Best institutions to study Religion/Religious Studies
Compare 552 U.S. colleges offering Religion/Religious Studies by graduate earnings, cost, and outcomes. Federal data across 47 states.
Religion/Religious Studies programs report a median of $25,640 one year after graduation (College Scorecard, 2024), and map to CIP 38.02 and the Philosophy and Religion Teachers, Postsecondary occupation (BLS SOC).
About Religion/Religious Studies programs
The Religion/Religious Studies program explores the multifaceted nature of religion from historical and scientific perspectives. This field examines various religious traditions, their beliefs, practices, and cultural impacts, making it suitable for students interested in understanding the role of religion in society. The program encourages critical thinking and comparative analysis of diverse faiths.
Students in this program develop essential skills such as reading comprehension, critical thinking, and effective communication. Coursework often includes philosophy, theology, sociology, and anthropology, providing a well-rounded understanding of the complexities of religious beliefs and practices across cultures.
Top 37 institutions, ranked by graduate earnings
Earnings = median 1 year after graduation (College Scorecard, predominant credential).
| # | Institution | Grad earnings (1 yr) | Completions | Grad rate | Net price | Median debt |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Yeshivas Be'er Yitzchok Elizabeth, NJ Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $61,244 | 11 | 14% | $16,189 | — |
| 2 | Jewish Theological Seminary of America New York, NY Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $56,236 | 55 | 90% | $27,383 | $16,750 |
| 3 | Faith International University Tacoma, WA Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $42,103 | 22 | 25% | $18,744 | $17,813 |
| 4 | Liberty University Lynchburg, VA Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $38,540 | 641 | 65% | $28,911 | $36,495 |
| 5 | Beth Medrash Govoha Lakewood, NJ Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $36,798 | 2,119 | — | — | — |
| 6 | St Olaf College Northfield, MN Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $36,329 | 8 | 84% | $18,124 | $25,000 |
| 7 | University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill Chapel Hill, NC Public · Bachelor's degree | $33,690 | 13 | 91% | — | $12,550 |
| 8 | Baylor University Waco, TX Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $31,672 | 30 | 80% | $35,682 | $25,612 |
| 9 | Nelson University Waxahachie, TX Private not-for-profit · Associate degree | $31,593 | 85 | 42% | $19,790 | $26,500 |
| 10 | Ohio Christian University Circleville, OH Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $31,410 | 15 | 34% | $20,812 | $37,000 |
| 11 | University of North Carolina at Charlotte Charlotte, NC Public · Bachelor's degree | $31,123 | 12 | 69% | — | $24,621 |
| 12 | Fordham University Bronx, NY Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $30,985 | 4 | 82% | $38,931 | $26,320 |
| 13 | University of Wisconsin - Milwaukee Milwaukee, WI Public · Bachelor's degree | $30,844 | 1 | 49% | — | — |
| 14 | Yeshiva Shaarei Torah of Rockland Suffern, NY Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $29,861 | 51 | — | $15,444 | — |
| 15 | California Baptist University Riverside, CA Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $29,582 | 16 | 62% | $26,940 | $24,474 |
| 16 | Southern Wesleyan University Central, SC Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $28,636 | 12 | 52% | $19,568 | $22,012 |
| 17 | University of St Thomas Saint Paul, MN Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $27,496 | 53 | 76% | $28,888 | $19,500 |
| 18 | Wabash College Crawfordsville, IN Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $26,455 | 6 | 77% | $19,021 | $27,000 |
| 19 | Evangel University Springfield, MO Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $25,640 | 1 | 65% | $17,881 | $26,793 |
| 20 | University of Virginia - Main Campus Charlottesville, VA Public · Bachelor's degree | $25,260 | 22 | 96% | — | $18,267 |
| 21 | Whitworth University Spokane, WA Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $25,243 | 4 | 71% | $23,510 | $25,000 |
| 22 | Hope College Holland, MI Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $25,208 | 11 | 80% | $21,746 | — |
| 23 | Northwest Nazarene University Nampa, ID Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $23,836 | 10 | 71% | $24,681 | $27,650 |
| 24 | California State University - Northridge Northridge, CA Public · Bachelor's degree | $23,219 | 8 | 57% | — | $13,483 |
| 25 | Uta Mesivta of Kiryas Joel Monroe, NY Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $22,543 | 480 | 70% | $6,856 | — |
| 26 | Missouri State University - Springfield Springfield, MO Public · Bachelor's degree | $22,133 | 34 | 58% | — | $26,349 |
| 27 | University of Puget Sound Tacoma, WA Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $20,357 | 11 | 68% | $35,057 | — |
| 28 | University of California - Santa Barbara Santa Barbara, CA Public · Bachelor's degree | $19,911 | 22 | 83% | — | $15,873 |
| 29 | Machzikei Hadath Rabbinical College Brooklyn, NY Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $18,546 | 17 | 33% | $8,894 | — |
| 30 | United Talmudical Seminary Brooklyn, NY Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $17,779 | 356 | 58% | $8,271 | — |
| 31 | Talmudical Seminary of Bobov Brooklyn, NY Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $17,618 | 97 | 39% | $1,813 | — |
| 32 | Mesivta Torah Vodaath Rabbinical Seminary Brooklyn, NY Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $15,903 | 70 | 50% | $5,636 | — |
| 33 | Yeshiva Ohr Elchonon Chabad West Coast Talmudical Seminary Los Angeles, CA Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $15,652 | 15 | 12% | $14,043 | — |
| 34 | Yeshivath Viznitz Monsey, NY Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $13,078 | 128 | 69% | $7,882 | — |
| 35 | Be'er Yaakov Talmudic Seminary Spring Valley, NY Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $11,674 | 87 | 59% | $7,974 | — |
| 36 | Rabbinical College Bobover Yeshiva Bnei Zion Brooklyn, NY Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $10,153 | 100 | 83% | $10,528 | — |
| 37 | Central Yeshiva Tomchei Tmimim Lubavitz Brooklyn, NY Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $9,428 | 218 | 5% | $20,451 | — |
Offered across 47 states & territories
The same program, compared state by state. Pick a state for in-state earnings and institutions.
Careers & outlook
The payoff after graduation: occupation 25-1126, Philosophy and Religion Teachers, Postsecondary, and its national outlook.
Graduates of the Religion/Religious Studies program may pursue careers in academia, education, or community organizations. The job outlook shows little or no change, with approximately 2,000 annual openings and a median wage of $78,050, typically requiring a doctoral or professional degree.
Top-paying metros
Related careers
CIP-to-SOC crosswalk for Religion/Religious Studies
The SOC occupations NCES officially maps to CIP 38.02.
Under the NCES CIP 2020 to SOC 2018 crosswalk, CIP 38.02 (Religion/Religious Studies) maps to 2 Standard Occupational Classification (SOC) occupations, the jobs the U.S. Department of Labor links to this field of study.
| SOC code | Occupation |
|---|---|
| 25-1062 | Area, Ethnic, and Cultural Studies Teachers, Postsecondary |
| 25-1126 | Philosophy and Religion Teachers, Postsecondaryprimary |
Source: National Center for Education Statistics, CIP 2020 to SOC 2018 Crosswalk.
Skills & knowledge in Religion/Religious Studies programs
From the U.S. Dept. of Labor for the occupation this program most leads to.
Skills you'll build
Knowledge areas
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.
Concentrations within Religion/Religious Studies
Specializations under this field (NCES CIP 2020).
- Religion/Religious StudiesCIP 38.0201
A program that focuses on the nature of religious belief and specific religious and quasi-religious systems
- Buddhist StudiesCIP 38.0202
A program that focuses on the philosophy preached by Siddartha Gautama, the Buddha, in ancient India and subsequently interpreted by his disciples and apostles; together with the intellectual, cultura
- Christian StudiesCIP 38.0203
A program that focuses on the philosophy and teachings of Jesus Christ and his apostles, and the subsequent intellectual and cultural movements and institutions based on Christianity
- Hindu StudiesCIP 38.0204
A program that focuses on the group of South Asian theologies and philosophies collectively known as Hinduism; together with the religious history and cultural and social manifestations of the faith
- Islamic StudiesCIP 38.0205
A program that focuses on Islam as preached by the Prophet Muhammad in 6th century Arabia and subsequently interpreted and elaborated by Islamic scholars and others; together with the cultural and soc
- Jewish/Judaic StudiesCIP 38.0206
A program that focuses on the history, culture, and religion of the Jewish people
- Talmudic StudiesCIP 38.0207
A program focused on intense study of the Talmud that fosters values, critical thinking, and scholarship skills; prepares students for entry into a broad spectrum of graduate and professional schools;
- Catholic StudiesCIP 38.0208
A program that focuses on Catholic thought, culture, and how Catholic tradition informs theology, culture, institutions, and identity
- Mormon StudiesCIP 38.0209
A program that focuses on beliefs, practices, culture, and history of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (Mormon)
- Religion/Religious Studies, OtherCIP 38.0299
Any instructional program in religion/religious studies not listed above.
Common questions
What topics are covered in this program?+
Topics include ethics, logic, and contemporary religious thought, along with various religious traditions.
What skills will I develop?+
You will enhance skills in critical thinking, writing, and effective communication.
What are the career prospects after graduation?+
Career prospects include roles in academia and community organizations, with a median wage of $78,050.
What level of education is typically required?+
Most positions require a doctoral or professional degree.
How much do Religion/Religious Studies graduates earn?+
Religion/Religious Studies graduates report median earnings of $25,640 one year after graduation, per College Scorecard (2024); the Philosophy and Religion Teachers, Postsecondary occupation pays about $92,040 on average nationally (BLS OEWS May 2025).
What is the CIP code for Religion/Religious Studies?+
Religion/Religious Studies maps to CIP 38.02 in the Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP), the U.S. Department of Education taxonomy used for College Scorecard Field of Study earnings and IPEDS completions.
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.
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