Religion/Religious Studies at University of St Thomas

The small sample size here demands caution, but the earnings trajectory tells an interesting story: graduates start at $27,496—below Minnesota's typical Religious Studies graduate at $31,912—then nearly double their income within four years to $42,622. That kind of growth is unusual and suggests this program may be preparing students for careers that require some time to develop. The $19,500 debt load is notably lighter than both national and state medians, which matters when starting salaries are modest.

What's puzzling is the percentile gap: this program ranks 59th nationally but only 40th within Minnesota, suggesting the state has several stronger options like St. Olaf College, where graduates start at $36,329. For a Religious Studies degree, where many graduates pursue graduate school or ministry positions with delayed earnings, the lower debt burden is actually more important than the initial salary. The 0.71 debt-to-earnings ratio becomes much more manageable once that four-year salary kicks in.

The practical consideration: if your child is committed to religious studies and wants a private Catholic university experience, the modest debt and strong growth pattern make this workable. But if they're primarily choosing Minnesota schools, they should compare offers carefully—other in-state programs are placing graduates into higher-paying positions right from the start. The limited sample size means these figures could shift significantly with more data.