Religion/Religious Studies at University of Virginia-Main Campus

This UVA religious studies program shows puzzling underperformance against Virginia peers—graduates earn $25,260 initially, landing in just the 25th percentile statewide despite attending one of the nation's most selective universities. That's $6,600 below the typical Virginia religious studies graduate and roughly half what Liberty University's program delivers. The relatively low debt load of $18,267 helps, but doesn't fully explain why outcomes lag this far behind state norms.

The dramatic earnings jump to $50,482 by year four suggests graduates may be pursuing postgraduate education or career paths that start slowly but accelerate. This would fit a pattern common to religious studies majors who enter fields like law, nonprofit leadership, or academia. Still, the small sample size—fewer than 30 graduates—means these numbers might not represent typical outcomes reliably.

For parents, the question is whether UVA's brand value and connections justify the initial earnings gap. If your child plans graduate school, that first-year number matters less. But if they're heading straight to work, be aware they'll likely earn less initially than peers from less selective Virginia schools, despite UVA's 17% admission rate and prestige. The low debt helps limit downside risk, but this isn't the strong financial start many families expect from a highly selective institution.