Religious Studies programs are offered at a focused set of schools across the country. While the number of schools offering the program varies, there are still top-quality ones to be found.
For its 2027 ranking, College Factual looked at 84 schools in the United States to determine which ones were the best for religious studies students pursuing a degree.
Where you study religious studies matters for your future. That is why we developed our collection of Best Schools for Religious Studies rankings. For our Best Overall Religious Studies School ranking, we roll up the results of our degree-level rankings, weighted by the number of degrees awarded at that level.
In order to find the schools that are the best fit for you, you may want to filter to one of the degree levels below.
We offer several rankings, including this Best Religious Studies Schools list, to help you decide. More interested in schools in a specific area of the country? Filter this list by region or state.
To further help you make the college decision, we have developed a unique tool called College Combat that lets you compare schools on the factors that matter most to you.
Best Schools for Religious Studies in the United States
If you are not interested in a particular degree level and want to know which schools are the overall best at delivering an education for the religious studies degrees they offer, see the list below.
No school ranked higher than University Of Wisconsin Madison this year for religious studies. This very large public university is located in the city of Madison. University Of Wisconsin Madison graduates 90% of students within six years. There were roughly 17 religious studies students who graduated with this degree at University Of Wisconsin Madison in the most recent data year. Religious Studies graduates of University Of Wisconsin Madison earn a median of $59,877 early in their careers. University Of Wisconsin Madison graduates carry a median of $21,813 in student loans.
More information about a degree in religious studies from University Of Wisconsin Madison
Santa Clara University is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in religious studies, ranking #2. Located in the city of Santa Clara, Santa Clara University is a large private not-for-profit university. About 88% of students finish within six years. Santa Clara University awarded about 19 religious studies degrees in the most recent data year. Religious Studies graduates of Santa Clara University earn a median of $79,380 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $20,144.
See the full religious studies program report for Santa Clara University
Yale University is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in religious studies, ranking #3. This large private not-for-profit university is located in the city of New Haven. The six-year graduation rate is 96%. About 40 religious studies degrees were awarded at Yale University in the most recent year. Students who receive their religious studies degree from Yale University earn around $74,578 in the first couple years of their career. Yale University graduates carry a median of $14,357 in student loans.
More information about a degree in religious studies from Yale University
A rank of #4 makes University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus one of the top schools for religious studies. Located in the city of Pittsburgh, University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus is a very large public university. University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus graduates 86% of students within six years. University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus awarded about 15 religious studies degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, religious studies degree recipients from University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus generally make around $56,926. Typical student debt for the program is $24,958.
Read more about the religious studies program at University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus
A rank of #5 makes Columbia University In The City Of New York one of the top schools for religious studies. Located in the city of New York, Columbia University In The City Of New York is a very large private not-for-profit university. The six-year graduation rate is 96%. Columbia University In The City Of New York awarded about 35 religious studies degrees in the most recent data year. Religious Studies graduates of Columbia University In The City Of New York earn a median of $86,770 early in their careers. Columbia University In The City Of New York graduates carry a median of $23,258 in student loans.
More information about a degree in religious studies from Columbia University In The City Of New York
University Of Virginia Main Campus came in at #6 for religious studies this year. This very large public university is located in the suburb of Charlottesville. About 96% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 22 religious studies students who graduated with this degree at University Of Virginia Main Campus in the most recent data year. Graduates of the religious studies program make about $25,260 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $18,267 to complete this degree.
Read more about the religious studies program at University Of Virginia Main Campus
California State University Chico came in at #7 for religious studies this year. This large public university is located in the city of Chico. The six-year graduation rate is 63%. About 13 religious studies degrees were awarded at California State University Chico in the most recent year. Religious Studies graduates of California State University Chico earn a median of $45,591 early in their careers. California State University Chico graduates carry a median of $18,591 in student loans.
Read more about the religious studies program at California State University Chico
Harvard University ranked #8 on our 2027 list of the best religious studies schools. Located in the city of Cambridge, Harvard University is a very large private not-for-profit university. The six-year graduation rate is 98%. There were roughly 35 religious studies students who graduated with this degree at Harvard University in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, religious studies degree recipients from Harvard University generally make around $95,207. Students borrow a median of $16,616 to complete this degree.
Get the full religious studies details for Harvard University
Yeshiva University earned the #9 position for religious studies this year. Yeshiva University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of New York. Yeshiva University graduates 85% of students within six years. There were roughly 589 religious studies students who graduated with this degree at Yeshiva University in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, religious studies degree recipients from Yeshiva University generally make around $52,838. Yeshiva University graduates carry a median of $20,625 in student loans.
Read more about the religious studies program at Yeshiva University
Westmont College earned the #10 position for religious studies this year. Set in the suburb of Santa Barbara, Westmont College is a small private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 70% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 11 religious studies students who graduated with this degree at Westmont College in the most recent data year. Graduates of the religious studies program make about $44,240 in their early career. Westmont College graduates carry a median of $23,773 in student loans.
Read more about the religious studies program at Westmont College
Florida State University came in at #11 for religious studies this year. Located in the city of Tallahassee, Florida State University is a very large public university. Roughly 86% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 23 religious studies degrees were awarded at Florida State University in the most recent year. Religious Studies graduates of Florida State University earn a median of $51,884 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $20,488.
See the full religious studies program report for Florida State University
Duke University ranked #12 on our 2027 list of the best religious studies schools. Duke University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Durham. About 97% of students finish within six years. Duke University awarded about 54 religious studies degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, religious studies degree recipients from Duke University generally make around $39,956. Students borrow a median of $13,296 to complete this degree.
Read more about the religious studies program at Duke University
Bethel University Minnesota placed #13 among the best religious studies schools. Set in the suburb of Saint Paul, Bethel University Minnesota is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 71%. About 11 religious studies degrees were awarded at Bethel University Minnesota in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, religious studies degree recipients from Bethel University Minnesota generally make around $61,465. Students borrow a median of $25,639 to complete this degree.
See the full religious studies program report for Bethel University Minnesota
Jewish Theological Seminary Of America placed #14 among the best religious studies schools. Located in the city of New York, Jewish Theological Seminary Of America is a small private not-for-profit university. Roughly 90% of students complete a degree within six years here. Jewish Theological Seminary Of America awarded about 55 religious studies degrees in the most recent data year. Religious Studies graduates of Jewish Theological Seminary Of America earn a median of $78,469 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $16,750 to complete this degree.
See the full religious studies program report for Jewish Theological Seminary Of America
University Of California Santa Barbara ranked #15 on our 2027 list of the best religious studies schools. Set in the suburb of Santa Barbara, University Of California Santa Barbara is a very large public institution. About 83% of students finish within six years. About 22 religious studies degrees were awarded at University Of California Santa Barbara in the most recent year. Students who receive their religious studies degree from University Of California Santa Barbara earn around $19,911 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $15,873.
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Baylor University earned the #16 position for religious studies this year. Located in the city of Waco, Baylor University is a very large private not-for-profit university. The six-year graduation rate is 80%. There were roughly 30 religious studies students who graduated with this degree at Baylor University in the most recent data year. Religious Studies graduates of Baylor University earn a median of $31,672 early in their careers. Baylor University graduates carry a median of $25,612 in student loans.
See the full religious studies program report for Baylor University
University Of St Thomas Minnesota earned the #17 position for religious studies this year. Set in the city of Saint Paul, University Of St Thomas Minnesota is a large private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 77%. There were roughly 53 religious studies students who graduated with this degree at University Of St Thomas Minnesota in the most recent data year. Students who receive their religious studies degree from University Of St Thomas Minnesota earn around $27,496 in the first couple years of their career. University Of St Thomas Minnesota graduates carry a median of $19,500 in student loans.
Get the full religious studies details for University Of St Thomas Minnesota
University Of Mary landed the #18 spot for religious studies this year. Located in the rural area of Bismarck, University Of Mary is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Roughly 67% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 23 religious studies degrees were awarded at University Of Mary in the most recent year. Religious Studies graduates of University Of Mary earn a median of $65,565 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $26,983.
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University Of Georgia placed #19 among the best religious studies schools. Set in the city of Athens, University Of Georgia is a very large public institution. University Of Georgia graduates 90% of students within six years. There were roughly 20 religious studies students who graduated with this degree at University Of Georgia in the most recent data year. Religious Studies graduates of University Of Georgia earn a median of $53,546 early in their careers. University Of Georgia graduates carry a median of $21,792 in student loans.
More information about a degree in religious studies from University Of Georgia
Vanguard University Of Southern California came in at #20 for religious studies this year. Set in the city of Costa Mesa, Vanguard University Of Southern California is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Vanguard University Of Southern California graduates 57% of students within six years. About 20 religious studies degrees were awarded at Vanguard University Of Southern California in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, religious studies degree recipients from Vanguard University Of Southern California generally make around $80,727. Typical student debt for the program is $21,111.
Read more about the religious studies program at Vanguard University Of Southern California
University Of Puget Sound ranked #21 on our 2027 list of the best religious studies schools. Set in the city of Tacoma, University Of Puget Sound is a small private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 68%. About 11 religious studies degrees were awarded at University Of Puget Sound in the most recent year. Religious Studies graduates of University Of Puget Sound earn a median of $20,357 early in their careers. University Of Puget Sound graduates carry a median of $25,287 in student loans.
Get the full religious studies details for University Of Puget Sound
The University Of Texas At Austin came in at #22 for religious studies this year. Set in the city of Austin, The University Of Texas At Austin is a very large public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 89%. There were roughly 18 religious studies students who graduated with this degree at The University Of Texas At Austin in the most recent data year. Graduates of the religious studies program make about $57,819 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $21,275 to complete this degree.
Read more about the religious studies program at The University Of Texas At Austin
University Of Central Florida earned the #23 position for religious studies this year. This very large public university is located in the suburb of Orlando. About 78% of students finish within six years. About 14 religious studies degrees were awarded at University Of Central Florida in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, religious studies degree recipients from University Of Central Florida generally make around $51,790. Typical student debt for the program is $21,620.
Get the full religious studies details for University Of Central Florida
Hope College placed #24 among the best religious studies schools. Hope College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Holland. Roughly 80% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 11 religious studies degrees were awarded at Hope College in the most recent year. Religious Studies graduates of Hope College earn a median of $25,208 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $26,334 to complete this degree.
See the full religious studies program report for Hope College
Elyon College landed the #25 spot for religious studies this year. Set in the city of Brooklyn, Elyon College is a small private not-for-profit institution. There were roughly 69 religious studies students who graduated with this degree at Elyon College in the most recent data year.
Read more about the religious studies program at Elyon College
Rest of the Top 50 Religious Studies Schools
These schools also placed among the best for religious studies this year:
This list is compiled by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 edition. The methodology weighs graduation rate, post-graduation earnings, cost, and program quality, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Top Ranked · 84 schools evaluated.
The Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), a branch of the U.S. Department of Education (DOE), serves as the core of our data about colleges.
Some other college data, including much of the graduate earnings data, comes from the U.S. Department of Education’s (College Scorecard).
