Religion/Religious Studies at Uta Mesivta of Kiryas Joel

This program stands in an unusual position among New York religious studies programs: first-year earnings of $22,543 place graduates well above the state median of $17,698, yet they're still earning substantially less than peers at institutions like Jewish Theological Seminary ($56,236) or Fordham ($30,985). Based on comparable programs at similar institutions nationally, graduates likely carry about $26,160 in debt—roughly equivalent to their first-year salary.

The earnings trajectory shows modest but steady growth, reaching $26,465 by year four. That 17% increase moves graduates closer to the national benchmark of $25,450, though they remain below it. With 86% of students receiving Pell grants, this is clearly serving a low-income community, which makes the debt load particularly significant. A debt-to-earnings ratio above 1.0 means graduates are likely facing 10-year standard repayment plans that consume a meaningful portion of their income, though income-driven repayment options could ease that burden.

The value proposition here depends heavily on factors the data can't capture—primarily whether graduates are pursuing careers where religious studies credentials matter locally versus entering broader job markets. The program performs well relative to other New York religious studies programs but trails national averages, suggesting outcomes may be tightly linked to regional employment patterns. Parents should understand their child would likely start with manageable but noticeable debt servicing obligations relative to early-career earnings.