by our College Data Analytics TeamIn the latest year, 2 U.S. colleges awarded 7 degrees and certificates in Contemplative Studies/Inquiry. Graduates earn a median $46,058 one year after completing, rising to $87,786 after four years.
Studying Contemplative Studies/Inquiry covers A Program That Focuses On The Philosophical, Psychological, And Scientific Bases Of Human Contemplative Experience. Includes Instruction In Cognitive Science, Meditation, Mindfulness, Neuroscience, Philosophy, Psychology, And Religion.
Source: IPEDS 2025; College Scorecard July 2026; BLS; O*NET; College Factual rankings. Data as of: July 2026.
Across the country, contemplative studies/inquiry is a popular field of study, with 7 degrees awarded annually. 2 colleges award contemplative studies/inquiry degrees, an average of 4 graduates per school; the largest program awarded 6.
All 7 of the awards are bachelor’s degrees, the only level colleges reported.
Women earned 57% of contemplative studies/inquiry degrees and certificates in the latest year (4 of 7). The largest groups of graduates by race and ethnicity are Asian (2) and White (1), and international students earned 3.
O*NET rates Speaking the most important skill for jobs related to contemplative studies/inquiry, at 3.7 out of 5. The key knowledge areas are Education and Training, Customer and Personal Service and English Language. The most important abilities are Oral Expression, Oral Comprehension and Speech Clarity.
Top skills, rated 0–5:
Top knowledge areas, rated 0–5:
How long a contemplative studies/inquiry degree takes:
| Degree | Typical Program Length | Graduates Annually |
|---|---|---|
| Bachelor’s Degree | 4 years | 7 |
Master’s degree is the most common level of education among workers in jobs related to contemplative studies/inquiry, at 29.1%.
| Level of Education | Percentage of Workers |
|---|---|
| Master’s degree | 29.1% |
| Bachelor’s degree | 25.9% |
| Postsecondary certificate | 19.1% |
| Associate’s degree (or other 2-year) | 13.7% |
| High school diploma or equivalent | 10.7% |
| Post-baccalaureate certificate | 0.7% |
| Post-doctoral training | 0.6% |
| Some college courses | 0.3% |
Source: O*NET Online.
5 occupations are related to Contemplative Studies/Inquiry, with an average median salary of $68,995; the strongest outlook belongs to Community and Social Service Specialists, All Other, at 13.1% projected job growth. Typical job titles include Computer Technology Instructor, Teacher, Instructor and Project Management Professor.
The occupation related to contemplative studies/inquiry with the most projected jobs is Postsecondary Teachers, All Other, at 964,215.
| Occupation | Projected Jobs | Expected Growth |
|---|---|---|
| Postsecondary Teachers, All Other | 964,215 | -0.1% |
| Self-Enrichment Teachers | 944,792 | 8.8% |
| Religious Workers, All Other | 258,483 | -1.4% |
| Directors, Religious Activities and Education | 239,121 | -2.3% |
| Community and Social Service Specialists, All Other | 38,623 | 13.1% |
Contemplative Studies/Inquiry graduates earn a median $46,058 one year after completing their program, $87,786 after four years and $79,238 after five years, according to the U.S. Department of Education’s College Scorecard.
| Years Out | Median Earnings |
|---|---|
| 1 year | $46,058 |
| 4 years | $87,786 |
| 5 years | $79,238 |
Source: College Scorecard.
The highest-paying occupation related to contemplative studies/inquiry is Self-Enrichment Teachers, with a median salary of $77,096.
| Occupation | Median Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| Self-Enrichment Teachers | $77,096 |
| Community and Social Service Specialists, All Other | $75,358 |
| Postsecondary Teachers, All Other | $68,967 |
| Directors, Religious Activities and Education | $64,599 |
| Religious Workers, All Other | $58,956 |
Contemplative Studies/Inquiry has 1 similar major in the Multi / Interdisciplinary Studies field; the largest is Cognitive Science, General (3,904). Browse all Multi / Interdisciplinary Studies majors or the full list of college majors.
| Related Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| Cognitive Science, General | 3,904 |
More about our data sources and methodologies.