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Philosophy & Religion · Religious Studies Rank #8 of 40

Religious Studiesat Fordham University

Graduates earn $30,985/yr in their first year — about 16.0% above the national Religious Studies average. Base-case 10-year earnings $838K; scenarios range from $722K to $885K depending on AI disruption.

Bronx, NY Private nonprofit Bachelor's Degree
DegreeOutlook Score
28 AT RISK
29
Optimistic
27
Pessimistic
Earnings
$30,985
1-year post-graduation
ROI
2.5x
Earnings : tuition
10-yr Base
$838K
Cumulative base-case earnings
AI Risk
Very High
57% task exposure
Program Analysis

What this degree looks like at Fordham University

Fordham's Religion program, rooted in the university's Jesuit tradition, cultivates exceptional critical thinking, ethical reasoning, and communication skills, which are highly transferable across diverse sectors. Its strong national standing isn't just academic; it reflects how effectively graduates apply these competencies in the New York City job market and beyond. You'll find alumni excelling in education, non-profits, law, social impact, and even business roles where nuanced analysis and cultural understanding are paramount. The program's rigorous intellectual foundation prepares many for advanced degrees, often leading to roles in research, policy, or higher education, which contributes to its strong early career outcomes.

While the field generally faces a high AI risk for some routine tasks, your Fordham education, with its emphasis on complex interpretation and human-centric understanding, equips you with capabilities AI cannot replicate. Focus on integrating your analytical prowess with practical skills like data interpretation or project management to leverage your unique human insights in an evolving job landscape.

AI Outlook Integration

Three scenarios, ten years out

Each scenario is a different assumption about how AI reshapes the career paths this major feeds into. Earnings projections stack the full 10-year cumulative trajectory; scores use the same 0–100 metric as the hero, recomputed under that scenario's assumptions.

Pessimistic
Mass Automation
$722K
10-year cumulative earnings
Scenario Score27/100
Earnings Multiple2.9x
Base Case
Moderate Integration
$838K
10-year cumulative earnings
Scenario Score28/100
Earnings Multiple3.4x
Optimistic
AI Augmentation
$885K
10-year cumulative earnings
Scenario Score29/100
Earnings Multiple3.6x
Earnings Trajectory

10 year projection

Year-by-year earnings under each scenario. Base case reflects BLS growth patterns applied to Fordham University's starting earnings; optimistic and pessimistic adjust for AI's effect on each career path this major feeds into.

Career Paths

Where Religious Studies graduates typically work

Common career destinations for this program's graduates, weighted by the school's specific occupation mix. Salary is BLS national median; AI risk is per-role task-exposure research.

1
Area, ethnic, and cultural studies teachers, postsecondary
+2.4% 10-yr growth · 1,100 openings/yr
$84,290/yr
High
2
Philosophy and religion teachers, postsecondary
+0.7% 10-yr growth · 2,000 openings/yr
$78,050/yr
High
Source: BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics, May 2024. AI exposure from OpenAI GPTs-are-GPTs and Felten AIOE research.
Compare & Explore

Peer schools offering Religious Studies

How Fordham University stacks up against other schools offering this major.

Highest earnings
Yeshivas Be'er Yitzchok
NJ · Private nonprofit
47
DW Score
$61K
1-yr earn
12.4x
ROI
Same state (NY)
Jewish Theological Seminary of America
NY · Private nonprofit
47
DW Score
$56K
1-yr earn
2.8x
ROI
Faith International University
WA · Private nonprofit
39
DW Score
$42K
1-yr earn
10.9x
ROI
Liberty University
VA · Private nonprofit
30
DW Score
$39K
1-yr earn
4.8x
ROI
Beth Medrash Govoha
NJ · Private nonprofit
30
DW Score
$37K
1-yr earn
Also at Fordham University

Other top programs at Fordham University

Other highest-scoring programs offered at Fordham University, ranked by DegreeOutlook Score.

Consider the trade route

Not sure a 4-year degree is the right path? Trade programs in Religious Studies offer shorter timelines, lower debt, and strong AI resilience for hands-on careers.

Compare Religious Studies trade programs on TradeSchoolOutlook →
FAQ

Frequently asked about Religious Studies at Fordham University

What is the DegreeOutlook Score for Religious Studies at Fordham University?

A score of 28/100 indicates below-average financial outcomes for Religious Studies. Earnings, ROI, or AI risk factors are pulling the score down.

Will AI replace Religious Studies careers?

With 51% of typical job tasks exposed to AI, this is one of the higher-risk fields. Our pessimistic scenario projects $721,581 in decade earnings vs $885,172 in the optimistic case — a meaningful gap.

What makes Fordham University's Religious Studies program stand out?

Ranked #8 of 40 programs nationally, Fordham University lands in the top 25%. The ranking reflects a combination of graduate earnings, return on investment, and job market alignment.