by our College Data Analytics TeamA degree in Islamic Studies explores Islamic Studies. A Program That Focuses On Islam As Preached By The Prophet Muhammad In 6th Century Arabia And Subsequently Interpreted And Elaborated By Islamic Scholars And Others; Together With The Cultural And Social Milieu Related To The Faith In Various Periods, Localities, And Branches. Includes Instruction In Islamic Scripture And Related Written Authorities And Commentaries. Continue reading for the essential details every islamic studies major should know — including career paths, salary data, the skills you will develop, and the best colleges offering islamic studies programs.
In the U.S., islamic studies is a widely-pursued major, with 36 degrees awarded annually.
Our 2026 Best Islamic Studies Schools ranking analyzes these 10 schools to determine the best overall colleges for islamic studies students. Continue reading to check out one of our many unbiased rankings of islamic studies programs later in this article.
Coursework for Islamic Studies build a specific mix of skills, knowledge, and abilities — derived from O*NET surveys of workers in the occupations islamic studies graduates commonly enter.
The skill set emphasized by a islamic studies program reflects the day-to-day work of related occupations:
Per O*NET surveys, a islamic studies major emphasizes the following knowledge areas:
There are several islamic 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Bachelor’s Degree | 4 years | 4 |
| Master’s Degree | 1-3 years | 28 |
| Doctorate | At least 4 years | 4 |
People currently working in careers related to islamic studies tend to have obtained the following education levels.
| Level of Education | Percentage of Workers |
|---|---|
| Doctoral degree | 60.5% |
| Master’s degree | 31.0% |
| Post-doctoral training | 4.0% |
| Post-master’s certificate | 3.2% |
| First professional degree | 1.1% |
| High school diploma or equivalent | 0.2% |
View the chart below to get an idea of what level of education most of those in islamic studies careers hold.
Source: ONET Online education / training / experience requirements.*
A degree in islamic studies can lead to a variety of career paths. Here are some of the most common occupations related to islamic studies.
The following options are some of the most in-demand careers related to islamic studies.
| Occupation | Projected Jobs | Expected Growth |
|---|---|---|
| Area, Ethnic, and Cultural Studies Teachers, Postsecondary | 718,152 | 6.5% |
College Scorecard reports median earnings of islamic studies graduates 1, 4, and 5 years after completion. Wages typically rise 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.
Salaries for islamic studies graduates vary widely by occupation. The following table shows the top highest-paying careers islamic studies grads often go into.
| Occupation | Median Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| Area, Ethnic, and Cultural Studies Teachers, Postsecondary | $47,517 |
With 10 different islamic studies programs to choose from, finding the best fit can be a challenge. We have analyzed these schools to produce unbiased islamic studies school rankings to help you.
Students interested in islamic studies, you may also want to explore other closely related fields of study within the same broad area.
| Related 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 |
| Buddhist Studies | 23 |
More about our data sources and methodologies.
