Best institutions to study Religion/Religious Studies
A program that focuses on the nature of religious belief and specific religious and quasi-religious systems.
360 U.S. institutions graduated 2,287 Religion/Religious Studies students in 2024–25 (IPEDS). It is CIP 38.0201, 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 Religion/Religious Studies programs
A program that focuses on the nature of religious belief and specific religious and quasi-religious systems. Includes instruction in phenomenology; the sociology, psychology, philosophy, anthropology, literature and art of religion; mythology; scriptural and textual studies; religious history and politics; and specific studies of particular faith communities and their behavior.
Source: National Center for Education Statistics, Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP 2020).
The Religion/Religious Studies program explores the nature of religious belief and various religious systems. This field of study encompasses a wide range of disciplines including sociology, psychology, philosophy, anthropology, and history, providing students with a comprehensive understanding of religious phenomena and their impact on society. It is ideal for those interested in deepening their knowledge of faith communities and their behaviors.
Students in this program develop critical skills such as reading comprehension, active listening, and critical thinking. Coursework typically covers topics like scriptural studies, religious history, and the sociology of religion, equipping graduates with a robust understanding of philosophy and theology.
Credentials awarded
What Religion/Religious Studies graduates earned in 2024–25, by award level (IPEDS completions).
- Bachelor's degree1,622 graduates / yr · 315 institutions71%
- Master's degree334 graduates / yr · 69 institutions15%
- Doctor's degree - research/scholarship172 graduates / yr · 39 institutions7.5%
- Associate's degree48 graduates / yr · 13 institutions2.1%
- Award of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year48 graduates / yr · 10 institutions2.1%
- Postbaccalaureate certificate30 graduates / yr · 8 institutions1.3%
- Award of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years18 graduates / yr · 2 institutions0.8%
- Doctor's degree - other7 graduates / yr · 3 institutions0.3%
- Post-master's certificate4 graduates / yr · 2 institutions0.2%
- Doctor's degree - professional practice2 graduates / yr · 2 institutions0.1%
- Award of less than 12 weeks2 graduates / yr · 1 institution0.1%
Graduates over time
Religion/Religious Studies completions reported to IPEDS each year, all award levels combined.
| Year | Graduates |
|---|---|
| 2012 | 5,166 |
| 2013 | 5,149 |
| 2014 | 4,972 |
| 2015 | 4,686 |
| 2016 | 4,380 |
| 2017 | 3,891 |
| 2018 | 3,759 |
| 2019 | 3,433 |
| 2020 | 3,181 |
| 2021 | 3,032 |
| 2022 | 2,755 |
| 2023 | 2,499 |
| 2024 | 2,194 |
| 2025 | 2,287 |
Top 50 institutions for Religion/Religious 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-profitBachelor'sAssociate'sDoctoral | 515 | 65% | $28,911 | $38,540 |
| 2 | University of St Thomas Saint Paul, MNPrivate not-for-profitMaster'sBachelor'sPost-degree cert. | 53 | 76% | $28,888 | $27,496 |
| 3 | Harvard University Cambridge, MAPrivate not-for-profitMaster'sDoctoralBachelor'sPost-degree cert. | 35 | 98% | $15,013 | — |
| 4 | Missouri State University - Springfield Springfield, MOPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic yearMaster'sBachelor's | 34 | 58% | — | $22,133 |
| 5 | Yale University New Haven, CTPrivate not-for-profitMaster'sDoctoralBachelor's | 32 | 96% | $27,025 | — |
| 6 | Baylor University Waco, TXPrivate not-for-profitBachelor'sDoctoral | 30 | 80% | $35,682 | $31,672 |
| 7 | Columbia University in the City of New York New York, NYPrivate not-for-profitBachelor'sMaster'sDoctoralMaster's | 25 | 96% | $15,315 | — |
| 8 | Florida State University Tallahassee, FLPublicMaster'sBachelor'sDoctoral | 23 | 86% | — | — |
| 9 | University of California - Santa Barbara Santa Barbara, CAPublicBachelor'sMaster'sDoctoral | 22 | 83% | — | $19,911 |
| 10 | Trinity Anglican Seminary Ambridge, PAPrivate not-for-profitMaster's | 22 | — | — | — |
| 11 | University of Virginia - Main Campus Charlottesville, VAPublicDoctoralBachelor'sMaster's | 22 | 96% | — | $25,260 |
| 12 | Faith International University Tacoma, WAPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 22 | 25% | $18,744 | $42,103 |
| 13 | Vanguard University of Southern California Costa Mesa, CAPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 20 | 57% | $18,716 | — |
| 14 | University of Georgia Athens, GAPublicBachelor'sDoctoralMaster's | 20 | 90% | — | — |
| 15 | Andrews University Berrien Springs, MIPrivate not-for-profitBachelor'sMaster'sDoctoral | 19 | 72% | $17,800 | — |
| 16 | Arizona State University Digital Immersion Scottsdale, AZPublicBachelor's | 19 | 0% | — | — |
| 17 | Princeton University Princeton, NJPrivate not-for-profitDoctoralBachelor'sMaster's | 17 | 98% | $13,729 | — |
| 18 | Gardner - Webb University Boiling Springs, NCPrivate not-for-profitBachelor'sMaster's | 17 | 55% | $22,863 | — |
| 19 | American Public University System Charles Town, WVPrivate for-profitBachelor's | 17 | 57% | $10,199 | — |
| 20 | Boston University Boston, MAPrivate not-for-profitBachelor'sMaster'sDoctoral | 16 | 89% | $21,956 | — |
| 21 | Grove City College Grove City, PAPrivate not-for-profitBachelor'sMaster's | 16 | 83% | — | — |
| 22 | The University of Texas at Austin Austin, TXPublicBachelor'sMaster'sDoctoral | 16 | 89% | — | — |
| 23 | Elim Bible College Lima, NYPrivate not-for-profitAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years | 16 | 67% | $10,460 | — |
| 24 | University of Denver Denver, COPrivate not-for-profitBachelor'sMaster'sDoctoral | 15 | 76% | $29,726 | — |
| 25 | Hartford International University for Religion and Peace Hartford, CTPrivate not-for-profitMaster'sPost-degree cert. | 15 | — | — | — |
| 26 | Chicago Theological Seminary Chicago, ILPrivate not-for-profitMaster's | 15 | — | — | — |
| 27 | University of Central Florida Orlando, FLPublicBachelor's | 14 | 78% | — | — |
| 28 | Saint Leo University Saint Leo, FLPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 14 | 45% | $18,986 | — |
| 29 | California State University - Chico Chico, CAPublicBachelor's | 13 | 63% | — | — |
| 30 | Colgate Rochester Crozer Divinity School Rochester, NYPrivate not-for-profitPost-degree cert.DoctoralMaster's | 13 | — | — | — |
| 31 | University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill Chapel Hill, NCPublicBachelor'sDoctoralMaster's | 13 | 91% | — | $33,690 |
| 32 | Rice University Houston, TXPrivate not-for-profitMaster'sDoctoralBachelor's | 13 | 95% | $13,264 | — |
| 33 | University of North Carolina at Charlotte Charlotte, NCPublicBachelor'sMaster's | 12 | 69% | — | $31,123 |
| 34 | Southern Wesleyan University Central, SCPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 12 | 52% | $19,568 | $28,636 |
| 35 | Westmont College Santa Barbara, CAPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 11 | 70% | $28,035 | — |
| 36 | The Catholic University of America Washington, DCPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 11 | 79% | $27,724 | — |
| 37 | University of Florida Gainesville, FLPublicBachelor'sDoctoralAward of less than 12 weeks | 11 | 91% | — | — |
| 38 | Emory University Atlanta, GAPrivate not-for-profitDoctoralBachelor'sMaster's | 11 | 91% | $20,586 | — |
| 39 | Kentucky Mountain Bible College Jackson, KYPrivate not-for-profitBachelor'sAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 11 | 64% | $10,880 | — |
| 40 | Hope College Holland, MIPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 11 | 80% | $21,746 | $25,208 |
| 41 | Bethel University Saint Paul, MNPrivate not-for-profitMaster's | 11 | 71% | $25,225 | — |
| 42 | University of Puget Sound Tacoma, WAPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 11 | 68% | $35,057 | $20,357 |
| 43 | University of California - Riverside Riverside, CAPublicDoctoralBachelor'sMaster's | 10 | 76% | — | — |
| 44 | Georgia State University Atlanta, GAPublicBachelor'sMaster's | 10 | 53% | — | — |
| 45 | College of Charleston Charleston, SCPublicBachelor's | 10 | 66% | — | — |
| 46 | East Texas Baptist University Marshall, TXPrivate not-for-profitMaster'sAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 10 | 47% | $23,359 | — |
| 47 | Claremont Graduate University Claremont, CAPrivate not-for-profitMaster'sDoctoral | 9 | — | — | — |
| 48 | Grossmont College El Cajon, CAPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 9 | 37% | — | — |
| 49 | Florida International University Miami, FLPublicBachelor'sMaster's | 9 | 74% | — | — |
| 50 | Western Michigan University Kalamazoo, MIPublicMaster'sBachelor's | 9 | 58% | — | — |
* 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 43 states & territories
Where Religion/Religious 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 Religion/Religious Studies program often pursue careers as postsecondary philosophy and religion teachers. With an average annual wage of $78,050 and approximately 2,000 annual job openings, the field is expected to see little or no change in growth, typically requiring a doctoral or professional degree for advancement.
Top-paying metros
Career pathways for CIP 38.0201
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 Religion/Religious 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
- 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
- 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 this program?+
You can earn a Bachelor's, Master's, Doctoral, or Associate's degree in Religion/Religious Studies.
What skills will I develop?+
You will develop skills in critical thinking, writing, active listening, and more.
What careers can I pursue after graduation?+
You can become a postsecondary philosophy and religion teacher or pursue related fields.
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 Religion/Religious Studies?+
Religion/Religious Studies is CIP 38.0201 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 nature of religious belief and specific religious and quasi-religious systems. Includes instruction in phenomenology; the sociology, psychology, philosophy, anthropology, literature and art of religion; mythology; scriptural and textual studies; religious history and politics; and specific studies of particular faith communities and their behavior.
How many institutions offer Religion/Religious Studies programs?+
360 U.S. institutions reported Religion/Religious Studies graduates in IPEDS 2024–25, across 43 states & territories, awarding 2,287 credentials in the year. That is 22.9% of all Religion/Religious Studies graduates.
How much do Religion/Religious 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 Religion/Religious 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 $28,636 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.
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