by our College Data Analytics TeamContrary to popular belief, a degree in Philosophy and Religious Studies prepares students for much more than working as a priest, rabbi, or other religious figure. This major provides you with a strong understanding of the beliefs and morals that shape civilizations.
As you work towards your degree in Philosophy and Religious Studies, you will take classes in theology, sociology, psychology, world religions, literature, and anthropology, which will improve your critical thinking skills and your understanding of the values held throughout the world. This major will improve your writing and communication skills and prepare you for a career in a variety of fields and industries.
In 2021-2022, general philosophy & religious studies was the 320th most popular major nationwide with 186 degrees awarded. Our 2025 Best General Philosophy & Religious Studies Schools ranking analyzes 1 of these schools to determine the best overall colleges for general philosophy & religious studies students. Continue reading to check out one of our many unbiased rankings of philosophy & religion programs later in this article.
A degree in Philosophy and Religious studies will prepare you for a career in numerous fields including law, politics, management, or religious organizations. Since it covers a variety of subjects and allows you to get a deeper understanding of the beliefs and values of the world, you will develop strong critical thinking and writing skills. Those who decide to pursue a degree in this field often have strong interpersonal skills.
Internships or summer jobs are recommended for a career in this field. These will allow you to gain hands-on experience and learn more about your desired career in a real-life situation as opposed to a classroom.
Depending on the type of career you go into, you may need to earn an advanced degree. It is recommended to look into to your desired career path to ensure you are fulfilling all requirements.
A high school diploma or equivalent is typically required for most philosophy & religion degree programs and many students will need a minimum GPA and SAT/ACT score depending on the school. In addition to these basic general philosophy & religious studies program qualifications, to serve in some philosophy & religion careers, special certification may be required outside of your degree.
There are various different levels of philosophy & religion degrees. You can spend many years getting as high as a in general philosophy & religious studies to something that takes less time like a . The time it takes to complete a philosophy & religion degree varies depending on the program.
| 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 & religion, with approximately 73.8% of workers getting one. See the the most common levels of education for philosophy & religion workers below.
| Level of Education | Percentage of Workers |
|---|---|
| Doctoral Degree | 72.7% |
| Master’s Degree | 12.9% |
| Post-Doctoral Training | 12.3% |
| Post-Master’s Certificate | 0.6% |
Most workers in philosophy & religion have at least a doctor's degree. See the chart below for the most common degree level workers in general philosophy & religious studies have received.
This of course varies depending on which philosophy & religion career you choose.
Graduates with a degree in Philosophy and Religious Studies are prepared for a wide variety of careers. Some graduates have gone on to be lawyers, politicians, religious officials, professors, or workers for non-profit organizations. The job outlook for Philosophy and Religious Studies graduates is dependent on the career path you decide to follow.
Want a job when you graduate with your philosophy & religion degree? General Philosophy & Religious Studies careers are expected to grow 12.3% between 2016 and 2026.
The following options are some of the most in-demand careers related to general philosophy & religious studies.
| Occupation Name | Projected Jobs | Expected Growth |
|---|---|---|
| Philosophy and Religion Professors | 35,700 | 12.3% |
As you might expect, salaries for philosophy & religion graduates vary depending on the level of education that was acquired.
Salaries for general philosophy & religious studies graduates can vary widely by the occupation you choose as well. The following table shows the top highest paying careers philosophy & religion grads often go into.
| Occupation Name | Median Average Salary |
|---|---|
| Philosophy and Religion Professors | $82,420 |
With over 87 different philosophy & religion 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 & religion school rankings to help you with this.
One of 3 majors within the Philosophy & Religious Studies area of study, General Philosophy & Religious Studies has other similar majors worth exploring.
| Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| Philosophy & Religion | 186 |
| Related Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| Philosophy | 9,787 |
| Religious Studies | 9,039 |
| Other Philosophy & Religious Studies | 219 |
Image Credit: By Fyodor Bronnikov under License More about our data sources and methodologies.
