Religious Studies at University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee

Milwaukee, WI · Public · Bachelor's Degree · Religion/Religious Studies
27 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition
27
Optimistic
27
Base Case
26
Pessimistic
Earnings $30,844/yr (15% vs median)
AI Risk Very High (51% exposed)
Job Market Small (3,100 openings/yr)
ROI 12.2x earnings multiple (5.5x out-of-state)
Ranked #9 of 40 Religion/Religious Studies programs Top 25%

Program Analysis

A Religion/Religious Studies degree from UWM offers a robust foundation in critical thinking, analytical reasoning, and cross-cultural understanding. These are highly transferable skills, helping graduates from this program often outperform national peers in leveraging their humanities background into tangible careers. This success likely stems from a combination of the program's rigor and the diverse labor market in Milwaukee, where graduates find opportunities in local non-profits, social services, education, and even entry-level roles in business or government that value strong communication and interpretive abilities. While some academic career paths face evolving challenges, your deep analytical capabilities remain invaluable. Focus on pairing your academic rigor with practical experience through internships or a complementary minor to translate your nuanced understanding into direct professional advantage in a competitive market.

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 $487K $488K $460K
Earnings Multiple (In-State) 12.2x 12.2x 11.5x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State) 5.5x 5.5x 5.2x
Probability of Field Employment 52% 45% 34%
DegreeOutlook Score 27 27 26

10-Year Earnings Projection

*Year 1 uses actual reported earnings. Scenarios diverge as AI impact compounds over time.

4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)
$40,080
Out-of-state: $88,080 (5.5x ROI)
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$64,708
-61% less than sticker · See by income
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$44,527
44% growth from Year 1

About University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee

With 88% of applicants admitted, University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee prioritizes broad access, enrolling 16,762 students in Milwaukee, WI.

See all programs and financial aid at University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee →

Top Career Paths

Area, ethnic, and cultural studies teachers, postsecondary $84,290/yr
Philosophy and religion teachers, postsecondary $78,050/yr
View all 2 career paths with salary ranges and AI risk →

Compare & Explore

Religious Studies at Other Schools

Other Majors at University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee

Consider the Trade Route?

Trade programs often mean less time in school, lower student debt, and hands-on career paths that tend to be more resilient to AI disruption.

Frequently Asked Questions

How does University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee's Religious Studies program score?
This program scores 27/100 — on the lower end for Religious Studies. Prospective students should carefully weigh costs against likely earnings.
How vulnerable is Religious Studies to AI automation?
AI won't 'replace' Religious Studies careers outright, but it is likely to reduce the number of job openings. We model 51% task exposure, which compresses field employment probability in our scenarios.
Why does University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee rank so high for Religious Studies?
The #9 ranking out of 40 programs is driven by strong financial outcomes — graduates earn well, debt is manageable relative to income, and the job market supports the field.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →