by our College Data Analytics TeamA degree in Bible/Biblical Studies explores Bible/biblical Studies. A Program That Focuses On The Christian And/or Jewish Bible And Related Literature, With An Emphasis On Understanding And Interpreting The Theological, Doctrinal, And Ethical Messages Contained Therein. May Include Preparation For Applying These Studies In Various Religious Vocations. Read on to learn the key facts every bible/biblical studies student should know — including career paths, salary data, the skills you will develop, and the best colleges offering bible/biblical studies programs.
In the U.S., bible/biblical studies draws strong interest, with 3,603 degrees awarded annually.
Our 2026 Best Bible/Biblical Studies Schools ranking analyzes these 198 schools to determine the best overall colleges for bible/biblical studies students. Continue reading to check out one of our many unbiased rankings of bible/biblical studies programs later in this article.
Studies in Bible/Biblical Studies emphasize a specific mix of skills, knowledge, and abilities — derived from O*NET surveys of workers in the occupations bible/biblical studies graduates commonly enter.
The skill set emphasized by a bible/biblical studies program reflects the day-to-day work of related occupations:
According to O*NET, a bible/biblical studies major emphasizes the following knowledge areas:
There are several bible/biblical 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 | 146 |
| Associate Degree | 2 years | 335 |
| Bachelor’s Degree | 4 years | 1,910 |
| Master’s Degree | 1-3 years | 1,097 |
| Doctorate | At least 4 years | 110 |
People currently working in careers related to bible/biblical studies tend to have obtained the following education levels.
| Level of Education | Percentage of Workers |
|---|---|
| Doctoral degree | 59.3% |
| Master’s degree | 12.3% |
| Bachelor’s degree | 10.6% |
| Post-doctoral training | 10.0% |
| Postsecondary certificate | 4.2% |
| Associate’s degree (or other 2-year) | 2.8% |
| Post-master’s certificate | 0.5% |
| High school diploma or equivalent | 0.2% |
| Post-baccalaureate certificate | 0.1% |
| Some college courses | 0.1% |
View the chart below to get an idea of what level of education most of those in bible/biblical studies careers hold.
Source: ONET Online education / training / experience requirements.*
Studying bible/biblical studies opens doors to numerous career paths. Here are some of the most common occupations related to bible/biblical studies.
The following options are some of the most in-demand careers related to bible/biblical studies.
| Occupation | Projected Jobs | Expected Growth |
|---|---|---|
| Philosophy and Religion Teachers, Postsecondary | 1,031,835 | 3.7% |
| Directors, Religious Activities and Education | 239,121 | -2.3% |
The U.S. Department of Education tracks median earnings of bible/biblical studies graduates 1, 4, and 5 years after completion. These numbers tend to grow as graduates gain experience.
| Years Out | Median Earnings |
|---|---|
| 1 year | $35,101 |
| 4 years | $36,432 |
| 5 years | $41,952 |
Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, field-of-study earnings tracker.
Salaries for bible/biblical studies graduates vary widely by occupation. The following table shows the top highest-paying careers bible/biblical studies grads often go into.
| Occupation | Median Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| Philosophy and Religion Teachers, Postsecondary | $71,584 |
| Directors, Religious Activities and Education | $64,599 |
With 198 different bible/biblical studies programs to choose from, finding the best fit can be a challenge. We have analyzed these schools to produce unbiased bible/biblical studies school rankings to help you.
More about our data sources and methodologies.
