by our College Data Analytics TeamStudying Rabbinical Studies involves the study of Rabbinical Studies. A Program That Prepares Individuals For Ordination As Rabbis. Includes Instruction In Talmud, Halacha, Liturgy And Rituals, Rabbinical Thought, Jewish Ethics, Jewish Education, Pastoral Counseling And Homiletics. Examples: [Rabbinical Studies (M.h.l./rav)]. Read on to learn the key facts every rabbinical studies major should know — including career paths, salary data, the skills you will develop, and the best colleges offering rabbinical studies programs.
Across the country, rabbinical studies draws strong interest, with 148 degrees awarded annually.
Our 2026 Best Rabbinical Studies Schools ranking analyzes these 12 schools to determine the best overall colleges for rabbinical studies students. Continue reading to check out one of our many unbiased rankings of rabbinical studies programs later in this article.
Coursework for Rabbinical Studies build a specific mix of skills, knowledge, and abilities — derived from O*NET surveys of workers in the occupations rabbinical studies graduates commonly enter.
The skill set developed in a rabbinical studies program reflects the day-to-day work of related occupations:
According to O*NET, a rabbinical studies major emphasizes the following knowledge areas:
There are several rabbinical 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 | 145 |
| Doctorate | At least 4 years | 3 |
People currently working in careers related to rabbinical studies tend to have obtained the following education levels.
| Level of Education | Percentage of Workers |
|---|---|
| Doctoral degree | 71.5% |
| Master’s degree | 14.2% |
| Post-doctoral training | 12.1% |
| Bachelor’s degree | 0.6% |
| Post-master’s certificate | 0.6% |
| Some college courses | 0.5% |
| High school diploma or equivalent | 0.4% |
View the chart below to get an idea of what level of education most of those in rabbinical studies careers hold.
Source: ONET Online education / training / experience requirements.*
Majoring in rabbinical studies opens doors to many career paths. Here are some of the most common occupations related to rabbinical studies.
The following options are some of the most in-demand careers related to rabbinical studies.
| Occupation | Projected Jobs | Expected Growth |
|---|---|---|
| Philosophy and Religion Teachers, Postsecondary | 1,031,835 | 3.7% |
| Clergy | 33,072 | -3.3% |
Federal data tracks median earnings of rabbinical studies graduates 1, 4, and 5 years after completion. Wages typically rise as graduates gain experience.
| Years Out | Median Earnings |
|---|---|
| 1 year | $48,647 |
| 4 years | $53,283 |
| 5 years | $59,877 |
Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, field-of-study earnings tracker.
Salaries for rabbinical studies graduates vary widely by occupation. The following table shows the top highest-paying careers rabbinical studies grads often go into.
| Occupation | Median Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| Philosophy and Religion Teachers, Postsecondary | $71,584 |
| Clergy | $49,854 |
With 12 different rabbinical studies programs to choose from, finding the best fit can be a challenge. We have analyzed these schools to produce unbiased rabbinical studies school rankings to help you.
Students interested in rabbinical studies, you may also want to explore other closely related fields of study within the same broad area.
| Related Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| Divinity/Ministry | 6,724 |
| Theology/Theological Studies | 6,345 |
| Theological and Ministerial Studies, Other | 1,726 |
| Pre-Theology/Pre-Ministerial Studies | 192 |
More about our data sources and methodologies.
