by our College Data Analytics TeamA degree in Religion/Religious Studies explores Religion/religious Studies. A Program That Focuses On The Nature Of Religious Belief And Specific Religious And Quasi-Religious Systems. Includes Instruction In Phenomenology; The Sociology, Psychology, Philosophy, Anthropology, Literature And Art Of Religion; Mythology; Scriptural And Textual Studies; Religious History And Politics; And Specific Studies Of Particular Faith Communities And Their Behavior. Continue reading for the key facts every religion/religious studies student should know — including career paths, salary data, the skills you will develop, and the best colleges offering religion/religious studies programs.
In the U.S., religion/religious studies is a widely-pursued major, with 2,675 degrees awarded annually.
Our 2026 Best Religion/Religious Studies Schools ranking analyzes these 410 schools to determine the best overall colleges for religion/religious studies students. Continue reading to check out one of our many unbiased rankings of religion/religious studies programs later in this article.
Coursework for Religion/Religious Studies build a specific mix of skills, knowledge, and abilities — derived from O*NET surveys of workers in the occupations religion/religious studies graduates commonly enter.
Skills emphasized by a religion/religious studies program reflects the day-to-day work of related occupations:
According to O*NET, a religion/religious studies major emphasizes the following knowledge areas:
There are several religion/religious 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Certificate | Varies | 20 |
| Associate Degree | 2 years | 51 |
| Bachelor’s Degree | 4 years | 2,027 |
| Master’s Degree | 1-3 years | 399 |
| Doctorate | At least 4 years | 177 |
People currently working in careers related to religion/religious studies tend to have obtained the following education levels.
| Level of Education | Percentage of Workers |
|---|---|
| Doctoral degree | 73.8% |
| Master’s degree | 13.1% |
| Post-doctoral training | 12.5% |
| Post-master’s certificate | 0.6% |
View the chart below to get an idea of what level of education most of those in religion/religious studies careers hold.
Source: ONET Online education / training / experience requirements.*
A degree in religion/religious studies opens doors to a variety of career paths. Here are some of the most common occupations related to religion/religious studies.
The following options are some of the most in-demand careers related to religion/religious studies.
| Occupation | Projected Jobs | Expected Growth |
|---|---|---|
| Philosophy and Religion Teachers, Postsecondary | 1,031,835 | 3.7% |
Federal data tracks median earnings of religion/religious studies graduates 1, 4, and 5 years after completion. Earnings tend to climb 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 religion/religious studies graduates vary widely by occupation. The following table shows the top highest-paying careers religion/religious studies grads often go into.
| Occupation | Median Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| Philosophy and Religion Teachers, Postsecondary | $71,584 |
With 410 different religion/religious studies programs to choose from, finding the best fit can be a challenge. We have analyzed these schools to produce unbiased religion/religious studies school rankings to help you.
Students interested in religion/religious 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 |
| Jewish/Judaic Studies | 1,045 |
| Christian Studies | 618 |
| Religion/Religious Studies, Other | 70 |
| Catholic Studies | 51 |
| Islamic Studies | 36 |
| Buddhist Studies | 23 |
More about our data sources and methodologies.
