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Philosophy & Religion · Religious Studies Rank #6 of 40

Religious Studiesat Liberty University

Graduates earn $38,540/yr in their first year — about 44.0% above the national Religious Studies average. Base-case 10-year earnings $505K; scenarios range from $472K to $507K depending on AI disruption.

Lynchburg, VA Private nonprofit Bachelor's Degree
DegreeOutlook Score
30 AT RISK
31
Optimistic
27
Pessimistic
Earnings
$38,540
1-year post-graduation
ROI
4.8x
Earnings : tuition
10-yr Base
$505K
Cumulative base-case earnings
AI Risk
Very High
57% task exposure
Program Analysis

What this degree looks like at Liberty University

A degree in Religion from Liberty University, a prominent institution with a distinct mission, uniquely positions you for specific career paths within faith-based organizations and beyond. Your education here emphasizes practical application and leadership, which often translates into roles within churches, parachurch ministries, Christian education, or non-profits where strong ethical foundations and communication skills are highly valued. The program's reputation within the evangelical community fosters a strong network, facilitating connections to employers and opportunities across the nation, which can explain the favorable career trajectory.

While some traditional academic roles face emerging AI risks, the deeply human-centric nature of ministry, pastoral care, and community leadership remains irreplaceable. Your success hinges on understanding the diverse avenues for service and impact. Consider specializing early and actively engaging with Liberty's extensive alumni network to explore direct pathways into leadership roles that align with your calling.

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
$472K
10-year cumulative earnings
Scenario Score27/100
Earnings Multiple5.6x
Base Case
Moderate Integration
$505K
10-year cumulative earnings
Scenario Score30/100
Earnings Multiple6.0x
Optimistic
AI Augmentation
$507K
10-year cumulative earnings
Scenario Score31/100
Earnings Multiple6.0x
Earnings Trajectory

10 year projection

Year-by-year earnings under each scenario. Base case reflects BLS growth patterns applied to Liberty 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 Liberty 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
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
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
Also at Liberty University

Other top programs at Liberty University

Other highest-scoring programs offered at Liberty 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 Liberty University

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

A score of 30/100 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 $472,372 in decade earnings vs $506,962 in the optimistic case — a meaningful gap.

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

Ranked #6 of 40 programs nationally, Liberty University lands in the top 25%. The ranking reflects a combination of graduate earnings, return on investment, and job market alignment.