by our College Data Analytics TeamIn the latest year, 1,072 U.S. colleges awarded 20,434 degrees and certificates in Philosophy & Religious Studies. Bachelor’s degrees are the most popular award, at 68% of graduates. College Factual ranks 273 schools in its 2027 Best Philosophy & Religious Studies Schools ranking and compares their cost in a Best Value ranking. Graduates earn a median $32,014 one year after completing, rising to $49,292 after four years.
There are many different beliefs both spiritually and morally throughout the world. A degree in Philosophy and Religious Studies allows students to take a deeper look into these important aspects of culture while developing critical thinking and reasoning skills.
Classes in topics such as history, sociology, anthropology, philosophy, world religions, literature, classics, and theology allows students to gain knowledge across multiple disciplines while improving critical thinking and writing skills. These classes will allow you to dig deeper into finding answers to philosophical questions and learning how religions developed and shaped the world.
There are a variety of disciplines within the Philosophy and Religious Studies field. Students are able to major in General Philosophy and Religion, or simply Philosophy. Students who are interested in religion or theology can choose to major in Religious Studies. Some universities provide additional opportunities to choose concentrations in various subjects, such as Ethics, Christianity, Judaism, and more.
A major in Philosophy & Religious Studies explores Philosophy And Religious Studies. Instructional Programs That Focus On Logical Inquiry, Philosophical Analysis, And The Academic Study Of Organized Systems Of Belief And Religious Practices.
Source: IPEDS 2025; College Scorecard July 2026; BLS; O*NET; College Factual rankings 2027. Data as of: July 2026.
Nationwide, philosophy & religious studies is a popular field of study, with 20,434 degrees awarded annually. 1,072 colleges award philosophy & religious studies degrees, an average of 19 graduates per school; the largest program awarded 2,119.
By level, the 20,434 awards include 61 certificates, 2,276 associate degrees, 13,823 bachelor’s degrees, 3,615 master’s degrees and 657 doctorates.
Women earned 34% of philosophy & religious studies degrees and certificates in the latest year (7,011 of 20,434). The largest groups of graduates by race and ethnicity are White (13,932) and Hispanic or Latino (2,001), and international students earned 1,120.
College Factual ranks 273 schools in its 2027 Best Philosophy & Religious Studies Schools ranking, including 18 for associate degrees, 233 for bachelor’s degrees, 40 for master’s degrees and 8 for doctorates. It also ranks philosophy & religious studies schools within 31 states. In all, 1,072 colleges offer philosophy & religious studies programs; compare them by degree level below or in the Best Value Philosophy & Religious Studies Colleges ranking, which weighs quality against cost.
The most common philosophy & religious studies credential is the bachelor’s degree: 13,823 of the 20,434 awarded in the latest year. Jobs related to philosophy & religious studies call most for Reading Comprehension, Speaking and Active Listening, and for knowledge of English Language, Philosophy and Theology and Education and Training, according to O*NET. The most important abilities are Oral Expression, Written Comprehension and Speech Clarity.
Graduates with a degree in Philosophy and Religious Studies pursue careers in a variety of fields, but many find themselves working the humanitarian fields, placing a strong emphasis on interpersonal skills. Students should be good communicators and enjoy working with other people. A background in history and a passion for different cultures, religions, and viewpoints will help make students successful.
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How long a philosophy & religious studies degree takes:
| Degree | Typical Program Length | Graduates Annually |
|---|---|---|
| Certificate | Varies | 61 |
| Associate Degree | 2 years | 2,276 |
| Bachelor’s Degree | 4 years | 13,823 |
| Master’s Degree | 1-3 years | 3,615 |
| Doctorate | At least 4 years | 657 |
Doctoral degree is the most common level of education among workers in jobs related to philosophy & religious studies, at 67.4%.
| Level of Education | Percentage of Workers |
|---|---|
| Doctoral degree | 67.4% |
| Master’s degree | 16.6% |
| Post-doctoral training | 10.6% |
| Bachelor’s degree | 2.8% |
| Post-master’s certificate | 1.1% |
| Postsecondary certificate | 0.4% |
| Some college courses | 0.3% |
| Associate’s degree (or other 2-year) | 0.3% |
| High school diploma or equivalent | 0.3% |
| First professional degree | 0.2% |
Source: O*NET Online.
7 occupations are related to Philosophy & Religious Studies, with an average median salary of $92,682; the strongest outlook belongs to Mathematical Science Teachers, Postsecondary, at 14.0% projected job growth. Typical job titles include College Faculty Member, College Professor, Associate Professor and Assistant Professor.
A degree in Philosophy and Religious Studies opens up many career opportunities. Since you will take classes in a variety of disciplines and improve your critical thinking and communication skills, this degree can lead to job possibilities across many industries. Typically, graduates tend to go into humanitarian careers, but graduates also end up working as pastors, lawyers, teachers, politicians or counselors.
The occupation related to philosophy & religious studies with the most projected jobs is Philosophy and Religion Teachers, Postsecondary, at 1,031,835.
| Occupation | Projected Jobs | Expected Growth |
|---|---|---|
| Philosophy and Religion Teachers, Postsecondary | 1,031,835 | 3.7% |
| Area, Ethnic, and Cultural Studies Teachers, Postsecondary | 718,152 | 6.5% |
| Clinical Research Coordinators | 542,888 | 10.4% |
| Natural Sciences Managers | 179,495 | 8.7% |
| Mathematicians | 109,873 | 8.5% |
| Mathematical Science Teachers, Postsecondary | 96,977 | 14.0% |
| Water Resource Specialists | 78,994 | -0.4% |
Philosophy & Religious Studies graduates earn a median $32,014 one year after completing their program, $49,292 after four years and $47,683 after five years, according to the U.S. Department of Education’s College Scorecard.
| Years Out | Median Earnings |
|---|---|
| 1 year | $32,014 |
| 4 years | $49,292 |
| 5 years | $47,683 |
Source: College Scorecard.
The highest-paying occupation related to philosophy & religious studies is Water Resource Specialists, with a median salary of $179,716.
| Occupation | Median Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| Water Resource Specialists | $179,716 |
| Natural Sciences Managers | $132,227 |
| Clinical Research Coordinators | $110,931 |
| Philosophy and Religion Teachers, Postsecondary | $71,584 |
| Mathematicians | $66,238 |
| Area, Ethnic, and Cultural Studies Teachers, Postsecondary | $47,517 |
| Mathematical Science Teachers, Postsecondary | $40,564 |
Philosophy & Religious Studies includes 4 concentrations that together award 20,434 degrees a year; by graduates, the largest are Religion/Religious Studies (10,644), Philosophy (9,408) and PHILOSOPHY AND RELIGIOUS STUDIES (204). Browse the full list of college majors.
| Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| Religion/Religious Studies | 10,644 |
| Philosophy | 9,408 |
| PHILOSOPHY AND RELIGIOUS STUDIES | 204 |
| Philosophy and Religious Studies, Other | 178 |
More about our data sources and methodologies.
