by our College Data Analytics TeamIn the latest year, 11 U.S. colleges awarded 32 degrees and certificates in Islamic Studies. Master’s degrees are the most popular award, at 81% of graduates. College Factual ranks 1 schools in its 2027 Best Islamic 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.
A degree in Islamic Studies explores Islamic Studies. A Program That Focuses On Islam As Preached By The Prophet Muhammad In 6th Century Arabia And Subsequently Interpreted And Elaborated By Islamic Scholars And Others; Together With The Cultural And Social Milieu Related To The Faith In Various Periods, Localities, And Branches. Includes Instruction In Islamic Scripture And Related Written Authorities And Commentaries.
Source: IPEDS 2025; College Scorecard July 2026; BLS; O*NET; College Factual rankings 2027. Data as of: July 2026.
In the U.S., islamic studies is a widely-pursued major, with 32 degrees awarded annually. 11 colleges award islamic studies degrees, an average of 3 graduates per school; the largest program awarded 10.
By level, the 32 awards include 4 bachelor’s degrees, 26 master’s degrees and 2 doctorates.
Women earned 47% of islamic studies degrees and certificates in the latest year (15 of 32). The largest groups of graduates by race and ethnicity are White (13) and Asian (4), and international students earned 8.
College Factual ranks 1 schools in its 2027 Best Islamic Studies Schools ranking, including 1 for master’s degrees. It also ranks islamic studies schools within 1 state. In all, 11 colleges offer islamic studies programs; compare them by degree level below or in the Best Value Islamic Studies Colleges ranking, which weighs quality against cost.
The most common islamic studies credential is the master’s degree: 26 of the 32 awarded in the latest year. Jobs related to islamic studies call most for Reading Comprehension, Instructing and Speaking, and for knowledge of Education and Training, English Language and Sociology and Anthropology, according to O*NET. The most important abilities are Written Expression, Oral Expression and Speech Clarity.
Top skills, rated 0–5:
Top knowledge areas, rated 0–5:
How long an islamic studies degree takes:
| Degree | Typical Program Length | Graduates Annually |
|---|---|---|
| Bachelor’s Degree | 4 years | 4 |
| Master’s Degree | 1-3 years | 26 |
| Doctorate | At least 4 years | 2 |
Doctoral degree is the most common level of education among workers in jobs related to islamic studies, at 60.5%.
| Level of Education | Percentage of Workers |
|---|---|
| Doctoral degree | 60.5% |
| Master’s degree | 31.0% |
| Post-doctoral training | 4.0% |
| Post-master’s certificate | 3.2% |
| First professional degree | 1.1% |
| High school diploma or equivalent | 0.2% |
Source: O*NET Online.
1 occupations are related to Islamic Studies, with an average median salary of $47,517; the strongest outlook belongs to Area, Ethnic, and Cultural Studies Teachers, Postsecondary, at 6.5% projected job growth. Typical job titles include Women’s Studies Professor, Ethnic Studies Teacher, Asian Studies Professor and Black Studies Professor.
That occupation also has the most projected jobs of any related to islamic studies, at 718,152.
| Occupation | Projected Jobs | Expected Growth |
|---|---|---|
| Area, Ethnic, and Cultural Studies Teachers, Postsecondary | 718,152 | 6.5% |
Islamic 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 islamic studies, with a median salary of $47,517.
| Occupation | Median Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| Area, Ethnic, and Cultural Studies Teachers, Postsecondary | $47,517 |
Islamic Studies has 7 similar majors in the Philosophy & Religious Studies field, which together award 10,612 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 |
| Buddhist Studies | 6 |
More about our data sources and methodologies.
