2026 Best Religious Studies Schools in the Far Western Region
Religious Studies programs are offered at a focused set of schools across the country. A focused field like this rewards careful comparison of the schools that offer it.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 87 schools to find the best for religious studies students.
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Best Schools for Religious Studies in the Far Western Region
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.
Top Schools in Religious Studies
Our analysis ranked Santa Clara University the best school in the country for a degree in religious studies. Santa Clara University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Santa Clara. The six-year graduation rate is 88%. About 26 religious studies degrees were awarded at Santa Clara University in the most recent year. Religious Studies graduates of Santa Clara University earn a median of $79,380 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $20,144 to complete this degree.
Read more about the religious studies program at Santa Clara University
Students looking for a strong religious studies program will find one at University Of California Santa Barbara, which ranked #2. University Of California Santa Barbara is a very large public school located in the suburb of Santa Barbara. Roughly 83% of students complete a degree within six years here. University Of California Santa Barbara awarded about 31 religious studies degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the religious studies program make about $19,911 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $15,873 to complete this degree.
Read more about the religious studies program at University Of California Santa Barbara
Vanguard University Of Southern California is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in religious studies, ranking #3. Located in the city of Costa Mesa, Vanguard University Of Southern California is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Vanguard University Of Southern California graduates 57% of students within six years. About 18 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. Students borrow a median of $21,111 to complete this degree.
Read more about the religious studies program at Vanguard University Of Southern California
Students looking for a strong religious studies program will find one at Mount St Marys College, which ranked #4. Set in the city of Los Angeles, Mount St Marys College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 48%. There were roughly 13 religious studies students who graduated with this degree at Mount St Marys College in the most recent data year. Students who receive their religious studies degree from Mount St Marys College earn around $58,110 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $27,555.
Get the full religious studies details for Mount St Marys College
California Baptist University came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best religious studies schools. This large private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Riverside. Roughly 62% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 16 religious studies students who graduated with this degree at California Baptist University in the most recent data year. Graduates of the religious studies program make about $29,582 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $24,474.
More information about a degree in religious studies from California Baptist University
Faith Evangelical College And Seminary placed #6 among the best religious studies schools. Faith Evangelical College And Seminary is a small private not-for-profit school located in the city of Tacoma. The six-year graduation rate is 25%. Faith Evangelical College And Seminary awarded about 26 religious studies degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, religious studies degree recipients from Faith Evangelical College And Seminary generally make around $42,103. Typical student debt for the program is $17,813.
Read more about the religious studies program at Faith Evangelical College And Seminary
Yeshiva Ohr Elchonon Chabad West Coast Talmudical Seminary came in at #7 for religious studies this year. This small private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Los Angeles. The six-year graduation rate is 12%. There were roughly 42 religious studies students who graduated with this degree at Yeshiva Ohr Elchonon Chabad West Coast Talmudical Seminary in the most recent data year. Religious Studies graduates of Yeshiva Ohr Elchonon Chabad West Coast Talmudical Seminary earn a median of $15,652 early in their careers.
Get the full religious studies details for Yeshiva Ohr Elchonon Chabad West Coast Talmudical Seminary
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Notes and References
This list is compiled by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 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 · 87 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).
More about our data sources and methodologies.
