Compare 13 Religious Education. programs ranked by graduate earnings. Average earnings: $40,744. Top programs: $55,729+.
The highest-earning Religious Education program isn't at the most prestigious school. With a $17K earnings gap across 14 programs, the data confirms: program-level factors drive outcomes more than institutional brand.
Trinity International University-Illinois's Religious Education program leads with graduates earning $44,286, while the field average sits at $36,336. Dallas Baptist University follows closely at $43,798, demonstrating that specialized institutions often outperform broader universities in focused fields like religious education.
For students, Dallas Baptist University offers the strongest value proposition with graduates borrowing $21,591 and facing a 13.9% payment burden—classified as 'Manageable.' However, when parent loans are included, all top programs carry high family burdens exceeding 25% of discretionary income, requiring careful financial planning.
Highest program earnings: $44,286
Strong outcomes with 93% acceptance
13.9% payment burden | Manageable - payment 12-18% of discretionary
28.7% family burden | High burden - payment over 25% of discretionary
| Rank | School | Program Earnings | Cohort Size | Student Debt | Student GPS | Parent Debt | Parent GPS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | $55,729 | 10 | $25,750 | Good | $18,850 | Challenging | |
| #2 | Grace Christian UniversityPrivate | $52,314 | 6 | $24,375 | Good | $14,303 | Challenging |
| #3 | Dallas Baptist UniversityPrivate | $50,647 | 13 | $21,591 | Good | $19,836 | Challenging |
| #4 | $46,286 | 9 | $26,082 | Manageable | $19,098 | High | |
| #5 | Wheaton CollegePrivate | $42,605 | 13 | $23,250 | Manageable | $35,000 | High |
| #6 | $40,987 | 29 | $23,384 | Manageable | $29,400 | High | |
| #7 | Biola UniversityPrivate | $40,261 | 22 | $23,875 | Challenging | $50,726 | High |
| #8 | $39,211 | 44 | $14,911 | Manageable | $11,623 | Challenging | |
| #9 | Crown CollegePrivate | $36,826 | 17 | $22,500 | Challenging | $17,533 | High |
| #10 | Moody Bible InstitutePrivate | $36,770 | 33 | $18,149 | Manageable | $13,226 | High |
| #11 | Benedictine CollegePrivate | $35,133 | 12 | $24,599 | High | $41,904 | High |
| #12 | $26,933 | 14 | $25,000 | High | $24,155 | High | |
| #13 | Messiah UniversityPrivate | $25,967 | 6 | $25,621 | High | $37,908 | High |
Our program rankings answer: "Which schools have the best outcomes for graduates of this specific major?"
Unlike traditional rankings that measure overall school quality, these rankings focus on program-level outcomes. A school that's #200 overall might have a top-10 nursing program — and that matters if you're studying nursing.
Data based on 2024-2025 Dept of Education reporting standards. Learn about our methodology →
