Best institutions to study Islamic Studies
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 social milieu related to the faith in various periods, localities, and branches.
10 U.S. institutions graduated 30 Islamic Studies students in 2024–25 (IPEDS). It is CIP 38.0205, 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 Islamic Studies programs
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 social milieu related to the faith in various periods, localities, and branches. Includes instruction in Islamic scripture and related written authorities and commentaries
Source: National Center for Education Statistics, Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP 2020).
The Islamic Studies program, part of the broader field of Religion/Religious Studies, delves into the teachings of Islam as conveyed by the Prophet Muhammad and the subsequent interpretations by Islamic scholars. This program also examines the cultural and social contexts of Islam across different periods and regions, making it ideal for students interested in understanding the complexities of this major world religion.
Students in this program develop essential skills such as critical thinking, active listening, and effective communication. Coursework typically includes the study of Islamic scripture, commentaries, and related cultural aspects, equipping students with a comprehensive understanding of Islam and its impact on society.
Credentials awarded
What Islamic Studies graduates earned in 2024–25, by award level (IPEDS completions).
- Master's degree20 graduates / yr · 5 institutions67%
- Postbaccalaureate certificate4 graduates / yr · 2 institutions13%
- Bachelor's degree2 graduates / yr · 2 institutions6.7%
- Doctor's degree - research/scholarship2 graduates / yr · 2 institutions6.7%
- Award of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year2 graduates / yr · 2 institutions6.7%
Graduates over time
Islamic Studies completions reported to IPEDS each year, all award levels combined.
| Year | Graduates |
|---|---|
| 2012 | 32 |
| 2013 | 28 |
| 2014 | 30 |
| 2015 | 35 |
| 2016 | 31 |
| 2017 | 41 |
| 2018 | 47 |
| 2019 | 37 |
| 2020 | 51 |
| 2021 | 47 |
| 2022 | 25 |
| 2023 | 25 |
| 2024 | 35 |
| 2025 | 30 |
Top 10 institutions for Islamic 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 | Columbia University in the City of New York New York, NYPrivate not-for-profitMaster's | 10 | 96% | $15,315 |
| 2 | American Islamic College Chicago, ILPrivate not-for-profitMaster'sBachelor's | 5 | — | — |
| 3 | Columbia International University Columbia, SCPrivate not-for-profitMaster'sPost-degree cert. | 5 | 47% | $21,361 |
| 4 | Hartford International University for Religion and Peace Hartford, CTPrivate not-for-profitPost-degree cert. | 3 | — | — |
| 5 | University of California - Los Angeles Los Angeles, CAPublicMaster'sDoctoral | 2 | 93% | — |
| 6 | Arizona State University Campus Immersion Tempe, AZPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 1 | 68% | — |
| 7 | San Diego State University San Diego, CAPublicBachelor's | 1 | 76% | — |
| 8 | George Washington University Washington, DCPrivate not-for-profitMaster's | 1 | 84% | $29,789 |
| 9 | Emory University Atlanta, GAPrivate not-for-profitDoctoral | 1 | 91% | $20,586 |
| 10 | Ohio University - Main Campus Athens, OHPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 1 | 65% | — |
Offered in 9 states
Where Islamic Studies graduates come from. Each state links to all Religion/Religious Studies programs offered there.
| State | Institutions | Graduates / yr | Top institution by graduates |
|---|---|---|---|
| New York | 1 | 10 | Columbia University in the City of New York10 / yr |
| Illinois | 1 | 5 | American Islamic College5 / yr |
| South Carolina | 1 | 5 | Columbia International University5 / yr |
| California | 2 | 3 | University of California - Los Angeles2 / yr |
| Connecticut | 1 | 3 | Hartford International University for Religion and Peace3 / yr |
| Arizona | 1 | 1 | Arizona State University Campus Immersion1 / yr |
| District of Columbia | 1 | 1 | George Washington University1 / yr |
| Georgia | 1 | 1 | Emory University1 / yr |
| Ohio | 1 | 1 | Ohio University - Main Campus1 / yr |
Careers & outlook
The payoff after graduation: occupation 25-1062, Area, Ethnic, and Cultural Studies Teachers, Postsecondary, and its national outlook.
Graduates of the Islamic Studies program often pursue careers as postsecondary teachers in area, ethnic, and cultural studies. With an annual growth rate of 2.4% and approximately 1,100 job openings each year, this field offers a median wage of $84,290, typically requiring a doctoral or professional degree for advancement.
Top-paying metros
Career pathways for CIP 38.0205
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 Islamic 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 - Catholic StudiesCIP 38.0208partial data40 graduates / yr7 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 Islamic Studies?+
You can earn a Master's degree, Postbaccalaureate certificate, Bachelor's degree, or a Doctor's degree in Islamic Studies.
What skills will I develop in this program?+
You will develop skills in reading comprehension, critical thinking, writing, and active learning.
What careers can I pursue with a degree in Islamic Studies?+
You can work as a postsecondary teacher in area, ethnic, and cultural studies.
What is the job outlook for careers in this field?+
The job outlook is about as fast as average, with a growth rate of 2.4% and around 1,100 openings annually.
What is the CIP code for Islamic Studies?+
Islamic Studies is CIP 38.0205 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 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 social milieu related to the faith in various periods, localities, and branches. Includes instruction in Islamic scripture and related written authorities and commentaries
How many institutions offer Islamic Studies programs?+
10 U.S. institutions reported Islamic Studies graduates in IPEDS 2024–25, across 9 states, awarding 30 credentials in the year. That is 0.3% of all Religion/Religious Studies graduates.
How much do Islamic 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 Islamic 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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