by our College Data Analytics TeamA degree in Theology covers Theology/theological Studies. A Program That Focuses On The Beliefs And Doctrine Of A Particular Religious Faith From The Intramural Point Of View Of That Faith. Includes Instruction In Systematic Theology, Historical Theology, Moral Theology, Doctrinal Studies, Dogmatics, Apologetics, And Applications To Specific Questions Of Ecclesiastical Polity And Religious Life. Continue reading for the key facts every theology major should know — including career paths, salary data, the skills you will develop, and the best colleges offering theology programs.
Across the country, theology is a widely-pursued major, with 6,345 degrees awarded annually.
Our 2026 Best Theology Schools ranking analyzes these 288 schools to determine the best overall colleges for theology students. Continue reading to check out one of our many unbiased rankings of theology programs later in this article.
Coursework for Theology develop a specific mix of skills, knowledge, and abilities — derived from O*NET surveys of workers in the occupations theology graduates commonly enter.
Skills built by a theology program reflects the day-to-day work of related occupations:
According to O*NET, a theology major emphasizes the following knowledge areas:
There are several theology 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 | 56 |
| Associate Degree | 2 years | 51 |
| Bachelor’s Degree | 4 years | 1,069 |
| Master’s Degree | 1-3 years | 4,231 |
| Doctorate | At least 4 years | 902 |
People currently working in careers related to theology 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 theology careers hold.
Source: ONET Online education / training / experience requirements.*
Majoring in theology prepares you for numerous career paths. Below are some of the most common occupations related to theology.
The following options are some of the most in-demand careers related to theology.
| Occupation | Projected Jobs | Expected Growth |
|---|---|---|
| Philosophy and Religion Teachers, Postsecondary | 1,031,835 | 3.7% |
| Clergy | 33,072 | -3.3% |
College Scorecard reports median earnings of theology graduates 1, 4, and 5 years after completion. Earnings tend to climb 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 theology graduates vary widely by occupation. The following table shows the top highest-paying careers theology grads often go into.
| Occupation | Median Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| Philosophy and Religion Teachers, Postsecondary | $71,584 |
| Clergy | $49,854 |
With 288 different theology programs to choose from, finding the best fit can be a challenge. We have analyzed these schools to produce unbiased theology school rankings to help you.
If you are interested in theology, 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 |
| Theological and Ministerial Studies, Other | 1,726 |
| Pre-Theology/Pre-Ministerial Studies | 192 |
| Rabbinical Studies | 148 |
More about our data sources and methodologies.
