by our College Data Analytics TeamIn the latest year, 64 U.S. colleges awarded 825 degrees and certificates in Christian Studies. Bachelor’s degrees are the most popular award, at 40% of graduates. College Factual ranks 18 schools in its 2027 Best Christian Studies Schools ranking and compares their cost in a Best Value ranking. Graduates earn a median $28,813 one year after completing, rising to $41,075 after four years.
Studying Christian Studies involves the study of Christian Studies. A Program That Focuses On The Philosophy And Teachings Of Jesus Christ And His Apostles, And The Subsequent Intellectual And Cultural Movements And Institutions Based On Christianity. Includes Instruction In Christian Sacred Scripture, Christian Literature And Philosophy, And Studies Of One Or More Of The Main Branches Of The Faith And Their Cultural Context Including Orthodoxy, Roman Catholicism, Protestantism, Evangelicalism, And Others.
Source: IPEDS 2025; College Scorecard July 2026; BLS; O*NET; College Factual rankings 2027. Data as of: July 2026.
Across the country, christian studies is a widely-pursued major, with 825 degrees awarded annually. 64 colleges award christian studies degrees, an average of 13 graduates per school; the largest program awarded 126.
By level, the 825 awards include 10 certificates, 190 associate degrees, 329 bachelor’s degrees, 295 master’s degrees and 1 doctorates.
Women earned 45% of christian studies degrees and certificates in the latest year (373 of 825). The largest groups of graduates by race and ethnicity are White (527) and Hispanic or Latino (104), and international students earned 12.
College Factual ranks 18 schools in its 2027 Best Christian Studies Schools ranking, including 3 for associate degrees and 10 for bachelor’s degrees. It also ranks christian studies schools within 3 states. In all, 64 colleges offer christian studies programs; compare them by degree level below or in the Best Value Christian Studies Colleges ranking, which weighs quality against cost.
The most common christian studies credential is the bachelor’s degree: 329 of the 825 awarded in the latest year. Jobs related to christian studies call most for Reading Comprehension, Speaking 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 christian studies degree takes:
| Degree | Typical Program Length | Graduates Annually |
|---|---|---|
| Certificate | Varies | 10 |
| Associate Degree | 2 years | 190 |
| Bachelor’s Degree | 4 years | 329 |
| Master’s Degree | 1-3 years | 295 |
| Doctorate | At least 4 years | 1 |
Doctoral degree is the most common level of education among workers in jobs related to christian 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 Christian 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 Adjunct Faculty Member, Online Philosophy Instructor, Theology Teacher and Jewish Educator.
That occupation also has the most projected jobs of any related to christian studies, at 1,031,835.
| Occupation | Projected Jobs | Expected Growth |
|---|---|---|
| Philosophy and Religion Teachers, Postsecondary | 1,031,835 | 3.7% |
Christian 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 christian studies, with a median salary of $71,584.
| Occupation | Median Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| Philosophy and Religion Teachers, Postsecondary | $71,584 |
Christian Studies has 7 similar majors in the Philosophy & Religious Studies field, which together award 9,819 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 |
| Religion/Religious Studies, Other | 69 |
| Catholic Studies | 45 |
| Islamic Studies | 32 |
| Buddhist Studies | 6 |
More about our data sources and methodologies.
