Religion/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 2027 ranking, College Factual evaluated 31 schools to find the best for religion/religious studies students.
Choosing a Great Religion/Religious Studies School
The religion/religious studies program you select can have a big impact on your future. That is why we built our Best Religion/Religious Studies Schools rankings. Our overall ranking combines our degree-level rankings, weighted by degrees awarded at each level.
To find the best fit, you can narrow this list to a specific degree level below.
Religion/Religious Studies Rankings by Degree Level
We offer several rankings, including this Best Religion/Religious Studies Schools list, to help you decide. Want schools in a particular part of the country? Narrow the 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.
Our analysis ranked Yale University the best school in the country for a degree in religion/religious studies. This large private not-for-profit university is located in the city of New Haven. About 96% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 32 religion/religious studies students who graduated with this degree at Yale University in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, religion/religious studies degree recipients from Yale University generally make around $74,578. Yale University graduates carry a median of $14,357 in student loans.
Read more about the religion/religious studies program at Yale University
Columbia University In The City Of New York is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in religion/religious studies, ranking #2. Located in the city of New York, Columbia University In The City Of New York is a very large private not-for-profit university. Columbia University In The City Of New York graduates 96% of students within six years. Columbia University In The City Of New York awarded about 25 religion/religious studies degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their religion/religious studies degree from Columbia University In The City Of New York earn around $86,770 in the first couple years of their career. Columbia University In The City Of New York graduates carry a median of $23,258 in student loans.
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University Of Virginia Main Campus is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in religion/religious studies, landing the #3 spot this year. Set in the suburb of Charlottesville, University Of Virginia Main Campus is a very large public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 96%. University Of Virginia Main Campus awarded about 22 religion/religious studies degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the religion/religious studies program make about $25,260 in their early career. University Of Virginia Main Campus graduates carry a median of $18,267 in student loans.
More information about a degree in religion/religious studies from University Of Virginia Main Campus
A rank of #4 makes California State University Chico one of the top schools for religion/religious studies. Set in the city of Chico, California State University Chico is a large public institution. Roughly 63% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 13 religion/religious studies degrees were awarded at California State University Chico in the most recent year. Students who receive their religion/religious studies degree from California State University Chico earn around $45,591 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $18,591.
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Harvard University came in at #5 on our 2027 list of the best religion/religious studies schools. Located in the city of Cambridge, Harvard University is a very large private not-for-profit university. About 98% of students finish within six years. Harvard University awarded about 35 religion/religious studies degrees in the most recent data year. Religion/religious Studies graduates of Harvard University earn a median of $95,207 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $16,616 to complete this degree.
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Westmont College came in at #6 for religion/religious studies this year. Located in the suburb of Santa Barbara, Westmont College is a small private not-for-profit university. Roughly 70% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 11 religion/religious studies degrees were awarded at Westmont College in the most recent year. Students who receive their religion/religious studies degree from Westmont College earn around $44,240 in the first couple years of their career. Westmont College graduates carry a median of $23,773 in student loans.
More information about a degree in religion/religious studies from Westmont College
Florida State University landed the #7 spot for religion/religious studies this year. Set in the city of Tallahassee, Florida State University is a very large public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 86%. Florida State University awarded about 23 religion/religious studies degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their religion/religious studies degree from Florida State University earn around $51,884 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $20,488.
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Bethel University Minnesota came in at #8 for religion/religious studies this year. This mid-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the suburb of Saint Paul. About 71% of students finish within six years. Bethel University Minnesota awarded about 11 religion/religious studies degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, religion/religious studies degree recipients from Bethel University Minnesota generally make around $61,465. Bethel University Minnesota graduates carry a median of $25,639 in student loans.
See the full religion/religious studies program report for Bethel University Minnesota
University Of California Santa Barbara placed #9 among the best religion/religious studies schools. Set in the suburb of Santa Barbara, University Of California Santa Barbara is a very large public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 83%. University Of California Santa Barbara awarded about 22 religion/religious studies degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the religion/religious studies program make about $19,911 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $15,873.
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Baylor University earned the #10 position for religion/religious studies this year. Baylor University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Waco. Baylor University graduates 80% of students within six years. There were roughly 30 religion/religious studies students who graduated with this degree at Baylor University in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, religion/religious studies degree recipients from Baylor University generally make around $31,672. Students borrow a median of $25,612 to complete this degree.
More information about a degree in religion/religious studies from Baylor University
University Of St Thomas Minnesota landed the #11 spot for religion/religious studies this year. Located in the city of Saint Paul, University Of St Thomas Minnesota is a large private not-for-profit university. Roughly 77% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 53 religion/religious studies students who graduated with this degree at University Of St Thomas Minnesota in the most recent data year. Religion/religious Studies graduates of University Of St Thomas Minnesota earn a median of $27,496 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $19,500 to complete this degree.
More information about a degree in religion/religious studies from University Of St Thomas Minnesota
University Of Georgia ranked #12 on our 2027 list of the best religion/religious studies schools. University Of Georgia is a very large public school located in the city of Athens. Roughly 90% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 20 religion/religious studies degrees were awarded at University Of Georgia in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, religion/religious studies degree recipients from University Of Georgia generally make around $53,546. Students borrow a median of $21,792 to complete this degree.
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Vanguard University Of Southern California ranked #13 on our 2027 list of the best religion/religious studies schools. Located in the city of Costa Mesa, Vanguard University Of Southern California is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Roughly 57% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 20 religion/religious studies students who graduated with this degree at Vanguard University Of Southern California in the most recent data year. Graduates of the religion/religious studies program make about $80,727 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $21,111 to complete this degree.
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University Of Puget Sound earned the #14 position for religion/religious studies this year. Set in the city of Tacoma, University Of Puget Sound is a small private not-for-profit institution. University Of Puget Sound graduates 68% of students within six years. University Of Puget Sound awarded about 11 religion/religious studies degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, religion/religious studies degree recipients from University Of Puget Sound generally make around $20,357. Typical student debt for the program is $25,287.
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The University Of Texas At Austin came in at #15 for religion/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%. The University Of Texas At Austin awarded about 16 religion/religious studies degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the religion/religious studies program make about $57,819 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $21,275.
See the full religion/religious studies program report for The University Of Texas At Austin
University Of Central Florida landed the #16 spot for religion/religious studies this year. University Of Central Florida is a very large public school located in the suburb of Orlando. The six-year graduation rate is 78%. There were roughly 14 religion/religious studies students who graduated with this degree at University Of Central Florida in the most recent data year. Religion/religious Studies graduates of University Of Central Florida earn a median of $51,790 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $21,620.
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Hope College came in at #17 for religion/religious studies this year. Set in the city of Holland, Hope College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 80%. Hope College awarded about 11 religion/religious studies degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, religion/religious studies degree recipients from Hope College generally make around $25,208. Hope College graduates carry a median of $26,334 in student loans.
See the full religion/religious studies program report for Hope College
Arizona State University Skysong placed #18 among the best religion/religious studies schools. Arizona State University Skysong is a very large public school located in the city of Scottsdale. There were roughly 19 religion/religious studies students who graduated with this degree at Arizona State University Skysong in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, religion/religious studies degree recipients from Arizona State University Skysong generally make around $55,394. Students borrow a median of $20,542 to complete this degree.
More information about a degree in religion/religious studies from Arizona State University Skysong
College Of Charleston earned the #19 position for religion/religious studies this year. Located in the city of Charleston, College Of Charleston is a large public university. Roughly 66% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 10 religion/religious studies degrees were awarded at College Of Charleston in the most recent year. Students who receive their religion/religious studies degree from College Of Charleston earn around $40,222 in the first couple years of their career. College Of Charleston graduates carry a median of $24,733 in student loans.
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Grove City College ranked #20 on our 2027 list of the best religion/religious studies schools. Set in the town of Grove City, Grove City College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Grove City College graduates 83% of students within six years. About 16 religion/religious studies degrees were awarded at Grove City College in the most recent year.
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Missouri State University Springfield earned the #21 position for religion/religious studies this year. Missouri State University Springfield is a very large public school located in the city of Springfield. About 58% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 34 religion/religious studies students who graduated with this degree at Missouri State University Springfield in the most recent data year. Graduates of the religion/religious studies program make about $22,133 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $26,349 to complete this degree.
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Southern Wesleyan University placed #22 among the best religion/religious studies schools. This small private not-for-profit university is located in the suburb of Central. About 57% of students finish within six years. About 12 religion/religious studies degrees were awarded at Southern Wesleyan University in the most recent year. Graduates of the religion/religious studies program make about $28,636 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $22,012.
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Catholic University Of America landed the #23 spot for religion/religious studies this year. Located in the city of Washington, Catholic University Of America is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. About 80% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 11 religion/religious studies students who graduated with this degree at Catholic University Of America in the most recent data year. Graduates of the religion/religious studies program make about $65,120 in their early career. Catholic University Of America graduates carry a median of $25,771 in student loans.
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Gardner Webb University came in at #24 for religion/religious studies this year. Gardner Webb University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the rural area of Boiling Springs. The six-year graduation rate is 54%. About 17 religion/religious studies degrees were awarded at Gardner Webb University in the most recent year. Students who receive their religion/religious studies degree from Gardner Webb University earn around $63,220 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $25,033.
More information about a degree in religion/religious studies from Gardner Webb University
Liberty University earned the #25 position for religion/religious studies this year. Located in the city of Lynchburg, Liberty University is a very large private not-for-profit university. About 67% of students finish within six years. Liberty University awarded about 515 religion/religious studies degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, religion/religious studies degree recipients from Liberty University generally make around $37,753. Typical student debt for the program is $32,873.
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Rest of the Top 31 Religion/Religious Studies Schools
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s religion/religious studies ranking:
Religion/Religious Studies Related Rankings by Major
Religion/Religious Studies is one of many programs to choose from within the area of study. See all related rankings.
Notes and References
The ranking above is published 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 · 31 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).
