Religious Education at Biola University

La Mirada, CA · Private nonprofit · Bachelor's Degree
15 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case)
16
Optimistic
15
Base Case
16
Pessimistic
Earnings $30,887/yr (-10% vs median)
AI Risk High (48% exposed)
Job Market Medium (15,800 openings/yr)
ROI 2.5x earnings multiple
Ranked #12 of 13 Religious Education programs

Program Analysis

Your journey in Religious Education from Biola will immerse you in a strong, faith-based academic environment, preparing you primarily for roles within churches, parachurch organizations, and Christian K-12 schools. The earnings you see reflect the typical compensation structure for these mission-driven positions, where salaries often prioritize impact over top-tier income, especially compared to more secular fields. While Southern California offers numerous opportunities within its large religious community, many roles are entry or mid-level ministry positions. The "high AI risk" might surprise you, but it often pertains to the administrative, content creation, and curriculum design aspects of religious education that AI tools are increasingly capable of assisting with, rather than the interpersonal, spiritual guidance inherent in the work. To maximize your prospects, actively seek internships within various church or non-profit settings to build practical skills and a professional network.

How AI Changes the Outlook

Three scenarios based on how aggressively AI disrupts the career paths available to Religious Education graduates.

Optimistic
No Disruption
Base Case
Gradual AI
Pessimistic
Aggressive AI
10-Year Earnings $469K $472K $447K
Earnings Multiple 2.5x 2.5x 2.4x
Probability of Field Employment 52% 46% 35%
DegreeOutlook Score 16 15 16

10-Year Earnings Projection

*Year 1 uses actual reported earnings. Scenarios diverge as AI impact compounds over time.

4-Year Tuition (Sticker)
$186,816
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$112,404
40% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$25,437
9.9 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$41,982
36% growth from Year 1

About Biola University

Biola University's 60% acceptance rate reflects moderate selectivity, a smaller institution with 3,390 students in La Mirada, CA. After financial aid, the average student pays $112,404 over four years — 40% below sticker price.

See all programs and financial aid at Biola University →

Top Career Paths

Philosophy and religion teachers, postsecondary $78,050/yr
Directors, religious activities and education $54,840/yr
View all 2 career paths with salary ranges and AI risk →

Compare & Explore

Religious Education at Other Schools

Other Majors at Biola University

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the DegreeOutlook Score for Religious Education at Biola University?
A score of 15/100 indicates below-average financial outcomes for Religious Education. Earnings, ROI, or AI risk factors are pulling the score down.
Will AI replace Religious Education careers?
With 48% of typical job tasks exposed to AI, this is one of the higher-risk fields. Our pessimistic scenario projects $447,447 in decade earnings vs $469,149 in the optimistic case — a meaningful gap.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →