Religion/Religious Studies at Faith International University

Faith International University's Religion program produces an eye-catching outcome: graduates earn $42,103 in their first year—nearly double the state median of $25,243 and 65% higher than the national median. This places the program in the 95th percentile both nationally and among Washington state's 14 religion programs. Even accounting for the program's small sample size (under 30 graduates), this gap is significant enough to warrant attention.

The financial picture looks manageable too. With median debt of $17,813 and a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.42, graduates owe roughly five months of their first-year salary. That's below the typical Religion program debt in Washington ($21,406) and well below the national median ($25,000). Nearly half of students receive Pell grants, suggesting the program serves lower-income families while still producing strong earning outcomes.

The caveat matters here: small graduating classes mean these numbers could shift substantially year to year. That said, when earnings data shows this large a premium over both state and national peers, it suggests graduates may be entering different fields or securing better positions than typical religion majors. For families concerned about the practical value of a religion degree, this program's track record—however limited the sample—shows it's possible to combine that study with strong career preparation.