Best institutions to study Catholic Studies
A program that focuses on Catholic thought, culture, and how Catholic tradition informs theology, culture, institutions, and identity.
7 U.S. institutions graduated 40 Catholic Studies students in 2024–25 (IPEDS). It is CIP 38.0208, a specialization of Religion/Religious Studies (CIP 38.02), and leads most directly to the Area, Ethnic, and Cultural Studies Teachers, Postsecondary occupation (BLS SOC 25-1062).
About Catholic Studies programs
A program that focuses on Catholic thought, culture, and how Catholic tradition informs theology, culture, institutions, and identity. Includes instruction in Biblical Greek, Biblical Hebrew, Catholic bioethics, Catholic social thought, church history, Latin, philosophy, and theology.
Source: National Center for Education Statistics, Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP 2020).
The Catholic Studies program, a subset of Religion/Religious Studies, delves into Catholic thought and culture, exploring how Catholic traditions shape theology, culture, institutions, and identity. This program is ideal for students interested in understanding the complexities of Catholicism and its impact on society, history, and ethics.
Students in the Catholic Studies program will engage with a diverse curriculum that includes Biblical Greek, Biblical Hebrew, Catholic bioethics, Catholic social thought, church history, philosophy, and theology. This coursework fosters critical thinking, effective communication, and a deep understanding of religious contexts.
Credentials awarded
What Catholic Studies graduates earned in 2024–25, by award level (IPEDS completions).
- Master's degree32 graduates / yr · 2 institutions80%
- Award of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year5 graduates / yr · 2 institutions13%
- Bachelor's degree3 graduates / yr · 3 institutions7.5%
Graduates over time
Catholic Studies completions reported to IPEDS each year, all award levels combined.
| Year | Graduates |
|---|---|
| 2020 | 10 |
| 2021 | 6 |
| 2022 | 22 |
| 2023 | 42 |
| 2024 | 46 |
| 2025 | 40 |
CIP 38.0208 was introduced in CIP 2020, so the series starts when institutions began reporting under the new code.
Top 7 institutions for Catholic 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 | Franciscan University of Steubenville Steubenville, OHPrivate not-for-profitMaster's | 30 | 75% | $21,122 |
| 2 | Franciscan Missionaries of Our Lady University Baton Rouge, LAPrivate not-for-profitAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 4 | 45% | $17,925 |
| 3 | Sacred Heart Seminary and School of Theology Franklin, WIPrivate not-for-profitMaster's | 2 | — | — |
| 4 | Saint Louis University Saint Louis, MOPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 1 | 80% | $24,886 |
| 5 | Athenaeum of Ohio Cincinnati, OHPrivate not-for-profitAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 1 | — | — |
| 6 | Duquesne University Pittsburgh, PAPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 1 | 77% | $32,060 |
| 7 | Ave Maria University Ave Maria, FLPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 1 | 54% | $22,235 |
Offered in 6 states
Where Catholic Studies graduates come from. Each state links to all Religion/Religious Studies programs offered there.
| State | Institutions | Graduates / yr | Top institution by graduates |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ohio | 2 | 31 | Franciscan University of Steubenville30 / yr |
| Louisiana | 1 | 4 | Franciscan Missionaries of Our Lady University4 / yr |
| Wisconsin | 1 | 2 | Sacred Heart Seminary and School of Theology2 / yr |
| Missouri | 1 | 1 | Saint Louis University1 / yr |
| Pennsylvania | 1 | 1 | Duquesne University1 / yr |
| Florida | 1 | 1 | Ave Maria University1 / yr |
Careers & outlook
The payoff after graduation: occupation 25-1062, Area, Ethnic, and Cultural Studies Teachers, Postsecondary, and its national outlook.
Graduates of the Catholic Studies program can pursue careers as postsecondary teachers in area, ethnic, and cultural studies. The job outlook for this field is about as fast as average, with an expected growth rate of 2.4% and approximately 1,100 annual openings. The median wage for these positions is $84,290, typically requiring a doctoral or professional degree.
Top-paying metros
Career pathways for CIP 38.0208
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Area, Ethnic, and Cultural Studies Teachers, Postsecondaryprimary SOC 25-1062 | $85,020 | +2.4% About as fast as average | ~1,100 | 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 Catholic 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
- Initiate, facilitate, and moderate classroom discussions.
- Evaluate and grade students' class work, assignments, and papers.
- Prepare and deliver lectures to undergraduate or graduate students on topics such as race and ethnic relations, gender studies, and cross-cultural perspectives.
- Prepare course materials, such as syllabi, homework assignments, and handouts.
- Compile, administer, and grade examinations, or assign this work to others.
- 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 - Islamic StudiesCIP 38.020530 graduates / yr10 institutions
- Buddhist StudiesCIP 38.0202limited data6 graduates / yr2 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 Catholic Studies?+
You can earn a Master's degree, a Bachelor's degree, or an award of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year.
What skills will I develop in this program?+
You will develop skills in reading comprehension, critical thinking, communication, and active learning.
What kind of jobs can I get with a degree in Catholic Studies?+
You can work as a postsecondary teacher in area, ethnic, and cultural studies.
How many colleges offer this program in the U.S.?+
There are currently 7 colleges offering the Catholic Studies program in the U.S.
What is the CIP code for Catholic Studies?+
Catholic Studies is CIP 38.0208 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 Catholic thought, culture, and how Catholic tradition informs theology, culture, institutions, and identity. Includes instruction in Biblical Greek, Biblical Hebrew, Catholic bioethics, Catholic social thought, church history, Latin, philosophy, and theology.
How many institutions offer Catholic Studies programs?+
7 U.S. institutions reported Catholic Studies graduates in IPEDS 2024–25, across 6 states, awarding 40 credentials in the year. That is 0.4% of all Religion/Religious Studies graduates.
How much do Catholic Studies graduates earn?+
Earnings are not published at the 6-digit CIP level by any federal source. The Area, Ethnic, and Cultural Studies Teachers, Postsecondary occupation, which Catholic Studies most directly leads to, pays a median of $85,020 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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