by our College Data Analytics TeamIn the latest year, 44 U.S. colleges awarded 204 degrees and certificates in General Philosophy & Religious Studies. Bachelor’s degrees are the most popular award, at 61% of graduates. Its 1 related occupations pay an average median salary of $71,584 a year.
Contrary to popular belief, a degree in Philosophy and Religious Studies prepares students for much more than working as a priest, rabbi, or other religious figure. This major provides you with a strong understanding of the beliefs and morals that shape civilizations.
As you work towards your degree in Philosophy and Religious Studies, you will take classes in theology, sociology, psychology, world religions, literature, and anthropology, which will improve your critical thinking skills and your understanding of the values held throughout the world. This major will improve your writing and communication skills and prepare you for a career in a variety of fields and industries.
Studying General Philosophy & Religious Studies covers Philosophy And Religious Studies, General.
Source: IPEDS 2025; College Scorecard July 2026; BLS; O*NET; College Factual rankings. Data as of: July 2026.
Nationwide, general philosophy & religious studies draws strong interest, with 204 degrees awarded annually. 44 colleges award general philosophy & religious studies degrees, an average of 5 graduates per school; the largest program awarded 22.
By level, the 204 awards include 7 associate degrees, 124 bachelor’s degrees, 56 master’s degrees and 17 doctorates.
Women earned 38% of general philosophy & religious studies degrees and certificates in the latest year (77 of 204). The largest groups of graduates by race and ethnicity are White (143) and Hispanic or Latino (17), and international students earned 16.
The most common general philosophy & religious studies credential is the bachelor’s degree: 124 of the 204 awarded in the latest year. Jobs related to general philosophy & religious studies call most for Reading Comprehension, Instructing and Speaking, and for knowledge of Philosophy and Theology, English Language and Education and Training, according to O*NET. The most important abilities are Speech Clarity, Written Comprehension and Oral Expression.
A degree in Philosophy and Religious studies will prepare you for a career in numerous fields including law, politics, management, or religious organizations. Since it covers a variety of subjects and allows you to get a deeper understanding of the beliefs and values of the world, you will develop strong critical thinking and writing skills. Those who decide to pursue a degree in this field often have strong interpersonal skills.
Internships or summer jobs are recommended for a career in this field. These will allow you to gain hands-on experience and learn more about your desired career in a real-life situation as opposed to a classroom.
Depending on the type of career you go into, you may need to earn an advanced degree. It is recommended to look into to your desired career path to ensure you are fulfilling all requirements.
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How long a general philosophy & religious studies degree takes:
| Degree | Typical Program Length | Graduates Annually |
|---|---|---|
| Associate Degree | 2 years | 7 |
| Bachelor’s Degree | 4 years | 124 |
| Master’s Degree | 1-3 years | 56 |
| Doctorate | At least 4 years | 17 |
Doctoral degree is the most common level of education among workers in jobs related to general philosophy & religious studies, at 73.8%.
| Level of Education | Percentage of Workers |
|---|---|
| Doctoral degree | 73.8% |
| Master’s degree | 13.1% |
| Post-doctoral training | 12.5% |
| Post-master’s certificate | 0.6% |
Source: O*NET Online.
1 occupations are related to General Philosophy & Religious Studies, with an average median salary of $71,584; the strongest outlook belongs to Philosophy and Religion Teachers, Postsecondary, at 3.7% projected job growth. Typical job titles include Church History Teacher, Religion Instructor, Online Philosophy Instructor and College Faculty Member.
Graduates with a degree in Philosophy and Religious Studies are prepared for a wide variety of careers. Some graduates have gone on to be lawyers, politicians, religious officials, professors, or workers for non-profit organizations. The job outlook for Philosophy and Religious Studies graduates is dependent on the career path you decide to follow.
That occupation also has the most projected jobs of any related to general philosophy & religious studies, at 1,031,835.
| Occupation | Projected Jobs | Expected Growth |
|---|---|---|
| Philosophy and Religion Teachers, Postsecondary | 1,031,835 | 3.7% |
General Philosophy & Religious Studies graduates earn a median $57,874 four years after completing their program, according to the U.S. Department of Education’s College Scorecard.
| Years Out | Median Earnings |
|---|---|
| 4 years | $57,874 |
Source: College Scorecard.
The same occupation is also the highest-paying one related to general philosophy & religious studies, with a median salary of $71,584.
| Occupation | Median Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| Philosophy and Religion Teachers, Postsecondary | $71,584 |
General Philosophy & Religious Studies includes 1 concentration; by graduates, the largest is Philosophy and Religious Studies, General (204). It has 3 similar majors in the Philosophy & Religious Studies field, which together award 20,230 degrees a year; the largest are Religion/Religious Studies (10,644), Philosophy (9,408) and Philosophy and Religious Studies, Other (178). Browse all Philosophy & Religious Studies majors or the full list of college majors.
| Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| Philosophy and Religious Studies, General | 204 |
| Related Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| Religion/Religious Studies | 10,644 |
| Philosophy | 9,408 |
| Philosophy and Religious Studies, Other | 178 |
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