by our College Data Analytics TeamContrary to popular belief, a degree in Philosophy and Religious Studies prepares students for much more than working as a priest, rabbi, or other religious figure. This major provides you with a strong understanding of the beliefs and morals that shape civilizations.
As you work towards your degree in Philosophy and Religious Studies, you will take classes in theology, sociology, psychology, world religions, literature, and anthropology, which will improve your critical thinking skills and your understanding of the values held throughout the world. This major will improve your writing and communication skills and prepare you for a career in a variety of fields and industries.
Studying General Philosophy & Religious Studies covers Philosophy And Religious Studies, General. Continue reading for the important information every general philosophy & religious studies major should know — including career paths, salary data, the skills you will develop, and the best colleges offering general philosophy & religious studies programs.
Nationwide, general philosophy & religious studies draws strong interest, with 184 degrees awarded annually.
Our 2026 Best General Philosophy & Religious Studies Schools ranking analyzes these 46 schools to determine the best overall colleges for general philosophy & religious studies students. Continue reading to check out one of our many unbiased rankings of general philosophy & religious studies programs later in this article.
Coursework for General Philosophy & Religious Studies develop a specific mix of skills, knowledge, and abilities — derived from O*NET surveys of workers in the occupations general philosophy & religious studies graduates commonly enter.
A degree in Philosophy and Religious studies will prepare you for a career in numerous fields including law, politics, management, or religious organizations. Since it covers a variety of subjects and allows you to get a deeper understanding of the beliefs and values of the world, you will develop strong critical thinking and writing skills. Those who decide to pursue a degree in this field often have strong interpersonal skills.
Internships or summer jobs are recommended for a career in this field. These will allow you to gain hands-on experience and learn more about your desired career in a real-life situation as opposed to a classroom.
Depending on the type of career you go into, you may need to earn an advanced degree. It is recommended to look into to your desired career path to ensure you are fulfilling all requirements.
The skill set developed in a general philosophy & religious studies program reflects the day-to-day work of related occupations:
Based on O*NET data, a general philosophy & religious studies major emphasizes the following knowledge areas:
There are several general 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Associate Degree | 2 years | 6 |
| Bachelor’s Degree | 4 years | 100 |
| Master’s Degree | 1-3 years | 52 |
| Doctorate | At least 4 years | 26 |
People currently working in careers related to general philosophy & religious studies tend to have obtained the following education levels.
| Level of Education | Percentage of Workers |
|---|---|
| Doctoral degree | 73.8% |
| Master’s degree | 13.1% |
| Post-doctoral training | 12.5% |
| Post-master’s certificate | 0.6% |
View the chart below to get an idea of what level of education most of those in general philosophy & religious studies careers hold.
Source: ONET Online education / training / experience requirements.*
Graduates with a degree in Philosophy and Religious Studies are prepared for a wide variety of careers. Some graduates have gone on to be lawyers, politicians, religious officials, professors, or workers for non-profit organizations. The job outlook for Philosophy and Religious Studies graduates is dependent on the career path you decide to follow.
Studying general philosophy & religious studies can lead to many career paths. These are some of the most common occupations related to general philosophy & religious studies.
The following options are some of the most in-demand careers related to general philosophy & religious studies.
| Occupation | Projected Jobs | Expected Growth |
|---|---|---|
| Philosophy and Religion Teachers, Postsecondary | 1,031,835 | 3.7% |
Salaries for general philosophy & religious studies graduates vary widely by occupation. The following table shows the top highest-paying careers general philosophy & religious studies grads often go into.
| Occupation | Median Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| Philosophy and Religion Teachers, Postsecondary | $71,584 |
With 46 different general philosophy & religious studies programs to choose from, finding the best fit can be a challenge. We have analyzed these schools to produce unbiased general philosophy & religious studies school rankings to help you.
Those considering general philosophy & religious studies, you may also want to explore other closely related fields of study within the same broad area.
| Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| Philosophy and Religious Studies, General | 184 |
| Related Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| Religion/Religious Studies | 9,248 |
| Philosophy | 8,973 |
| Philosophy and Religious Studies, Other | 224 |
More about our data sources and methodologies.
