Christian Studies: Program Overview, Universities, Careers & Salaries
Program Overview
Christian Studies offers a rigorous academic exploration of the foundational beliefs, historical development, and cultural impact of Christianity. This interdisciplinary program examines the life and teachings of Jesus Christ, the evolution of Christian thought, and the enduring influence of Christian traditions across global societies.
- Christian Sacred Scripture: In-depth analysis of the Bible’s historical, literary, and theological dimensions, including Old and New Testament interpretation and critical scholarship.
- Christian Theology and Philosophy: Examination of core doctrinal concepts, ethical frameworks, and philosophical inquiries that have shaped Christian understanding of God, humanity, and the cosmos.
- Historical Development of Christianity: Study of major ecclesiastical movements, councils, reformations, and intellectual shifts that have defined the religion’s trajectory across centuries.
- Major Christian Traditions: Comparative exploration of key branches including Eastern Orthodoxy, Roman Catholicism, Protestantism, and Evangelicalism, with attention to their distinct beliefs, practices, and institutional structures.
- Cultural and Intellectual Impact: Investigation into Christianity’s role in shaping art, literature, law, education, and social institutions across diverse geographic and historical contexts.
Christian Studies Graduate Trends (2010-2024)
Christian Studies Career Pathways & Salary Outlook
The following table presents salary data for occupations typically aligned with Christian Studies degrees, including Philosophy and Religion Teachers, Postsecondary. These career paths represent common employment outcomes but are not guaranteed for all graduates. Salary ranges vary by location, employer, experience level, and specific role requirements. Nationally, these occupations employ approximately 20,840 professionals.
National Average Salaries
| Occupation | Median Salary | Salary Range | Total Employment | Hourly Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Philosophy and Religion Teachers, Postsecondary 25-1126 | $78,050 | $47,550 - $134,910 | 20,840 | N/A |
Christian Studies Salary Map by State
Geographic location significantly impacts earning potential for these careers. Average salaries range from $40,340 in South Dakota to $103,210 in California—a 156% difference. The highest-paying states include California, New York, and Maine. Nationwide, these occupations employ over 20,840 professionals across all states. Explore the interactive map below to compare regional compensation and identify optimal markets for your career goals.
Average Salary Range:
Top Universities for Christian Studies by Graduate Enrollment
Below are the top 67 institutions offering Christian Studies programs for the 2023-2024 academic year (the most recent data reported as of 2025), ranked by the number of graduates. The highest graduate enrollment in Christian Studies is found at Liberty University (100 graduates), Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary (SEBTS) (44 graduates), Friends University (36 graduates), Anderson University (AU) (36 graduates), and Wayland Baptist University (WBU) (34 graduates). Combined, these colleges produced 618 graduates across all degree levels. Program availability varies by award level, including Associate, Bachelor's, Master's, and Doctoral degrees at participating universities and schools.
| College Name | Award Levels | Graduates | Location | Control | Website |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Liberty University |
Associate's
Bachelor's
Postbac Cert.
Master's
|
100 | Lynchburg, Virginia | Private | liberty.edu |
| Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary (SEBTS) |
Master's
|
44 | Wake Forest, North Carolina | Private | sebts.edu |
| Friends University |
Master's
|
36 | Wichita, Kansas | Private | friends.edu |
| Anderson University (AU) |
Bachelor's
|
36 | Anderson, South Carolina | Private | andersonuniversity.edu |
| Wayland Baptist University (WBU) |
Associate's
Bachelor's
Master's
|
34 | Plainview, Texas | Private | wbu.edu |
| Crown College |
Master's
|
27 | Saint Bonifacius, Minnesota | Private | crown.edu |
| California Baptist University (CBU) |
Bachelor's
|
26 | Riverside, California | Private | calbaptist.edu |
| University of Mary (UMary) |
Bachelor's
Postbac Cert.
Master's
|
25 | Bismarck, North Dakota | Private | umary.edu |
| Ohio Christian University (OCU) |
Associate's
Bachelor's
|
25 | Circleville, Ohio | Private | ohiochristian.edu |
| Santa Clara University (SCU) |
Master's
Post-Master's
|
23 | Santa Clara, California | Private | scu.edu |
| Wesley Biblical Seminary (WBS) |
Master's
|
18 | Ridgeland, Mississippi | Private | wbs.edu |
| Duke University |
Master's
|
15 | Durham, North Carolina | Private | duke.edu |
| Pacific Rim Christian University |
Associate's
Master's
|
13 | Honolulu, Hawaii | Private | pacrim.edu |
| Denver Seminary |
Master's
|
12 | Littleton, Colorado | Private | denverseminary.edu |
| Gordon College |
Bachelor's
|
12 | Wenham, Massachusetts | Private | gordon.edu |
| Ouachita Baptist University (OBU) |
Bachelor's
|
11 | Arkadelphia, Arkansas | Private | obu.edu |
| Saint Mary's University of Minnesota (SMUMN) |
Bachelor's
|
10 | Winona, Minnesota | Private | smumn.edu |
| The Master's University and Seminary (TMU) |
Bachelor's
|
9 | Santa Clarita, California | Private | masters.edu |
| Mississippi College (MC) |
Bachelor's
|
8 | Clinton, Mississippi | Private | mc.edu |
| William Carey University (WCU) |
Bachelor's
Master's
|
7 | Hattiesburg, Mississippi | Private | wmcarey.edu |
| Berkeley School of Theology (BST) |
Certificate (≥2 yrs)
|
6 | Berkeley, California | Private | bst.edu |
| Northwest Nazarene University (NNU) |
Bachelor's
|
6 | Nampa, Idaho | Private | nnu.edu |
| Regent University |
Associate's
|
6 | Virginia Beach, Virginia | Private | regent.edu |
| Amridge University |
Master's
|
5 | Montgomery, Alabama | Private | amridgeuniversity.edu |
| University of Notre Dame (ND) |
Master's
|
5 | Notre Dame, Indiana | Private | nd.edu |
| Missouri Baptist University (MBU) |
Bachelor's
|
5 | Saint Louis, Missouri | Private | mobap.edu |
| Union University |
Bachelor's
|
5 | Jackson, Tennessee | Private | uu.edu |
| Hardin-Simmons University (HSU) |
Bachelor's
|
5 | Abilene, Texas | Private | hsutx.edu |
| Bluefield University |
Bachelor's
|
5 | Bluefield, Virginia | Private | bluefield.edu |
| Whitworth University |
Bachelor's
|
5 | Spokane, Washington | Private | whitworth.edu |
| Northern Baptist Theological Seminary |
Master's
|
4 | Lisle, Illinois | Private | seminary.edu |
| Saint Joseph Seminary College |
Bachelor's
|
4 | St. Benedict, Louisiana | Private | sjasc.edu |
| Lee University |
Associate's
|
4 | Cleveland, Tennessee | Private | leeuniversity.edu |
| Southwestern Assemblies of God University (SAGU) |
Associate's
|
4 | Waxahachie, Texas | Private | sagu.edu |
| Shorter College |
Associate's
|
3 | N Little Rock, Arkansas | Private | shortercollege.edu |
| Cornerstone University (CU) |
Master's
|
3 | Grand Rapids, Michigan | Private | cornerstone.edu |
| Seton Hall University (SHU) |
Bachelor's
|
3 | South Orange, New Jersey | Private | shu.edu |
| Campbell University |
Associate's
Bachelor's
|
3 | Buies Creek, North Carolina | Private | campbell.edu |
| University of Mary Hardin-Baylor (UMHB) |
Bachelor's
|
3 | Belton, Texas | Private | go.umhb.edu |
| College of Athens (CoA) |
Associate's
Master's
|
3 | Watkinsville, Georgia | Private | collegeofathens.edu |
| Point Loma Nazarene University (PLNU) |
Bachelor's
|
2 | San Diego, California | Private | pointloma.edu |
| Palm Beach Atlantic University (PBA) |
Master's
|
2 | West Palm Beach, Florida | Private | pba.edu |
| Brewton-Parker College (BPC) |
Bachelor's
|
2 | Mount Vernon, Georgia | Private | bpc.edu |
| Southwestern College (SC) |
Bachelor's
|
2 | Winfield, Kansas | Private | sckans.edu |
| Spring Arbor University (SAU) |
Bachelor's
|
2 | Spring Arbor, Michigan | Private | arbor.edu |
| Hannibal-LaGrange University (HLGU) |
Bachelor's
|
2 | Hannibal, Missouri | Private | hlg.edu |
| Carroll College |
Bachelor's
|
2 | Helena, Montana | Private | carroll.edu |
| University of the Southwest (USW) |
Master's
|
2 | Hobbs, New Mexico | Private | usw.edu |
| Bethel University |
Bachelor's
|
2 | McKenzie, Tennessee | Private | bethelu.edu |
| Howard Payne University (HPU) |
Bachelor's
|
2 | Brownwood, Texas | Private | hputx.edu |
| Manna University |
Master's
|
2 | Fayetteville, North Carolina | Private | manna.edu |
| Criswell College |
Master's
|
2 | Dallas, Texas | Private | criswell.edu |
| Champion Christian College (CCC) |
Bachelor's
|
2 | Hot Springs, Arkansas | Private | champion.edu |
| Trinity International University (TIU) |
Master's
|
1 | Deerfield, Illinois | Private | tiu.edu |
| Marian University |
Bachelor's
|
1 | Indianapolis, Indiana | Private | marian.edu |
| Tabor College (TC) |
Bachelor's
|
1 | Hillsboro, Kansas | Private | tabor.edu |
| Loyola University New Orleans (LOYNO) |
Bachelor's
|
1 | New Orleans, Louisiana | Private | loyno.edu |
| The College of Saint Scholastica (CSS) |
Bachelor's
|
1 | Duluth, Minnesota | Private | css.edu |
| Fordham University |
Master's
|
1 | Bronx, New York | Private | fordham.edu |
| Charleston Southern University (CSU) |
Bachelor's
|
1 | Charleston, South Carolina | Private | charlestonsouthern.edu |
| Carson-Newman University |
Bachelor's
|
1 | Jefferson City, Tennessee | Private | cn.edu |
| Tennessee Wesleyan University (TWU) |
Bachelor's
|
1 | Athens, Tennessee | Private | tnwesleyan.edu |
| Houston Christian University (HCU) |
Bachelor's
|
1 | Houston, Texas | Private | hc.edu |
| Saint Edward's University |
Bachelor's
|
1 | Austin, Texas | Private | stedwards.edu |
| Eastern Mennonite University (EMU) |
Postbac Cert.
|
1 | Harrisonburg, Virginia | Private | emu.edu |
| Marquette University |
Master's
|
1 | Milwaukee, Wisconsin | Private | marquette.edu |
| Messenger College |
Bachelor's
|
1 | Bedford, Texas | Private | messengercollege.edu |
Frequently Asked Questions
Find answers to the most common questions about Christian Studies programs
How much can I earn with a Christian Studies degree?
Salaries for Christian Studies graduates vary by role and location. Philosophy and Religion Teachers, Postsecondary earn a median of $78,050 annually. Geographic location significantly impacts earnings—professionals in California average $103,210 compared to $40,340 in South Dakota. Approximately 20,840 professionals work in related occupations nationwide.
Salary data from U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS program, May 2024. Earnings vary by experience, employer, and market conditions.
Which universities have the largest Christian Studies programs?
Currently 67 accredited institutions offer Christian Studies degrees across the U.S. Programs with the highest enrollment include Liberty University (100 graduates), Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary (SEBTS) (44 graduates), and Friends University (36 graduates).
Program size doesn't necessarily indicate quality—consider factors like faculty expertise, production opportunities, location, and available degree levels when choosing a school.
Data based on IPEDS program completions for 2023-2024 academic year. Numbers reflect programs where students graduated.
Is enrollment in Christian Studies growing or declining?
Graduate numbers have increased over the past decade, rising from 609 in 2010 to 618 in 2023-24. This represents a 1% increase overall from 2010.
The field remains specialized with steady interest, though opportunities are most concentrated in major metropolitan areas with active arts scenes like New York, California, and Illinois.
Graduate enrollment data from IPEDS, 2010-2024 academic years. Trends reflect reported completions at participating institutions.
What career paths are available with a Christian Studies degree?
This degree prepares you for roles such as Philosophy and Religion Teachers, Postsecondary. Related occupations employ approximately 20,840 professionals nationwide.
Skills in project management, creative leadership, and collaboration also transfer to event planning, arts administration, marketing, and corporate training roles. Many professionals work freelance or on a project basis across theatre, film, and live events.
Career pathways mapped using CIP-SOC crosswalk from the National Center for Education Statistics. Employment data from BLS OEWS May 2024.
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