Best colleges for Philosophy and Religious Studies
A general program that combines the study of philosophy and religious studies.
40 U.S. institutions graduated 175 Philosophy and Religious Studies students in 2024–25 (IPEDS). It is CIP 38.0001, a specialization of Philosophy and Religious Studies (CIP 38.00), and leads most directly to the Philosophy and Religion Teachers, Postsecondary occupation (BLS SOC 25-1126).
About Philosophy and Religious Studies programs
A general program that combines the study of philosophy and religious studies. Includes instruction in logic; ethics; epistemology; symbolism; phenomenology; the sociology, psychology, philosophy, anthropology, literature, and art of religion; and world religions.
See also: 38.0101 - Philosophy., 38.0201 - Religion/Religious Studies.
Source: National Center for Education Statistics, Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP 2020).
The Philosophy and Religious Studies program offers a comprehensive exploration of philosophical concepts and religious traditions. This general program is designed for students interested in examining fundamental questions about existence, ethics, and the nature of belief, blending critical thinking with an understanding of diverse worldviews.
Students will develop essential skills such as critical thinking, reading comprehension, and effective communication. Coursework includes topics in logic, ethics, epistemology, and the sociology and psychology of religion, providing a well-rounded foundation in both philosophy and religious studies.
Credentials awarded
What Philosophy and Religious Studies graduates earned in 2024–25, by award level (IPEDS completions).
- Bachelor's degree95 graduates / yr · 29 institutions54%
- Master's degree33 graduates / yr · 4 institutions19%
- Doctor's degree - research/scholarship17 graduates / yr · 3 institutions9.7%
- Award of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year13 graduates / yr · 2 institutions7.4%
- Postbaccalaureate certificate10 graduates / yr · 2 institutions5.7%
- Associate's degree7 graduates / yr · 3 institutions4.0%
Graduates over time
Philosophy and Religious Studies completions reported to IPEDS each year, all award levels combined.
| Year | Graduates |
|---|---|
| 2012 | 89 |
| 2013 | 76 |
| 2014 | 124 |
| 2015 | 144 |
| 2016 | 132 |
| 2017 | 130 |
| 2018 | 208 |
| 2019 | 151 |
| 2020 | 163 |
| 2021 | 166 |
| 2022 | 167 |
| 2023 | 161 |
| 2024 | 162 |
| 2025 | 175 |
Top 40 institutions for Philosophy and Religious Studies, ranked by graduates
Graduates (IPEDS completions), 2024–25. Award levels show which credentials each institution confers in this specialization.
| # | Institution | Graduates / yr | Grad rate | Net price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary Louisville, KYPrivate not-for-profitMaster'sBachelor's | 22 | 40% | — |
| 2 | University of St Thomas Houston, TXPrivate not-for-profitMaster'sPost-degree cert. | 16 | 69% | $19,546 |
| 3 | Saint Joseph Seminary College St. Benedict, LAPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 15 | 48% | $39,514 |
| 4 | Rowan University Glassboro, NJPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 11 | 67% | — |
| 5 | Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary Wake Forest, NCPrivate not-for-profitDoctoralBachelor's | 11 | 58% | $6,608 |
| 6 | The University of Tennessee-Chattanooga Chattanooga, TNPublicBachelor's | 10 | 50% | — |
| 7 | Central Washington University Ellensburg, WAPublicBachelor's | 9 | 54% | — |
| 8 | Harvard University Cambridge, MAPrivate not-for-profitPost-degree cert. | 8 | 98% | $15,013 |
| 9 | Pontifical College Josephinum Columbus, OHPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 6 | 32% | — |
| 10 | Claremont School of Theology Los Angeles, CAPrivate not-for-profitDoctoral | 5 | — | — |
| 11 | Flagler College Saint Augustine, FLPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 5 | 56% | $28,070 |
| 12 | Salt Lake Community College Salt Lake City, UTPublicAssociate's | 5 | 29% | — |
| 13 | Palm Beach Atlantic University West Palm Beach, FLPrivate not-for-profitMaster's | 4 | 55% | $32,031 |
| 14 | Pace University New York, NYPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 4 | 60% | $29,994 |
| 15 | Arizona State University Campus Immersion Tempe, AZPublicBachelor's | 3 | 68% | — |
| 16 | Iliff School of Theology Denver, COPrivate not-for-profitDoctoral | 3 | — | — |
| 17 | Valdosta State University Valdosta, GAPublicBachelor's | 3 | 42% | — |
| 18 | Stockton University Galloway, NJPublicBachelor's | 3 | 69% | — |
| 19 | Berry College Mount Berry, GAPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 2 | 69% | $20,108 |
| 20 | Wesleyan College Macon, GAPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 2 | 45% | $16,312 |
| 21 | Drury University Springfield, MOPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 2 | 62% | $20,482 |
| 22 | Saint Louis University Saint Louis, MOPrivate not-for-profitMaster's | 2 | 80% | $24,886 |
| 23 | Nebraska Wesleyan University Lincoln, NEPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 2 | 66% | $22,225 |
| 24 | St. Joseph's University - New York Brooklyn, NYPrivate not-for-profitAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 2 | 69% | $17,134 |
| 25 | Saint Augustine's University Raleigh, NCPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 2 | 25% | $18,701 |
| 26 | Wingate University Wingate, NCPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 2 | 46% | $21,585 |
| 27 | Columbia International University Columbia, SCPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 2 | 47% | $21,361 |
| 28 | Messenger College Bedford, TXPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 2 | 100% | $19,298 |
| 29 | LaGrange College Lagrange, GAPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 1 | 47% | $19,283 |
| 30 | Eureka College Eureka, ILPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 1 | 42% | $22,446 |
| 31 | Southwestern College Winfield, KSPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 1 | 36% | $26,868 |
| 32 | Holmes Community College Goodman, MSPublicAssociate's | 1 | 39% | — |
| 33 | Millsaps College Jackson, MSPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 1 | 57% | $25,249 |
| 34 | Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College Perkinston, MSPublicAssociate's | 1 | 48% | — |
| 35 | Westminster College Fulton, MOPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 1 | 55% | $25,185 |
| 36 | Rocky Mountain College Billings, MTPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 1 | 48% | $17,369 |
| 37 | Hastings College Hastings, NEPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 1 | 49% | $20,424 |
| 38 | Colgate University Hamilton, NYPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 1 | 91% | $22,903 |
| 39 | SUNY Old Westbury Old Westbury, NYPublicBachelor's | 1 | 45% | — |
| 40 | Queens University of Charlotte Charlotte, NCPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 1 | 61% | $24,872 |
Offered in 23 states
Where Philosophy and Religious Studies graduates come from. Each state links to all Philosophy and Religious Studies programs offered there.
Careers & outlook
The payoff after graduation: occupation 25-1126, Philosophy and Religion Teachers, Postsecondary, and its national outlook.
Graduates of this program can pursue careers as Philosophy and Religion Teachers at the postsecondary level. With an annual growth rate of 0.7% and approximately 2,000 annual openings, the median wage for this occupation is $78,050, typically requiring a doctoral or professional degree.
Top-paying metros
Career pathways for CIP 38.0001
The occupations the NCES crosswalk maps this 6-digit code to, with BLS pay and 10-year outlook.
| Occupation | US median pay | Growth | Openings / yr | Typical entry education |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Philosophy and Religion Teachers, Postsecondaryprimary SOC 25-1126 | $80,260 | +0.7% Little or no change | ~2,000 | Doctoral or professional degree |
Job Zone Five: Extensive Preparation Needed
- Education
- 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).
- Experience
- 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.
- Training
- 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.
Related careers
Skills & knowledge in Philosophy and Religious Studies programs
From the U.S. Dept. of Labor for the occupation this specialization most leads to.
Skills you'll build
Knowledge areas
Abilities that matter most
Day-to-day work activities
What graduates do on the job
- Evaluate and grade students' class work, assignments, and papers.
- Initiate, facilitate, and moderate classroom discussions.
- Prepare and deliver lectures to undergraduate or graduate students and the community on topics such as ethics, logic, and contemporary religious thought.
- Compile, administer, and grade examinations, or assign this work to others.
- Prepare course materials, such as syllabi, homework assignments, and handouts.
- Keep abreast of developments in the field by reading current literature, talking with colleagues, and participating in professional conferences.
Tools and technology used
Common questions
What degrees can I earn in this program?+
You can earn a Bachelor's, Master's, or Doctor's degree in Philosophy and Religious Studies.
What skills will I develop?+
You will develop skills in critical thinking, active listening, writing, and effective communication.
What careers can I pursue with this degree?+
You can become a postsecondary teacher in philosophy or religious studies.
What is the job outlook for this field?+
The job outlook shows little or no change, with a median wage of $78,050 and around 2,000 annual openings.
What is the CIP code for Philosophy and Religious Studies?+
Philosophy and Religious Studies is CIP 38.0001 in the NCES Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP 2020), a 6-digit specialization within Philosophy and Religious Studies (CIP 38.00). NCES defines it as: A general program that combines the study of philosophy and religious studies. Includes instruction in logic; ethics; epistemology; symbolism; phenomenology; the sociology, psychology, philosophy, anthropology, literature, and art of religion; and world religions.
How many institutions offer Philosophy and Religious Studies programs?+
40 U.S. institutions reported Philosophy and Religious Studies graduates in IPEDS 2024–25, across 23 states, awarding 175 credentials in the year. That is 100.0% of all Philosophy and Religious Studies graduates.
How much do Philosophy and Religious Studies graduates earn?+
Earnings are not published at the 6-digit CIP level by any federal source. The Philosophy and Religion Teachers, Postsecondary occupation, which Philosophy and Religious Studies most directly leads to, pays a median of $80,260 a year nationally (BLS OEWS May 2025).
About the data on this page
Every figure comes from an official federal or public source. Here is each one and the release it is currently on.
Program definitions are from the NCES Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP 2020). Skills, knowledge, abilities, work activities, tools, and job zones are from the O*NET database by the U.S. Department of Labor, used under the CC BY 4.0 license. This specialization accounts for nearly all Philosophy and Religious Studies graduates, so its figures match the Philosophy and Religious Studies program page.
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