by our College Data Analytics TeamThere are many different beliefs both spiritually and morally throughout the world. A degree in Philosophy and Religious Studies allows students to take a deeper look into these important aspects of culture while developing critical thinking and reasoning skills.
Classes in topics such as history, sociology, anthropology, philosophy, world religions, literature, classics, and theology allows students to gain knowledge across multiple disciplines while improving critical thinking and writing skills. These classes will allow you to dig deeper into finding answers to philosophical questions and learning how religions developed and shaped the world.
There are a variety of disciplines within the Philosophy and Religious Studies field. Students are able to major in General Philosophy and Religion, or simply Philosophy. Students who are interested in religion or theology can choose to major in Religious Studies. Some universities provide additional opportunities to choose concentrations in various subjects, such as Ethics, Christianity, Judaism, and more.
A major in Philosophy & Religious Studies explores Philosophy And Religious Studies. Instructional Programs That Focus On Logical Inquiry, Philosophical Analysis, And The Academic Study Of Organized Systems Of Belief And Religious Practices. Continue reading for the key facts every philosophy & religious studies major should know — including career paths, salary data, the skills you will develop, and the best colleges offering philosophy & religious studies programs.
Nationwide, philosophy & religious studies is a popular field of study, with 18,629 degrees awarded annually.
Our 2026 Best Philosophy & Religious Studies Schools ranking analyzes these 1,078 schools to determine the best overall colleges for philosophy & religious studies students. Continue reading to check out one of our many unbiased rankings of philosophy & religious studies programs later in this article.
Studies in Philosophy & Religious Studies build a specific mix of skills, knowledge, and abilities — derived from O*NET surveys of workers in the occupations philosophy & religious studies graduates commonly enter.
Graduates with a degree in Philosophy and Religious Studies pursue careers in a variety of fields, but many find themselves working the humanitarian fields, placing a strong emphasis on interpersonal skills. Students should be good communicators and enjoy working with other people. A background in history and a passion for different cultures, religions, and viewpoints will help make students successful.
Skills emphasized by a philosophy & religious studies program reflects the day-to-day work of related occupations:
Based on O*NET data, a philosophy & religious studies major emphasizes the following knowledge areas:
There are several philosophy & religious studies 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Certificate | Varies | 43 |
| Associate Degree | 2 years | 1,781 |
| Bachelor’s Degree | 4 years | 12,893 |
| Master’s Degree | 1-3 years | 3,216 |
| Doctorate | At least 4 years | 695 |
People currently working in careers related to philosophy & religious studies tend to have obtained the following education levels.
| Level of Education | Percentage of Workers |
|---|---|
| Doctoral degree | 67.4% |
| Master’s degree | 16.6% |
| Post-doctoral training | 10.6% |
| Bachelor’s degree | 2.8% |
| Post-master’s certificate | 1.1% |
| Postsecondary certificate | 0.4% |
| Some college courses | 0.3% |
| Associate’s degree (or other 2-year) | 0.3% |
| High school diploma or equivalent | 0.3% |
| First professional degree | 0.2% |
See the chart below to get an idea of what level of education most of those in philosophy & religious studies careers hold.
Source: ONET Online education / training / experience requirements.*
A degree in Philosophy and Religious Studies opens up many career opportunities. Since you will take classes in a variety of disciplines and improve your critical thinking and communication skills, this degree can lead to job possibilities across many industries. Typically, graduates tend to go into humanitarian careers, but graduates also end up working as pastors, lawyers, teachers, politicians or counselors.
Studying philosophy & religious studies opens doors to a variety of career paths. These are some of the most common occupations related to philosophy & religious studies.
The following options are some of the most in-demand careers related to philosophy & religious studies.
| Occupation | Projected Jobs | Expected Growth |
|---|---|---|
| Philosophy and Religion Teachers, Postsecondary | 1,031,835 | 3.7% |
| Area, Ethnic, and Cultural Studies Teachers, Postsecondary | 718,152 | 6.5% |
| Clinical Research Coordinators | 542,888 | 10.4% |
| Natural Sciences Managers | 179,495 | 8.7% |
| Mathematicians | 109,873 | 8.5% |
| Mathematical Science Teachers, Postsecondary | 96,977 | 14.0% |
| Water Resource Specialists | 78,994 | -0.4% |
College Scorecard reports median earnings of philosophy & religious studies graduates 1, 4, and 5 years after completion. Wages typically rise as graduates gain experience.
| Years Out | Median Earnings |
|---|---|
| 1 year | $32,072 |
| 4 years | $39,740 |
| 5 years | $47,196 |
Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, field-of-study earnings tracker.
Salaries for philosophy & religious studies graduates vary widely by occupation. The following table shows the top highest-paying careers philosophy & religious studies grads often go into.
| Occupation | Median Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| Water Resource Specialists | $179,716 |
| Natural Sciences Managers | $132,227 |
| Clinical Research Coordinators | $110,931 |
| Philosophy and Religion Teachers, Postsecondary | $71,584 |
| Mathematicians | $66,238 |
| Area, Ethnic, and Cultural Studies Teachers, Postsecondary | $47,517 |
| Mathematical Science Teachers, Postsecondary | $40,564 |
With 1,078 different philosophy & religious studies programs to choose from, finding the best fit can be a challenge. We have analyzed these schools to produce unbiased philosophy & religious studies school rankings to help you.
Students interested in philosophy & religious studies, you may also want to explore other closely related fields of study within the same broad area.
| Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| Religion/Religious Studies | 9,248 |
| Philosophy | 8,973 |
| Philosophy and Religious Studies, Other | 224 |
| PHILOSOPHY AND RELIGIOUS STUDIES | 184 |
More about our data sources and methodologies.
