Best Philosophy programs in Tennessee, ranked by enrollment
Teach courses in philosophy, religion, and theology.
31 schools in Tennessee run programs that feed this job, graduating 756 people a year. The job pays a median of $74,090 in Tennessee across about 490 jobs (BLS OEWS May 2025).
Fields of study in Tennessee that lead to this job
Grouped at the 4-digit CIP level. Numbers are graduates per year in this state.
18 programs in Tennessee that lead to this job
Ranked by graduates per year in Tennessee (IPEDS completions). Graduate earnings and debt are national College Scorecard figures reported at the 4-digit CIP level, so specializations within one field share a figure. Each program also links to its own Tennessee page.
| # | Program | Graduates / yr | Share of pipeline | Schools | Grad earnings (1 yr) | Median debt |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | CIP 39.0602In Tennessee → | 156 | 20.6% | 12 | $32,202 | $25,375 |
| 2 | CIP 39.0601In Tennessee → | 133 | 17.6% | 11 | $32,202 | $25,375 |
| 3 | CIP 38.0101In Tennessee → | 89 | 11.8% | 13 | $31,618 | $22,862 |
| 4 | CIP 39.0201In Tennessee → | 66 | 8.7% | 8 | $33,182 | $25,000 |
| 5 | CIP 39.0699In Tennessee → | 59 | 7.8% | 6 | $32,202 | $25,375 |
| 6 | Religion/Religious Studiesmain feeder CIP 38.0201In Tennessee → | 52 | 6.9% | 13 | $26,048 | $25,612 |
| 7 | CIP 39.0701In Tennessee → | 34 | 4.5% | 5 | $32,226 | $26,000 |
| 8 | CIP 38.0104In Tennessee → | 27 | 3.6% | 1 | $31,618 | $22,862 |
| 9 | CIP 51.3201In Tennessee → | 26 | 3.4% | 1 | $99,851 | $21,475 |
| 10 | CIP 39.0604In Tennessee → | 25 | 3.3% | 3 | $32,202 | $25,375 |
| 11 | Christian Studiesmain feeder CIP 38.0203In Tennessee → | 21 | 2.8% | 5 | $26,048 | $25,612 |
| 12 | CIP 39.0301In Tennessee → | 19 | 2.5% | 5 | $28,103 | $17,318 |
| 13 | CIP 39.0401In Tennessee → | 16 | 2.1% | 3 | $32,351 | $25,937 |
| 14 | Philosophy and Religious Studies, Generalmain feeder CIP 38.0001In Tennessee → | 10 | 1.3% | 1 | — | — |
| 15 | CIP 39.0501In Tennessee → | 10 | 1.3% | 4 | $30,092 | $27,000 |
| 16 | CIP 39.0703In Tennessee → | 8 | 1.1% | 1 | $32,226 | $26,000 |
| 17 | CIP 39.0502In Tennessee → | 4 | 0.5% | 2 | $30,092 | $27,000 |
| 18 | Philosophy and Religious Studies, Othermain feeder CIP 38.9999In Tennessee → | 1 | 0.1% | 1 | $28,712 | $24,734 |
Top 25 schools in Tennessee
Ranked by graduates per year into this job. Graduate earnings are reported for 3 of the 31 schools in this state.
| # | School | Graduates / yr | Top feeder program | Grad earnings (1 yr) | Grad rate | Net price | Acceptance |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lee University Cleveland, TN Private not-for-profit · 9 feeder programs | 86 | Pastoral Studies/Counseling | $35,189 | 63% | $18,918 | 71% |
| 2 | Johnson University Knoxville, TN Private not-for-profit · 8 feeder programs | 85 | Divinity/Ministry | $33,627 | 57% | $19,333 | 65% |
| 3 | Pentecostal Theological Seminary Cleveland, TN Private not-for-profit · 4 feeder programs | 77 | Theology/Theological Studies | — | — | — | — |
| 4 | Vanderbilt University Nashville, TN Private not-for-profit · 4 feeder programs | 71 | Divinity/Ministry | — | 94% | $14,854 | 6% |
| 5 | Memphis Theological Seminary Memphis, TN Private not-for-profit · 3 feeder programs | 51 | Theological and Ministerial Studies, Other | — | — | — | — |
| 6 | Lipscomb University Nashville, TN Private not-for-profit · 6 feeder programs | 45 | Theology/Theological Studies | — | 72% | $24,309 | 68% |
| 7 | The University of the South Sewanee, TN Private not-for-profit · 4 feeder programs | 40 | Divinity/Ministry | — | 80% | $21,573 | 57% |
| 8 | Rhodes College Memphis, TN Private not-for-profit · 3 feeder programs | 37 | Bioethics/Medical Ethics | — | 85% | $19,854 | 50% |
| 9 | Freed - Hardeman University Henderson, TN Private not-for-profit · 3 feeder programs | 32 | Bible/Biblical Studies | $44,142 | 71% | $19,418 | 60% |
| 10 | Southern Adventist University Collegedale, TN Private not-for-profit · 5 feeder programs | 27 | Theology/Theological Studies | — | 49% | $24,187 | 65% |
| 11 | The University of Tennessee - Knoxville Knoxville, TN Public · 2 feeder programs | 26 | Philosophy | — | 74% | — | 42% |
| 12 | Richmont Graduate University Chattanooga, TN Private not-for-profit · 1 feeder programs | 19 | Theology/Theological Studies | — | — | — | — |
| 13 | Milligan University Milligan, TN Private not-for-profit · 4 feeder programs | 18 | Divinity/Ministry | — | 63% | $19,143 | 72% |
| 14 | Union University Jackson, TN Private not-for-profit · 5 feeder programs | 18 | Urban Ministry | — | 66% | $25,882 | 60% |
| 15 | Trevecca Nazarene University Nashville, TN Private not-for-profit · 4 feeder programs | 17 | Divinity/Ministry | — | 53% | $14,286 | 69% |
| 16 | Welch College Gallatin, TN Private not-for-profit · 4 feeder programs | 16 | Bible/Biblical Studies | — | 53% | $19,634 | — |
| 17 | Carson - Newman University Jefferson City, TN Private not-for-profit · 5 feeder programs | 13 | Religion/Religious Studies | — | 53% | $19,537 | 90% |
| 18 | Bryan College - Dayton Dayton, TN Private not-for-profit · 4 feeder programs | 12 | Religious Education | — | 50% | $16,130 | — |
| 19 | Middle Tennessee State University Murfreesboro, TN Public · 2 feeder programs | 12 | Philosophy | — | 54% | — | 69% |
| 20 | University of Memphis Memphis, TN Public · 1 feeder programs | 11 | Philosophy | — | 51% | — | 72% |
| 21 | The University of Tennessee - Chattanooga Chattanooga, TN Public · 1 feeder programs | 10 | Philosophy and Religious Studies, General | — | 50% | — | 81% |
| 22 | Belmont University Nashville, TN Private not-for-profit · 4 feeder programs | 8 | Philosophy | — | 71% | $29,246 | 95% |
| 23 | Mid - South Christian College Memphis, TN Private not-for-profit · 1 feeder programs | 8 | Divinity/Ministry | — | 60% | $11,882 | 100% |
| 24 | East Tennessee State University Johnson City, TN Public · 1 feeder programs | 6 | Philosophy | — | 53% | — | 86% |
| 25 | Austin Peay State University Clarksville, TN Public · 1 feeder programs | 3 | Philosophy | — | 40% | — | 96% |
All 31 schools in Tennessee
Every school in Tennessee with a program that feeds this job, ordered by graduates per year. Earnings are shown for the ranked schools above; open a school profile for the rest.
| School | City | Control | Graduates / yr | Feeder programs |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lee University | Cleveland | Private not-for-profit | 86 | 9 |
| Johnson University | Knoxville | Private not-for-profit | 85 | 8 |
| Pentecostal Theological Seminary | Cleveland | Private not-for-profit | 77 | 4 |
| Vanderbilt University | Nashville | Private not-for-profit | 71 | 4 |
| Memphis Theological Seminary | Memphis | Private not-for-profit | 51 | 3 |
| Lipscomb University | Nashville | Private not-for-profit | 45 | 6 |
| The University of the South | Sewanee | Private not-for-profit | 40 | 4 |
| Rhodes College | Memphis | Private not-for-profit | 37 | 3 |
| Freed - Hardeman University | Henderson | Private not-for-profit | 32 | 3 |
| Southern Adventist University | Collegedale | Private not-for-profit | 27 | 5 |
| The University of Tennessee - Knoxville | Knoxville | Public | 26 | 2 |
| Richmont Graduate University | Chattanooga | Private not-for-profit | 19 | 1 |
| Milligan University | Milligan | Private not-for-profit | 18 | 4 |
| Union University | Jackson | Private not-for-profit | 18 | 5 |
| Trevecca Nazarene University | Nashville | Private not-for-profit | 17 | 4 |
What philosophy and religion teachers, postsecondary earn in Tennessee
What people already working in this job earn (BLS OEWS May 2025). Not graduate earnings.
U.S. median $80,260. Tennessee pays below the national figure.
1.00× means the state has its expected share of these jobs.
Metro areas in Tennessee
Job outlook
Bureau of Labor Statistics Employment Projections, 2024 to 2034.
Growth and openings are national. The Bureau of Labor Statistics does not publish employment projections at state level, so these figures describe the occupation across the whole U.S., not this state alone.
How to get in
The full skills, tools, and day-to-day breakdown lives on the national Philosophy and Religion Teachers, Postsecondary page.
How to become a Philosophy
Job zone 5 of 5 · SVP 8.0 and above- Typical entry education
- Doctoral or professional degree
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).
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.
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.
Top skills
The same job in other states
Where else this occupation employs the most people, and what it pays there.
Related careers in Tennessee
Every major mapped to this job
The official federal mapping behind the rankings above.
All 25 majors mapped to Philosophy and Religion Teachers, Postsecondary24 of them graduated someone in the latest IPEDS year. NCES CIP 2020 → SOC 2018 crosswalk.+
- 30.5101Philosophy, Politics, and Economics
- 38.0001Philosophy and Religious Studies, General
- 38.0101Philosophy
- 38.0103Ethics
- 38.0104Applied and Professional Ethics
- 38.0199Philosophy, Other
- 38.0201Religion/Religious Studies
- 38.0202Buddhist Studies
- 38.0203Christian Studies
- 38.0204Hindu Studies(no graduates reported)
- 38.0207Talmudic Studies
- 38.9999Philosophy and Religious Studies, Other
- 39.0201Bible/Biblical Studies
- 39.0301Missions/Missionary Studies
- 39.0401Religious Education
- 39.0501Religious/Sacred Music
- 39.0502Worship Ministry
- 39.0601Theology/Theological Studies
- 39.0602Divinity/Ministry
- 39.0604Pre-Theology/Pre-Ministerial Studies
- 39.0605Rabbinical Studies
- 39.0699Theological and Ministerial Studies, Other
- 39.0701Pastoral Studies/Counseling
- 39.0703Urban Ministry
- 39.0706Chaplain/Chaplaincy Studies
Common questions
Answers for people weighing philosophy and religion teachers, postsecondary programs in Tennessee.
What degree do you need to become a Philosophy?+
Doctoral or professional degree is the typical entry-level education BLS reports for this occupation. The most common program people actually graduate from is Divinity/Ministry, which awarded 156 degrees in Tennessee in 2024-25, 20.6% of everyone graduating from a program that feeds this career.
Which college majors lead to becoming a Philosophy?+
The NCES CIP-to-SOC crosswalk maps 18 programs to this occupation. The largest are Theological and Ministerial Studies, Philosophy, Religion/Religious Studies, Bible/Biblical Studies, plus 7 more. Together they graduate about 756 people a year in Tennessee.
How much do philosophy and religion teachers, postsecondary earn in Tennessee?+
The median is $74,090 a year (BLS OEWS May 2025). That is 7.7% below the U.S. median of $80,260. This is pay for people already working in the occupation, not the same thing as graduate earnings one year after finishing a degree.
Is demand for philosophy and religion teachers, postsecondary growing?+
BLS projects a +0.7% change in employment between 2024 and 2034, little or no change, with roughly 2,000 openings a year nationally once retirements and job changes are counted.
How many schools offer programs for this career in Tennessee?+
31 institutions in Tennessee reported graduates from at least one of the 18 programs that feed this occupation in IPEDS 2024-25. Rankings on this page use graduates per year, because the federal data publishes no enrollment count by program.
What other job titles do philosophy and religion teachers, postsecondary work under?+
Employers advertise this work under many names. O*NET records Professor, Religion Professor, Assistant Professor, Philosophy Professor among the most commonly reported, all mapping to SOC 25-1126.
About the data on this page
Rankings use IPEDS completions 2024–25, degrees awarded per year. That is the closest federal measure of how many people a program puts into a career, because no federal dataset publishes enrollment by program. Wages and employment come from BLS OEWS May 2025, growth and openings from BLS Employment Projections 2024-34, and which majors lead to which jobs from the NCES CIP 2020 to SOC 2018 crosswalk. Occupation descriptions, tasks, skills and tools are O*NET 30.3 (CC BY 4.0, U.S. Department of Labor/ETA).
BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics
May 2025Wages, employment counts, location quotients and metro breakdowns.
BLS Employment Projections
2024–34Projected growth, annual openings and typical entry-level education.
IPEDS Completions
2024-25 (provisional)Graduates per year by program and institution — the ranking metric.
College Scorecard, Field of Study
2020-21 cohortsMedian graduate earnings one year after completion, and median debt.
Census Post-Secondary Employment Outcomes
latest availableGraduate earnings 1/5/10 years out, where the state participates.
NCES CIP 2020 and the CIP-to-SOC 2018 crosswalk
CIP 2020 / SOC 2018Which college programs officially lead to this occupation.
O*NET Database 30.3
30.3Tasks, skills, knowledge, tools, job zone and alternate job titles.
Official source →CC BY 4.0, U.S. Department of Labor / ETA
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