by our College Data Analytics TeamStudying Contemplative Studies/Inquiry covers A Program That Focuses On The Philosophical, Psychological, And Scientific Bases Of Human Contemplative Experience. Includes Instruction In Cognitive Science, Meditation, Mindfulness, Neuroscience, Philosophy, Psychology, And Religion. Read on to learn the key facts every contemplative studies/inquiry student should know — including career paths, salary data, the skills you will develop, and the best colleges offering contemplative studies/inquiry programs.
Across the country, contemplative studies/inquiry is a popular field of study, with 10 degrees awarded annually.
Our 2026 Best Contemplative Studies/Inquiry Schools ranking analyzes these 1 schools to determine the best overall colleges for contemplative studies/inquiry students. Continue reading to check out one of our many unbiased rankings of contemplative studies/inquiry programs later in this article.
Coursework for Contemplative Studies/Inquiry build a specific mix of skills, knowledge, and abilities — derived from O*NET surveys of workers in the occupations contemplative studies/inquiry graduates commonly enter.
The skill set built by a contemplative studies/inquiry program reflects the day-to-day work of related occupations:
Per O*NET surveys, a contemplative studies/inquiry major emphasizes the following knowledge areas:
There are several contemplative studies/inquiry degree levels. The table below shows the typical length of the most common levels, and how many graduates earn each one.
| Degree | Typical Program Length | Graduates Annually |
|---|---|---|
| Bachelor’s Degree | 4 years | 10 |
People currently working in careers related to contemplative studies/inquiry tend to have obtained the following education levels.
| Level of Education | Percentage of Workers |
|---|---|
| Master’s degree | 29.1% |
| Bachelor’s degree | 25.9% |
| Postsecondary certificate | 19.1% |
| Associate’s degree (or other 2-year) | 13.7% |
| High school diploma or equivalent | 10.7% |
| Post-baccalaureate certificate | 0.7% |
| Post-doctoral training | 0.6% |
| Some college courses | 0.3% |
View the chart below to get an idea of what level of education most of those in contemplative studies/inquiry careers hold.
Source: ONET Online education / training / experience requirements.*
Studying contemplative studies/inquiry opens doors to many career paths. These are some of the most common occupations related to contemplative studies/inquiry.
The following options are some of the most in-demand careers related to contemplative studies/inquiry.
| Occupation | Projected Jobs | Expected Growth |
|---|---|---|
| Postsecondary Teachers, All Other | 964,215 | -0.1% |
| Self-Enrichment Teachers | 944,792 | 8.8% |
| Religious Workers, All Other | 258,483 | -1.4% |
| Directors, Religious Activities and Education | 239,121 | -2.3% |
| Community and Social Service Specialists, All Other | 38,623 | 13.1% |
Federal data tracks median earnings of contemplative studies/inquiry graduates 1, 4, and 5 years after completion. These numbers tend to grow as graduates gain experience.
| Years Out | Median Earnings |
|---|---|
| 1 year | $46,058 |
| 4 years | $67,809 |
| 5 years | $79,238 |
Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, field-of-study earnings tracker.
Salaries for contemplative studies/inquiry graduates vary widely by occupation. The following table shows the top highest-paying careers contemplative studies/inquiry grads often go into.
| Occupation | Median Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| Self-Enrichment Teachers | $77,096 |
| Community and Social Service Specialists, All Other | $75,358 |
| Postsecondary Teachers, All Other | $68,967 |
| Directors, Religious Activities and Education | $64,599 |
| Religious Workers, All Other | $58,956 |
With 1 different contemplative studies/inquiry programs to choose from, finding the best fit can be a challenge. We have analyzed these schools to produce unbiased contemplative studies/inquiry school rankings to help you.
If you are interested in contemplative studies/inquiry, you may also want to explore other closely related fields of study within the same broad area.
| Related Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| Cognitive Science, General | 3,111 |
More about our data sources and methodologies.
