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Philosophy & Religion · Religious Studies Rank #1 of 40

Religious Studiesat Jewish Theological Seminary of America

Graduates earn $56,236/yr in their first year — about 111.0% above the national Religious Studies average. Base-case 10-year earnings $791K; scenarios range from $686K to $831K depending on AI disruption.

New York, NY Private nonprofit Bachelor's Degree
DegreeOutlook Score
47 AVERAGE
48
Optimistic
42
Pessimistic
Earnings
$56,236
1-year post-graduation
ROI
2.8x
Earnings : tuition
10-yr Base
$791K
Cumulative base-case earnings
AI Risk
Very High
57% task exposure
Program Analysis

What this degree looks like at Jewish Theological Seminary of America

The strong financial outcomes here reflect the highly specialized and respected nature of a JTSA education. Unlike general religious studies programs, this institution prepares graduates for leadership roles within the Jewish community—think rabbis, cantors, educators, and leaders in Jewish non-profits, many of which are concentrated in the vibrant New York City area. Your training provides a profound blend of academic rigor, ethical grounding, and practical skills for these demanding, community-facing positions, which command competitive salaries given their unique expertise and responsibility.

While the listed career paths show some vulnerability to AI in terms of teaching certain content, the core of a JTSA-trained professional's work—pastoral care, communal leadership, ethical guidance, and human connection—remains deeply human and irreplaceable. Focus your studies and networking on these intrinsically human elements; they are where your unique value truly lies and will secure your long-term impact.

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
$686K
10-year cumulative earnings
Scenario Score42/100
Earnings Multiple2.6x
Base Case
Moderate Integration
$791K
10-year cumulative earnings
Scenario Score47/100
Earnings Multiple3.0x
Optimistic
AI Augmentation
$831K
10-year cumulative earnings
Scenario Score48/100
Earnings Multiple3.2x
Earnings Trajectory

10 year projection

Year-by-year earnings under each scenario. Base case reflects BLS growth patterns applied to Jewish Theological Seminary of America'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 Jewish Theological Seminary of America 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
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
St Olaf College
MN · Private nonprofit
24
DW Score
$36K
1-yr earn
0.6x
ROI

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 Jewish Theological Seminary of America

What does a 47/100 DegreeOutlook Score mean for Religious Studies at Jewish Theological Seminary of America?

At 47/100, the financial outlook is modest. Higher-scoring Religious Studies programs exist, though non-financial factors may justify this choice.

Should I worry about AI if I study Religious Studies at Jewish Theological Seminary of America?

The 51% AI task exposure score is above average. Our model shows this affecting job availability more than salaries — graduates may face stiffer competition for fewer positions.

Is Jewish Theological Seminary of America one of the best schools for Religious Studies?

Among 40 Religious Studies programs, Jewish Theological Seminary of America's #1 position reflects consistently above-average results across earnings, ROI, and employment probability.

What do students actually pay for Religious Studies at Jewish Theological Seminary of America?

The 55% gap between sticker price and net cost means most students pay far less than $262,180. At a net cost of $118,976, the earnings multiple improves substantially.