Religious Education at Concordia University-Nebraska

The unusual earnings trajectory here tells an important story: Concordia's Religious Education graduates earn $55,023 in their first year—ranking in the 95th percentile nationally and far exceeding the typical $32,276 for this field—but those same graduates see their income drop to $37,481 by year four. This pattern likely reflects many graduates taking initial church ministry positions that offer modest but stable salaries, then potentially transitioning to teaching roles or other educational positions that may pay less but offer different benefits or lifestyle advantages.

With $29,000 in debt, graduates face manageable payments initially, especially when that 0.53 debt-to-earnings ratio is calculated against first-year income. However, the significant earnings decline changes the math: by year four, that same debt burden becomes heavier relative to actual take-home pay. The program clearly prepares students well for immediate church ministry work, but families should understand that religious education careers often prioritize mission over income growth.

The small sample size (under 30 graduates) means these figures could shift considerably year to year, but the broader trend is consistent with religious education career paths nationwide. If your child feels called to ministry work and understands they're optimizing for purpose rather than peak earnings, Concordia delivers strong preparation and places graduates successfully into their first positions. Just ensure the debt level aligns with realistic expectations about mid-career income in this field.