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2026 Religious Studies Degree Guide

Are you interested in the different beliefs that have shaped cultures throughout history? A degree in Religious Studies will introduce you to world religions while improving critical thinking and writing skills.

Religious Studies majors have the ability to prepare for a variety of professions by taking classes in philosophy, literature, history, world religions, sociology, theology, and more. This liberal arts education gives students knowledge in a wide array of areas while concentrating on world beliefs, ethics, and traditions.

Along with the option to major in general Religious Studies, students are able to specialize in areas such as Buddhism, Christianity, Hinduism, Islam, or Jewish Studies. Additional opportunities to specialize may be available at select universities. Any one of these major will provide you will a strong background in the beliefs and values of different cultures around the world.

Studying Religious Studies covers Religion/religious Studies. Read on to learn the key facts every religious studies major should know — including career paths, salary data, the skills you will develop, and the best colleges offering religious studies programs.

Religious Studies Degrees in the United States

Across the country, religious studies draws strong interest, with 9,248 degrees awarded annually.

Our 2026 Best Religious Studies Schools ranking analyzes these 590 schools to determine the best overall colleges for religious studies students. Continue reading to check out one of our many unbiased rankings of religious studies programs later in this article.

Best Religious Studies Schools by Degree

Requirements for Getting a Degree in Religious Studies

Studies in Religious Studies develop a specific mix of skills, knowledge, and abilities — derived from O*NET surveys of workers in the occupations religious studies graduates commonly enter.

Skills You Will Develop

Classes in Religious Studies helps students improve critical thinking skills. Students should be able to analyze different texts, provide logical reasoning to arguments, and give sound explanations to their viewpoints. This major will also help improve your writing skills allowing you to communicate more effectively. Since many graduates pursue a degree working with others, strong interpersonal skills are often required for a career in this field.

Religious Studies graduates pursue jobs in a variety of fields meaning there is no standard work environment. Typically, graduates work full time jobs in an office setting, but this can vary. Advanced education and certification also varies for Religious Studies graduates. It is best to look into the career you intend to pursue to ensure you are fulfilling necessary requirements for that field.

A summer job or internship is not always necessary but will be beneficial. This will allow you to get real world experience and decide what type of job you would like to go into following graduation.

The skill set emphasized by a religious studies program reflects the day-to-day work of related occupations:

Knowledge Areas

Per O*NET surveys, a religious studies major emphasizes the following knowledge areas:

Religious Studies Degree Types

There are several 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	34
Associate Degree	2 years	1,364
Bachelor’s Degree	4 years	5,573
Master’s Degree	1-3 years	2,065
Doctorate	At least 4 years	211

People currently working in careers related to religious studies tend to have obtained the following education levels.

Level of Education	Percentage of Workers
Doctoral degree	69.2%
Master’s degree	19.4%
Post-doctoral training	9.5%
Post-master’s certificate	1.5%
First professional degree	0.4%
High school diploma or equivalent	0.1%

See the chart below to get an idea of what level of education most of those in religious studies careers hold.

^{Source: ONET Online education / training / experience requirements.*}

Religious Studies Careers

A degree in Religious Studies prepares students for a career in numerous fields. In addition to work as a minister or religious teacher, graduates have gone on to be lawyers, politicians, professors, and writers. Since this degree equips students with strong critical thinking and writing skills, graduates are an asset to companies in a variety of industries.

The job outlook for Religious Studies graduates depends on the career path they choose to follow. Generally, most jobs graduates pursue are growing at an average rate causing some competition for graduates after graduation.

A degree in religious studies can lead to numerous career paths. Here are some of the most common occupations related to religious studies.

In-Demand Religious Studies Careers

The following options are some of the most in-demand careers related to 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%

How Much Money Do Religious Studies Grads Make?

The U.S. Department of Education tracks median earnings of religious studies graduates 1, 4, and 5 years after completion. Earnings tend to climb as graduates gain experience.

Years Out	Median Earnings
1 year	$28,787
4 years	$35,631
5 years	$41,557

^{Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, field-of-study earnings tracker.}

Highest Paid Religious Studies Careers

Salaries for religious studies graduates vary widely by occupation. The following table shows the top highest-paying careers religious studies grads often go into.

Occupation	Median Annual Salary
Philosophy and Religion Teachers, Postsecondary	$71,584
Area, Ethnic, and Cultural Studies Teachers, Postsecondary	$47,517

Getting Your Religious Studies Degree

With 590 different religious studies programs to choose from, finding the best fit can be a challenge. We have analyzed these schools to produce unbiased religious studies school rankings to help you.

Religious Studies Related Majors

Students interested in religious studies, you may also want to explore other closely related fields of study within the same broad area.

Religious Studies Concentrations

Major	Annual Graduates
Talmudic Studies	4,730
Religion/Religious Studies	2,675
Jewish/Judaic Studies	1,045
Christian Studies	618
Religion/Religious Studies, Other	70
Catholic Studies	51
Islamic Studies	36
Buddhist Studies	23

Additional Related Majors

Related Major	Annual Graduates
Philosophy	8,973
Philosophy and Religious Studies, Other	224
PHILOSOPHY AND RELIGIOUS STUDIES	184

References

• College Factual
• National Center for Education Statistics (IPEDS)
• O*NET Online
• U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics
• U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard

More about our data sources and methodologies.