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2022 Most Popular Master's Degree Colleges for Religious Studies

172 Colleges in the United States
1,290 Master's Degrees
$39,375 Avg Early-Career Salary
Religious Studies is above average in terms of popularity with it being the #120 most popular master's degree program in the country. So, you have a fair amount of options to choose from when looking for a school.

In 2022, College Factual analyzed 172 schools in order to identify the top ones for its Most Popular Master's Degree Colleges for Religious Studies ranking. When you put them all together, these colleges and universities awarded 1,290 master's degrees in religious studies during the 2019-2020 academic year.

What's on this page: * Other Rankings

Choosing a Great Religious Studies School for Your Master's Degree

Most Popular Master's Degree Colleges for Religious Studies Your choice of school for getting your master's degree in religion matters. We created our Most Popular Master's Degree Colleges for Religious Studies ranking to make it a little easier to choose the right one for you.

While being high in popularity does not always mean a school has a quality religious studies program, it is a sign that a large number of students choose the school. Sometimes this is because the school offers a great educational experience, it is a good value, or it is highly focused on the program.

More Ways to Rank Religious Studies Schools

Associate Degrees in Religion
Bachelor's Degrees in Religion
Doctor's Degrees in Religion
Overall Popularity in Religion

We have also developed a number of other rankings to help guide you in your decision-making process. To begin with, if this is not the degree level you are most interested in, you may want to check out one of the others noted above. If you would prefer to limit your search to a specific state or region of the county, see our rankings by location. On top of that, you can visit our other rankings for religious studies.

Learn about the most popular colleges and universities for religious studies students seeking a a master's degree. Only those schools that rank in the top 15% of all the schools we analyze get awarded with a place on this list.

25 Most Well Attended Schools for Religion Students Working on Their Master's

1
41 Annual Master's Degrees
#1 Most Popular In NC
#2 Best Quality In NC

Any student pursuing a degree in a master's degree in religious studies needs to take a look at Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary. Located in the suburb of Wake Forest, SEBTS is a private not-for-profit school with a small student population. You also may be intersted to know that the school ranks #2 in quality for master's degrees in religious studies in North Carolina.

There were approximately 41 religious studies individuals who graduated with this degree at SEBTS in the most recent data year.

More information about a master’s in religious studies from Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary

2
34 Annual Master's Degrees
#2 Most Popular In NC
Master's Degree Highest Degree Type

Piedmont International University is a popular option for students pursuing a master's degree in religious studies. Located in the medium-sized city of Winston-Salem, Piedmont International University is a private not-for-profit university with a small student population. More information about a master’s in religious studies from Piedmont International University

3
Duke crest
Duke University
Durham, NC
32 Annual Master's Degrees
#3 Most Popular In NC
#1 Best Quality In NC

Duke University is one of the most popular schools in the United States for getting a master's degree in religious studies. Duke is a fairly large private not-for-profit university located in the city of Durham. You also may be intersted to know that the school ranks #1 in quality for master's degrees in religious studies in North Carolina.

There were approximately 32 religious studies students who graduated with this degree at Duke in the most recent year we have data available.

Soon after graduation, religion master's recipients generally make around $36,300 in the first five years of their career.

More information about a master’s in religious studies from Duke University

4
25 Annual Master's Degrees
#1 Most Popular In TX
Master's Degree Highest Degree Type

Any student pursuing a degree in a master's degree in religious studies has to look into Wayland Baptist University. Located in the remote town of Plainview, Wayland Baptist University is a private not-for-profit university with a small student population.

There were approximately 25 religious studies individuals who graduated with this degree at Wayland Baptist University in the most recent data year.

More information about a master’s in religious studies from Wayland Baptist University

5
Friends University crest
Friends University
Wichita, KS
24 Annual Master's Degrees
#1 Most Popular In KS
Master's Degree Highest Degree Type

Located in the city of Wichita, Friends University is a private not-for-profit university with a small student population.

There were approximately 24 religious studies individuals who graduated with this degree at Friends University in the most recent year we have data available.

More information about a master’s in religious studies from Friends University

5
Yale crest
Yale University
New Haven, CT
24 Annual Master's Degrees
#1 Most Popular In CT
Doctor's Degree Highest Degree Type

Yale is a fairly large private not-for-profit university located in the city of New Haven.

There were approximately 24 religious studies students who graduated with this degree at Yale in the most recent data year.

More information about a master’s in religious studies from Yale University

7
Spertus Institute of Jewish Studies crest
Spertus College
Chicago, IL
21 Annual Master's Degrees
#1 Most Popular In IL
Doctor's Degree Highest Degree Type

Located in the city of Chicago, Spertus Institute of Jewish Studies is a private not-for-profit college with a fairly small student population.

There were approximately 21 religious studies individuals who graduated with this degree at Spertus Institute of Jewish Studies in the most recent data year.

More information about a master’s in religious studies from Spertus College

8
20 Annual Master's Degrees
#1 Most Popular In NY
#1 Best Quality In NY

Located in the large city of New York, Jewish Theological Seminary of America is a private not-for-profit school with a fairly small student population. This isn't the only ranking where the school placed. It's also #1 in quality for master's degrees in religious studies in New York.

There were roughly 20 religious studies students who graduated with this degree at Jewish Theological Seminary of America in the most recent data year.

More information about a master’s in religious studies from Jewish Theological Seminary of America

9
Cairn crest
Cairn University
Langhorne, PA
19 Annual Master's Degrees
#1 Most Popular In PA
#2 Best Quality In PA

Cairn is a small private not-for-profit university located in the suburb of Langhorne. You also may be intersted to know that the school ranks #2 in quality for master's degrees in religious studies in Pennsylvania.

There were about 19 religious studies individuals who graduated with this degree at Cairn in the most recent data year.

More information about a master’s in religious studies from Cairn University

10
18 Annual Master's Degrees
#1 Most Popular In CA
Doctor's Degree Highest Degree Type

Located in the suburb of Claremont, Claremont School of Theology is a private not-for-profit school with a fairly small student population.

There were about 18 religious studies individuals who graduated with this degree at Claremont School of Theology in the most recent data year.

More information about a master’s in religious studies from Claremont School of Theology

11
17 Annual Master's Degrees
#1 Most Popular In OH
#1 Best Quality In OH

MVNU is a small private not-for-profit university located in the distant town of Mount Vernon. You also may be intersted to know that the school ranks #1 in quality for master's degrees in religious studies in Ohio.

There were roughly 17 religious studies individuals who graduated with this degree at MVNU in the most recent data year.

More information about a master’s in religious studies from Mount Vernon Nazarene University

12
16 Annual Master's Degrees
#1 Most Popular In TN
Master's Degree Highest Degree Type

Located in the large city of Memphis, Memphis Theological Seminary is a private not-for-profit school with a small student population.

There were approximately 16 religious studies students who graduated with this degree at Memphis Theological Seminary in the most recent data year.

More information about a master’s in religious studies from Memphis Theological Seminary

13
15 Annual Master's Degrees
#2 Most Popular In NY
#4 Best Quality In NY

Colgate Rochester Crozer Divinity School is a small private not-for-profit school located in the midsize city of Rochester. You also may be intersted to know that the school ranks #4 in quality for master's degrees in religious studies in New York.

There were about 15 religious studies students who graduated with this degree at Colgate Rochester Crozer Divinity School in the most recent year we have data available.

More information about a master’s in religious studies from Colgate Rochester Crozer Divinity School

14
14 Annual Master's Degrees
#1 Most Popular In IA
Master's Degree Highest Degree Type

Located in the rural area of Lamoni, Graceland Lamoni is a private not-for-profit university with a small student population.

There were about 14 religious studies individuals who graduated with this degree at Graceland Lamoni in the most recent data year.

More information about a master’s in religious studies from Graceland University - Lamoni

14
14 Annual Master's Degrees
#2 Most Popular In PA
Master's Degree Highest Degree Type

Located in the large suburb of Ambridge, Trinity School for Ministry is a private not-for-profit school with a small student population.

There were approximately 14 religious studies students who graduated with this degree at Trinity School for Ministry in the most recent data year.

More information about a master’s in religious studies from Trinity Episcopal School for Ministry

16
Crown crest
Crown College
Saint Bonifacius, MN
13 Annual Master's Degrees
#1 Most Popular In MN
#2 Best Quality In MN

Located in the rural area of Saint Bonifacius, Crown is a private not-for-profit college with a small student population. This isn't the only ranking where the school placed. It's also #2 in quality for master's degrees in religious studies in Minnesota.

There were approximately 13 religious studies students who graduated with this degree at Crown in the most recent year we have data available.

More information about a master’s in religious studies from Crown College

17
12 Annual Master's Degrees
#3 Most Popular In NY
#2 Best Quality In NY

Columbia is a very large private not-for-profit university located in the large city of New York. This isn't the only ranking where the school placed. It's also #2 in quality for master's degrees in religious studies in New York.

There were approximately 12 religious studies students who graduated with this degree at Columbia in the most recent year we have data available.

More information about a master’s in religious studies from Columbia University in the City of New York

17
Denver Seminary crest
Denver Seminary
Littleton, CO
12 Annual Master's Degrees
#1 Most Popular In CO
#1 Best Quality In CO

Denver Seminary is a fairly small private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Littleton. Potential students might also be interested to know that the school ranks #1 in quality for master's degrees in religious studies in Colorado.

There were approximately 12 religious studies students who graduated with this degree at Denver Seminary in the most recent year we have data available.

More information about a master’s in religious studies from Denver Seminary

19
Pfeiffer University crest
Pfeiffer University
Misenheimer, NC
11 Annual Master's Degrees
#4 Most Popular In NC
Master's Degree Highest Degree Type

Located in the rural area of Misenheimer, Pfeiffer University is a private not-for-profit university with a small student population.

There were about 11 religious studies students who graduated with this degree at Pfeiffer University in the most recent data year.

More information about a master’s in religious studies from Pfeiffer University

19
11 Annual Master's Degrees
#2 Most Popular In MN
#1 Best Quality In MN

UST MN is a medium-sized private not-for-profit university located in the large city of Saint Paul. You also may be intersted to know that the school ranks #1 in quality for master's degrees in religious studies in Minnesota.

There were roughly 11 religious studies students who graduated with this degree at UST MN in the most recent data year.

More information about a master’s in religious studies from University of St Thomas Minnesota

19
Harvard crest
Harvard University
Cambridge, MA
11 Annual Master's Degrees
#1 Most Popular In MA
Doctor's Degree Highest Degree Type

Located in the medium-sized city of Cambridge, Harvard is a private not-for-profit university with a fairly large student population.

There were about 11 religious studies individuals who graduated with this degree at Harvard in the most recent year we have data available.

More information about a master’s in religious studies from Harvard University

19
Hartford Seminary crest
Hartford Seminary
Hartford, CT
11 Annual Master's Degrees
#2 Most Popular In CT
#1 Best Quality In CT

Located in the midsize city of Hartford, Hartford Seminary is a private not-for-profit school with a fairly small student population. This isn't the only ranking where the school placed. It's also #1 in quality for master's degrees in religious studies in Connecticut.

There were roughly 11 religious studies students who graduated with this degree at Hartford Seminary in the most recent year we have data available.

More information about a master’s in religious studies from Hartford Seminary

23
Rice crest
Rice University
Houston, TX
10 Annual Master's Degrees
#2 Most Popular In TX
Doctor's Degree Highest Degree Type

Located in the large city of Houston, Rice is a private not-for-profit university with a moderately-sized student population.

There were roughly 10 religious studies students who graduated with this degree at Rice in the most recent data year.

More information about a master’s in religious studies from Rice University

24
9 Annual Master's Degrees
#2 Most Popular In CO
Doctor's Degree Highest Degree Type

DU is a fairly large private not-for-profit university located in the large city of Denver.

There were roughly 9 religious studies individuals who graduated with this degree at DU in the most recent year we have data available.

More information about a master’s in religious studies from University of Denver

25
SCU crest
Santa Clara University
Santa Clara, CA
8 Annual Master's Degrees
#2 Most Popular In CA
Master's Degree Highest Degree Type

SCU is a medium-sized private not-for-profit university located in the midsize city of Santa Clara.

There were roughly 8 religious studies individuals who graduated with this degree at SCU in the most recent data year.

More information about a master’s in religious studies from Santa Clara University

25
SCU crest
Santa Clara University
Santa Clara, CA
25
25
Naropa crest
Naropa University
Boulder, CO
25
25
25
Princeton crest
Princeton University
Princeton, NJ
25
Amridge crest
Amridge University
Montgomery, AL

Honorable Mentions

These are some additional schools worth mentioning that are also great but just didn't quite make the cut to earn our top Most Popular Master's Degree Colleges for Religious Studies award.

Rank College Location
32 Athenaeum of Ohio Cincinnati, OH
32 Oklahoma Baptist University Shawnee, OK
32 Georgia State University Atlanta, GA
32 Andrews University Berrien Springs, MI
32 Beulah Heights University Atlanta, GA
32 Indiana University - Bloomington Bloomington, IN
32 Touro College New York, NY
32 Bethel University Minnesota Saint Paul, MN

Religious Studies by Region

View the Most Popular Master's Degree Colleges for Religious Studies for a specific region near you.

Region
Southeast
New England
Rocky Mountains
Plains States
Middle Atlantic
Far Western US
Southwest
Great Lakes

View All Rankings >

One of 3 majors within the Philosophy & Religious Studies area of study, Religious Studies has other similar majors worth exploring.

Religion Concentrations

Major Annual Graduates
Religion/Religious Studies 439
Christian Studies 221
Jewish Studies 88
Other Religion/Religious Studies 27
Islamic Studies 24
Catholic Studies 7
Buddhist Studies 3

Related Major Annual Graduates
Philosophy 804
Other Philosophy & Religious Studies 86
General Philosophy & Religious Studies 18

Notes and References

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