Best colleges for Theology and Religious Vocations
Any instructional program in theological studies and religious vocations not listed above.
82 U.S. institutions graduated 1,242 Theology and Religious Vocations students in 2024–25 (IPEDS). It is CIP 39.9999, a specialization of Theology and Religious Vocations (CIP 39.99).
About Theology and Religious Vocations programs
Any instructional program in theological studies and religious vocations not listed above.
Source: National Center for Education Statistics, Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP 2020).
The Theology and Religious Vocations program encompasses a variety of instructional courses in theological studies and religious vocations that are not specifically categorized elsewhere. This program is designed for students interested in exploring the spiritual, ethical, and philosophical dimensions of religion, preparing them for various roles within religious communities and organizations. With 82 colleges offering this program across the United States, students can pursue degrees at different levels, including bachelor's, master's, and doctoral degrees. This program is ideal for individuals seeking to deepen their understanding of religious texts, practices, and the role of religion in society.
Students in the Theology and Religious Vocations program engage in coursework that covers a range of topics, including sacred scripture studies and other theological concepts. This program emphasizes critical thinking, ethical reasoning, and the historical context of religious practices.
Credentials awarded
What Theology and Religious Vocations graduates earned in 2024–25, by award level (IPEDS completions).
- Master's degree558 graduates / yr · 35 institutions45%
- Bachelor's degree242 graduates / yr · 33 institutions20%
- Doctor's degree - professional practice119 graduates / yr · 5 institutions9.6%
- Award of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year89 graduates / yr · 4 institutions7.2%
- Doctor's degree - research/scholarship68 graduates / yr · 9 institutions5.5%
- Post-master's certificate58 graduates / yr · 3 institutions4.7%
- Postbaccalaureate certificate45 graduates / yr · 13 institutions3.6%
- Doctor's degree - other31 graduates / yr · 3 institutions2.5%
- Associate's degree27 graduates / yr · 8 institutions2.2%
- Award of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years4 graduates / yr · 2 institutions0.3%
- Award of at least 2 but less than 4 academic years1 graduates / yr · 1 institution0.1%
Graduates over time
Theology and Religious Vocations completions reported to IPEDS each year, all award levels combined.
| Year | Graduates |
|---|---|
| 2012 | 1,248 |
| 2013 | 1,401 |
| 2014 | 1,399 |
| 2015 | 1,583 |
| 2016 | 1,664 |
| 2017 | 1,331 |
| 2018 | 1,368 |
| 2019 | 1,367 |
| 2020 | 1,273 |
| 2021 | 1,159 |
| 2022 | 1,200 |
| 2023 | 1,194 |
| 2024 | 1,230 |
| 2025 | 1,242 |
Top 50 institutions for Theology and Religious Vocations, 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 starting salary* (1 yr) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Dallas Theological Seminary Dallas, TXPrivate not-for-profitMaster'sPost-degree cert.Master's | 135 | — | — | — |
| 2 | Moody Bible Institute Chicago, ILPrivate not-for-profitBachelor'sMaster'sAssociate'sAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic yearPost-degree cert. | 101 | 62% | $24,848 | — |
| 3 | Indiana Wesleyan University - National & Global Marion, INPrivate not-for-profitMaster'sDoctoral | 96 | 35% | $18,316 | — |
| 4 | Martin Luther College New Ulm, MNPrivate not-for-profitAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic yearAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic yearsBachelor'sAward of at least 2 but less than 4 academic years | 76 | 72% | $17,946 | — |
| 5 | The Catholic University of America Washington, DCPrivate not-for-profitMaster'sDoctoral | 63 | 79% | $27,724 | — |
| 6 | Duke University Durham, NCPrivate not-for-profitMaster's | 55 | 97% | $16,260 | — |
| 7 | Wesley Theological Seminary Washington, DCPrivate not-for-profitDoctoral (prof.) | 54 | — | — | — |
| 8 | United Theological Seminary Dayton, OHPrivate not-for-profitDoctoral (prof.) | 49 | — | — | — |
| 9 | Columbia International University Columbia, SCPrivate not-for-profitDoctoralMaster's | 38 | 47% | $21,361 | — |
| 10 | Valor Christian College Canal Winchester, OHPrivate not-for-profitBachelor'sAssociate'sAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years | 38 | 44% | $26,387 | $19,238 |
| 11 | Evangel University Springfield, MOPrivate not-for-profitMaster's | 37 | 65% | $17,881 | — |
| 12 | Trevecca Nazarene University Nashville, TNPrivate not-for-profitBachelor'sMaster's | 30 | 53% | $14,286 | — |
| 13 | Concordia Theological Seminary Fort Wayne, INPrivate not-for-profitMaster'sDoctoral | 24 | — | — | — |
| 14 | Western Theological Seminary Holland, MIPrivate not-for-profitMaster's | 24 | — | — | — |
| 15 | Biola University La Mirada, CAPrivate not-for-profitMaster'sPost-degree cert. | 23 | 68% | $26,727 | — |
| 16 | Life Pacific University San Dimas, CAPrivate not-for-profitMaster's | 21 | 40% | $23,832 | — |
| 17 | George Fox University Newberg, ORPrivate not-for-profitDoctoral | 20 | 72% | $26,564 | — |
| 18 | Baptist Missionary Association Theological Seminary Jacksonville, TXPrivate not-for-profitBachelor'sMaster'sAssociate's | 20 | — | — | — |
| 19 | Campbell University Buies Creek, NCPrivate not-for-profitMaster's | 16 | 61% | $23,331 | — |
| 20 | Covenant Theological Seminary Saint Louis, MOPrivate not-for-profitDoctoral (prof.) | 13 | — | — | — |
| 21 | University of Redlands Redlands, CAPrivate not-for-profitPost-degree cert. | 12 | 67% | $22,706 | — |
| 22 | Saint Johns University Collegeville, MNPrivate not-for-profitMaster's | 12 | 75% | $19,900 | — |
| 23 | United Lutheran Seminary Gettysburg, PAPrivate not-for-profitMaster's | 12 | — | — | — |
| 24 | Heritage Bible College Dunn, NCPrivate not-for-profitBachelor'sAssociate's | 11 | — | $14,220 | — |
| 25 | Liberty University Lynchburg, VAPrivate not-for-profitMaster'sDoctoral | 11 | 65% | $28,911 | — |
| 26 | The King's University Southlake, TXPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 11 | 47% | $23,878 | — |
| 27 | Interdenominational Theological Center Atlanta, GAPrivate not-for-profitDoctoral | 10 | — | — | — |
| 28 | Union Theological Seminary New York, NYPrivate not-for-profitMaster'sPost-degree cert. | 10 | — | — | — |
| 29 | New Hope Christian College - Eugene Eugene, ORPrivate not-for-profitBachelor'sAssociate's | 10 | 52% | $20,468 | — |
| 30 | Azusa Pacific University Azusa, CAPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 9 | 62% | $20,686 | — |
| 31 | Lipscomb University Nashville, TNPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 9 | 72% | $24,309 | — |
| 32 | Baylor University Waco, TXPrivate not-for-profitMaster's | 9 | 80% | $35,682 | — |
| 33 | Regent University Virginia Beach, VAPrivate not-for-profitMaster's | 9 | 57% | $18,677 | — |
| 34 | Mission University Springfield, MOPrivate not-for-profitBachelor'sMaster's | 8 | 44% | $22,092 | — |
| 35 | Central Christian College of the Bible Moberly, MOPrivate not-for-profitBachelor'sAssociate's | 8 | 22% | $14,865 | — |
| 36 | Southwestern Christian University Bethany, OKPrivate not-for-profitMaster'sBachelor's | 8 | 16% | $21,018 | — |
| 37 | Westminster Theological Seminary Glenside, PAPrivate not-for-profitDoctoral | 8 | — | — | — |
| 38 | Kentucky Christian University Grayson, KYPrivate not-for-profitBachelor'sAssociate's | 7 | 37% | $21,713 | — |
| 39 | Nazarene Theological Seminary Kansas City, MOPrivate not-for-profitPost-degree cert.Master's | 7 | — | — | — |
| 40 | Drew University Madison, NJPrivate not-for-profitMaster'sPost-degree cert. | 7 | 70% | $23,094 | — |
| 41 | Belmont University Nashville, TNPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 7 | 71% | $29,246 | — |
| 42 | Abilene Christian University Abilene, TXPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 7 | 59% | $26,342 | — |
| 43 | Concordia University - Wisconsin Mequon, WIPrivate not-for-profitAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 7 | 68% | $24,409 | — |
| 44 | Boston University Boston, MAPrivate not-for-profitPost-degree cert. | 6 | 89% | $21,956 | — |
| 45 | Missouri Baptist University Saint Louis, MOPrivate not-for-profitBachelor'sMaster's | 6 | 48% | $25,407 | — |
| 46 | University of St Thomas Houston, TXPrivate not-for-profitMaster's | 6 | 69% | $19,546 | — |
| 47 | Oklahoma Baptist University Shawnee, OKPrivate not-for-profitBachelor'sAssociate's | 5 | 52% | $23,214 | — |
| 48 | Pillar College Newark, NJPrivate not-for-profitMaster's | 5 | 38% | $8,042 | — |
| 49 | Berkeley School of Theology Berkeley, CAPrivate not-for-profitAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 4 | — | — | — |
| 50 | Hobe Sound Bible College Hobe Sound, FLPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 4 | 50% | $11,455 | — |
* Field starting salary (1 yr): median earnings 1 year after graduation for the broader Theology and Religious Vocations field (CIP 39.99) at these institutions; College Scorecard does not publish earnings at the 6-digit level.
Offered in 26 states
Where Theology and Religious Vocations graduates come from. Each state links to all Theology and Religious Vocations programs offered there.
Common questions
What degrees can I earn in this program?+
You can earn a bachelor's degree, master's degree, or a doctor's degree in Theology and Religious Vocations.
How many colleges offer this program in the U.S.?+
There are 82 colleges offering the Theology and Religious Vocations program across the United States.
What is the typical coursework in this program?+
Core coursework includes studies in sacred scripture and various theological topics.
What is the average number of graduates per year?+
Approximately 1,242 students graduate from this program each year.
What is the CIP code for Theology and Religious Vocations?+
Theology and Religious Vocations is CIP 39.9999 in the NCES Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP 2020), a 6-digit specialization within Theology and Religious Vocations (CIP 39.99). NCES defines it as: Any instructional program in theological studies and religious vocations not listed above.
How many institutions offer Theology and Religious Vocations programs?+
82 U.S. institutions reported Theology and Religious Vocations graduates in IPEDS 2024–25, across 26 states, awarding 1,242 credentials in the year. That is 100.0% of all Theology and Religious Vocations graduates.
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. This specialization accounts for nearly all Theology and Religious Vocations graduates, so its figures match the Theology and Religious Vocations program page.
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