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2023 Schools Highly Focused on Religion Major

714 Ranked Colleges
9,470 Degrees Awarded
$30,700 Avg Cost*
Schools Highly Focused on Religion Major

With all of the options students have for higher education today, it can be tough to choose which direction to take. College Factual has developed its “Schools Highly Focused on Religion Major” ranking as one item you can use to help make this decision.

In 2020-2021, 9,470 people earned their degree in religious studies, making the major the 90th most popular in the United States. In 2019-2020, religious studies graduates who were awarded their degree in 2017-2019, earned an average of $34,289 and had an average of $24,431 in loans still to pay off.

For this year’s “Schools Highly Focused on Religion Major” ranking, we looked at 714 colleges that offer a degree in religious studies. This a ranking of the schools where the largest percentage of students has enrolled in religious studies.

For more information, check out our ranking methodology.

More Ways to Rank Religious Studies Schools

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More Religion Rankings Other Ranking Categories

The religion school you choose to invest your time and money in matters. To help you make the decision that is right for you, we’ve developed a number of major-specific rankings, including this list of “Schools Highly Focused on Religion Major”.

One of our other unique offerings is College Combat. This tool lets you build your own customized comparisons utilizing the factors that are most important to you. Go ahead and give it a try, or bookmark the link so you can check it out later.

Schools Highly Focused on Religion Major

The colleges and universities below are the best for religion students.

Top 25 Most Focused Colleges for Religious Studies

1
Spertus Institute of Jewish Studies crest
Spertus College
Chicago, Illinois

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Spertus College. It ranked #1 on our 2023 Schools Highly Focused on Religion Major list. Chicago, Illinois is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out ’s religion degrees to 28 students in 2020-2021.

With a undergrad student-to-faculty ratio of to 1, it’s easy to see that the school is committed to helping their undergraduates succeed. The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 4.1%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Full Spertus College Religious Studies Report

1

Out of the 714 schools in the Schools Highly Focused on Religion Major that were part of this year’s ranking, Women’S-Institute-Of-Torah-Seminary landed the #1 spot on the list.

Read full report on Religious Studies at Women’S-Institute-Of-Torah-Seminary

1
American Islamic College crest
American Islamic College
Chicago, Illinois

Out of the 714 schools in the Schools Highly Focused on Religion Major that were part of this year’s ranking, American Islamic College landed the #1 spot on the list. American Islamic College is a private not-for-profit institution located in Chicago, Illinois. The school has a small population, and it awarded 2 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

Read more about Religious Studies at American Islamic College

1
California Graduate School of Theology crest
California Graduate School of Theology
Garden-Grove, California

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend California Graduate School of Theology. It ranked #1 on our 2023 Schools Highly Focused on Religion Major list. This small school is located in Garden-Grove, California, and it awarded 4 ’s religion degrees in 2020-2021.

Read full report on Religious Studies at California Graduate School of Theology

5
Elyon College crest
Elyon College
Brooklyn, New York

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Elyon College. It ranked #5 on our 2023 Schools Highly Focused on Religion Major list. Elyon College is a private not-for-profit institution located in Brooklyn, New York. The school has a small population, and it awarded 41 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

Full Elyon College Religious Studies Report

6
Messenger College crest
Messenger College
Euless, Texas

Messenger College landed the #6 spot on the 2023 Schools Highly Focused on Religion Major ranking. Located in Euless, Texas, this small private not-for-profit school handed out 5 degrees to qualified ’s religion students in 2020-2021.

The impressive undergraduate student-to-faculty ratio of 8 to 1 means that students may have more opportunities to work more closely with their professors than they would at other schools.

Read more about Religious Studies at Messenger College

7

With a ranking of #7, Colgate Rochester Crozer Divinity School did quite well on the 2023 Schools Highly Focused on Religion Major list. Colgate Rochester Crozer Divinity School is located in Rochester, New York and, has a small student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 9 ’s religion degrees to qualified students.

The undergraduate student-to-faculty ratio of to 1 is a sign that students will have more opportunities to engage with their professors one-on-one. The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 5.0%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Full Colgate Rochester Crozer Divinity School Religious Studies Report

8
Hartford Seminary crest
Hartford Seminary
Hartford, Connecticut

Hartford Seminary came in at #8 in this year’s edition of the Schools Highly Focused on Religion Major ranking. Hartford Seminary is a small school located in Hartford, Connecticut that handed out 25 ’s religion degrees in 2020-2021.

The undergraduate student-to-faculty ratio of to 1 is a sign that students will have more opportunities to engage with their professors one-on-one.

Read more about Religious Studies at Hartford Seminary

9

Jewish Theological Seminary of America came in at #9 in this year’s edition of the Schools Highly Focused on Religion Major ranking. Located in New York, New York, this small private not-for-profit school awarded 56 diplomas to qualified ’s religion students in 2020-2021.

The impressive undergraduate student-to-faculty ratio of 7 to 1 means that students may have more opportunities to work more closely with their professors than they would at other schools.

Full Jewish Theological Seminary of America Religious Studies Report

10
WCC crest
Williamson Christian College
Franklin, Tennessee

Williamson Christian College landed the #10 spot on the 2023 Schools Highly Focused on Religion Major ranking. Located in Franklin, Tennessee, this small private not-for-profit school awarded 10 degrees to qualified ’s religion students in 2020-2021.

With a undergrad student-to-faculty ratio of 7 to 1, it’s easy to see that the school is committed to helping their undergraduates succeed.

Read full report on Religious Studies at Williamson Christian College

11
Grace College of Divinity crest
Grace College of Divinity
Fayetteville, North Carolina

Grace College of Divinity came in at #11 in this year’s edition of the Schools Highly Focused on Religion Major ranking. Located in Fayetteville, North Carolina, this small private not-for-profit school awarded 18 degrees to qualified ’s religion students in 2020-2021.

With a undergrad student-to-faculty ratio of 10 to 1, it’s easy to see that the school is committed to helping their undergraduates succeed. With a freshman retention rate of 100%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.

Read full report on Religious Studies at Grace College of Divinity

12
Gratz College crest
Gratz College
Melrose Park, Pennsylvania

Gratz College did quite well in the 2023 Schools Highly Focused on Religion Major ranking, coming in at #12. Melrose Park, Pennsylvania is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out ’s religion degrees to 58 students in 2020-2021.

Full Gratz College Religious Studies Report

13
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Beulah Heights University
Atlanta, Georgia

Beulah Heights University ranked #13 on this year’s Schools Highly Focused on Religion Major list. BHU is a small school located in Atlanta, Georgia that handed out 32 ’s religion degrees in 2020-2021.

With a freshman retention rate of 90%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.

Read more about Religious Studies at BHU

14

Northern Baptist Theological Seminary came in at #14 in this year’s edition of the Schools Highly Focused on Religion Major ranking. Northern Baptist Theological Seminary is located in Lisle, Illinois and, has a small student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 26 ’s religion degrees to qualified students.

The undergraduate student-to-faculty ratio of to 1 is a sign that students will have more opportunities to engage with their professors one-on-one. The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 4.0%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Full Northern Baptist Theological Seminary Religious Studies Report

15
HTC crest
Hebrew Theological College
Skokie, Illinois

Hebrew Theological College landed the #15 spot on the 2023 Schools Highly Focused on Religion Major ranking. Skokie, Illinois is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out ’s religion degrees to 37 students in 2020-2021.

The impressive undergraduate student-to-faculty ratio of 6 to 1 means that students may have more opportunities to work more closely with their professors than they would at other schools. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 86%.

Read more about Religious Studies at HTC

16
Wesley Biblical Seminary crest
Wesley Biblical Seminary
Jackson, Mississippi

Wesley Biblical Seminary ranked #16 on this year’s Schools Highly Focused on Religion Major list. Located in Jackson, Mississippi, this small private not-for-profit school handed out 9 degrees to qualified ’s religion students in 2020-2021.

The undergraduate student-to-faculty ratio of to 1 is a sign that students will have more opportunities to engage with their professors one-on-one.

Full Wesley Biblical Seminary Religious Studies Report

17

Trinity Episcopal School for Ministry did quite well in the 2023 Schools Highly Focused on Religion Major ranking, coming in at #17. Located in Ambridge, Pennsylvania, this small private not-for-profit school awarded 11 degrees to qualified ’s religion students in 2020-2021.

With a undergrad student-to-faculty ratio of to 1, it’s easy to see that the school is committed to helping their undergraduates succeed. The low undergrad student loan default rate of 2.5% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.

Full Trinity Episcopal School for Ministry Religious Studies Report

18

Pacific Rim Christian University ranked #18 on this year’s Schools Highly Focused on Religion Major list. Located in Honolulu, Hawaii, this small private not-for-profit school awarded 10 degrees to qualified ’s religion students in 2020-2021.

Since the school has a undergrad student-to-faculty ratio of 7 to 1, those pursuing a degree will have more opportunities to interact with their professors.

Full Pacific Rim Christian University Religious Studies Report

19
Hebrew College crest
Hebrew College
Newton Centre, Massachusetts

Hebrew College landed the #19 spot on the 2023 Schools Highly Focused on Religion Major ranking. Hebrew College is located in Newton Centre, Massachusetts and, has a small student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 9 ’s religion degrees to qualified students.

Since the school has a undergrad student-to-faculty ratio of 1 to 1, those pursuing a degree will have more opportunities to interact with their professors.

Read more about Religious Studies at Hebrew College

19
Champion crest
Champion Christian College
Hot Springs, Arkansas

Champion Christian College came in at #19 in this year’s edition of the Schools Highly Focused on Religion Major ranking. Champion Christian College is a small private not-for-profit school situated in Hot Springs, Arkansas. It awarded 3 ’s religion degrees in 2020-2021.

Read more about Religious Studies at Champion

21
Yeshiva crest
Yeshiva University
New York, New York

Yeshiva University came in at #21 in this year’s edition of the Schools Highly Focused on Religion Major ranking. New York, New York is the setting for this medium-sized institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out ’s religion degrees to 547 students in 2020-2021.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 2.2%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%. The impressive undergraduate student-to-faculty ratio of 7 to 1 means that students may have more opportunities to work more closely with their professors than they would at other schools. With a freshman retention rate of 90%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.

Read full report on Religious Studies at Yeshiva

22
Claremont School of Theology crest
Claremont School of Theology
Claremont, California

Claremont School of Theology came in at #22 in this year’s edition of the Schools Highly Focused on Religion Major ranking. This small school is located in Claremont, California, and it awarded 21 ’s religion degrees in 2020-2021.

Since the school has a undergrad student-to-faculty ratio of to 1, those pursuing a degree will have more opportunities to interact with their professors. The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 4.6%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Religious Studies at Claremont School of Theology

23
Piedmont International University crest
Piedmont International University
Winston-Salem, North Carolina

Piedmont International University did quite well in the 2023 Schools Highly Focused on Religion Major ranking, coming in at #23. Piedmont International University is located in Winston-Salem, North Carolina and, has a small student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 42 ’s religion degrees to qualified students.

With a undergrad student-to-faculty ratio of 10 to 1, it’s easy to see that the school is committed to helping their undergraduates succeed.

Read full report on Religious Studies at Piedmont International University

24
Memphis Theological Seminary crest
Memphis Theological Seminary
Memphis, Tennessee

Memphis Theological Seminary ranked #24 on this year’s Schools Highly Focused on Religion Major list. Memphis Theological Seminary is a small private not-for-profit school situated in Memphis, Tennessee. It awarded 9 ’s religion degrees in 2020-2021.

The impressive undergraduate student-to-faculty ratio of to 1 means that students may have more opportunities to work more closely with their professors than they would at other schools.

Read full report on Religious Studies at Memphis Theological Seminary

25

Academy for Jewish Religion - California did quite well in the 2023 Schools Highly Focused on Religion Major ranking, coming in at #25. Academy for Jewish Religion - California is located in Los Angeles, California and, has a small student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 2 ’s religion degrees to qualified students.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 4.7%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%. The undergraduate student-to-faculty ratio of to 1 is a sign that students will have more opportunities to engage with their professors one-on-one.

Read more about Religious Studies at Academy for Jewish Religion - California

Rest of the Best 50 in Schools Highly Focused on Religion Major

Not only did these schools make the top 50 list, but they also landed in the top 15% of this year’s ranking:

26
27
28
Institute of Buddhist Studies crest
Institute of Buddhist Studies
Berkeley, California
28
30
31
Mount St. Mary's Seminary crest
Athenaeum of Ohio
Cincinnati, Ohio
32
Seminary Bnos Chaim crest
Seminary Bnos Chaim
Lakewood, New Jersey
33
Clinton College crest
Clinton College
Rock Hill, South Carolina
34
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Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary
Wake Forest, North Carolina
35
Brite Divinity crest
Brite Divinity School
Fort Worth, Texas
36
ETS crest
Evangelical Theological Seminary
Myerstown, Pennsylvania
37
Criswell College crest
Criswell College
Dallas, Texas
38
39
Saint Joseph Seminary College crest
Saint Joseph Seminary College
St. Benedict, Louisiana
40
Simmons Bible College crest
Simmons College of Kentucky
Louisville, Kentucky
41
Denver Seminary crest
Denver Seminary
Littleton, Colorado
42
UWest crest
University of the West
Rosemead, California
43
Wabash crest
Wabash College
Crawfordsville, Indiana
44
Arkansas Baptist College crest
Arkansas Baptist College
Little Rock, Arkansas
45
46
47
Crown crest
Crown College
Saint Bonifacius, Minnesota
48
Shorter College crest
Shorter College
N Little Rock, Arkansas
49
Martin University crest
Martin University
Indianapolis, Indiana
50
TC crest
Texas College
Tyler, Texas

Rest of the Top 15% Colleges in Schools Highly Focused on Religion Major

While not in the ‘top 50’, these schools make the top 15% of this year’s ranking:

Rank College Location
51 American Jewish University Los Angeles, CA
52 University of Mobile Mobile, AL
53 Hebrew Union College - Jewish Institute of Religion New York, NY
54 Naropa University Boulder, CO
55 Friends University Wichita, KS
56 Vanguard University of Southern California Costa Mesa, CA
57 Amridge University Montgomery, AL
58 Ouachita Baptist University Arkadelphia, AR
59 Birmingham Southern College Birmingham, AL
60 Hellenic College - Holy Cross Greek Orthodox School of Theology Brookline, MA
61 Oklahoma Baptist University Shawnee, OK
62 Paul Quinn College Dallas, TX
63 Liberty University Lynchburg, VA
64 Allen University Columbia, SC
65 Southern Wesleyan University Central, SC
Rank College Location
66 Hannibal - LaGrange University Hannibal, MO
67 Wayland Baptist University Plainview, TX
68 Faith Baptist Bible College and Theological Seminary Ankeny, IA
69 Principia College Elsah, IL
70 East Texas Baptist University Marshall, TX
71 Mount Vernon Nazarene University Mount Vernon, OH
72 The King’s College New York, NY
73 Westmont College Santa Barbara, CA
74 Cornell College Mount Vernon, IA
75 Guilford College Greensboro, NC
76 St Olaf College Northfield, MN
77 Lane College Jackson, TN
78 Hillsdale College Hillsdale, MI
79 New York Seminary Brooklyn, NY
80 Erskine College Due West, SC
81 Haverford College Haverford, PA
82 Howard Payne University Brownwood, TX
83 Bethune - Cookman University Daytona Beach, FL
84 Greenville University Greenville, IL
84 Spring Hill College Mobile, AL
86 Claremont Graduate University Claremont, CA
87 Cairn University Langhorne, PA
88 Randolph College Lynchburg, VA
89 Northwest Nazarene University Nampa, ID
90 Andrews University Berrien Springs, MI
Rank College Location
91 Grove City College Grove City, PA
92 Virginia Wesleyan University Virginia Beach, VA
93 Gordon College Wenham, MA
94 Anderson University South Carolina Anderson, SC
95 Bethany College Kansas Lindsborg, KS
96 Reed College Portland, OR
97 Furman University Greenville, SC
98 Carleton College Northfield, MN
99 Graceland University - Lamoni Lamoni, IA
100 Kentucky Wesleyan College Owensboro, KY
101 University of Mary Bismarck, ND
102 Swarthmore College Swarthmore, PA
103 Brewton - Parker College Mount Vernon, GA
104 Carson - Newman University Jefferson City, TN
105 Salem College Winston-Salem, NC
106 Athens State University Athens, AL
107 Shorter University Rome, GA
108 Northwestern College Orange City, IA

Notes and References

References

Read more about our data sources and methodologies

Footnotes

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