by our College Data Analytics TeamIn 2020-2021, theology was the 127th most popular major nationwide with 6,253 degrees awarded. This is a difference of 407 over the prior year, a growth of 6.5%.
Our 2023 Best Theology Schools ranking analyzes 98 of these schools to determine the best overall colleges for theology students. Continue reading to check out one of our many unbiased rankings of theology programs later in this article.
Talking to others to convey information effectively is a required skill for theology majors. Required skills include giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times and understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work related documents.
A high school diploma or equivalent is typically required for most theology degree programs and many students will need a minimum GPA and SAT/ACT score depending on the school. Once you obtain your degree, additional theology certifications required to pursue a career in this field.
Theology degree levels vary. You can spend many years getting as high as a in theology to something that takes less time like a . How long it takes to complete some common theology degree levels is shown below.
| Degree | Credit Requirements | Typical Program Length |
|---|---|---|
| Associate Degree | 60-70 credits | 2 years |
| Bachelor’s Degree | 120 credits | 4 years |
| Master’s Degree | 50-70 credits | 1-3 years |
| Doctorate | Program required coursework including thesis or dissertation | At least 4 years |
A master's degree is the most common level of education achieved by those in careers related to theology, with approximately 39.9% of workers getting one. People currently working in careers related to theology tend obtained the following education levels.
| Level of Education | Percentage of Workers |
|---|---|
| Master’s Degree | 40.5% |
| Doctoral Degree | 36.8% |
| Bachelor’s Degree | 12.0% |
| Post-Doctoral Training | 6.2% |
| Post-Baccalaureate Certificate | 4.0% |
83.7% of theology workers have at least a master's. View the chart below to get an idea of what degree level most of those in theology careers have.
The education level required is different depending on the theology career you are seeking.
Want a job when you graduate with your theology degree? Theology careers are expected to grow 8.6% between 2016 and 2026.
The following options are some of the most in-demand careers related to theology.
| Occupation Name | Projected Jobs | Expected Growth |
|---|---|---|
| Clergy | 263,800 | 8.2% |
| Philosophy and Religion Professors | 35,700 | 12.3% |
As you might expect, salaries for theology graduates vary depending on the level of education that was acquired.
Salaries for theology graduates can vary widely by the occupation you choose as well. The following table shows the top highest paying careers theology grads often go into.
| Occupation Name | Median Average Salary |
|---|---|
| Philosophy and Religion Professors | $82,420 |
| Clergy | $53,290 |
With over 632 different theology degree programs to choose from, finding the best fit for you can be a challenge. Fortunately you have come to the right place. We have analyzed all of these schools to come up with hundreds of unbiased theology school rankings to help you with this.
One of 4 majors within the Theological & Ministerial Studies area of study, Theology has other similar majors worth exploring.
| Related Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| Divinity/Ministry | 7,238 |
| Other Theological & Ministerial Studies | 1,925 |
| Pre-Theology/Pre-Ministerial Studies | 251 |
| Rabbinical Studies | 165 |
