2026 Best Religious Studies Master’s Degree Schools

1

Santa Clara University
Santa Clara, CA

Santa Clara University tops our 2026 ranking of the best religious studies schools. Set in the city of Santa Clara, Santa Clara University is a large private not-for-profit institution. Santa Clara University graduates 88% of students within six years. There were roughly 25 religious studies students who graduated with this degree at Santa Clara University in the most recent data year. Students who receive their religious studies degree from Santa Clara University earn around $79,380 in the first couple years of their career. Santa Clara University graduates carry a median of $20,144 in student loans. See the full religious studies program report for Santa Clara University

2

Yale University
New Haven, CT

Yale University is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in religious studies, landing the #2 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. There were roughly 13 religious studies students who graduated with this degree at Yale University in the most recent data year. Graduates of the religious studies program make about $74,578 in their early career. Yale University graduates carry a median of $14,357 in student loans. Read more about the religious studies program at Yale University

3

Harvard University
Cambridge, MA

Harvard University is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in religious studies, ranking #3. Set in the city of Cambridge, Harvard University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. About 98% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 18 religious studies students who graduated with this degree at Harvard University in the most recent data year. Religious Studies graduates of Harvard University earn a median of $95,207 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $16,616. Get the full religious studies details for Harvard University

4

Columbia University In The City Of New York
New York, NY

Students looking for a strong religious studies program will find one at Columbia University In The City Of New York, which ranked #4. Columbia University In The City Of New York is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of New York. Roughly 96% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 16 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

5

University Of St Thomas Minnesota
Saint Paul, MN

University Of St Thomas Minnesota is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in religious studies, ranking #5. This large private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Saint Paul. About 77% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 12 religious studies students who graduated with this degree at University Of St Thomas Minnesota in the most recent data year. Religious Studies graduates of University Of St Thomas Minnesota earn a median of $27,496 early in their careers. 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

Jewish Theological Seminary Of America
New York, NY

Jewish Theological Seminary Of America landed the #6 spot for religious studies this year. This small private not-for-profit university is located in the city of New York. Jewish Theological Seminary Of America graduates 90% of students within six years. Jewish Theological Seminary Of America awarded about 22 religious studies degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the religious studies program make about $78,469 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $16,750 to complete this degree. See the full religious studies program report for Jewish Theological Seminary Of America

7

Bethel University Minnesota
Saint Paul, MN

Bethel University Minnesota landed the #7 spot for religious studies this year. Bethel University Minnesota is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Saint Paul. Roughly 71% of students complete a degree within six years here. 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. Bethel University Minnesota graduates carry a median of $25,639 in student loans. Read more about the religious studies program at Bethel University Minnesota

8

Duke University
Durham, NC

Duke University earned the #8 position for religious studies this year. Set in the city of Durham, Duke University is a large private not-for-profit institution. Duke University graduates 97% of students within six years. Duke University awarded about 23 religious studies degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their religious studies degree from Duke University earn around $39,956 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $13,296 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in religious studies from Duke University

9

Yeshiva University
New York, NY

Yeshiva University ranked #9 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. The six-year graduation rate is 85%. Yeshiva University awarded about 15 religious studies degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, religious studies degree recipients from Yeshiva University generally make around $52,838. Students borrow a median of $20,625 to complete this degree. See the full religious studies program report for Yeshiva University

10

Franciscan University Of Steubenville
Steubenville, OH

Franciscan University Of Steubenville earned the #10 position for religious studies this year. Set in the city of Steubenville, Franciscan University Of Steubenville is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 75%. Franciscan University Of Steubenville awarded about 34 religious studies degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, religious studies degree recipients from Franciscan University Of Steubenville generally make around $43,020. Students borrow a median of $25,029 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in religious studies from Franciscan University Of Steubenville

11

Crown College
Saint Bonifacius, MN

Crown College ranked #11 on our 2026 list of the best religious studies schools. This small private not-for-profit university is located in the rural area of Saint Bonifacius. Crown College graduates 44% of students within six years. About 27 religious studies degrees were awarded at Crown College in the most recent year. Students who receive their religious studies degree from Crown College earn around $56,689 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $29,537 to complete this degree. Get the full religious studies details for Crown College

12

Touro College
New York, NY

Touro College earned the #12 position for religious studies this year. Set in the city of New York, Touro College is a large private not-for-profit institution. Touro College graduates 76% of students within six years. About 15 religious studies degrees were awarded at Touro College in the most recent year. Students who receive their religious studies degree from Touro College earn around $60,520 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $20,285. Read more about the religious studies program at Touro College

13

Cornerstone University
Grand Rapids, MI

Cornerstone University placed #13 among the best religious studies schools. This mid-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Grand Rapids. The six-year graduation rate is 63%. There were roughly 10 religious studies students who graduated with this degree at Cornerstone University in the most recent data year. Religious Studies graduates of Cornerstone University earn a median of $44,501 early in their careers. Cornerstone University graduates carry a median of $29,243 in student loans. Get the full religious studies details for Cornerstone University

14

Wayland Baptist University
Plainview, TX

Wayland Baptist University placed #14 among the best religious studies schools. This mid-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the town of Plainview. About 19% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 20 religious studies students who graduated with this degree at Wayland Baptist University in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, religious studies degree recipients from Wayland Baptist University generally make around $51,930. Typical student debt for the program is $30,204. More information about a degree in religious studies from Wayland Baptist University

15

Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary
Wake Forest, NC

Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary landed the #15 spot for religious studies this year. Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Wake Forest. The six-year graduation rate is 17%. About 44 religious studies degrees were awarded at Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary in the most recent year. Graduates of the religious studies program make about $54,863 in their early career. Get the full religious studies details for Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary

16

Friends University
Wichita, KS

Friends University came in at #16 for religious studies this year. This mid-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Wichita. Roughly 43% of students complete a degree within six years here. Friends University awarded about 36 religious studies degrees in the most recent data year. Religious Studies graduates of Friends University earn a median of $46,502 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $29,721 to complete this degree. Read more about the religious studies program at Friends University

17

Denver Seminary
Littleton, CO

Denver Seminary earned the #17 position for religious studies this year. This small private not-for-profit university is located in the suburb of Littleton. About 21 religious studies degrees were awarded at Denver Seminary in the most recent year. Graduates of the religious studies program make about $46,243 in their early career. Get the full religious studies details for Denver Seminary

18

Trinity Episcopal School For Ministry
Ambridge, PA

Trinity Episcopal School For Ministry ranked #18 on our 2026 list of the best religious studies schools. Trinity Episcopal School For Ministry is a small private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Ambridge. There were roughly 17 religious studies students who graduated with this degree at Trinity Episcopal School For Ministry in the most recent data year. Get the full religious studies details for Trinity Episcopal School For Ministry

19

Ner Israel Rabbinical College
Baltimore, MD

Ner Israel Rabbinical College came in at #19 for religious studies this year. Set in the suburb of Baltimore, Ner Israel Rabbinical College is a small private not-for-profit institution. Ner Israel Rabbinical College graduates 24% of students within six years. There were roughly 17 religious studies students who graduated with this degree at Ner Israel Rabbinical College in the most recent data year. See the full religious studies program report for Ner Israel Rabbinical College

20

Beth Medrash Govoha
Lakewood, NJ

Beth Medrash Govoha placed #20 among the best religious studies schools. This large private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Lakewood. Beth Medrash Govoha awarded about 514 religious studies degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their religious studies degree from Beth Medrash Govoha earn around $29,393 in the first couple years of their career. Read more about the religious studies program at Beth Medrash Govoha

21

Central Yeshiva Tomchei Tmimim Lubavitz
Brooklyn, NY

Central Yeshiva Tomchei Tmimim Lubavitz earned the #21 position for religious studies this year. Located in the city of Brooklyn, Central Yeshiva Tomchei Tmimim Lubavitz is a small private not-for-profit university. The six-year graduation rate is 3%. Central Yeshiva Tomchei Tmimim Lubavitz awarded about 22 religious studies degrees in the most recent data year. Religious Studies graduates of Central Yeshiva Tomchei Tmimim Lubavitz earn a median of $9,428 early in their careers. Get the full religious studies details for Central Yeshiva Tomchei Tmimim Lubavitz

22

Selma University
Selma, AL

Selma University came in at #22 for religious studies this year. Selma University is a small private not-for-profit school located in the town of Selma. About 6% of students finish within six years. About 10 religious studies degrees were awarded at Selma University in the most recent year. See the full religious studies program report for Selma University