by our College Data Analytics TeamIn the latest year, 293 U.S. colleges awarded 6,332 degrees and certificates in Theology. Master’s degrees are the most popular award, at 66% of graduates. College Factual ranks 77 schools in its 2027 Best Theology Schools ranking and compares their cost in a Best Value ranking. Graduates earn a median $48,676 one year after completing, rising to $60,725 after four years.
A degree in Theology covers Theology/theological Studies. A Program That Focuses On The Beliefs And Doctrine Of A Particular Religious Faith From The Intramural Point Of View Of That Faith. Includes Instruction In Systematic Theology, Historical Theology, Moral Theology, Doctrinal Studies, Dogmatics, Apologetics, And Applications To Specific Questions Of Ecclesiastical Polity And Religious Life.
Source: IPEDS 2025; College Scorecard July 2026; BLS; O*NET; College Factual rankings 2027. Data as of: July 2026.
Across the country, theology is a widely-pursued major, with 6,332 degrees awarded annually. 293 colleges award theology degrees, an average of 22 graduates per school; the largest program awarded 1,257.
By level, the 6,332 awards include 3 certificates, 44 associate degrees, 1,181 bachelor’s degrees, 4,204 master’s degrees and 896 doctorates.
Women earned 37% of theology degrees and certificates in the latest year (2,359 of 6,332). The largest groups of graduates by race and ethnicity are White (3,545) and Black or African American (701), and international students earned 591.
College Factual ranks 77 schools in its 2027 Best Theology Schools ranking, including 2 for associate degrees, 17 for bachelor’s degrees, 61 for master’s degrees and 22 for doctorates. It also ranks theology schools within 17 states. In all, 293 colleges offer theology programs; compare them by degree level below or in the Best Value Theology Colleges ranking, which weighs quality against cost.
The most common theology credential is the master’s degree: 4,204 of the 6,332 awarded in the latest year. Jobs related to theology 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.
Top skills, rated 0–5:
Top knowledge areas, rated 0–5:
How long a theology degree takes:
| Degree | Typical Program Length | Graduates Annually |
|---|---|---|
| Certificate | Varies | 3 |
| Associate Degree | 2 years | 44 |
| Bachelor’s Degree | 4 years | 1,181 |
| Master’s Degree | 1-3 years | 4,204 |
| Doctorate | At least 4 years | 896 |
Doctoral degree is the most common level of education among workers in jobs related to theology, 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 Theology, 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 Religious Studies Professor, Divinity Teacher, Philosophy Adjunct Instructor and Metaphysics Teacher.
That occupation also has the most projected jobs of any related to theology, at 1,031,835.
| Occupation | Projected Jobs | Expected Growth |
|---|---|---|
| Philosophy and Religion Teachers, Postsecondary | 1,031,835 | 3.7% |
| Clergy | 33,072 | -3.3% |
Theology 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 theology, with a median salary of $71,584.
| Occupation | Median Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| Philosophy and Religion Teachers, Postsecondary | $71,584 |
| Clergy | $49,854 |
Theology has 4 similar majors in the Theology & Religious Vocations field, which together award 8,552 degrees a year; the largest are Divinity/Ministry (6,513), Theological and Ministerial Studies, Other (1,706) and Pre-Theology/Pre-Ministerial Studies (180). Browse all Theology & Religious Vocations majors or the full list of college majors.
| Related Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| Divinity/Ministry | 6,513 |
| Theological and Ministerial Studies, Other | 1,706 |
| Pre-Theology/Pre-Ministerial Studies | 180 |
| Rabbinical Studies | 153 |
More about our data sources and methodologies.
