Best Philosophy programs in California, ranked by enrollment
Teach courses in philosophy, religion, and theology.
173 schools in California run programs that feed this job, graduating 3,525 people a year. The job pays a median of $105,820 in California across about 1,850 jobs (BLS OEWS May 2025).
Fields of study in California that lead to this job
Grouped at the 4-digit CIP level. Numbers are graduates per year in this state.
22 programs in California that lead to this job
Ranked by graduates per year in California (IPEDS completions). Graduate earnings and debt are national College Scorecard figures reported at the 4-digit CIP level, so specializations within one field share a figure. Each program also links to its own California page.
| # | Program | Graduates / yr | Share of pipeline | Schools | Grad earnings (1 yr) | Median debt |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | CIP 38.0101In California → | 1,398 | 39.7% | 135 | $31,618 | $22,862 |
| 2 | CIP 39.0601In California → | 477 | 13.5% | 29 | $32,202 | $25,375 |
| 3 | CIP 39.0602In California → | 455 | 12.9% | 30 | $32,202 | $25,375 |
| 4 | CIP 39.0699In California → | 247 | 7.0% | 16 | $32,202 | $25,375 |
| 5 | CIP 39.0201In California → | 191 | 5.4% | 18 | $33,182 | $25,000 |
| 6 | Religion/Religious Studiesmain feeder CIP 38.0201In California → | 184 | 5.2% | 37 | $26,048 | $25,612 |
| 7 | CIP 39.0701In California → | 134 | 3.8% | 12 | $32,226 | $26,000 |
| 8 | CIP 39.0301In California → | 91 | 2.6% | 7 | $28,103 | $17,318 |
| 9 | CIP 38.0199In California → | 77 | 2.2% | 3 | $31,618 | $22,862 |
| 10 | Philosophy and Religious Studies, Othermain feeder CIP 38.9999In California → | 67 | 1.9% | 4 | $28,712 | $24,734 |
| 11 | Christian Studiesmain feeder CIP 38.0203In California → | 56 | 1.6% | 5 | $26,048 | $25,612 |
| 12 | CIP 39.0401In California → | 41 | 1.2% | 4 | $32,351 | $25,937 |
| 13 | CIP 39.0502In California → | 26 | 0.7% | 3 | $30,092 | $27,000 |
| 14 | CIP 39.0501In California → | 23 | 0.7% | 7 | $30,092 | $27,000 |
| 15 | Talmudic Studiesmain feeder CIP 38.0207In California → | 15 | 0.4% | 1 | $26,048 | $25,612 |
| 16 | CIP 51.3201In California → | 12 | 0.3% | 1 | $99,851 | $21,475 |
| 17 | CIP 39.0605In California → | 10 | 0.3% | 2 | $32,202 | $25,375 |
| 18 | Buddhist Studiesmain feeder CIP 38.0202In California → | 6 | 0.2% | 2 | $26,048 | $25,612 |
| 19 | Philosophy and Religious Studies, Generalmain feeder CIP 38.0001In California → | 5 | 0.1% | 1 | — | — |
| 20 | CIP 39.0604In California → | 4 | 0.1% | 2 | $32,202 | $25,375 |
| 21 | CIP 39.0706In California → | 4 | 0.1% | 1 | $32,226 | $26,000 |
| 22 | CIP 38.0104In California → | 2 | 0.1% | 1 | $31,618 | $22,862 |
Top 25 schools in California
Ranked by graduates per year into this job. Graduate earnings are reported for 18 of the 173 schools in this state.
| # | School | Graduates / yr | Top feeder program | Grad earnings (1 yr) | Grad rate | Net price | Acceptance |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Fuller Theological Seminary Pasadena, CA Private not-for-profit · 4 feeder programs | 365 | Theological and Ministerial Studies, Other | — | — | — | — |
| 2 | Biola University La Mirada, CA Private not-for-profit · 9 feeder programs | 237 | Theological and Ministerial Studies, Other | — | 68% | $26,727 | 74% |
| 3 | The Master's University and Seminary Santa Clarita, CA Private not-for-profit · 7 feeder programs | 180 | Theology/Theological Studies | $43,677 | 68% | $30,641 | 84% |
| 4 | University of California - Los Angeles Los Angeles, CA Public · 2 feeder programs | 123 | Philosophy | $30,182 | 93% | — | 9% |
| 5 | SUM Bible College and Theological Seminary El Dorado Hills, CA Private not-for-profit · 5 feeder programs | 108 | Theology/Theological Studies | — | 85% | $21,043 | 41% |
| 6 | University of California - Santa Barbara Santa Barbara, CA Public · 2 feeder programs | 104 | Philosophy | $25,303 | 83% | — | 33% |
| 7 | University of Southern California Los Angeles, CA Private not-for-profit · 3 feeder programs | 92 | Philosophy, Other | $38,380 | 92% | $26,873 | 10% |
| 8 | Santa Clara University Santa Clara, CA Private not-for-profit · 5 feeder programs | 88 | Theology/Theological Studies | — | 88% | $44,094 | 48% |
| 9 | University of California - Berkeley Berkeley, CA Public · 2 feeder programs | 81 | Philosophy | $36,355 | 93% | — | 11% |
| 10 | California Baptist University Riverside, CA Private not-for-profit · 6 feeder programs | 75 | Worship Ministry | — | 62% | $26,940 | 85% |
| 11 | Azusa Pacific University Azusa, CA Private not-for-profit · 6 feeder programs | 71 | Bible/Biblical Studies | — | 62% | $20,686 | 88% |
| 12 | University of California - Davis Davis, CA Public · 2 feeder programs | 66 | Philosophy | $32,749 | 86% | — | 42% |
| 13 | University of California - Riverside Riverside, CA Public · 3 feeder programs | 64 | Philosophy | $25,171 | 76% | — | 76% |
| 14 | University of California - Irvine Irvine, CA Public · 2 feeder programs | 62 | Philosophy | $20,922 | 87% | — | 29% |
| 15 | William Jessup University Rocklin, CA Private not-for-profit · 4 feeder programs | 55 | Bible/Biblical Studies | — | 56% | $24,242 | 93% |
| 16 | Vanguard University of Southern California Costa Mesa, CA Private not-for-profit · 4 feeder programs | 50 | Pastoral Studies/Counseling | — | 57% | $18,716 | 62% |
| 17 | World Mission University Los Angeles, CA Private not-for-profit · 6 feeder programs | 50 | Theology/Theological Studies | — | 100% | $16,598 | — |
| 18 | Grace Mission University Fullerton, CA Private not-for-profit · 5 feeder programs | 47 | Divinity/Ministry | — | 100% | — | — |
| 19 | Life Pacific University San Dimas, CA Private not-for-profit · 5 feeder programs | 46 | Pastoral Studies/Counseling | $37,436 | 40% | $23,832 | 96% |
| 20 | University of California - Santa Cruz Santa Cruz, CA Public · 1 feeder programs | 46 | Philosophy | $30,285 | 75% | — | 66% |
| 21 | Westminster Theological Seminary in California Escondido, CA Private not-for-profit · 3 feeder programs | 40 | Divinity/Ministry | — | — | — | — |
| 22 | San Diego State University San Diego, CA Public · 2 feeder programs | 39 | Philosophy | $29,712 | 76% | — | 36% |
| 23 | Loyola Marymount University Los Angeles, CA Private not-for-profit · 3 feeder programs | 37 | Philosophy | — | 79% | $36,488 | 45% |
| 24 | America Evangelical University Gardena, CA Private not-for-profit · 3 feeder programs | 35 | Divinity/Ministry | — | 33% | $23,897 | — |
| 25 | California Prestige University Santa Fe Springs, CA Private not-for-profit · 4 feeder programs | 35 | Divinity/Ministry | — | — | — | — |
All 173 schools in California
Every school in California with a program that feeds this job, ordered by graduates per year. Earnings are shown for the ranked schools above; open a school profile for the rest.
| School | City | Control | Graduates / yr | Feeder programs |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fuller Theological Seminary | Pasadena | Private not-for-profit | 365 | 4 |
| Biola University | La Mirada | Private not-for-profit | 237 | 9 |
| The Master's University and Seminary | Santa Clarita | Private not-for-profit | 180 | 7 |
| University of California - Los Angeles | Los Angeles | Public | 123 | 2 |
| SUM Bible College and Theological Seminary | El Dorado Hills | Private not-for-profit | 108 | 5 |
| University of California - Santa Barbara | Santa Barbara | Public | 104 | 2 |
| University of Southern California | Los Angeles | Private not-for-profit | 92 | 3 |
| Santa Clara University | Santa Clara | Private not-for-profit | 88 | 5 |
| University of California - Berkeley | Berkeley | Public | 81 | 2 |
| California Baptist University | Riverside | Private not-for-profit | 75 | 6 |
| Azusa Pacific University | Azusa | Private not-for-profit | 71 | 6 |
| University of California - Davis | Davis | Public | 66 | 2 |
| University of California - Riverside | Riverside | Public | 64 | 3 |
| University of California - Irvine | Irvine | Public | 62 | 2 |
| William Jessup University | Rocklin | Private not-for-profit | 55 | 4 |
What philosophy and religion teachers, postsecondary earn in California
What people already working in this job earn (BLS OEWS May 2025). Not graduate earnings.
U.S. median $80,260. California pays above the national figure.
1.00× means the state has its expected share of these jobs.
Metro areas in California
Job outlook
Bureau of Labor Statistics Employment Projections, 2024 to 2034.
Growth and openings are national. The Bureau of Labor Statistics does not publish employment projections at state level, so these figures describe the occupation across the whole U.S., not this state alone.
How to get in
The full skills, tools, and day-to-day breakdown lives on the national Philosophy and Religion Teachers, Postsecondary page.
How to become a Philosophy
Job zone 5 of 5 · SVP 8.0 and above- Typical entry education
- Doctoral or professional degree
Most of these occupations require graduate school. For example, they may require a master's degree, and some require a Ph.D., M.D., or J.D. (law degree).
Extensive skill, knowledge, and experience are needed for these occupations. Many require more than five years of experience. For example, surgeons must complete four years of college and an additional five to seven years of specialized medical training to be able to do their job.
Employees may need some on-the-job training, but most of these occupations assume that the person will already have the required skills, knowledge, work-related experience, and/or training.
Top skills
The same job in other states
Where else this occupation employs the most people, and what it pays there.
Related careers in California
Every major mapped to this job
The official federal mapping behind the rankings above.
All 25 majors mapped to Philosophy and Religion Teachers, Postsecondary24 of them graduated someone in the latest IPEDS year. NCES CIP 2020 → SOC 2018 crosswalk.+
- 30.5101Philosophy, Politics, and Economics
- 38.0001Philosophy and Religious Studies, General
- 38.0101Philosophy
- 38.0103Ethics
- 38.0104Applied and Professional Ethics
- 38.0199Philosophy, Other
- 38.0201Religion/Religious Studies
- 38.0202Buddhist Studies
- 38.0203Christian Studies
- 38.0204Hindu Studies(no graduates reported)
- 38.0207Talmudic Studies
- 38.9999Philosophy and Religious Studies, Other
- 39.0201Bible/Biblical Studies
- 39.0301Missions/Missionary Studies
- 39.0401Religious Education
- 39.0501Religious/Sacred Music
- 39.0502Worship Ministry
- 39.0601Theology/Theological Studies
- 39.0602Divinity/Ministry
- 39.0604Pre-Theology/Pre-Ministerial Studies
- 39.0605Rabbinical Studies
- 39.0699Theological and Ministerial Studies, Other
- 39.0701Pastoral Studies/Counseling
- 39.0703Urban Ministry
- 39.0706Chaplain/Chaplaincy Studies
Common questions
Answers for people weighing philosophy and religion teachers, postsecondary programs in California.
What degree do you need to become a Philosophy?+
Doctoral or professional degree is the typical entry-level education BLS reports for this occupation. The most common program people actually graduate from is Philosophy, which awarded 1,398 degrees in California in 2024-25, 39.7% of everyone graduating from a program that feeds this career.
Which college majors lead to becoming a Philosophy?+
The NCES CIP-to-SOC crosswalk maps 22 programs to this occupation. The largest are Philosophy, Theological and Ministerial Studies, Religion/Religious Studies, Bible/Biblical Studies, plus 7 more. Together they graduate about 3,525 people a year in California.
How much do philosophy and religion teachers, postsecondary earn in California?+
The median is $105,820 a year (BLS OEWS May 2025). That is 31.8% above the U.S. median of $80,260. This is pay for people already working in the occupation, not the same thing as graduate earnings one year after finishing a degree.
Is demand for philosophy and religion teachers, postsecondary growing?+
BLS projects a +0.7% change in employment between 2024 and 2034, little or no change, with roughly 2,000 openings a year nationally once retirements and job changes are counted.
How many schools offer programs for this career in California?+
173 institutions in California reported graduates from at least one of the 22 programs that feed this occupation in IPEDS 2024-25. Rankings on this page use graduates per year, because the federal data publishes no enrollment count by program.
What other job titles do philosophy and religion teachers, postsecondary work under?+
Employers advertise this work under many names. O*NET records Professor, Religion Professor, Assistant Professor, Philosophy Professor among the most commonly reported, all mapping to SOC 25-1126.
About the data on this page
Rankings use IPEDS completions 2024–25, degrees awarded per year. That is the closest federal measure of how many people a program puts into a career, because no federal dataset publishes enrollment by program. Wages and employment come from BLS OEWS May 2025, growth and openings from BLS Employment Projections 2024-34, and which majors lead to which jobs from the NCES CIP 2020 to SOC 2018 crosswalk. Occupation descriptions, tasks, skills and tools are O*NET 30.3 (CC BY 4.0, U.S. Department of Labor/ETA).
BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics
May 2025Wages, employment counts, location quotients and metro breakdowns.
BLS Employment Projections
2024–34Projected growth, annual openings and typical entry-level education.
IPEDS Completions
2024-25 (provisional)Graduates per year by program and institution — the ranking metric.
College Scorecard, Field of Study
2020-21 cohortsMedian graduate earnings one year after completion, and median debt.
Census Post-Secondary Employment Outcomes
latest availableGraduate earnings 1/5/10 years out, where the state participates.
NCES CIP 2020 and the CIP-to-SOC 2018 crosswalk
CIP 2020 / SOC 2018Which college programs officially lead to this occupation.
O*NET Database 30.3
30.3Tasks, skills, knowledge, tools, job zone and alternate job titles.
Official source →CC BY 4.0, U.S. Department of Labor / ETA
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