Religious Education: is this bachelor's degree worth it?
National picture across 16 reporting college programs.
−$267,452 over 10 years
National scenario across reporting bachelor's degree programs, using median year-4 earnings, their institutions’ average net prices and a typical 4-year duration.
At these assumptions, the estimated earnings premium does not recover the modeled economic investment within ten years.
Observed national outcomes
The same field can produce a different equation.
Keep the federal field fixed and compare observed outcomes at every reportable credential level. These are separate graduate cohorts—not a promise that more schooling causes the difference.
Associate's Degree
- Year-4 earnings
- $35,131
- Federal debt
- Not available
- Reporting programs
- 1
Bachelor's Degree
- Year-4 earnings
- $45,165
- Federal debt
- $25,937
- Reporting programs
- 16
Post-baccalaureate Certificate
- Year-4 earnings
- $57,871
- Federal debt
- Not available
- Reporting programs
- 1
Master's Degree
- Year-4 earnings
- $55,572
- Federal debt
- Not available
- Reporting programs
- 6
Where the middle half of programs lands
Year‑4 earnings differ by college. This band shows the 25th percentile, national median and 75th percentile among reporting programs.
See the spread, not just the national number.
1Concordia University-Nebraska$55,7292Grace Christian University$52,3143Dallas Baptist University$50,6474Trinity International University-Illinois$46,2865College of Biblical Studies-Houston$45,8226Grand Canyon University$45,1657Wheaton College$42,6058Franciscan University of Steubenville$40,9879Biola University$40,26110University of the Cumberlands$39,211Observed year-4 earnings · top displayed records are not a universal ranking
Related occupations
Official CIP–SOC links add career context without claiming that every graduate enters the same job.
Same degree, different outcomes
Compare reported outcomes using the same federal field and credential. ROI uses each institution’s average net price as a scenario—not an individual aid offer.
| # | College | Location | Earnings, year 4 | Federal debt | 10-year ROI | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Concordia University-NebraskaBachelor's Degree | Seward, NE | $55,729 | $29,000 | -61% | Negative payoff |
| 2 | Grace Christian UniversityBachelor's Degree | Wyoming, MI | $52,314 | $30,750 | -68% | Negative payoff |
| 3 | Dallas Baptist UniversityBachelor's Degree | Dallas, TX | $50,647 | $21,500 | -81% | Negative payoff |
| 4 | Trinity International University-IllinoisBachelor's Degree | Deerfield, IL | $46,286 | $32,934 | -93% | Negative payoff |
| 5 | College of Biblical Studies-HoustonBachelor's Degree | Houston, TX | $45,822 | Not available | -96% | Negative payoff |
| 6 | Grand Canyon UniversityBachelor's Degree | Phoenix, AZ | $45,165 | $35,436 | -99% | Negative payoff |
| 7 | Wheaton CollegeBachelor's Degree | Wheaton, IL | $42,605 | $25,000 | -108% | Negative payoff |
| 8 | Franciscan University of SteubenvilleBachelor's Degree | Steubenville, OH | $40,987 | $26,980 | -115% | Negative payoff |
| 9 | Biola UniversityBachelor's Degree | La Mirada, CA | $40,261 | $25,454 | -115% | Negative payoff |
| 10 | University of the CumberlandsBachelor's Degree | Williamsburg, KY | $39,211 | $23,371 | -124% | Negative payoff |
| 11 | Crown CollegeBachelor's Degree | Saint Bonifacius, MN | $36,826 | $25,937 | -129% | Negative payoff |
| 12 | Moody Bible InstituteBachelor's Degree | Chicago, IL | $36,770 | $14,000 | -131% | Negative payoff |
| 13 | Azusa Pacific UniversityBachelor's Degree | Azusa, CA | Not available | $25,000 | WithheldPrice-proxy sensitive | $22,212 |
| 14 | Benedictine CollegeBachelor's Degree | Atchison, KS | Not available | $24,625 | WithheldPrice-proxy sensitive | $27,891 |
| 15 | Messiah UniversityBachelor's Degree | Mechanicsburg, PA | Not available | $26,000 | WithheldPrice-proxy sensitive | $26,502 |
| 16 | Trinity International University-FloridaBachelor's Degree | , | $46,286 | $32,934 | WithheldPrice-proxy sensitive | Not available |
This page keeps the field and credential level fixed. Federal categories can still combine multiple catalog programs or concentrations. Automated ROI is limited to associate and bachelor’s degrees because institution-wide annual net price is not a reliable proxy for short certificate prices. ROI is an illustrative scenario, not a federal determination.