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Today in the Mission Yearbook

Pew study finds Presbyterians among top earners

Correlation exists between higher education and income

January 23, 2017

A recent breakdown of the Pew Research Center’s 2014 Religious Landscape Study ranked Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) members fourth in its percentage of households that earn more than $100,000 annually. The study authors found a strong correlation—based on religious affiliation—between people’s income and the level of education they have attained.

The study reported that among PC(USA) households, 32 percent earned $100,000 or more, 29 percent earned between $50,000 and $99,999, 15 percent earned between $30,000 and $49,999, and 24 percent earned less than $30,000.

2017-01-23

Only households of Jewish, Hindu and Episcopalian adherents had a greater percentage of $100,000 earners at 44, 36 and 35 percent, respectively. PC(USA) families also edged out those who self-defined as atheist and agnostic who reported 30 and 29 percent $100,000 earners, respectively.

Closely related to income, according to the November 2014 report, is education. While not a mirror image of the income ranking, the percentage of college graduates in an affiliated group follows a similar pattern with the top six being Hindu (77 percent), Unitarian Universalist (67 percent), Jewish (59 percent), Anglican (59 percent), Episcopalian (56 percent), and PC(USA) (47 percent).

Study authors summarized the connection, saying, “Given the strong correlation between educational attainment and economic success, it is not surprising that Jews and Hindus, on average, have high household incomes, with four-in-ten Jews and roughly a third of Hindus living in households with annual incomes of at least $100,000, according to the 2014 study.”

As a national average, 19 percent of U.S. households earned more than $100,000 annually, and 27 percent earned a college degree.

But study authors were quick to “call into question any link between high levels of religious belief and wealth,” saying self-identified atheists and agnostics had greater percentages of $100,000 earners than households of Orthodox, United Church of Christ, Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, United Methodist, and Presbyterian Church in America congregations. Again, while not exactly matching the percentage of college graduates in each group, there is a convincing correspondence.

“While there is a strong and proven correlation between education and income, it’s harder to know whether there also is a link between religion and wealth,” study authors said. “What we can say is that members of some religious groups – not to mention atheists and agnostics – on average have a higher household income than others, and those in the richest religious groups also tend, on average, to be better educated than most [other] Americans.”

Gregg Brekke, Presbyterian News Service

Today’s Focus: Association of Presbyterian Colleges and Universities

Let us join in prayer for:

Association of Presbyterian Colleges and Universities Staff

Jeffrey E. Arnold, executive director
Janna Wofford, operations manager

PC(USA) Agencies’ Staff

Tina Rhudy, PMA                                                                                         
Kerry Rice, OGA

Let us pray

Gracious God, help us to learn from young adults and college students. May their passion and willingness to serve help open all of our hearts to serve you with openness, joy, and dedication. Bless the young adults and college students among us as they continue to grow into your calling for them. Amen.

Daily Readings

Morning Psalms 57; 145
First Reading Isaiah 48:1-11
Second Reading Galatians 1:1-17
Gospel Reading Mark 5:21-43
Evening Psalms 85; 47