by our College Data Analytics TeamIn the latest year, 381 U.S. colleges awarded 2,796 degrees and certificates in Religion/Religious Studies. Bachelor’s degrees are the most popular award, at 76% of graduates. College Factual ranks 31 schools in its 2027 Best Religion/Religious 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 Religion/Religious Studies explores Religion/religious Studies. A Program That Focuses On The Nature Of Religious Belief And Specific Religious And Quasi-Religious Systems. Includes Instruction In Phenomenology; The Sociology, Psychology, Philosophy, Anthropology, Literature And Art Of Religion; Mythology; Scriptural And Textual Studies; Religious History And Politics; And Specific Studies Of Particular Faith Communities And Their Behavior.
Source: IPEDS 2025; College Scorecard July 2026; BLS; O*NET; College Factual rankings 2027. Data as of: July 2026.
In the U.S., religion/religious studies is a widely-pursued major, with 2,796 degrees awarded annually. 381 colleges award religion/religious studies degrees, an average of 7 graduates per school; the largest program awarded 515.
By level, the 2,796 awards include 18 certificates, 48 associate degrees, 2,130 bachelor’s degrees, 424 master’s degrees and 174 doctorates.
Women earned 51% of religion/religious studies degrees and certificates in the latest year (1,414 of 2,796). The largest groups of graduates by race and ethnicity are White (1,699) and Hispanic or Latino (265), and international students earned 138.
College Factual ranks 31 schools in its 2027 Best Religion/Religious Studies Schools ranking, including 1 for associate degrees, 21 for bachelor’s degrees, 7 for master’s degrees and 3 for doctorates. It also ranks religion/religious studies schools within 13 states. In all, 381 colleges offer religion/religious studies programs; compare them by degree level below or in the Best Value Religion/Religious Studies Colleges ranking, which weighs quality against cost.
The most common religion/religious studies credential is the bachelor’s degree: 2,130 of the 2,796 awarded in the latest year. Jobs related to religion/religious studies call most for Reading Comprehension, Speaking and Active Listening, and for knowledge of Philosophy and Theology, English Language and Education and Training, according to O*NET. The most important abilities are Written Comprehension, Speech Clarity and Oral Expression.
Top skills, rated 0–5:
Top knowledge areas, rated 0–5:
How long a religion/religious studies degree takes:
| Degree | Typical Program Length | Graduates Annually |
|---|---|---|
| Certificate | Varies | 18 |
| Associate Degree | 2 years | 48 |
| Bachelor’s Degree | 4 years | 2,130 |
| Master’s Degree | 1-3 years | 424 |
| Doctorate | At least 4 years | 174 |
Doctoral degree is the most common level of education among workers in jobs related to religion/religious 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 Religion/Religious 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 Educator, Adjunct Philosophy Professor, Religion Instructor and Philosophy Lecturer.
That occupation also has the most projected jobs of any related to religion/religious studies, at 1,031,835.
| Occupation | Projected Jobs | Expected Growth |
|---|---|---|
| Philosophy and Religion Teachers, Postsecondary | 1,031,835 | 3.7% |
Religion/Religious 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 religion/religious studies, with a median salary of $71,584.
| Occupation | Median Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| Philosophy and Religion Teachers, Postsecondary | $71,584 |
Religion/Religious Studies has 7 similar majors in the Philosophy & Religious Studies field, which together award 7,848 degrees a year; the largest are Talmudic Studies (5,664), Jewish/Judaic Studies (1,207) and Christian Studies (825). Browse all Philosophy & Religious Studies majors or the full list of college majors.
| Related Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| Talmudic Studies | 5,664 |
| Jewish/Judaic Studies | 1,207 |
| Christian Studies | 825 |
| Religion/Religious Studies, Other | 69 |
| Catholic Studies | 45 |
| Islamic Studies | 32 |
| Buddhist Studies | 6 |
More about our data sources and methodologies.
