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College Factual  by our College Data Analytics Team
       Unbiased Factual Guarantee

2026 Best Religious Studies Schools in the Southeast Region

12 Colleges in the United States
900 Religious Studies Degrees Awarded
$47,431 Avg Early-Career Salary

Religious Studies programs are offered at a focused set of schools across the country. While the number of schools offering the program varies, there are still top-quality ones to be found.

For its 2026 ranking, College Factual looked at 175 schools in the United States to determine which ones were the best for religious studies students pursuing a degree.

What’s on this page:

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Best Schools for Religious Studies in the Southeast Region

If you are not interested in a particular degree level and want to know which schools are the overall best at delivering an education for the religious studies degrees they offer, see the list below.

Top Schools in Religious Studies

1

Leading the list is University Of Virginia Main Campus, our #1 school for religious studies. This very large public university is located in the suburb of Charlottesville. The six-year graduation rate is 96%. About 30 religious studies degrees were awarded at University Of Virginia Main Campus in the most recent year. Graduates of the religious studies program make about $25,260 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $18,267. See the full religious studies program report for University Of Virginia Main Campus

2

Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in religious studies, landing the #2 spot this year. Set in the city of Blacksburg, Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University is a very large public institution. About 86% of students finish 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. Typical student debt for the program is $23,393. Read more about the religious studies program at Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University

3
Duke University crest
Duke University
Durham, NC

Duke University is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in religious studies, landing the #3 spot this year. Located in the city of Durham, Duke University is a large private not-for-profit university. Roughly 97% of students complete a degree within six years here. 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. Read more about the religious studies program at Duke University

4
Emory University crest
Emory University
Atlanta, GA

A rank of #4 makes Emory University one of the top schools for religious studies. Set in the city of Atlanta, Emory University is a large private not-for-profit institution. About 91% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 23 religious studies students who graduated with this degree at Emory University in the most recent data year. Graduates of the religious studies program make about $58,984 in their early career. Emory University graduates carry a median of $19,431 in student loans. More information about a degree in religious studies from Emory University

5

University Of Georgia is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in religious studies, landing the #5 spot this year. 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 18 religious studies students who graduated with this degree at University Of Georgia in the most recent data year. Students who receive their religious studies degree from University Of Georgia earn around $53,546 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $21,792. Get the full religious studies details for University Of Georgia

6

University Of Central Florida came in at #6 for religious studies this year. Located in the suburb of Orlando, University Of Central Florida is a very large public university. About 78% of students finish within six years. University Of Central Florida awarded about 12 religious studies degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the religious studies program make about $51,790 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $21,620 to complete this degree. Get the full religious studies details for University Of Central Florida

7

Anderson University Sc earned the #7 position for religious studies this year. Set in the city of Anderson, Anderson University Sc is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Anderson University Sc graduates 66% of students within six years. Anderson University Sc awarded about 36 religious studies degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, religious studies degree recipients from Anderson University Sc generally make around $49,036. Anderson University Sc graduates carry a median of $28,034 in student loans. See the full religious studies program report for Anderson University Sc

8

University Of North Carolina At Charlotte came in at #8 for religious studies this year. This very large public university is located in the city of Charlotte. University Of North Carolina At Charlotte graduates 69% of students within six years. About 14 religious studies degrees were awarded at University Of North Carolina At Charlotte in the most recent 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. Get the full religious studies details for University Of North Carolina At Charlotte

9

American Public University System earned the #9 position for religious studies this year. American Public University System is a very large private for-profit school located in the town of Charles Town. About 47% of students finish within six years. American Public University System awarded about 27 religious studies degrees in the most recent data year. Religious Studies graduates of American Public University System earn a median of $57,404 early in their careers. American Public University System graduates carry a median of $21,000 in student loans. Get the full religious studies details for American Public University System

10
Liberty University crest
Liberty University
Lynchburg, VA

Liberty University landed the #10 spot for religious studies this year. This very large private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Lynchburg. About 67% of students finish within six years. About 632 religious studies degrees were awarded at Liberty University in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, religious studies degree recipients from Liberty University generally make around $37,753. Typical student debt for the program is $32,873. Read more about the religious studies program at Liberty University

11

Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary landed the #11 spot for religious studies this year. This mid-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the suburb of Wake Forest. Roughly 17% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 44 religious studies degrees were awarded at Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, religious studies degree recipients from Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary generally make around $54,863. More information about a degree in religious studies from Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary

12
Saint Leo University crest
Saint Leo University
Saint Leo, FL

Saint Leo University placed #12 among the best religious studies schools. Located in the town of Saint Leo, Saint Leo University is a large private not-for-profit university. Roughly 44% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 11 religious studies degrees were awarded at Saint Leo University in the most recent year. Graduates of the religious studies program make about $49,458 in their early career. Saint Leo University graduates carry a median of $39,471 in student loans. Read more about the religious studies program at Saint Leo University

13

Selma University ranked #13 on our 2026 list of the best religious studies schools. Set in the town of Selma, Selma University is a small private not-for-profit institution. About 6% of students finish within six years. Selma University awarded about 11 religious studies degrees in the most recent data year. Read more about the religious studies program at Selma University

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Notes and References

This ranking is produced 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 · 175 schools evaluated.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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