Best Philosophy programs in Missouri, ranked by enrollment
Teach courses in philosophy, religion, and theology.
37 schools in Missouri run programs that feed this job, graduating 1,579 people a year. The job pays a median of $75,280 in Missouri across about 320 jobs (BLS OEWS May 2025).
Fields of study in Missouri that lead to this job
Grouped at the 4-digit CIP level. Numbers are graduates per year in this state.
19 programs in Missouri that lead to this job
Ranked by graduates per year in Missouri (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 Missouri page.
| # | Program | Graduates / yr | Share of pipeline | Schools | Grad earnings (1 yr) | Median debt |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | CIP 39.0602In Missouri → | 517 | 32.7% | 15 | $32,202 | $25,375 |
| 2 | CIP 39.0601In Missouri → | 384 | 24.3% | 14 | $32,202 | $25,375 |
| 3 | CIP 39.0201In Missouri → | 240 | 15.2% | 11 | $33,182 | $25,000 |
| 4 | CIP 38.0101In Missouri → | 112 | 7.1% | 13 | $31,618 | $22,862 |
| 5 | CIP 39.0701In Missouri → | 77 | 4.9% | 7 | $32,226 | $26,000 |
| 6 | CIP 39.0301In Missouri → | 47 | 3.0% | 5 | $28,103 | $17,318 |
| 7 | Religion/Religious Studiesmain feeder CIP 38.0201In Missouri → | 41 | 2.6% | 5 | $26,048 | $25,612 |
| 8 | CIP 51.3201In Missouri → | 37 | 2.3% | 2 | $99,851 | $21,475 |
| 9 | CIP 39.0699In Missouri → | 36 | 2.3% | 4 | $32,202 | $25,375 |
| 10 | CIP 39.0401In Missouri → | 30 | 1.9% | 2 | $32,351 | $25,937 |
| 11 | Christian Studiesmain feeder CIP 38.0203In Missouri → | 17 | 1.1% | 2 | $26,048 | $25,612 |
| 12 | CIP 39.0502In Missouri → | 13 | 0.8% | 3 | $30,092 | $27,000 |
| 13 | CIP 38.0199In Missouri → | 12 | 0.8% | 2 | $31,618 | $22,862 |
| 14 | Philosophy and Religious Studies, Generalmain feeder CIP 38.0001In Missouri → | 5 | 0.3% | 3 | — | — |
| 15 | CIP 39.0501In Missouri → | 5 | 0.3% | 4 | $30,092 | $27,000 |
| 16 | Philosophy and Religious Studies, Othermain feeder CIP 38.9999In Missouri → | 2 | 0.1% | 1 | $28,712 | $24,734 |
| 17 | CIP 39.0703In Missouri → | 2 | 0.1% | 2 | $32,226 | $26,000 |
| 18 | CIP 38.0103In Missouri → | 1 | 0.1% | 1 | $31,618 | $22,862 |
| 19 | CIP 39.0604In Missouri → | 1 | 0.1% | 1 | $32,202 | $25,375 |
Top 25 schools in Missouri
Ranked by graduates per year into this job. Graduate earnings are reported for 2 of the 37 schools in this state.
| # | School | Graduates / yr | Top feeder program | Grad earnings (1 yr) | Grad rate | Net price | Acceptance |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary Kansas City, MO Private not-for-profit · 7 feeder programs | 712 | Divinity/Ministry | — | 48% | $26,572 | 96% |
| 2 | Concordia Seminary Saint Louis, MO Private not-for-profit · 2 feeder programs | 102 | Theology/Theological Studies | — | — | — | — |
| 3 | Evangel University Springfield, MO Private not-for-profit · 6 feeder programs | 89 | Theology/Theological Studies | — | 65% | $17,881 | 72% |
| 4 | Ozark Christian College Joplin, MO Private not-for-profit · 6 feeder programs | 74 | Bible/Biblical Studies | $31,345 | 64% | $17,334 | 94% |
| 5 | Covenant Theological Seminary Saint Louis, MO Private not-for-profit · 4 feeder programs | 62 | Theology/Theological Studies | — | — | — | — |
| 6 | University of Missouri - Columbia Columbia, MO Public · 2 feeder programs | 46 | Philosophy | — | 75% | — | 78% |
| 7 | Saint Louis University Saint Louis, MO Private not-for-profit · 5 feeder programs | 39 | Bioethics/Medical Ethics | — | 80% | $24,886 | 75% |
| 8 | Evangel University - College of Online Learning Springfield, MO Private not-for-profit · 4 feeder programs | 38 | Bible/Biblical Studies | — | 50% | $18,874 | 49% |
| 9 | Mission University Springfield, MO Private not-for-profit · 4 feeder programs | 38 | Bible/Biblical Studies | — | 44% | $22,092 | — |
| 10 | Missouri State University - Springfield Springfield, MO Public · 2 feeder programs | 37 | Religion/Religious Studies | $22,133 | 58% | — | 91% |
| 11 | Nazarene Theological Seminary Kansas City, MO Private not-for-profit · 2 feeder programs | 35 | Divinity/Ministry | — | — | — | — |
| 12 | Urshan University Wentzville, MO Private not-for-profit · 3 feeder programs | 29 | Divinity/Ministry | — | 45% | $13,809 | 84% |
| 13 | Calvary University Kansas City, MO Private not-for-profit · 4 feeder programs | 28 | Theology/Theological Studies | — | 52% | $13,552 | 72% |
| 14 | Central Christian College of the Bible Moberly, MO Private not-for-profit · 5 feeder programs | 28 | Divinity/Ministry | — | 22% | $14,865 | — |
| 15 | Aquinas Institute of Theology Saint Louis, MO Private not-for-profit · 3 feeder programs | 26 | Theological and Ministerial Studies, Other | — | — | — | — |
| 16 | Washington University in St Louis St. Louis, MO Private not-for-profit · 3 feeder programs | 24 | Philosophy | — | 94% | $14,126 | 12% |
| 17 | Kansas City University Kansas City, MO Private not-for-profit · 1 feeder programs | 23 | Bioethics/Medical Ethics | — | — | — | — |
| 18 | City Vision University Kansas City, MO Private not-for-profit · 1 feeder programs | 22 | Divinity/Ministry | — | 0% | $6,710 | — |
| 19 | Hannibal - LaGrange University Hannibal, MO Private not-for-profit · 2 feeder programs | 15 | Christian Studies | — | 50% | $17,325 | 73% |
| 20 | Urshan Graduate School of Theology Wentzville, MO Private not-for-profit · 3 feeder programs | 14 | Theology/Theological Studies | — | — | — | — |
| 21 | University of Missouri - St Louis Saint Louis, MO Public · 1 feeder programs | 13 | Philosophy | — | 57% | — | 63% |
| 22 | Kenrick Glennon Seminary Saint Louis, MO Private not-for-profit · 1 feeder programs | 12 | Theology/Theological Studies | — | — | — | — |
| 23 | Southwest Baptist University Bolivar, MO Private not-for-profit · 2 feeder programs | 12 | Theological and Ministerial Studies, Other | — | 55% | $20,939 | 68% |
| 24 | Eden Theological Seminary Webster Groves, MO Private not-for-profit · 4 feeder programs | 11 | Theology/Theological Studies | — | — | — | — |
| 25 | College of the Ozarks Point Lookout, MO Private not-for-profit · 2 feeder programs | 10 | Bible/Biblical Studies | — | 64% | $8,360 | 12% |
All 37 schools in Missouri
Every school in Missouri 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary | Kansas City | Private not-for-profit | 712 | 7 |
| Concordia Seminary | Saint Louis | Private not-for-profit | 102 | 2 |
| Evangel University | Springfield | Private not-for-profit | 89 | 6 |
| Ozark Christian College | Joplin | Private not-for-profit | 74 | 6 |
| Covenant Theological Seminary | Saint Louis | Private not-for-profit | 62 | 4 |
| University of Missouri - Columbia | Columbia | Public | 46 | 2 |
| Saint Louis University | Saint Louis | Private not-for-profit | 39 | 5 |
| Evangel University - College of Online Learning | Springfield | Private not-for-profit | 38 | 4 |
| Mission University | Springfield | Private not-for-profit | 38 | 4 |
| Missouri State University - Springfield | Springfield | Public | 37 | 2 |
| Nazarene Theological Seminary | Kansas City | Private not-for-profit | 35 | 2 |
| Urshan University | Wentzville | Private not-for-profit | 29 | 3 |
| Calvary University | Kansas City | Private not-for-profit | 28 | 4 |
| Central Christian College of the Bible | Moberly | Private not-for-profit | 28 | 5 |
| Aquinas Institute of Theology | Saint Louis | Private not-for-profit | 26 | 3 |
What philosophy and religion teachers, postsecondary earn in Missouri
What people already working in this job earn (BLS OEWS May 2025). Not graduate earnings.
U.S. median $80,260. Missouri pays below the national figure.
1.00× means the state has its expected share of these jobs.
Metro areas in Missouri
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 Missouri
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 Missouri.
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 Divinity/Ministry, which awarded 517 degrees in Missouri in 2024-25, 32.7% 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 19 programs to this occupation. The largest are Theological and Ministerial Studies, Bible/Biblical Studies, Philosophy, Pastoral Counseling and Specialized Ministries, plus 7 more. Together they graduate about 1,579 people a year in Missouri.
How much do philosophy and religion teachers, postsecondary earn in Missouri?+
The median is $75,280 a year (BLS OEWS May 2025). That is 6.2% below 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 Missouri?+
37 institutions in Missouri reported graduates from at least one of the 19 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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