Best institutions to study Christian Studies
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.
64 U.S. institutions graduated 760 Christian Studies students in 2024–25 (IPEDS). It is CIP 38.0203, 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 Christian Studies programs
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. Includes instruction in Christian sacred scripture, Christian literature and philosophy, and studies of one or more of the main branches of the faith and their cultural context including Orthodoxy, Roman Catholicism, Protestantism, Evangelicalism, and others.
See also: 39.0201 - Bible/Biblical Studies.
Source: National Center for Education Statistics, Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP 2020).
The Christian Studies program, a subset of Religion/Religious Studies, delves into the philosophy and teachings of Jesus Christ and the cultural movements that stem from Christianity. This program is ideal for students interested in exploring the intellectual and cultural contexts of various Christian traditions, including Orthodoxy, Roman Catholicism, and Protestantism.
Students in the Christian Studies program develop core skills in reading comprehension, critical thinking, and effective communication. Coursework often includes the study of Christian sacred scripture, literature, and philosophy, equipping students with a comprehensive understanding of the faith's historical and cultural significance.
Credentials awarded
What Christian Studies graduates earned in 2024–25, by award level (IPEDS completions).
- Bachelor's degree264 graduates / yr · 44 institutions35%
- Master's degree230 graduates / yr · 20 institutions30%
- Associate's degree190 graduates / yr · 9 institutions25%
- Postbaccalaureate certificate62 graduates / yr · 6 institutions8.2%
- Award of at least 2 but less than 4 academic years10 graduates / yr · 1 institution1.3%
- Award of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year3 graduates / yr · 2 institutions0.4%
- Doctor's degree - research/scholarship1 graduates / yr · 1 institution0.1%
Graduates over time
Christian Studies completions reported to IPEDS each year, all award levels combined.
| Year | Graduates |
|---|---|
| 2012 | 810 |
| 2013 | 902 |
| 2014 | 933 |
| 2015 | 662 |
| 2016 | 691 |
| 2017 | 842 |
| 2018 | 740 |
| 2019 | 780 |
| 2020 | 593 |
| 2021 | 677 |
| 2022 | 795 |
| 2023 | 712 |
| 2024 | 580 |
| 2025 | 760 |
Top 50 institutions for Christian 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 | Field earnings* (1 yr) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Liberty University Lynchburg, VAPrivate not-for-profitAssociate'sBachelor'sMaster'sPost-degree cert. | 126 | 65% | $28,911 | $38,540 |
| 2 | Nelson University Waxahachie, TXPrivate not-for-profitAssociate's | 85 | 42% | $19,790 | $31,593 |
| 3 | Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary Wake Forest, NCPrivate not-for-profitMaster's | 57 | 58% | $6,608 | — |
| 4 | Duke University Durham, NCPrivate not-for-profitPost-degree cert.Master's | 45 | 97% | $16,260 | — |
| 5 | Wayland Baptist University Plainview, TXPrivate not-for-profitMaster'sBachelor's | 39 | 19% | $20,754 | — |
| 6 | Anderson University Anderson, SCPrivate not-for-profitBachelor'sDoctoral | 30 | 66% | $24,812 | — |
| 7 | Friends University Wichita, KSPrivate not-for-profitMaster'sBachelor's | 29 | 43% | $24,084 | — |
| 8 | University of Mary Bismarck, NDPrivate not-for-profitPost-degree cert.Bachelor'sMaster's | 23 | 67% | $16,753 | — |
| 9 | Crown College Saint Bonifacius, MNPrivate not-for-profitMaster's | 21 | 45% | $26,706 | — |
| 10 | Santa Clara University Santa Clara, CAPrivate not-for-profitMaster'sPost-degree cert. | 17 | 88% | $44,094 | — |
| 11 | California Baptist University Riverside, CAPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 16 | 62% | $26,940 | $29,582 |
| 12 | Regent University Virginia Beach, VAPrivate not-for-profitAssociate's | 16 | 57% | $18,677 | — |
| 13 | Ohio Christian University Circleville, OHPrivate not-for-profitBachelor'sAssociate'sAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 15 | 34% | $20,812 | $31,410 |
| 14 | Hannibal - LaGrange University Hannibal, MOPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 14 | 50% | $17,325 | — |
| 15 | Pacific Rim Christian University Honolulu, HIPrivate not-for-profitMaster'sBachelor'sAssociate's | 14 | 45% | $22,493 | — |
| 16 | Saint Joseph Seminary College St. Benedict, LAPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 11 | 48% | $39,514 | — |
| 17 | Mississippi Christian University Clinton, MSPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 11 | 59% | $21,096 | — |
| 18 | Charleston Southern University Charleston, SCPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 11 | 47% | $21,848 | — |
| 19 | Berkeley School of Theology Berkeley, CAPrivate not-for-profitAward of at least 2 but less than 4 academic years | 10 | — | — | — |
| 20 | Northwest Nazarene University Nampa, IDPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 10 | 71% | $24,681 | $23,836 |
| 21 | Wesley Biblical Seminary Ridgeland, MSPrivate not-for-profitMaster's | 9 | — | — | — |
| 22 | William Carey University Hattiesburg, MSPrivate not-for-profitBachelor'sMaster's | 9 | 60% | $17,205 | — |
| 23 | Lee University Cleveland, TNPrivate not-for-profitAssociate'sBachelor's | 9 | 63% | $18,918 | — |
| 24 | Point Loma Nazarene University San Diego, CAPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 8 | 77% | $48,795 | — |
| 25 | Gordon College Wenham, MAPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 8 | 69% | $23,077 | — |
| 26 | Amridge University Montgomery, ALPrivate not-for-profitMaster's | 7 | 100% | — | — |
| 27 | Saint Mary's University of Minnesota Winona, MNPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 7 | 66% | $18,163 | — |
| 28 | Campbell University Buies Creek, NCPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 6 | 61% | $23,331 | — |
| 29 | Union University Jackson, TNPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 6 | 66% | $25,882 | — |
| 30 | Shorter College N Little Rock, ARPrivate not-for-profitAssociate's | 5 | 13% | $13,523 | — |
| 31 | The Master's University and Seminary Santa Clarita, CAPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 5 | 68% | $30,641 | — |
| 32 | Yale University New Haven, CTPrivate not-for-profitMaster's | 5 | 96% | $27,025 | — |
| 33 | Ouachita Baptist University Arkadelphia, ARPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 4 | 61% | $21,322 | — |
| 34 | Denver Seminary Littleton, COPrivate not-for-profitMaster's | 4 | — | — | — |
| 35 | New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary New Orleans, LAPrivate not-for-profitAssociate's | 4 | 74% | — | — |
| 36 | Carroll College Helena, MTPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 4 | 69% | $21,440 | — |
| 37 | Carson - Newman University Jefferson City, TNPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 4 | 53% | $19,537 | — |
| 38 | Whitworth University Spokane, WAPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 4 | 71% | $23,510 | $25,243 |
| 39 | Palm Beach Atlantic University West Palm Beach, FLPrivate not-for-profitBachelor'sMaster's | 3 | 55% | $32,031 | — |
| 40 | Indiana Wesleyan University - Marion Marion, INPrivate not-for-profitBachelor'sMaster's | 3 | 67% | $21,351 | — |
| 41 | Grace Christian University Wyoming, MIPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 3 | 51% | $14,254 | — |
| 42 | Spring Arbor University Spring Arbor, MIPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 3 | 64% | $19,806 | — |
| 43 | Missouri Baptist University Saint Louis, MOPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 3 | 48% | $25,407 | — |
| 44 | Oral Roberts University Tulsa, OKPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 3 | 57% | $23,543 | — |
| 45 | Houston Christian University Houston, TXPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 3 | 49% | $21,247 | — |
| 46 | Howard Payne University Brownwood, TXPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 3 | 28% | $25,802 | — |
| 47 | Manna University Fayetteville, NCPrivate not-for-profitMaster's | 3 | 80% | $20,171 | — |
| 48 | Champion Christian College Hot Springs, ARPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 3 | 0% | $14,795 | — |
| 49 | Northern Baptist Theological Seminary Lisle, ILPrivate not-for-profitMaster's | 2 | — | — | — |
| 50 | University of Notre Dame Notre Dame, INPrivate not-for-profitMaster's | 2 | 95% | $19,452 | — |
* Median earnings 1 year after graduation for the broader Religion/Religious Studies field (CIP 38.02) at these institutions; College Scorecard does not publish earnings at the 6-digit level.
Offered in 29 states
Where Christian Studies graduates come from. Each state links to all Religion/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 the Christian Studies 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 job openings, the median wage for this occupation is $78,050, typically requiring a doctoral or professional degree.
Top-paying metros
Career pathways for CIP 38.0203
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 Christian 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 - 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
- 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 Christian Studies?+
You can earn a Bachelor's, Master's, or Associate's degree, as well as a Postbaccalaureate certificate.
What skills will I develop in this program?+
You will develop skills in reading comprehension, critical thinking, writing, and active listening.
What careers can I pursue with a degree in Christian Studies?+
You can become a Philosophy and Religion Teacher or pursue other related fields.
What is the job outlook for graduates?+
The job outlook shows little or no change, with about 2,000 annual openings.
What is the CIP code for Christian Studies?+
Christian Studies is CIP 38.0203 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 and teachings of Jesus Christ and his apostles, and the subsequent intellectual and cultural movements and institutions based on Christianity. Includes instruction in Christian sacred scripture, Christian literature and philosophy, and studies of one or more of the main branches of the faith and their cultural context including Orthodoxy, Roman Catholicism, Protestantism, Evangelicalism, and others.
How many institutions offer Christian Studies programs?+
64 U.S. institutions reported Christian Studies graduates in IPEDS 2024–25, across 29 states, awarding 760 credentials in the year. That is 7.6% of all Religion/Religious Studies graduates.
How much do Christian 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 Christian Studies most directly leads to, pays a median of $80,260 a year nationally (BLS OEWS May 2025), and graduates of the broader Religion/Religious Studies field report median earnings of $31,410 one year after graduation (College Scorecard).
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.
Explore every U.S. college in one conversation
Clema turns plain-language questions into sourced answers across every U.S. institution — earnings, aid, acceptance, graduation, safety, and athletics from IPEDS, College Scorecard, and 10+ federal datasets, built in.
Free for teams up to 3 · No credit card