by our College Data Analytics TeamIn the latest year, 11 U.S. colleges awarded 153 degrees and certificates in Rabbinical Studies. Master’s degrees are the most popular award, at 98% of graduates. Graduates earn a median $48,676 one year after completing, rising to $60,725 after four years.
Studying Rabbinical Studies involves the study of Rabbinical Studies. A Program That Prepares Individuals For Ordination As Rabbis. Includes Instruction In Talmud, Halacha, Liturgy And Rituals, Rabbinical Thought, Jewish Ethics, Jewish Education, Pastoral Counseling And Homiletics. Examples: [Rabbinical Studies (M.h.l./rav)].
Source: IPEDS 2025; College Scorecard July 2026; BLS; O*NET; College Factual rankings. Data as of: July 2026.
Across the country, rabbinical studies draws strong interest, with 153 degrees awarded annually. 11 colleges award rabbinical studies degrees, an average of 14 graduates per school; the largest program awarded 53.
By level, the 153 awards include 150 master’s degrees and 3 doctorates.
Women earned 28% of rabbinical studies degrees and certificates in the latest year (43 of 153). The largest groups of graduates by race and ethnicity are White (142) and Hispanic or Latino (4), and international students earned 1.
The most common rabbinical studies credential is the master’s degree: 150 of the 153 awarded in the latest year. Jobs related to rabbinical 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 Speech Clarity, Oral Expression and Written Comprehension.
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How long a rabbinical studies degree takes:
| Degree | Typical Program Length | Graduates Annually |
|---|---|---|
| Master’s Degree | 1-3 years | 150 |
| Doctorate | At least 4 years | 3 |
Doctoral degree is the most common level of education among workers in jobs related to rabbinical studies, at 71.5%.
| Level of Education | Percentage of Workers |
|---|---|
| Doctoral degree | 71.5% |
| Master’s degree | 14.2% |
| Post-doctoral training | 12.1% |
| Bachelor’s degree | 0.6% |
| Post-master’s certificate | 0.6% |
| Some college courses | 0.5% |
| High school diploma or equivalent | 0.4% |
Source: O*NET Online.
2 occupations are related to Rabbinical Studies, with an average median salary of $60,719; the strongest outlook belongs to Philosophy and Religion Teachers, Postsecondary, at 3.7% projected job growth. Typical job titles include Biblical Studies Professor, Religion Professor, Philosophy Adjunct Professor and Old Testament Professor.
That occupation also has the most projected jobs of any related to rabbinical studies, at 1,031,835.
| Occupation | Projected Jobs | Expected Growth |
|---|---|---|
| Philosophy and Religion Teachers, Postsecondary | 1,031,835 | 3.7% |
| Clergy | 33,072 | -3.3% |
Rabbinical Studies graduates earn a median $48,676 one year after completing their program, $60,725 after four years and $59,922 after five years, according to the U.S. Department of Education’s College Scorecard.
| Years Out | Median Earnings |
|---|---|
| 1 year | $48,676 |
| 4 years | $60,725 |
| 5 years | $59,922 |
Source: College Scorecard.
The same occupation is also the highest-paying one related to rabbinical studies, with a median salary of $71,584.
| Occupation | Median Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| Philosophy and Religion Teachers, Postsecondary | $71,584 |
| Clergy | $49,854 |
Rabbinical Studies has 4 similar majors in the Theology & Religious Vocations field, which together award 14,731 degrees a year; the largest are Divinity/Ministry (6,513), Theology/Theological Studies (6,332) and Theological and Ministerial Studies, Other (1,706). Browse all Theology & Religious Vocations majors or the full list of college majors.
| Related Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| Divinity/Ministry | 6,513 |
| Theology/Theological Studies | 6,332 |
| Theological and Ministerial Studies, Other | 1,706 |
| Pre-Theology/Pre-Ministerial Studies | 180 |
More about our data sources and methodologies.