Religion/Religious Studies at Northwest Nazarene University

Northwest Nazarene's Religious Studies program produces graduates earning about $24,000 in their first year—roughly 6% below the national median for this major. While that's the higher-earning option among Idaho's two programs (both actually tied at the median), the more important context is that this represents half the state's own typical first-year earnings. The debt load of $27,650 creates a debt-to-earnings ratio of 1.16, meaning graduates owe more than a full year's salary, though this debt figure sits in the 23rd percentile nationally, suggesting relatively restrained borrowing.

The real challenge here isn't unique to Northwest Nazarene—it's inherent to Religious Studies as a career path. Graduates from even the top-quartile programs nationally earn just $31,000, and many pursue ministry or nonprofit work where compensation often remains modest despite years of experience. For families considering this path, the question isn't whether this specific program underperforms (it's actually reasonably positioned), but whether your student is genuinely called to work that may never yield high financial returns.

One caveat: with fewer than 30 recent graduates in this dataset, these numbers could shift considerably with a larger sample. If your student is committed to religious vocations, this program's below-median debt load actually works in their favor compared to pricier alternatives. Just ensure they enter with realistic expectations about post-graduation earnings.