Best colleges for Religion/Religious Studies
Ranked by graduate earnings
The top bachelor's colleges for Religion/Religious Studies by graduate earnings are Jewish Theological Seminary of America ($56,236), Liberty University ($38,540) and Baylor University ($31,672), based on median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary), College Scorecard, among programs with at least 20 graduates a year, excluding online, degree-completion and graduate-only schools and those with a graduation rate under 30%.
- Jewish Theological Seminary of America (New York, NY): $56,236, 55 graduates a year
- Liberty University (Lynchburg, VA): $38,540, 641 graduates a year
- Baylor University (Waco, TX): $31,672, 30 graduates a year
- University of St Thomas (Saint Paul, MN): $27,496, 53 graduates a year
- University of Virginia (Charlottesville, VA): $25,260, 22 graduates a year
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 median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary) of $25,640 (College Scorecard, 2019), 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 23 bachelor's programs, ranked by graduate earnings
Ranked by median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary), College Scorecard, predominant credential. Programs with fewer than 20 graduates a year, a graduation rate under 30%, or online, degree-completion or graduate-only status rank after the rest.
| # | Institution | Starting salary (1 yr) | Graduates / yr | Grad rate | Net price | Median debt |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Jewish Theological Seminary of America New York, NY Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $56,236 | 55 | 90% | $27,383 | $16,750 |
| 2 | Liberty University Lynchburg, VA Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $38,540 | 641 | 65% | $28,911 | $36,495 |
| 3 | Baylor University Waco, TX Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $31,672 | 30 | 80% | $35,682 | $25,612 |
| 4 | University of St Thomas Saint Paul, MN Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $27,496 | 53 | 76% | $28,888 | $19,500 |
| 5 | University of Virginia Charlottesville, VA Public · Bachelor's degree | $25,260 | 22 | 96% | — | $18,267 |
| 6 | Missouri State University - Springfield Springfield, MO Public · Bachelor's degree | $22,133 | 34 | 58% | — | $26,349 |
| 7 | University of California-Santa Barbara Santa Barbara, CA Public · Bachelor's degree | $19,911 | 22 | 83% | — | $15,873 |
| 8 | Faith International University Tacoma, WA Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $42,103 | 22 | 25% | $18,744 | $17,813 |
| 9 | St Olaf College Northfield, MN Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree Small program | $36,329 | 8 | 84% | $18,124 | $25,000 |
| 10 | University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill Chapel Hill, NC Public · Bachelor's degree Small program | $33,690 | 13 | 91% | — | $12,550 |
| 11 | Ohio Christian University Circleville, OH Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree Small program | $31,410 | 15 | 34% | $20,812 | $37,000 |
| 12 | University of North Carolina at Charlotte Charlotte, NC Public · Bachelor's degree Small program | $31,123 | 12 | 69% | — | $24,621 |
| 13 | Fordham University Bronx, NY Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree Small program | $30,985 | 4 | 82% | $38,931 | $26,320 |
| 14 | University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee Milwaukee, WI Public · Bachelor's degree Small program | $30,844 | 1 | 49% | — | — |
| 15 | California Baptist University Riverside, CA Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree Small program | $29,582 | 16 | 62% | $26,940 | $24,474 |
| 16 | Southern Wesleyan University Central, SC Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree Small program | $28,636 | 12 | 52% | $19,568 | $22,012 |
| 17 | Wabash College Crawfordsville, IN Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree Small program | $26,455 | 6 | 77% | $19,021 | $27,000 |
| 18 | Evangel University Springfield, MO Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree Small program | $25,640 | 1 | 65% | $17,881 | $26,793 |
| 19 | Whitworth University Spokane, WA Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree Small program | $25,243 | 4 | 71% | $23,510 | $25,000 |
| 20 | Hope College Holland, MI Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree Small program | $25,208 | 11 | 80% | $21,746 | — |
| 21 | Northwest Nazarene University Nampa, ID Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree Small program | $23,836 | 10 | 71% | $24,681 | $27,650 |
| 22 | California State University - Northridge Northridge, CA Public · Bachelor's degree Small program | $23,219 | 8 | 57% | — | $13,483 |
| 23 | University of Puget Sound Tacoma, WA Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree Small program | $20,357 | 11 | 68% | $35,057 | — |
Top certificate or associate program
Shorter credentials, ranked separately so they are not compared with four-year degrees. Ranked by median earnings one year after completion (often called starting salary), College Scorecard.
| # | Institution | Starting salary (1 yr) | Graduates / yr | Grad rate | Net price | Median debt |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Nelson University Waxahachie, TX Private not-for-profit · Associate degree | $31,593 | 85 | 42% | $19,790 | $26,500 |
Rabbinical and Talmudic seminaries
Talmudic studies programs, ranked by median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary), College Scorecard. Listed apart from religious studies programs at colleges and universities.
| # | Institution | Starting salary (1 yr) | Graduates / yr | 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 | Beth Medrash Govoha Lakewood, NJ Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $36,798 | 2,119 | — | — | — |
| 3 | Yeshiva Shaarei Torah of Rockland Suffern, NY Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $29,861 | 51 | — | $15,444 | — |
| 4 | Uta Mesivta of Kiryas Joel Monroe, NY Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $22,543 | 480 | 70% | $6,856 | — |
| 5 | Machzikei Hadath Rabbinical College Brooklyn, NY Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $18,546 | 17 | 33% | $8,894 | — |
| 6 | United Talmudical Seminary Brooklyn, NY Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $17,779 | 356 | 58% | $8,271 | — |
| 7 | Talmudical Seminary of Bobov Brooklyn, NY Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $17,618 | 97 | 39% | $1,813 | — |
| 8 | Mesivta Torah Vodaath Rabbinical Seminary Brooklyn, NY Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $15,903 | 70 | 50% | $5,636 | — |
| 9 | Yeshiva Ohr Elchonon Chabad West Coast Talmudical Seminary Los Angeles, CA Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $15,652 | 15 | 12% | $14,043 | — |
| 10 | Yeshivath Viznitz Monsey, NY Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $13,078 | 128 | 69% | $7,882 | — |
| 11 | Be'er Yaakov Talmudic Seminary Spring Valley, NY Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $11,674 | 87 | 59% | $7,974 | — |
| 12 | Rabbinical College Bobover Yeshiva Bnei Zion Brooklyn, NY Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $10,153 | 100 | 83% | $10,528 | — |
| 13 | Central Yeshiva Tomchei Tmimim Lubavitz Brooklyn, NY Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $9,428 | 218 | 5% | $20,451 | — |
Specializations within Religion/Religious Studies
8 of the 10 6-digit CIP codes under CIP 38.02 have U.S. graduates (NCES CIP 2020, IPEDS 2024–25). Each links to its own page, ranked by graduates.
- Talmudic StudiesCIP 38.02075,664 graduates / yr92 institutions8 states
- Religion/CIP 38.0201
Religious Studies 2,287 graduates / yr360 institutions43 states - Jewish/CIP 38.0206
Judaic Studies 1,149 graduates / yr52 institutions24 states - Christian StudiesCIP 38.0203760 graduates / yr64 institutions29 states
- Religion/CIP 38.0299
Religious Studies 69 graduates / yr15 institutions14 states - Catholic StudiesCIP 38.0208New in CIP 2020partial data40 graduates / yr7 institutions6 states
- Islamic StudiesCIP 38.020530 graduates / yr10 institutions9 states
- Buddhist StudiesCIP 38.0202limited data6 graduates / yr2 institutions1 states
Show all 10 codes (2 with no U.S. programs reported)+
- Hindu Studies38.0204
- Mormon Studies38.0209
No institution reported completions for these codes in the latest IPEDS year, so they have no page.
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.
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 one year after graduation (often called starting salary) of $25,640, College Scorecard (2019); 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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