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College Factual  by our College Data Analytics Team
       Unbiased Factual Guarantee

2026 Best Religious Studies Bachelor’s Degree Schools

25 Colleges in the United States
3,396 Religious Studies Degrees Awarded
$37,325 Avg Early-Career Salary

Religious Studies degree programs prepare students for a range of careers in the field. While the number of schools offering the program varies, there are still top-quality ones to be found.

College Factual analyzed 780 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best religious studies schools.

What’s on this page:

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Best Schools for Religious Studies in the United States

Below are the best religious studies schools at the bachelor’s degree level, ranked by the quality of the education they deliver.

Top Schools in Religious Studies

1

University Of Virginia Main Campus tops our 2026 ranking of the best religious studies schools. Set in the suburb of Charlottesville, University Of Virginia Main Campus is a very large public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 96%. About 13 religious studies degrees were awarded at University Of Virginia Main Campus in the most recent year. Students who receive their religious studies degree from University Of Virginia Main Campus earn around $25,260 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $18,267 to complete this degree. Read more about the religious studies program at University Of Virginia Main Campus

2
Yeshiva University crest
Yeshiva University
New York, NY

Yeshiva University came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best religious studies schools. Set in the city of New York, Yeshiva University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. Yeshiva University graduates 85% of students within six years. About 26 religious studies degrees were awarded at Yeshiva University in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, religious studies degree recipients from Yeshiva University generally make around $52,838. Typical student debt for the program is $20,625. More information about a degree in religious studies from Yeshiva University

3

Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in religious studies, landing the #3 spot this year. This very large public university is located in the city of Blacksburg. Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University graduates 86% of students within six years. There were roughly 13 religious studies students who graduated with this degree at Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University in the most recent data year. Graduates of the religious studies program make about $60,004 in their early career. Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University graduates carry a median of $23,393 in student loans. Get the full religious studies details for Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University

4

A rank of #4 makes Jewish Theological Seminary Of America one of the top schools for religious studies. This small private not-for-profit university is located in the city of New York. Roughly 90% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 37 religious studies students who graduated with this degree at Jewish Theological Seminary Of America in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, religious studies degree recipients from Jewish Theological Seminary Of America generally make around $56,236. Students borrow a median of $16,750 to complete this degree. Get the full religious studies details for Jewish Theological Seminary Of America

5

University Of St Thomas Minnesota is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in religious studies, landing the #5 spot this year. This large private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Saint Paul. About 77% of students finish within six years. University Of St Thomas Minnesota awarded about 22 religious studies degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, religious studies degree recipients from University Of St Thomas Minnesota generally make around $27,496. Students borrow a median of $19,500 to complete this degree. Read more about the religious studies program at University Of St Thomas Minnesota

6

Baylor University landed the #6 spot for religious studies this year. Located in the city of Waco, Baylor University is a very large private not-for-profit university. About 80% of students finish within six years. Baylor University awarded about 26 religious studies degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, religious studies degree recipients from Baylor University generally make around $31,672. Students borrow a median of $25,612 to complete this degree. Get the full religious studies details for Baylor University

7

University Of Georgia ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best religious studies schools. Located in the city of Athens, University Of Georgia is a very large public university. Roughly 90% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 10 religious studies students who graduated with this degree at University Of Georgia in the most recent data year. Graduates of the religious studies program make about $53,546 in their early career. University Of Georgia graduates carry a median of $21,792 in student loans. More information about a degree in religious studies from University Of Georgia

8

University Of California Santa Barbara landed the #8 spot for religious studies this year. University Of California Santa Barbara is a very large public school located in the suburb of Santa Barbara. University Of California Santa Barbara graduates 83% of students within six years. About 16 religious studies degrees were awarded at University Of California Santa Barbara in the most recent year. Graduates of the religious studies program make about $19,911 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $15,873. Get the full religious studies details for University Of California Santa Barbara

9

Vanguard University Of Southern California came in at #9 for religious studies this year. This mid-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Costa Mesa. About 57% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 18 religious studies students who graduated with this degree at Vanguard University Of Southern California in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, religious studies degree recipients from Vanguard University Of Southern California generally make around $80,727. Vanguard University Of Southern California graduates carry a median of $21,111 in student loans. See the full religious studies program report for Vanguard University Of Southern California

10

University Of Central Florida earned the #10 position for religious studies this year. Set in the suburb of Orlando, University Of Central Florida is a very large public institution. About 78% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 12 religious studies students who graduated with this degree at University Of Central Florida in the most recent data year. Religious Studies graduates of University Of Central Florida earn a median of $51,790 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $21,620. See the full religious studies program report for University Of Central Florida

11

Anderson University Sc landed the #11 spot for religious studies this year. Set in the city of Anderson, Anderson University Sc is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. About 66% of students finish within six years. Anderson University Sc awarded about 36 religious studies degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the religious studies program make about $49,036 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $28,034. Read more about the religious studies program at Anderson University Sc

12

University Of North Carolina At Charlotte ranked #12 on our 2026 list of the best religious studies schools. University Of North Carolina At Charlotte is a very large public school located in the city of Charlotte. Roughly 69% of students complete a degree within six years here. University Of North Carolina At Charlotte awarded about 11 religious studies degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the religious studies program make about $31,123 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $24,621. Read more about the religious studies program at University Of North Carolina At Charlotte

13

Catholic University Of America came in at #13 for religious studies this year. Catholic University Of America is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Washington. The six-year graduation rate is 80%. There were roughly 10 religious studies students who graduated with this degree at Catholic University Of America in the most recent data year. Students who receive their religious studies degree from Catholic University Of America earn around $65,120 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $25,771. Read more about the religious studies program at Catholic University Of America

14

Arizona State University Skysong placed #14 among the best religious studies schools. Arizona State University Skysong is a very large public school located in the city of Scottsdale. Arizona State University Skysong awarded about 15 religious studies degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their religious studies degree from Arizona State University Skysong earn around $55,793 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $20,542. Read more about the religious studies program at Arizona State University Skysong

15
Touro College crest
Touro College
New York, NY

Touro College landed the #15 spot for religious studies this year. Touro College is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of New York. About 76% of students finish within six years. About 10 religious studies degrees were awarded at Touro College in the most recent year. Graduates of the religious studies program make about $60,520 in their early career. Touro College graduates carry a median of $20,285 in student loans. More information about a degree in religious studies from Touro College

16

California Baptist University came in at #16 for religious studies this year. Located in the city of Riverside, California Baptist University is a large private not-for-profit university. California Baptist University graduates 62% of students within six years. California Baptist University awarded about 16 religious studies degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the religious studies program make about $29,582 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $24,474. Read more about the religious studies program at California Baptist University

17
Grove City College crest
Grove City College
Grove City, PA

Grove City College ranked #17 on our 2026 list of the best religious studies schools. Grove City College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the town of Grove City. About 83% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 16 religious studies students who graduated with this degree at Grove City College in the most recent data year. More information about a degree in religious studies from Grove City College

18

Wayland Baptist University earned the #18 position for religious studies this year. This mid-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the town of Plainview. The six-year graduation rate is 19%. Wayland Baptist University awarded about 13 religious studies degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the religious studies program make about $51,930 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $30,204. More information about a degree in religious studies from Wayland Baptist University

19

American Public University System ranked #19 on our 2026 list of the best religious studies schools. American Public University System is a very large private for-profit school located in the town of Charles Town. Roughly 47% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 27 religious studies degrees were awarded at American Public University System in the most recent year. Graduates of the religious studies program make about $57,404 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $21,000. Read more about the religious studies program at American Public University System

20
Liberty University crest
Liberty University
Lynchburg, VA

Liberty University landed the #20 spot for religious studies this year. Set in the city of Lynchburg, Liberty University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. About 67% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 512 religious studies students who graduated with this degree at Liberty University in the most recent data year. Religious Studies graduates of Liberty University earn a median of $38,540 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $36,495. More information about a degree in religious studies from Liberty University

21
Wabash College crest
Wabash College
Crawfordsville, IN

Wabash College landed the #21 spot for religious studies this year. Set in the town of Crawfordsville, Wabash College is a small private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 77%. About 10 religious studies degrees were awarded at Wabash College in the most recent year. Students who receive their religious studies degree from Wabash College earn around $26,455 in the first couple years of their career. Wabash College graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. More information about a degree in religious studies from Wabash College

22
Andrews University crest
Andrews University
Berrien Springs, MI

Andrews University ranked #22 on our 2026 list of the best religious studies schools. Set in the town of Berrien Springs, Andrews University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 72%. About 11 religious studies degrees were awarded at Andrews University in the most recent year. Religious Studies graduates of Andrews University earn a median of $62,634 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $26,314. Get the full religious studies details for Andrews University

23
Saint Leo University crest
Saint Leo University
Saint Leo, FL

Saint Leo University placed #23 among the best religious studies schools. Saint Leo University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the town of Saint Leo. Roughly 44% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 11 religious studies students who graduated with this degree at Saint Leo University in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, religious studies degree recipients from Saint Leo University generally make around $49,458. Saint Leo University graduates carry a median of $39,471 in student loans. Get the full religious studies details for Saint Leo University

24

Hebrew Theological College placed #24 among the best religious studies schools. Set in the city of Skokie, Hebrew Theological College is a small private not-for-profit institution. About 50% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 19 religious studies students who graduated with this degree at Hebrew Theological College in the most recent data year. Get the full religious studies details for Hebrew Theological College

25

Ohio Christian University landed the #25 spot for religious studies this year. Located in the rural area of Circleville, Ohio Christian University is a small private not-for-profit university. About 50% of students finish within six years. Ohio Christian University awarded about 14 religious studies degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, religious studies degree recipients from Ohio Christian University generally make around $31,410. Typical student debt for the program is $37,000. Get the full religious studies details for Ohio Christian University

Rest of the Top 50 Religious Studies Schools

Not far behind, these schools also delivered a strong religious studies education:

26
27
28
Beth Medrash Govoha crest
Beth Medrash Govoha
Lakewood, NJ
29
30
31
32
Yeshivath Viznitz crest
Yeshivath Viznitz
Monsey, NY
33
Yeshiva Toras Chaim crest
Yeshiva Toras Chaim
Lakewood, NJ
34
35
36
37
38
39
40
41
42
43
44
45
46
47
48
49
50

Other Religious Studies Degree Levels

Explore the best religious studies schools at other degree levels:

All Degree Levels in Religious Studies
Associate's Degrees in Religious Studies
Master's Degrees in Religious Studies
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View All Religious Studies Rankings >

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Notes and References

This list is compiled by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. Schools are scored on a blend of student outcomes (graduation rate, post-graduation earnings), affordability, and program focus, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).

Ranking method: College Major Top Ranked · 780 schools evaluated.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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