Best institutions to study Buddhist Studies
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, cultural, social, and ritual developments of the faith and its branches.
2 U.S. institutions graduated 6 Buddhist Studies students in 2024–25 (IPEDS). It is CIP 38.0202, a specialization of Religion/Religious Studies (CIP 38.02), and leads most directly to the Philosophy and Religion Teachers, Postsecondary occupation (BLS SOC 25-1126).
About Buddhist Studies programs
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, cultural, social, and ritual developments of the faith and its branches. Includes instruction in Buddhist sacred literature (Tripitaka, etc.) and study of one or more of the main branches including Early Buddhism, Hinayana, Theravada, Madhyamaka, Yogacara, Pure Land, Shingon, Tendai, Nichiren Shu, Zen, Tibetan, Chinese, Korean, Vietnamese, and others.
Source: National Center for Education Statistics, Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP 2020).
The Buddhist Studies program, a specialization within Religion/Religious Studies, delves into the teachings of Siddartha Gautama, the Buddha, and the subsequent interpretations by his disciples. This program explores the intellectual, cultural, social, and ritual developments of Buddhism, covering various branches such as Zen, Tibetan, and Theravada, among others. It is ideal for students interested in philosophy, religion, and the diverse practices of Buddhism across cultures. Students in this program will engage with Buddhist sacred literature and gain insights into the historical and contemporary relevance of Buddhist thought. This field attracts those who wish to deepen their understanding of religious studies and contribute to academic discourse or community engagement related to Buddhism and its teachings.
In the Buddhist Studies program, students develop essential skills such as critical thinking, active listening, and effective communication. Coursework includes the study of Buddhist philosophy, ethics, and sacred texts, providing a comprehensive understanding of the faith's various branches and their cultural contexts.
Credentials awarded
What Buddhist Studies graduates earned in 2024–25, by award level (IPEDS completions).
- Master's degree3 graduates / yr · 2 institutions50%
- Postbaccalaureate certificate2 graduates / yr · 1 institution33%
- Doctor's degree - research/scholarship1 graduates / yr · 1 institution17%
Graduates over time
Buddhist Studies completions reported to IPEDS each year, all award levels combined.
| Year | Graduates |
|---|---|
| 2012 | 3 |
| 2013 | 1 |
| 2014 | 3 |
| 2015 | 2 |
| 2016 | 1 |
| 2017 | 6 |
| 2018 | 7 |
| 2019 | 5 |
| 2020 | 5 |
| 2021 | 2 |
| 2022 | 3 |
| 2023 | 5 |
| 2024 | 23 |
| 2025 | 6 |
Top 2 institutions for Buddhist 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 | Institute of Buddhist Studies Berkeley, CAPrivate not-for-profitPost-degree cert.Master's | 4 | — | — |
| 2 | University of California - Berkeley Berkeley, CAPublicMaster'sDoctoral | 2 | 93% | — |
Offered in 1 states
Where Buddhist Studies graduates come from. Each state links to all Religion/Religious Studies programs offered there.
| State | Institutions | Graduates / yr | Top institution by graduates |
|---|---|---|---|
| California | 2 | 6 | Institute of Buddhist Studies4 / yr |
Careers & outlook
The payoff after graduation: occupation 25-1126, Philosophy and Religion Teachers, Postsecondary, and its national outlook.
Graduates of the Buddhist Studies program often pursue careers as Philosophy and Religion Teachers at the postsecondary level. The job outlook for this field shows little or no change, with an estimated 2,000 annual openings. The median wage for these positions is approximately $78,050, typically requiring a doctoral or professional degree.
Top-paying metros
Career pathways for CIP 38.0202
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 Buddhist 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
Other Religion/Religious Studies specializations
The 9 other 6-digit CIP codes under Religion/Religious Studies (CIP 38.02).
- Talmudic StudiesCIP 38.02075,664 graduates / yr92 institutions
- Religion/CIP 38.0201
Religious Studies 2,287 graduates / yr360 institutions - Jewish/CIP 38.0206
Judaic Studies 1,149 graduates / yr52 institutions - Christian StudiesCIP 38.0203760 graduates / yr64 institutions
- Religion/CIP 38.0299
Religious Studies 69 graduates / yr15 institutions - Catholic StudiesCIP 38.0208partial data40 graduates / yr7 institutions
- Islamic StudiesCIP 38.020530 graduates / yr10 institutions
Show 2 more CIP codes 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.
Common questions
What degrees can I earn in this program?+
You can earn a Master's degree, a Postbaccalaureate certificate, or a Doctor's degree in Buddhist Studies.
What skills will I develop?+
You will develop skills in reading comprehension, critical thinking, and effective communication.
What careers can I pursue with this degree?+
You can work as a postsecondary teacher in philosophy and religion.
What is the job outlook for this field?+
The job outlook shows little or no change, with about 2,000 annual openings.
What is the CIP code for Buddhist Studies?+
Buddhist Studies is CIP 38.0202 in the NCES Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP 2020), a 6-digit specialization within Religion/Religious Studies (CIP 38.02). NCES defines it as: 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, cultural, social, and ritual developments of the faith and its branches. Includes instruction in Buddhist sacred literature (Tripitaka, etc.) and study of one or more of the main branches including Early Buddhism, Hinayana, Theravada, Madhyamaka, Yogacara, Pure Land, Shingon, Tendai, Nichiren Shu, Zen, Tibetan, Chinese, Korean, Vietnamese, and others.
How many institutions offer Buddhist Studies programs?+
2 U.S. institutions reported Buddhist Studies graduates in IPEDS 2024–25, across 1 states, awarding 6 credentials in the year. That is 0.1% of all Religion/Religious Studies graduates.
How much do Buddhist 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 Buddhist 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.
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