by our College Data Analytics TeamA degree in Chaplain/Chaplaincy Studies involves the study of A Program That Prepares Individuals To Provide Caregiver, Pastoral, And Spiritual Support In An Institutional, Hospice, Military, Or Sports Setting. Includes Instruction In Global, Healthcare, Prison, And Sports Chaplaincy; Addiction, Crisis, Disaster, Family, Marriage, Grief, And Loss Counseling; Ethics; Leadership; Multi-Cultural, Multi-Faith Contexts; And Worship. Continue reading for the essential details every chaplain/chaplaincy studies major should know — including career paths, salary data, the skills you will develop, and the best colleges offering chaplain/chaplaincy studies programs.
Nationwide, chaplain/chaplaincy studies is a popular field of study, with 30 degrees awarded annually.
Our 2026 Best Chaplain/Chaplaincy Studies Schools ranking analyzes these 7 schools to determine the best overall colleges for chaplain/chaplaincy studies students. Continue reading to check out one of our many unbiased rankings of chaplain/chaplaincy studies programs later in this article.
Programs in Chaplain/Chaplaincy Studies build a specific mix of skills, knowledge, and abilities — derived from O*NET surveys of workers in the occupations chaplain/chaplaincy studies graduates commonly enter.
Skills built by a chaplain/chaplaincy studies program reflects the day-to-day work of related occupations:
According to O*NET, a chaplain/chaplaincy studies major emphasizes the following knowledge areas:
There are several chaplain/chaplaincy 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Master’s Degree | 1-3 years | 30 |
People currently working in careers related to chaplain/chaplaincy studies tend to have obtained the following education levels.
| Level of Education | Percentage of Workers |
|---|---|
| Doctoral degree | 57.8% |
| Master’s degree | 13.3% |
| Bachelor’s degree | 10.8% |
| Post-doctoral training | 9.8% |
| Postsecondary certificate | 4.1% |
| Associate’s degree (or other 2-year) | 2.8% |
| High school diploma or equivalent | 0.5% |
| Post-master’s certificate | 0.5% |
| Some college courses | 0.5% |
| Post-baccalaureate certificate | 0.1% |
View the chart below to get an idea of what level of education most of those in chaplain/chaplaincy studies careers hold.
Source: ONET Online education / training / experience requirements.*
A degree in chaplain/chaplaincy studies prepares you for numerous career paths. Here are some of the most common occupations related to chaplain/chaplaincy studies.
The following options are some of the most in-demand careers related to chaplain/chaplaincy studies.
| Occupation | Projected Jobs | Expected Growth |
|---|---|---|
| Philosophy and Religion Teachers, Postsecondary | 1,031,835 | 3.7% |
| Religious Workers, All Other | 258,483 | -1.4% |
| Directors, Religious Activities and Education | 239,121 | -2.3% |
| Clergy | 33,072 | -3.3% |
Federal data tracks median earnings of chaplain/chaplaincy studies graduates 1, 4, and 5 years after completion. Earnings tend to climb as graduates gain experience.
| Years Out | Median Earnings |
|---|---|
| 1 year | $37,962 |
| 4 years | $41,537 |
| 5 years | $44,763 |
Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, field-of-study earnings tracker.
Salaries for chaplain/chaplaincy studies graduates vary widely by occupation. The following table shows the top highest-paying careers chaplain/chaplaincy studies grads often go into.
| Occupation | Median Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| Philosophy and Religion Teachers, Postsecondary | $71,584 |
| Directors, Religious Activities and Education | $64,599 |
| Religious Workers, All Other | $58,956 |
| Clergy | $49,854 |
With 7 different chaplain/chaplaincy studies programs to choose from, finding the best fit can be a challenge. We have analyzed these schools to produce unbiased chaplain/chaplaincy studies school rankings to help you.
If you are interested in chaplain/chaplaincy studies, you may also want to explore other closely related fields of study within the same broad area.
| Related Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| Pastoral Studies/Counseling | 1,323 |
| Lay Ministry | 732 |
| Pastoral Counseling and Specialized Ministries, Other | 678 |
| Youth Ministry | 327 |
| Women’s Ministry | 75 |
| Urban Ministry | 65 |
More about our data sources and methodologies.
