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Philosophy & Religion · Religious Studies Rank #7 of 40

Religious Studiesat University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

Graduates earn $33,690/yr in their first year — about 26.0% above the national Religious Studies average. Base-case 10-year earnings $444K; scenarios range from $427K to $438K depending on AI disruption.

Chapel Hill, NC Public Bachelor's Degree
DegreeOutlook Score
29 AT RISK
30
Optimistic
28
Pessimistic
Earnings
$33,690
1-year post-graduation
ROI
8.4x
Earnings : in-state tuition
10-yr Base
$444K
Cumulative base-case earnings
AI Risk
Very High
57% task exposure
Program Analysis

What this degree looks like at University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

A Religion degree from UNC Chapel Hill, an elite public institution, positions you uniquely. Your strong earnings potential isn't solely tied to direct religious vocations, but rather the rigorous analytical, research, and communication skills you'll develop, highly valued across diverse sectors like law, policy, non-profits, and even business. UNC's reputation and extensive alumni network open doors far beyond direct academic or religious careers, particularly within the dynamic Research Triangle Park economy. While some content-creation aspects related to the humanities face AI disruption, the core critical thinking and ethical reasoning cultivated by this program are inherently human and in demand. Focus on leveraging these transferable skills through internships and interdisciplinary study, ensuring you articulate how your unique perspective solves real-world problems.

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
$427K
10-year cumulative earnings
Scenario Score28/100
Earnings Multiple11.9x
Base Case
Moderate Integration
$444K
10-year cumulative earnings
Scenario Score29/100
Earnings Multiple12.4x
Optimistic
AI Augmentation
$438K
10-year cumulative earnings
Scenario Score30/100
Earnings Multiple12.2x
Earnings Trajectory

10 year projection

Year-by-year earnings under each scenario. Base case reflects BLS growth patterns applied to University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill'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 University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill 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
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 University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

Other top programs at University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

Other highest-scoring programs offered at University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, 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 University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

What does a 29/100 DegreeOutlook Score mean for Religious Studies at University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill?

At 29/100, 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 University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill?

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 University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill one of the best schools for Religious Studies?

Among 40 Religious Studies programs, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill's #7 position reflects consistently above-average results across earnings, ROI, and employment probability.