private | uts.edu |
| Carolina College of Biblical Studies (CCBS) |
Associate's
Bachelor's
|
3 | Fayetteville, North Carolina | Private | ccbs.edu |
| Grace Mission University |
Master's
|
3 | Fullerton, California | Private | gm.edu |
| American Jewish University (AJU) |
Master's
|
2 | Los Angeles, California | Private | aju.edu |
| Concordia University (CUC) |
Bachelor's
|
2 | River Forest, Illinois | Private | cuchicago.edu |
| Garrett-Evangelical Theological Seminary |
Master's
|
2 | Evanston, Illinois | Private | garrett.edu |
| Olivet Nazarene University (ONU) |
Bachelor's
|
2 | Bourbonnais, Illinois | Private | olivet.edu |
| Saint Louis University (SLU) |
Master's
|
2 | Saint Louis, Missouri | Private | slu.edu |
| Chestnut Hill College (CHC) |
Other Award
|
2 | Philadelphia, Pennsylvania | Private | chc.edu |
| Erskine College |
Master's
|
2 | Due West, South Carolina | Private | erskine.edu |
| Morris College |
Bachelor's
|
2 | Sumter, South Carolina | Private | morris.edu |
| Amridge University |
Master's
|
1 | Montgomery, Alabama | Private | amridgeuniversity.edu |
| Oakwood University (OU) |
Bachelor's
|
1 | Huntsville, Alabama | Private | www2.oakwood.edu |
| Nazarene Bible College (NBC) |
Associate's
|
1 | Colorado Springs, Colorado | Private | nbc.edu |
| Emory University |
Master's
|
1 | Atlanta, Georgia | Private | emory.edu |
| Loyola University Chicago (LUC) |
Postbac Cert.
|
1 | Chicago, Illinois | Private | luc.edu |
| Huntington University |
Bachelor's
|
1 | Huntington, Indiana | Private | huntington.edu |
| Indiana Wesleyan University (IWU) |
Bachelor's
|
1 | Marion, Indiana | Private | indwes.edu |
| Northwestern College (NWC) |
Bachelor's
|
1 | Orange City, Iowa | Private | nwciowa.edu |
| Hebrew College |
Master's
|
1 | Newton, Massachusetts | Private | hebrewcollege.edu |
| College of Our Lady of the Elms (Elms College) |
Master's
|
1 | Chicopee, Massachusetts | Private | elms.edu |
| John Carroll University (JCU) |
Postbac Cert.
|
1 | University Heights, Ohio | Private | jcu.edu |
| Lipscomb University |
Postbac Cert.
|
1 | Nashville, Tennessee | Private | lipscomb.edu |
| Southern Adventist University |
Bachelor's
|
1 | Collegedale, Tennessee | Private | southern.edu |
| Brigham Young University (BYU) |
Master's
|
1 | Provo, Utah | Private | byu.edu |
| Inter American University of Puerto Rico (UIPR) |
Master's
|
1 | San Juan, Puerto Rico | Private | metro.inter.edu |
| Universidad Pentecostal Mizpa |
Associate's
|
1 | Rio Piedras, Puerto Rico | Private | mizpa.edu |
| Faith International University (FIU) |
Master's
|
1 | Tacoma, Washington | Private | faithiu.edu |
| Huntsville Bible College (HBC) |
Bachelor's
|
1 | Huntsville, Alabama | Private | huntsvillebiblecollege.org |
| Indiana Wesleyan University |
Master's
|
1 | Marion, Indiana | Private | indwes.edu |
Frequently Asked Questions
Find answers to the most common questions about Religious Education programs
How much can I earn with a Religious Education degree?
Salaries for Religious Education graduates vary by role and location. Philosophy and Religion Teachers, Postsecondary earn a median of $78,050 annually, while Directors, Religious Activities and Education earn around $54,840. Geographic location significantly impacts earnings—professionals in Maine average $90,280 compared to $38,790 in Montana. Approximately 42,300 professionals work in related occupations nationwide.
Salary data from U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS program, May 2024. Earnings vary by experience, employer, and market conditions.
Which universities have the largest Religious Education programs?
Currently 78 accredited institutions offer Religious Education degrees across the U.S. Programs with the highest enrollment include Grand Canyon University (GCU) (370 graduates), Liberty University (99 graduates), and Franciscan University of Steubenville (46 graduates).
Program size doesn't necessarily indicate quality—consider factors like faculty expertise, production opportunities, location, and available degree levels when choosing a school.
Data based on IPEDS program completions for 2023-2024 academic year. Numbers reflect programs where students graduated.
Is enrollment in Religious Education growing or declining?
Graduate numbers have decreased over the past decade, rising from 1,814 in 2010 to a peak of 1,336 in 2020, before declining slightly to 1,230 in 2023-24. This represents a 32% decrease overall from 2010.
The field remains specialized with consistent demand, though opportunities are most concentrated in major metropolitan areas with active arts scenes like New York, California, and Illinois.
Graduate enrollment data from IPEDS, 2010-2024 academic years. Trends reflect reported completions at participating institutions.
What career paths are available with a Religious Education degree?
This degree prepares you for roles such as Philosophy and Religion Teachers, Postsecondary, Directors, Religious Activities and Education, . Related occupations employ approximately 42,300 professionals nationwide.
Skills in project management, creative leadership, and collaboration also transfer to event planning, arts administration, marketing, and corporate training roles. Many professionals work freelance or on a project basis across theatre, film, and live events.
Career pathways mapped using CIP-SOC crosswalk from the National Center for Education Statistics. Employment data from BLS OEWS May 2024.
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