by our College Data Analytics TeamIn the latest year, 2 U.S. colleges awarded 6 degrees and certificates in Buddhist Studies. Master’s degrees are the most popular award, at 83% of graduates. Graduates earn a median $28,813 one year after completing, rising to $41,075 after four years.
A major in Buddhist Studies involves the study of Buddhist Studies. A Program That Focuses On The Philosophy Preached By Siddartha Gautama, The Buddha, In Ancient India And Subsequently Interpreted By His Disciples And Apostles; Together With The Intellectual, Cultural, Social, And Ritual Developments Of The Faith And Its Branches. Includes Instruction In Buddhist Sacred Literature (Tripitaka, Etc.) And Study Of One Or More Of The Main Branches Including Early Buddhism, Hinayana, Theravada, Madhyamaka, Yogacara, Pure Land, Shingon, Tendai, Nichiren Shu, Zen, Tibetan, Chinese, Korean, Vietnamese, And Others.
Source: IPEDS 2025; College Scorecard July 2026; BLS; O*NET; College Factual rankings. Data as of: July 2026.
Across the country, buddhist studies draws strong interest, with 6 degrees awarded annually. 2 colleges award buddhist studies degrees, an average of 3 graduates per school; the largest program awarded 4.
By level, the 6 awards include 5 master’s degrees and 1 doctorates.
Women earned 67% of buddhist studies degrees and certificates in the latest year (4 of 6). The largest groups of graduates by race and ethnicity are White (3) and Asian (1), and international students earned 1.
The most common buddhist studies credential is the master’s degree: 5 of the 6 awarded in the latest year. Jobs related to buddhist 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 Speech Clarity, Written Comprehension and Oral Expression.
Top skills, rated 0–5:
Top knowledge areas, rated 0–5:
How long a buddhist studies degree takes:
| Degree | Typical Program Length | Graduates Annually |
|---|---|---|
| Master’s Degree | 1-3 years | 5 |
| Doctorate | At least 4 years | 1 |
Doctoral degree is the most common level of education among workers in jobs related to buddhist 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 Buddhist 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 Jewish Educator, Ethics Professor, Religious Studies Teacher and Pastoral Ministries Professor.
That occupation also has the most projected jobs of any related to buddhist studies, at 1,031,835.
| Occupation | Projected Jobs | Expected Growth |
|---|---|---|
| Philosophy and Religion Teachers, Postsecondary | 1,031,835 | 3.7% |
Buddhist Studies graduates earn a median $28,813 one year after completing their program, $41,075 after four years and $41,903 after five years, according to the U.S. Department of Education’s College Scorecard.
| Years Out | Median Earnings |
|---|---|
| 1 year | $28,813 |
| 4 years | $41,075 |
| 5 years | $41,903 |
Source: College Scorecard.
The same occupation is also the highest-paying one related to buddhist studies, with a median salary of $71,584.
| Occupation | Median Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| Philosophy and Religion Teachers, Postsecondary | $71,584 |
Buddhist Studies has 7 similar majors in the Philosophy & Religious Studies field, which together award 10,638 degrees a year; the largest are Talmudic Studies (5,664), Religion/Religious Studies (2,796) and Jewish/Judaic Studies (1,207). Browse all Philosophy & Religious Studies majors or the full list of college majors.
| Related Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| Talmudic Studies | 5,664 |
| Religion/Religious Studies | 2,796 |
| Jewish/Judaic Studies | 1,207 |
| Christian Studies | 825 |
| Religion/Religious Studies, Other | 69 |
| Catholic Studies | 45 |
| Islamic Studies | 32 |
More about our data sources and methodologies.