by our College Data Analytics TeamReligion, beliefs, and traditions have played a major role in the development of cultures. Groups of people bond over a similar faiths and enjoy committing their life to living a certain way. If you are passionate about your religion and would like to help others learn about it, considering a major in the field of Theology and Religious Vocations.
Students in this field of study take classes in areas such as biblical studies, world religions, theology, philosophy, history, sociology, and literature along with specialized classes to learn how to become everything from missionaries to religious leaders to music directors.
Along with the option to major in General Theology and Religious Vocations, students are able to specialize in areas that interest them. Those interested in taking a deep dive into the Bible can major in Biblical Studies. Students more interested in evangelism and missionary work can major in Missionary Studies. Other options include Religious Education for those interested in teaching, and Sacred Music for those interested in leading worship or being a musical director. Theological and Ministerial Studies will prepare students to become ordained as a minister, while a major in Pastoral Counseling and Specialized Ministries teaches students how to provide spiritual guidance and counseling.
A major in Theology & Religious Vocations explores Theology And Religious Vocations. Instructional Programs That Focus On The Intramural Study Of Theology And That Prepare Individuals For The Professional Practice Of Religious Vocations. Continue reading for the important information every theology & religious vocations student should know — including career paths, salary data, the skills you will develop, and the best colleges offering theology & religious vocations programs.
Across the country, theology & religious vocations is a popular field of study, with 26,216 degrees awarded annually.
Our 2026 Best Theology & Religious Vocations Schools ranking analyzes these 529 schools to determine the best overall colleges for theology & religious vocations students. Continue reading to check out one of our many unbiased rankings of theology & religious vocations programs later in this article.
Studies in Theology & Religious Vocations build a specific mix of skills, knowledge, and abilities — derived from O*NET surveys of workers in the occupations theology & religious vocations graduates commonly enter.
Often, students who receive a degree in Theology and Religious Vocations pursue a career in religious organizations. This places a strong emphasis on interpersonal and communication skills. You will be working closely with other religious leaders as well as members of your congregation. Students who decide to pursue careers as missionaries will communicate daily with the general public as they spread information about their religion. Students in this field have a strong faith and a background in religious studies.
Internships, summer jobs, or volunteer work within religious organizations will prepare students for a degree in this field. You will be able to work closely with religious leaders and decide if this is a career path you would like to follow.
The skill set built by a theology & religious vocations program reflects the day-to-day work of related occupations:
Per O*NET surveys, a theology & religious vocations major emphasizes the following knowledge areas:
There are several theology & religious vocations 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 | 758 |
| Associate Degree | 2 years | 839 |
| Bachelor’s Degree | 4 years | 6,690 |
| Master’s Degree | 1-3 years | 15,326 |
| Doctorate | At least 4 years | 2,473 |
People currently working in careers related to theology & religious vocations tend to have obtained the following education levels.
| Level of Education | Percentage of Workers |
|---|---|
| Doctoral degree | 52.9% |
| Bachelor’s degree | 13.8% |
| Master’s degree | 13.7% |
| Post-doctoral training | 8.5% |
| Postsecondary certificate | 3.4% |
| Associate’s degree (or other 2-year) | 2.9% |
| First professional degree | 2.4% |
| High school diploma or equivalent | 0.7% |
| Post-master’s certificate | 0.6% |
| Some college courses | 0.5% |
| Post-baccalaureate certificate | 0.5% |
| Less than a high school diploma | 0.1% |
See the chart below to get an idea of what level of education most of those in theology & religious vocations careers hold.
Source: ONET Online education / training / experience requirements.*
A degree in the many specializations within Theology and Religious Vocations can lead to a variety of careers. While many students decide to pursue a career within a church or religious organization as a counselor, minister, church or music director, or religious educator, other students have decided to go in professions such as religious historians, professors, or as employees at non-profit organizations. This degree will equip you with a deep understanding and appreciation for different world religions, preparing you for a variety of careers.
Religion plays a large role in the lives of many people both in the United States and around the world. This is allowing the field to grow at an average rate. Graduates willing to relocate will have a better chance of finding work.
Studying theology & religious vocations can lead to many career paths. These are some of the most common occupations related to theology & religious vocations.
The following options are some of the most in-demand careers related to theology & religious vocations.
| Occupation | Projected Jobs | Expected Growth |
|---|---|---|
| Philosophy and Religion Teachers, Postsecondary | 1,031,835 | 3.7% |
| Law Teachers, Postsecondary | 1,017,747 | -2.9% |
| Financial Specialists, All Other | 691,110 | 6.5% |
| Fraud Examiners, Investigators and Analysts | 471,150 | -1.2% |
| Managers, All Other | 468,025 | 6.2% |
| Financial Quantitative Analysts | 337,391 | 10.7% |
| Compliance Managers | 310,203 | 13.0% |
| Loss Prevention Managers | 265,210 | 2.2% |
Federal data tracks median earnings of theology & religious vocations graduates 1, 4, and 5 years after completion. Wages typically rise as graduates gain experience.
| Years Out | Median Earnings |
|---|---|
| 1 year | $43,327 |
| 4 years | $47,309 |
| 5 years | $53,004 |
Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, field-of-study earnings tracker.
Salaries for theology & religious vocations graduates vary widely by occupation. The following table shows the top highest-paying careers theology & religious vocations grads often go into.
| Occupation | Median Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| Wind Energy Development Managers | $169,952 |
| Loss Prevention Managers | $165,723 |
| Financial Quantitative Analysts | $126,371 |
| Wind Energy Operations Managers | $122,567 |
| Compliance Managers | $117,178 |
| Brownfield Redevelopment Specialists and Site Managers | $99,321 |
| Managers, All Other | $95,684 |
| Fraud Examiners, Investigators and Analysts | $92,240 |
With 529 different theology & religious vocations programs to choose from, finding the best fit can be a challenge. We have analyzed these schools to produce unbiased theology & religious vocations school rankings to help you.
Students interested in theology & religious vocations, you may also want to explore other closely related fields of study within the same broad area.
| Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| Theological and Ministerial Studies | 15,135 |
| Bible/Biblical Studies | 3,603 |
| Pastoral Counseling and Specialized Ministries | 3,230 |
| Missions/Missionary Studies and Missiology | 1,249 |
| Theology and Religious Vocations, Other | 1,235 |
| Religious Education | 1,230 |
| Religious Music and Worship | 477 |
| Religious Institution Administration and Law | 57 |
More about our data sources and methodologies.
