Religion/Religious Studies at California Baptist University

California Baptist University's Religion program shows surprisingly strong performance for California, ranking in the 80th percentile statewide—well above Cal State Northridge and even UC Santa Barbara. At $29,582 in first-year earnings, graduates earn about $8,000 more than the typical California religion major and $4,000 above the national median. That's meaningful differentiation in a field not known for high early earnings.

The debt picture requires some context. While $24,474 sits near the national median for religion programs, it's substantially higher than California's typical $15,873. However, the debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.83 remains manageable—graduates owe less than one year's salary, and the higher absolute earnings should make repayment more feasible than at programs with lower debt but also lower earnings.

The major caveat here is sample size: fewer than 30 graduates means these numbers could swing significantly year to year. Still, outperforming 80% of California religion programs suggests this isn't random luck. For families considering a religion degree in California—often a stepping stone to ministry, nonprofit work, or graduate studies—this program delivers better early-career positioning than most in-state alternatives, though you're paying somewhat more to get there.