Best Colleges for Religion/Religious Studies

Studying Religion/Religious Studies opens doors to diverse career paths in education, nonprofit work, journalism, and social services. With 53 schools offering this major nationwide, graduates typically earn around $25,897 annually in entry-level positions, though earnings increase significantly with advanced degrees and experience.

When evaluating programs, prioritize schools with strong faculty research, diverse course offerings covering multiple religious traditions, and opportunities for fieldwork or internships. Look for programs that emphasize critical thinking, comparative analysis, and research methodology. Consider whether the curriculum includes practical skills like grant writing or community outreach. Access to primary source materials, study abroad opportunities, and interdisciplinary courses can enhance your educational experience and career prospects.

Schools Ranked

$33,079

Avg. Program Earnings

70.0%

Avg. Graduation Rate

Top 25 Schools

College rankings
#	School	Median Earnings	Graduation Rate	School Type
1	Jewish Theological Seminary of America New York, New York	$51,482	86.8%	private-nonprofit
2	American Public University System Charles Town, West Virginia	$47,260	53.2%	private-forprofit
3	Beth Medrash Govoha Lakewood, New Jersey	$41,565		private-nonprofit
4	University of Washington-Seattle Campus Seattle, Washington	$41,025	83.7%	public
5	Faith International University Tacoma, Washington	$38,337	66.7%	private-nonprofit
6	Randolph-Macon College Ashland, Virginia	$37,568	74.6%	private-nonprofit
7	The University of Texas at Austin Austin, Texas	$37,208	87.6%	public
8	Liberty University Lynchburg, Virginia	$35,265	63.5%	private-nonprofit
9	Furman University Greenville, South Carolina	$33,993	81.5%	private-nonprofit
10	California State University-Long Beach Long Beach, California	$33,993	69.9%	public
11	University of Iowa Iowa City, Iowa	$32,569	73.1%	public
12	Ohio Christian University Circleville, Ohio	$32,284	35.7%	private-nonprofit
13	Charleston Southern University Charleston, South Carolina	$31,848	48.6%	private-nonprofit
14	Indiana University-Bloomington Bloomington, Indiana	$31,127	81.2%	public
15	University of St Thomas Saint Paul, Minnesota	$29,685	75.2%	private-nonprofit
16	Cairn University-Langhorne Langhorne, Pennsylvania	$28,753	65.2%	private-nonprofit
17	Mission University Springfield, Missouri	$28,598	38.2%	private-nonprofit
18	University of Virginia-Main Campus Charlottesville, Virginia	$28,598	95.3%	public
19	University of North Carolina at Charlotte Charlotte, North Carolina	$27,823	67.7%	public
20	Evangel University Springfield, Missouri	$27,536	64.8%	private-nonprofit
21	California Baptist University Riverside, California	$26,585	59.5%	private-nonprofit
22	University of Northern Iowa Cedar Falls, Iowa	$26,353	68.9%	public
23	University of South Florida Tampa, Florida	$26,353	74.6%	public
24	Florida State University Tallahassee, Florida	$25,967	83.0%	public
25	Fordham University Bronx, New York	$25,194	80.3%	private-nonprofit