Religious Studies degree programs prepare students for a range of careers in the field. The schools below stand out for the quality of their religious studies programs.
For its 2026 ranking, College Factual looked at 780 schools in the United States to determine which ones were the best for religious studies students pursuing a degree.
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Choosing a Great Religious Studies School
The religious studies program you select can have a big impact on your future. That is why we built our Best Religious Studies Schools rankings. Our overall ranking combines our degree-level rankings, weighted by degrees awarded at each level.
In order to find the schools that are the best fit for you, you may want to filter to one of the degree levels below.
Since the program you select can have a significant impact on your future, we have developed a number of rankings, including this Best Religious Studies Schools list, to help you choose. More interested in schools in a specific area of the country? Filter this list by region or state.
To further help you make the college decision, we have developed a unique tool called College Combat that lets you compare schools on the factors that matter most to you.
No school ranked higher than Santa Clara University this year for religious studies. Santa Clara University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Santa Clara. Santa Clara University graduates 88% of students within six years. Santa Clara University awarded about 26 religious studies degrees in the most recent data year. Religious Studies graduates of Santa Clara University earn a median of $79,380 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $20,144.
Read more about the religious studies program at Santa Clara University
University Of Virginia Main Campus is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in religious studies, ranking #2. This very large public university is located in the suburb of Charlottesville. University Of Virginia Main Campus graduates 96% of students within six years. University Of Virginia Main Campus awarded about 30 religious studies degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, religious studies degree recipients from University Of Virginia Main Campus generally make around $25,260. Students borrow a median of $18,267 to complete this degree.
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Yale University is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in religious studies, landing the #3 spot this year. Located in the city of New Haven, Yale University is a large private not-for-profit university. About 96% of students finish within six years. About 23 religious studies degrees were awarded at Yale University in the most recent year. Students who receive their religious studies degree from Yale University earn around $74,578 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $14,357.
Read more about the religious studies program at Yale University
Columbia University In The City Of New York is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in religious studies, landing the #4 spot this year. Located in the city of New York, Columbia University In The City Of New York is a very large private not-for-profit university. Roughly 96% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 32 religious studies degrees were awarded at Columbia University In The City Of New York in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, religious studies degree recipients from Columbia University In The City Of New York generally make around $86,770. Columbia University In The City Of New York graduates carry a median of $23,258 in student loans.
More information about a degree in religious studies from Columbia University In The City Of New York
Harvard University came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best religious studies schools. This very large private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Cambridge. The six-year graduation rate is 98%. There were roughly 31 religious studies students who graduated with this degree at Harvard University in the most recent data year. Students who receive their religious studies degree from Harvard University earn around $95,207 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $16,616.
See the full religious studies program report for Harvard University
Yeshiva University ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best religious studies schools. Located in the city of New York, Yeshiva University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. Roughly 85% of students complete a degree within six years here. Yeshiva University awarded about 537 religious studies degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the religious studies program make about $52,838 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $20,625.
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University Of St Thomas Minnesota landed the #7 spot for religious studies this year. Located in the city of Saint Paul, University Of St Thomas Minnesota is a large private not-for-profit university. The six-year graduation rate is 77%. About 34 religious studies degrees were awarded at University Of St Thomas Minnesota in the most recent year. Students who receive their religious studies degree from University Of St Thomas Minnesota earn around $27,496 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $19,500.
More information about a degree in religious studies from University Of St Thomas Minnesota
Jewish Theological Seminary Of America came in at #8 for religious studies this year. 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 65 religious studies students who graduated with this degree at Jewish Theological Seminary Of America in the most recent data year. Religious Studies graduates of Jewish Theological Seminary Of America earn a median of $78,469 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $16,750 to complete this degree.
More information about a degree in religious studies from Jewish Theological Seminary Of America
Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University placed #9 among the best religious studies schools. Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University is a very large public school located in the city of Blacksburg. About 86% of students finish within six years. About 13 religious studies degrees were awarded at Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University in the most recent year. Religious Studies graduates of Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University earn a median of $60,004 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $23,393.
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Bethel University Minnesota earned the #10 position for religious studies this year. Set in the suburb of Saint Paul, Bethel University Minnesota is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Bethel University Minnesota graduates 71% of students within six years. Bethel University Minnesota awarded about 13 religious studies degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their religious studies degree from Bethel University Minnesota earn around $61,465 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $25,639 to complete this degree.
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Duke University earned the #11 position for religious studies this year. Duke University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Durham. About 97% of students finish within six years. Duke University awarded about 29 religious studies degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, religious studies degree recipients from Duke University generally make around $39,956. Students borrow a median of $13,296 to complete this degree.
See the full religious studies program report for Duke University
Baylor University landed the #12 spot for religious studies this year. Set in the city of Waco, Baylor University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 80%. Baylor University awarded about 32 religious studies degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their religious studies degree from Baylor University earn around $31,672 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $25,612 to complete this degree.
Read more about the religious studies program at Baylor University
Emory University placed #13 among the best religious studies schools. Located in the city of Atlanta, Emory University is a large private not-for-profit university. Roughly 91% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 23 religious studies students who graduated with this degree at Emory University in the most recent data year. Students who receive their religious studies degree from Emory University earn around $58,984 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $19,431.
Read more about the religious studies program at Emory University
University Of Georgia placed #14 among the best religious studies schools. Located in the city of Athens, University Of Georgia is a very large public university. About 90% of students finish within six years. About 18 religious studies degrees were awarded at University Of Georgia in the most recent 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.
See the full religious studies program report for University Of Georgia
University Of California Santa Barbara ranked #15 on our 2026 list of the best religious studies schools. University Of California Santa Barbara is a very large public school located in the suburb of Santa Barbara. Roughly 83% of students complete a degree within six years here. University Of California Santa Barbara awarded about 31 religious studies degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their religious studies degree from University Of California Santa Barbara earn around $19,911 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $15,873 to complete this degree.
See the full religious studies program report for University Of California Santa Barbara
Vanguard University Of Southern California placed #16 among the best religious studies schools. Vanguard University Of Southern California is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Costa Mesa. Roughly 57% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 18 religious studies students who graduated with this degree at Vanguard University Of Southern California in the most recent data year. Graduates of the religious studies program make about $80,727 in their early career. Vanguard University Of Southern California graduates carry a median of $21,111 in student loans.
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Mount St Marys College placed #17 among the best religious studies schools. Mount St Marys College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Los Angeles. The six-year graduation rate is 48%. Mount St Marys College awarded about 13 religious studies degrees in the most recent data year. Religious Studies graduates of Mount St Marys College earn a median of $58,110 early in their careers. Mount St Marys College graduates carry a median of $27,555 in student loans.
More information about a degree in religious studies from Mount St Marys College
University Of Central Florida earned the #18 position for religious studies this year. Set in the suburb of Orlando, University Of Central Florida is a very large public institution. University Of Central Florida graduates 78% of students within six years. About 12 religious studies degrees were awarded at University Of Central Florida in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, religious studies degree recipients from University Of Central Florida generally make around $51,790. Typical student debt for the program is $21,620.
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Franciscan University Of Steubenville earned the #19 position for religious studies this year. Franciscan University Of Steubenville is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Steubenville. The six-year graduation rate is 75%. About 34 religious studies degrees were awarded at Franciscan University Of Steubenville in the most recent year. Graduates of the religious studies program make about $43,020 in their early career. Franciscan University Of Steubenville graduates carry a median of $25,029 in student loans.
Read more about the religious studies program at Franciscan University Of Steubenville
Anderson University Sc landed the #20 spot for religious studies this year. Anderson University Sc is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Anderson. Roughly 66% of students complete a degree within six years here. 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. Students borrow a median of $28,034 to complete this degree.
Read more about the religious studies program at Anderson University Sc
University Of North Carolina At Charlotte came in at #21 for religious studies this year. Located in the city of Charlotte, University Of North Carolina At Charlotte is a very large public university. The six-year graduation rate is 69%. University Of North Carolina At Charlotte awarded about 14 religious studies degrees in the most recent data year. Religious Studies graduates of University Of North Carolina At Charlotte earn a median of $31,123 early in their careers. University Of North Carolina At Charlotte graduates carry a median of $24,621 in student loans.
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Crown College earned the #22 position for religious studies this year. This small private not-for-profit university is located in the rural area of Saint Bonifacius. The six-year graduation rate is 44%. About 27 religious studies degrees were awarded at Crown College in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, religious studies degree recipients from Crown College generally make around $56,689. Typical student debt for the program is $29,537.
Read more about the religious studies program at Crown College
Catholic University Of America came in at #23 for religious studies this year. Catholic University Of America is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Washington. Catholic University Of America graduates 80% of students within six years. There were roughly 10 religious studies students who graduated with this degree at Catholic University Of America in the most recent data year. Graduates of the religious studies program make about $65,120 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $25,771.
Read more about the religious studies program at Catholic University Of America
Arizona State University Skysong placed #24 among the best religious studies schools. This very large public university is located in the city of Scottsdale. There were roughly 15 religious studies students who graduated with this degree at Arizona State University Skysong in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, religious studies degree recipients from Arizona State University Skysong generally make around $55,793. Students borrow a median of $20,542 to complete this degree.
Read more about the religious studies program at Arizona State University Skysong
California Baptist University placed #25 among the best religious studies schools. California Baptist University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Riverside. 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.
More information about a degree in religious studies from California Baptist University
Rest of the Top 50 Religious Studies Schools
Not far behind, these schools also delivered a strong religious studies education:
This list is compiled by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. The methodology weighs graduation rate, post-graduation earnings, cost, and program quality, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Top Ranked · 780 schools evaluated.
The Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), a branch of the U.S. Department of Education (DOE), serves as the core of our data about colleges.
Some other college data, including much of the graduate earnings data, comes from the U.S. Department of Education’s (College Scorecard).
