Religious Studies at University of California-Santa Barbara
Santa Barbara, CA · Public · Bachelor's Degree · Religion/Religious Studies
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition
16
Optimistic
15
Base Case
14
Pessimistic
Earnings
$19,911/yr (-25% vs median)
AI Risk
Very High (51% exposed)
Job Market
Small (3,100 openings/yr)
ROI
6.2x earnings multiple (2.0x out-of-state)
How AI Changes the Outlook
Three scenarios based on how aggressively AI disrupts the career paths available to Religious Studies graduates.
| Optimistic No Disruption |
Base Case Gradual AI |
Pessimistic Aggressive AI |
|
|---|---|---|---|
| 10-Year Earnings | $357K | $373K | $373K |
| Earnings Multiple (In-State) | 6.0x | 6.2x | 6.2x |
| Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State) | 1.9x | 2.0x | 2.0x |
| Probability of Field Employment | 52% | 45% | 34% |
| DegreeOutlook Score | 16 | 15 | 14 |
10-Year Earnings Projection
*Year 1 uses actual reported earnings. Scenarios diverge as AI impact compounds over time.
4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)
$59,860
Out-of-state: $182,968 (2.0x ROI)
Median Debt at Graduation
$16,500
9.9 months of Year 1 earnings
About University of California-Santa Barbara
A 28% acceptance rate puts University of California-Santa Barbara in competitive admissions territory, one of the larger campuses at 23,205 students in Santa Barbara, CA.
See all programs and financial aid at University of California-Santa Barbara →Top Career Paths
Area, ethnic, and cultural studies teachers, postsecondary
$84,290/yr
Philosophy and religion teachers, postsecondary
$78,050/yr
Compare & Explore
Religious Studies at Other Schools
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Is a Trade Program a Better Fit?
For students who prefer applied learning, trade programs can deliver strong earnings with significantly less debt and shorter time to employment.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the DegreeOutlook Score for Religious Studies at University of California-Santa Barbara?
A score of 15/100 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 $373,298 in decade earnings vs $356,602 in the optimistic case — a meaningful gap.
Can you still earn well with Religious Studies from University of California-Santa Barbara?
First-year earnings trail the national median, but starting salary isn't the full picture. Regional cost of living, career trajectory, and tuition cost all factor in. Check the five-year earnings data when available.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research.
See full methodology →