Best institutions to study Theology/Theological Studies
A program that focuses on the beliefs and doctrine of a particular religious faith from the intramural point of view of that faith.
288 U.S. institutions graduated 6,127 Theology/Theological Studies students in 2024–25 (IPEDS). It is CIP 39.0601, a specialization of Theological and Ministerial Studies (CIP 39.06), and leads most directly to the Clergy occupation (BLS SOC 21-2011).
About Theology/Theological Studies programs
A program that focuses on the beliefs and doctrine of a particular religious faith from the intramural point of view of that faith. Includes instruction in systematic theology, historical theology, moral theology, doctrinal studies, dogmatics, apologetics, and applications to specific questions of ecclesiastical polity and religious life.
Source: National Center for Education Statistics, Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP 2020).
The Theology/Theological Studies program, part of Theological and Ministerial Studies, focuses on the beliefs and doctrines of specific religious faiths. It offers an in-depth examination from the perspective of that faith, making it ideal for individuals seeking to deepen their understanding of theology and its applications in religious life.
Students in this program will develop core skills in speaking, active listening, writing, and critical thinking. Coursework typically includes systematic theology, historical theology, and moral theology, equipping students with a robust foundation in philosophy and theology.
Credentials awarded
What Theology/Theological Studies graduates earned in 2024–25, by award level (IPEDS completions).
- Master's degree3,691 graduates / yr · 199 institutions60%
- Bachelor's degree978 graduates / yr · 127 institutions16%
- Doctor's degree - research/scholarship862 graduates / yr · 42 institutions14%
- Postbaccalaureate certificate284 graduates / yr · 30 institutions4.6%
- Doctor's degree - other101 graduates / yr · 9 institutions1.6%
- Award of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year96 graduates / yr · 8 institutions1.6%
- Associate's degree44 graduates / yr · 6 institutions0.7%
- Doctor's degree - professional practice34 graduates / yr · 5 institutions0.6%
- Post-master's certificate30 graduates / yr · 8 institutions0.5%
- Award of less than 12 weeks4 graduates / yr · 1 institution0.1%
- Award of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years3 graduates / yr · 1 institution0.0%
Graduates over time
Theology/Theological Studies completions reported to IPEDS each year, all award levels combined.
| Year | Graduates |
|---|---|
| 2012 | 6,221 |
| 2013 | 6,141 |
| 2014 | 6,360 |
| 2015 | 6,263 |
| 2016 | 6,482 |
| 2017 | 5,979 |
| 2018 | 6,100 |
| 2019 | 6,189 |
| 2020 | 5,665 |
| 2021 | 6,087 |
| 2022 | 6,345 |
| 2023 | 6,089 |
| 2024 | 6,160 |
| 2025 | 6,127 |
Top 50 institutions for Theology/Theological 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-profitMaster'sDoctoralPost-degree cert.Award of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic yearBachelor's | 1,257 | 65% | $28,911 | — |
| 2 | Dallas Theological Seminary Dallas, TXPrivate not-for-profitMaster'sDoctoral | 264 | — | — | — |
| 3 | Franciscan University of Steubenville Steubenville, OHPrivate not-for-profitBachelor'sMaster'sAssociate's | 213 | 75% | $21,122 | $29,656 |
| 4 | Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary Kansas City, MOPrivate not-for-profitMaster'sDoctoralAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic yearBachelor's | 204 | 48% | $26,572 | — |
| 5 | The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary Louisville, KYPrivate not-for-profitDoctoralBachelor'sDoctoralMaster'sAssociate's | 187 | 40% | — | — |
| 6 | Duke University Durham, NCPrivate not-for-profitMaster'sPost-degree cert.Doctoral | 186 | 97% | $16,260 | — |
| 7 | University of Notre Dame Notre Dame, INPrivate not-for-profitMaster'sBachelor'sDoctoral | 108 | 95% | $19,452 | $45,874 |
| 8 | Rabbinical Seminary of America Flushing, NYPrivate not-for-profitBachelor'sPost-degree cert.Master's | 105 | 30% | $6,533 | — |
| 9 | Fuller Theological Seminary Pasadena, CAPrivate not-for-profitMaster'sDoctoralMaster's | 98 | — | — | — |
| 10 | Boston College Chestnut Hill, MAPrivate not-for-profitMaster'sDoctoralBachelor's | 95 | 91% | $21,126 | — |
| 11 | Harvard University Cambridge, MAPrivate not-for-profitMaster's | 89 | 98% | $15,013 | — |
| 12 | Trinity International University - Illinois Deerfield, ILPrivate not-for-profitMaster'sDoctoralPost-degree cert. | 85 | 46% | $20,539 | — |
| 13 | Holy Apostles College and Seminary Cromwell, CTPrivate not-for-profitMaster'sBachelor'sMaster's | 66 | 79% | $16,073 | — |
| 14 | The Master's University and Seminary Santa Clarita, CAPrivate not-for-profitBachelor'sMaster's | 62 | 68% | $30,641 | $43,677 |
| 15 | Sacred Heart Major Seminary Detroit, MIPrivate not-for-profitAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic yearMaster'sMaster'sBachelor's | 62 | 67% | $10,371 | — |
| 16 | Concordia Seminary Saint Louis, MOPrivate not-for-profitPost-degree cert.Master'sDoctoralDoctoral | 61 | — | — | — |
| 17 | Kairos University Sioux Falls, SDPrivate not-for-profitBachelor'sDoctoral | 55 | — | — | — |
| 18 | SUM Bible College and Theological Seminary El Dorado Hills, CAPrivate not-for-profitBachelor'sAssociate's | 54 | 85% | $21,043 | — |
| 19 | University of Chicago Chicago, ILPrivate not-for-profitMaster'sDoctoralBachelor's | 53 | 96% | $13,333 | — |
| 20 | New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary New Orleans, LAPrivate not-for-profitDoctoralMaster'sBachelor's | 53 | 74% | — | — |
| 21 | Rabbinical College of Ohr Shimon Yisroel Brooklyn, NYPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 52 | 41% | $14,665 | — |
| 22 | Shepherds Theological Seminary Cary, NCPrivate not-for-profitMaster's | 52 | — | — | — |
| 23 | Pentecostal Theological Seminary Cleveland, TNPrivate not-for-profitMaster'sDoctoral | 51 | — | — | — |
| 24 | Santa Clara University Santa Clara, CAPrivate not-for-profitMaster'sDoctoral (prof.)Doctoral | 48 | 88% | $44,094 | — |
| 25 | Southern Methodist University Dallas, TXPrivate not-for-profitMaster'sDoctoral | 48 | 84% | $33,246 | — |
| 26 | Luther Seminary Saint Paul, MNPrivate not-for-profitMaster'sDoctoral | 46 | — | — | — |
| 27 | Regent University Virginia Beach, VAPrivate not-for-profitDoctoralMaster'sPost-degree cert. | 46 | 57% | $18,677 | — |
| 28 | Boston University Boston, MAPrivate not-for-profitMaster'sDoctoral | 45 | 89% | $21,956 | — |
| 29 | Eastern University Saint Davids, PAPrivate not-for-profitMaster'sAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic yearBachelor's | 45 | 54% | $25,146 | — |
| 30 | Ave Maria University Ave Maria, FLPrivate not-for-profitBachelor'sMaster's | 45 | 54% | $22,235 | $26,924 |
| 31 | Princeton Theological Seminary Princeton, NJPrivate not-for-profitMaster'sDoctoral | 44 | — | — | — |
| 32 | Asbury Theological Seminary Wilmore, KYPrivate not-for-profitMaster's | 42 | — | — | — |
| 33 | Benedictine College Atchison, KSPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 39 | 62% | $24,826 | $32,202 |
| 34 | Saint Joseph's College of Maine Standish, MEPrivate not-for-profitMaster'sBachelor'sPost-degree cert. | 39 | 66% | $31,045 | — |
| 35 | St Bernard's School of Theology and Ministry Rochester, NYPrivate not-for-profitPost-degree cert.Master's | 38 | — | — | — |
| 36 | Western Seminary Portland, ORPrivate not-for-profitMaster's | 38 | — | — | — |
| 37 | Wheaton College Wheaton, ILPrivate not-for-profitMaster'sDoctoralPost-degree cert. | 35 | 85% | $23,461 | — |
| 38 | Columbia International University Columbia, SCPrivate not-for-profitMaster's | 34 | 47% | $21,361 | — |
| 39 | Saint Leo University Saint Leo, FLPrivate not-for-profitMaster'sAward of less than 12 weeks | 33 | 45% | $18,986 | — |
| 40 | Drew University Madison, NJPrivate not-for-profitDoctoralMaster's | 33 | 70% | $23,094 | — |
| 41 | Houston Christian University Houston, TXPrivate not-for-profitMaster'sBachelor'sPost-degree cert. | 33 | 49% | $21,247 | — |
| 42 | Graduate Theological Union Berkeley, CAPrivate not-for-profitMaster'sDoctoralPost-degree cert. | 31 | — | — | — |
| 43 | Moody Bible Institute Chicago, ILPrivate not-for-profitBachelor'sMaster's | 31 | 62% | $24,848 | $33,488 |
| 44 | Catholic International University Charles Town, WVPrivate not-for-profitMaster'sBachelor'sPost-degree cert.Associate'sAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 31 | 100% | — | — |
| 45 | Union Theological Seminary in the City of New York New York, NYPrivate not-for-profitMaster'sDoctoral | 29 | — | — | — |
| 46 | Evangel University Springfield, MOPrivate not-for-profitMaster'sDoctoralDoctoral (prof.) | 28 | 65% | $17,881 | — |
| 47 | Palm Beach Atlantic University West Palm Beach, FLPrivate not-for-profitMaster'sBachelor'sDoctoral | 27 | 55% | $32,031 | $28,383 |
| 48 | Covenant Theological Seminary Saint Louis, MOPrivate not-for-profitMaster's | 27 | — | — | — |
| 49 | Seton Hall University South Orange, NJPrivate not-for-profitMaster'sBachelor's | 27 | 69% | $27,376 | — |
| 50 | Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary Wake Forest, NCPrivate not-for-profitMaster'sDoctoralBachelor's | 27 | 58% | $6,608 | — |
* Median earnings 1 year after graduation for the broader Theological and Ministerial Studies field (CIP 39.06) at these institutions; College Scorecard does not publish earnings at the 6-digit level.
Offered in 43 states & territories
Where Theology/Theological Studies graduates come from. Each state links to all Theological and Ministerial Studies programs offered there.
Careers & outlook
The payoff after graduation: occupation 21-2011, Clergy, and its national outlook.
Graduates of the Theology/Theological Studies program often pursue careers as clergy or as philosophy and religion teachers at the postsecondary level. With an annual job outlook of 23,000 openings and a median wage of $60,820, the field is expected to experience little or no change in growth.
Top-paying metros
Career pathways for CIP 39.0601
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Clergyprimary SOC 21-2011 | $60,810 | +1.0% Little or no change | ~23,000 | Bachelor's degree |
Philosophy and Religion Teachers, Postsecondary 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 Theology/Theological 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
- Pray and promote spirituality.
- Prepare and deliver sermons or other talks.
- Read from sacred texts, such as the Bible, Torah, or Koran.
- Organize and lead regular religious services.
- Instruct people who seek conversion to a particular faith.
- Share information about religious issues by writing articles, giving speeches, or teaching.
Tools and technology used
Other Theological and Ministerial Studies specializations
The 4 other 6-digit CIP codes under Theological and Ministerial Studies (CIP 39.06).
Common questions
What degrees can I earn in this program?+
You can earn a Bachelor's degree, Master's degree, Doctor's degree, or a Postbaccalaureate certificate.
What skills will I develop?+
You will develop skills in speaking, active listening, writing, critical thinking, and more.
What careers can I pursue with this degree?+
You can become clergy or a postsecondary philosophy and religion teacher.
What is the job outlook for graduates?+
The job outlook includes 23,000 annual openings with a median wage of $60,820.
What is the CIP code for Theology/Theological Studies?+
Theology/Theological Studies is CIP 39.0601 in the NCES Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP 2020), a 6-digit specialization within Theological and Ministerial Studies (CIP 39.06). NCES defines it as: A program that focuses on the beliefs and doctrine of a particular religious faith from the intramural point of view of that faith. Includes instruction in systematic theology, historical theology, moral theology, doctrinal studies, dogmatics, apologetics, and applications to specific questions of ecclesiastical polity and religious life.
How many institutions offer Theology/Theological Studies programs?+
288 U.S. institutions reported Theology/Theological Studies graduates in IPEDS 2024–25, across 43 states & territories, awarding 6,127 credentials in the year. That is 41.8% of all Theological and Ministerial Studies graduates.
How much do Theology/Theological Studies graduates earn?+
Earnings are not published at the 6-digit CIP level by any federal source. The Clergy occupation, which Theology/Theological Studies most directly leads to, pays a median of $60,810 a year nationally (BLS OEWS May 2025), and graduates of the broader Theological and Ministerial Studies field report median earnings of $29,809 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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