by our College Data Analytics TeamIn the latest year, 28 U.S. colleges awarded 178 degrees and certificates in Other Philosophy & Religious Studies. Master’s degrees are the most popular award, at 48% of graduates. College Factual ranks 5 schools in its 2027 Best Other Philosophy & Religious Studies Schools ranking and compares their cost in a Best Value ranking. Graduates earn a median $47,005 one year after completing, rising to $66,499 after four years.
Philosophy and Religious Studies is an inter-disciplinary field that allows students to learn about the varying beliefs and customs around the world. Classes in archaeology, history, ethics, literature, world religions, and sociology introduce students to different cultures and teach them to understand how these cultures have been shaped by spiritual and moral beliefs.
While students typically major in general Philosophy, or well-known areas like Judaism, Hinduism, and Christianity, some students prefer to specialize in niche subjects. Some colleges allow students to take classes in Vodou, Wicca, and other lesser-known religions. These unique classes give you the opportunity to focus on the area of Philosophy and Religious Studies you are most passionate about.
Studying Other Philosophy & Religious Studies covers Philosophy And Religious Studies, Other.
Source: IPEDS 2025; College Scorecard July 2026; BLS; O*NET; College Factual rankings 2027. Data as of: July 2026.
Nationwide, other philosophy & religious studies is a widely-pursued major, with 178 degrees awarded annually. 28 colleges award other philosophy & religious studies degrees, an average of 6 graduates per school; the largest program awarded 37.
By level, the 178 awards include 84 bachelor’s degrees, 86 master’s degrees and 8 doctorates.
Women earned 47% of other philosophy & religious studies degrees and certificates in the latest year (83 of 178). The largest groups of graduates by race and ethnicity are White (115) and Black or African American (18), and international students earned 9.
College Factual ranks 5 schools in its 2027 Best Other Philosophy & Religious Studies Schools ranking, including 2 for bachelor’s degrees. It also ranks other philosophy & religious studies schools within 2 states. In all, 28 colleges offer other philosophy & religious studies programs; compare them by degree level below or in the Best Value Other Philosophy & Religious Studies Colleges ranking, which weighs quality against cost.
The most common other philosophy & religious studies credential is the master’s degree: 86 of the 178 awarded in the latest year. Jobs related to other philosophy & religious studies call most for Reading Comprehension, Active Listening and Instructing, and for knowledge of Philosophy and Theology, English Language 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 the different types of Philosophy and Religious Studies often go on to work in humanitarian careers, placing a strong emphasis on interpersonal skills. It is recommended that students who decide to pursue a degree in this field have strong communications skills and enjoy working with other people. Students who excel in this field often enjoy history and learning about the cultural and spiritual differences among people.
Since a degree in Philosophy and Religious Studies may lead to any number of career paths, there is no standard work environment for those who major in this field. Generally, students pursue jobs in humanitarian professions, which are often full time positions, but can vary. It is best to find a summer job, internship, or co-op in the job you wish to go into so you can learn more about the work environment and any extra schooling or certification you may need.
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How long an other philosophy & religious studies degree takes:
| Degree | Typical Program Length | Graduates Annually |
|---|---|---|
| Bachelor’s Degree | 4 years | 84 |
| Master’s Degree | 1-3 years | 86 |
| Doctorate | At least 4 years | 8 |
Doctoral degree is the most common level of education among workers in jobs related to other 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 Other 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 Philosophy Assistant Professor, Assistant Professor, Instructor and Philosophy Professor.
A degree in Philosophy and Religious Studies prepares students for a career in many different fields. Graduates have gone on to earn law degrees, become politicians, work in sales or marketing, teach as professors, or work as religious leaders. The critical thinking and communication skills you will gain while working towards this degree will make you a valued asset to a company in any industry. The job outlook and growth rate vary depending on the type of job you pursue.
That occupation also has the most projected jobs of any related to other philosophy & religious studies, at 1,031,835.
| Occupation | Projected Jobs | Expected Growth |
|---|---|---|
| Philosophy and Religion Teachers, Postsecondary | 1,031,835 | 3.7% |
Other Philosophy & Religious Studies graduates earn a median $47,005 one year after completing their program, $66,499 after four years and $61,746 after five years, according to the U.S. Department of Education’s College Scorecard.
| Years Out | Median Earnings |
|---|---|
| 1 year | $47,005 |
| 4 years | $66,499 |
| 5 years | $61,746 |
Source: College Scorecard.
The same occupation is also the highest-paying one related to other philosophy & religious studies, with a median salary of $71,584.
| Occupation | Median Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| Philosophy and Religion Teachers, Postsecondary | $71,584 |
Other Philosophy & Religious Studies includes 1 concentration; by graduates, the largest is Philosophy and Religious Studies, Other (178). It has 3 similar majors in the Philosophy & Religious Studies field, which together award 20,256 degrees a year; the largest are Religion/Religious Studies (10,644), Philosophy (9,408) and PHILOSOPHY AND RELIGIOUS STUDIES (204). Browse all Philosophy & Religious Studies majors or the full list of college majors.
| Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| Philosophy and Religious Studies, Other | 178 |
| Related Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| Religion/Religious Studies | 10,644 |
| Philosophy | 9,408 |
| PHILOSOPHY AND RELIGIOUS STUDIES | 204 |
More about our data sources and methodologies.
