by our College Data Analytics TeamThere are many different beliefs both spiritually and morally throughout the world. A degree in Philosophy and Religious Studies allows students to take a deeper look into these important aspects of culture while developing critical thinking and reasoning skills.
Classes in topics such as history, sociology, anthropology, philosophy, world religions, literature, classics, and theology allows students to gain knowledge across multiple disciplines while improving critical thinking and writing skills. These classes will allow you to dig deeper into finding answers to philosophical questions and learning how religions developed and shaped the world.
There are a variety of disciplines within the Philosophy and Religious Studies field. Students are able to major in General Philosophy and Religion, or simply Philosophy. Students who are interested in religion or theology can choose to major in Religious Studies. Some universities provide additional opportunities to choose concentrations in various subjects, such as Ethics, Christianity, Judaism, and more.
Philosophy & Religious Studies was the 28th most popular major in the 2021-2022 school year. Colleges in the United States reported awarding 19,231 degrees in this year alone. This year's Best Philosophy & Religious Studies Schools ranking compares 100 of them to identify the best overall programs in the country. Continue reading to check out one of our many unbiased rankings of philosophy & religious studies programs later in this article.
Graduates with a degree in Philosophy and Religious Studies pursue careers in a variety of fields, but many find themselves working the humanitarian fields, placing a strong emphasis on interpersonal skills. Students should be good communicators and enjoy working with other people. A background in history and a passion for different cultures, religions, and viewpoints will help make students successful.
A high school diploma or equivalent is typically required for most philosophy & religious studies degree programs and many students will need a minimum GPA and SAT/ACT score depending on the school. Specific philosophy & religious studies careers may require a certain level of degree attainment or additional certifications beyond that.
There are various different levels of philosophy & religious studies degrees. You can get anything from a in philosophy & religious studies to the highest philosophy & religious studies degree, a . Philosophy & Religious Studies programs can take anywhere between one to four or more years for a full-time student to complete.
| Degree | Credit Requirements | Typical Program Length |
|---|---|---|
| Associate Degree | 60-70 credits | 2 years |
| Bachelor’s Degree | 120 credits | 4 years |
| Master’s Degree | 50-70 credits | 1-3 years |
| Doctorate | Program required coursework including thesis or dissertation | At least 4 years |
A doctor's degree is the most common level of education achieved by those in careers related to philosophy & religious studies, with approximately 46.1% of workers getting one. See the the most common levels of education for philosophy & religious studies workers below.
| Level of Education | Percentage of Workers |
|---|---|
| Doctoral Degree | 47.4% |
| Master’s Degree | 29.8% |
| Bachelor’s Degree | 12.2% |
| Post-Doctoral Training | 7.0% |
| First Professional Degree | 1.5% |
52.8% of philosophy & religious studies workers have at least a doctorate. The chart below shows what degree level those who work in philosophy & religious studies have obtained.
This of course varies depending on which philosophy & religious studies career you choose.
A degree in Philosophy and Religious Studies opens up many career opportunities. Since you will take classes in a variety of disciplines and improve your critical thinking and communication skills, this degree can lead to job possibilities across many industries. Typically, graduates tend to go into humanitarian careers, but graduates also end up working as pastors, lawyers, teachers, politicians or counselors.
Want a job when you graduate with your philosophy & religious studies degree? Philosophy & Religious Studies careers are expected to grow 10.5% between 2016 and 2026.
The following options are some of the most in-demand careers related to philosophy & religious studies.
| Occupation Name | Projected Jobs | Expected Growth |
|---|---|---|
| Mathematical Science Professors | 66,600 | 9.4% |
| Natural Sciences Managers | 62,300 | 9.9% |
| Philosophy and Religion Professors | 35,700 | 12.3% |
| Area, Ethnic, and Cultural Studies Professors | 12,700 | 10.4% |
| Mathematicians | 4,000 | 29.0% |
Philosophy & Religious Studies graduates between <nil> reported earning an average of $33,409 in the <nil> timeframe. Earnings can range from as low as $9,428 to as high as $123,153. As you might expect, salaries for philosophy & religious studies graduates vary depending on the level of education that was acquired.
Salaries for philosophy & religious studies graduates can vary widely by the occupation you choose as well. The following table shows the top highest paying careers philosophy & religious studies grads often go into.
| Occupation Name | Median Average Salary |
|---|---|
| Natural Sciences Managers | $139,680 |
| Mathematicians | $104,870 |
| Mathematical Science Professors | $87,140 |
| Area, Ethnic, and Cultural Studies Professors | $85,450 |
| Philosophy and Religion Professors | $82,420 |
With over 3,441 different philosophy & religious studies degree programs to choose from, finding the best fit for you can be a challenge. Fortunately you have come to the right place. We have analyzed all of these schools to come up with hundreds of unbiased philosophy & religious studies school rankings to help you with this.
| Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| Philosophy | 9,787 |
| Religious Studies | 9,039 |
| Other Philosophy & Religious Studies | 219 |
| General Philosophy & Religious Studies | 186 |
| Related Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities | 538,925 |
| Social Sciences | 197,356 |
| Communication & Journalism | 116,994 |
| Family, Consumer & Human Sciences | 54,010 |
| English Language & Literature | 52,704 |
