by our College Data Analytics TeamIn the latest year, 68 U.S. colleges awarded 363 degrees and certificates in Religious/Sacred Music. Bachelor’s degrees are the most popular award, at 60% of graduates. College Factual ranks 3 schools in its 2027 Best Religious/Sacred Music Schools ranking and compares their cost in a Best Value ranking. Graduates earn a median $35,384 one year after completing, rising to $44,909 after four years.
Studying Religious/Sacred Music explores Religious/sacred Music. A Program That Focuses On The History, Theory, Composition, And Performance Of Music For Religious Or Sacred Purposes, And That Prepares Individuals For Religious Musical Vocations Such As Choir Directors, Cantors, Organists, And Chanters.
Source: IPEDS 2025; College Scorecard July 2026; BLS; O*NET; College Factual rankings 2027. Data as of: July 2026.
Nationwide, religious/sacred music is a widely-pursued major, with 363 degrees awarded annually. 68 colleges award religious/sacred music degrees, an average of 5 graduates per school; the largest program awarded 117.
By level, the 363 awards include 1 certificates, 10 associate degrees, 219 bachelor’s degrees, 102 master’s degrees and 31 doctorates.
Women earned 52% of religious/sacred music degrees and certificates in the latest year (188 of 363). The largest groups of graduates by race and ethnicity are White (222) and Hispanic or Latino (40), and international students earned 22.
College Factual ranks 3 schools in its 2027 Best Religious/Sacred Music Schools ranking, including 2 for bachelor’s degrees, 2 for master’s degrees and 1 for doctorates. It also ranks religious/sacred music schools within 2 states. In all, 68 colleges offer religious/sacred music programs; compare them by degree level below or in the Best Value Religious/Sacred Music Colleges ranking, which weighs quality against cost.
The most common religious/sacred music credential is the bachelor’s degree: 219 of the 363 awarded in the latest year. Jobs related to religious/sacred music call most for Reading Comprehension, Active Listening and Speaking, and for knowledge of Philosophy and Theology, English Language and Education and Training, according to O*NET. The most important abilities are Written Comprehension, Oral Expression and Speech Clarity.
Top skills, rated 0–5:
Top knowledge areas, rated 0–5:
How long a religious/sacred music degree takes:
| Degree | Typical Program Length | Graduates Annually |
|---|---|---|
| Certificate | Varies | 1 |
| Associate Degree | 2 years | 10 |
| Bachelor’s Degree | 4 years | 219 |
| Master’s Degree | 1-3 years | 102 |
| Doctorate | At least 4 years | 31 |
Doctoral degree is the most common level of education among workers in jobs related to religious/sacred music, at 66.1%.
| Level of Education | Percentage of Workers |
|---|---|
| Doctoral degree | 66.1% |
| Master’s degree | 15.3% |
| Post-doctoral training | 10.7% |
| Bachelor’s degree | 3.5% |
| Associate’s degree (or other 2-year) | 1.2% |
| Some college courses | 0.9% |
| Post-master’s certificate | 0.8% |
| Less than a high school diploma | 0.7% |
| High school diploma or equivalent | 0.6% |
| Post-baccalaureate certificate | 0.3% |
Source: O*NET Online.
2 occupations are related to Religious/Sacred Music, with an average median salary of $69,250; the strongest outlook belongs to Music Directors and Composers, at 6.4% projected job growth. Typical job titles include College Professor, Theology Professor, Philosophy Assistant Professor and Philosophy Lecturer.
The occupation related to religious/sacred music with the most projected jobs is Philosophy and Religion Teachers, Postsecondary, at 1,031,835.
| Occupation | Projected Jobs | Expected Growth |
|---|---|---|
| Philosophy and Religion Teachers, Postsecondary | 1,031,835 | 3.7% |
| Music Directors and Composers | 180,947 | 6.4% |
Religious/Sacred Music graduates earn a median $35,384 one year after completing their program, $44,909 after four years and $44,242 after five years, according to the U.S. Department of Education’s College Scorecard.
| Years Out | Median Earnings |
|---|---|
| 1 year | $35,384 |
| 4 years | $44,909 |
| 5 years | $44,242 |
Source: College Scorecard.
The same occupation is also the highest-paying one related to religious/sacred music, with a median salary of $71,584.
| Occupation | Median Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| Philosophy and Religion Teachers, Postsecondary | $71,584 |
| Music Directors and Composers | $66,915 |
Religious/Sacred Music has 2 similar majors in the Theology & Religious Vocations field, which together award 114 degrees a year; the largest are Worship Ministry (108) and Religious Music and Worship, Other (6). Browse all Theology & Religious Vocations majors or the full list of college majors.
| Related Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| Worship Ministry | 108 |
| Religious Music and Worship, Other | 6 |
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