Philosophy and Religious Studies: Program Overview, Universities, Careers & Salaries
Program Overview
Philosophy and Religious Studies offers a rigorous exploration of fundamental questions about existence, knowledge, ethics, and the nature of the divine. This interdisciplinary field invites critical inquiry into worldviews, belief systems, and the philosophical foundations that shape human thought across cultures and historical periods.
- Metaphysics: Examines the nature of reality, existence, and the fundamental structure of the universe, including questions about being, time, and causality.
- Epistemology: Investigates the nature, origins, and limits of knowledge, exploring how truth is established and justified across different contexts.
- Ethics and Moral Philosophy: Analyzes principles of right and wrong conduct, evaluating theories of duty, virtue, justice, and the foundations of moral decision-making.
- Philosophy of Religion: Explores the rationality of religious belief, the nature of divine attributes, and the relationship between faith and reason.
- Comparative Religious Traditions: Studies major world religions—including Christianity, Islam, Buddhism, Hinduism, and indigenous belief systems—through historical, doctrinal, and cultural lenses.
- Religious Texts and Hermeneutics: Engages with sacred scriptures and interpretive methods used in religious communities to understand sacred writings and their evolving meanings.
- Secular and Non-Religious Worldviews: Examines philosophical perspectives that address meaning, purpose, and value without reference to the supernatural or organized religion.
Philosophy and Religious Studies Graduate Trends (2010-2024)
Philosophy and Religious Studies Career Pathways & Salary Outlook
The following table presents salary data for occupations typically aligned with Philosophy and Religious 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 |
Philosophy and Religious 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 Philosophy and Religious Studies by Graduate Enrollment
Below are the top 33 institutions offering Philosophy and Religious 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 Philosophy and Religious Studies is found at Biola University (39 graduates), Maharishi International University (MIU) (29 graduates), James Madison University (JMU) (27 graduates), California Institute of Integral Studies (CIIS) (22 graduates), and University of Mary Washington (UMW) (19 graduates). Combined, these colleges produced 224 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Biola University |
Master's
|
39 | La Mirada, California | Private | biola.edu |
| Maharishi International University (MIU) |
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
29 | Fairfield, Iowa | Private | miu.edu |
| James Madison University (JMU) |
Bachelor's
|
27 | Harrisonburg, Virginia | Public | jmu.edu |
| California Institute of Integral Studies (CIIS) |
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
22 | San Francisco, California | Private | ciis.edu |
| University of Mary Washington (UMW) |
Bachelor's
|
19 | Fredericksburg, Virginia | Public | umw.edu |
| Saint Vincent de Paul Regional Seminary |
Master's
|
10 | Boynton Beach, Florida | Private | svdp.edu |
| University of North Carolina Wilmington (UNCW) |
Bachelor's
|
10 | Wilmington, North Carolina | Public | uncw.edu |
| Columbia University in the City of New York |
Bachelor's
|
9 | New York, New York | Private | columbia.edu |
| The University of Tennessee (UTC) |
Bachelor's
|
6 | Chattanooga, Tennessee | Public | utc.edu |
| University of North Carolina (UNCP) |
Bachelor's
|
5 | Pembroke, North Carolina | Public | uncp.edu |
| Sterling College (SC) |
Bachelor's
|
4 | Sterling, Kansas | Private | sterling.edu |
| Truman State University |
Bachelor's
|
4 | Kirksville, Missouri | Public | truman.edu |
| Radford University |
Bachelor's
|
4 | Radford, Virginia | Public | radford.edu |
| Indiana Wesleyan University (IWU) |
Bachelor's
|
3 | Marion, Indiana | Private | indwes.edu |
| University of Notre Dame (ND) |
Bachelor's
|
3 | Notre Dame, Indiana | Private | nd.edu |
| Bowling Green State University (BGSU) |
Doctorate (Research)
|
3 | Bowling Green, Ohio | Public | bgsu.edu |
| Winthrop University |
Bachelor's
|
3 | Rock Hill, South Carolina | Public | winthrop.edu |
| San Francisco State University (SFSU) |
Bachelor's
|
2 | San Francisco, California | Public | sfsu.edu |
| Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University (FAMU) |
Bachelor's
|
2 | Tallahassee, Florida | Public | famu.edu |
| Conception Seminary College |
Bachelor's
|
2 | Conception, Missouri | Private | conception.edu |
| William Jewell College |
Bachelor's
|
2 | Liberty, Missouri | Private | jewell.edu |
| Saint Vincent Seminary |
Master's
|
2 | Latrobe, Pennsylvania | Private | saintvincentseminary.edu |
| Utah Valley University (UVU) |
Other Award
|
2 | Orem, Utah | Public | uvu.edu |
| Bridgewater College (BC) |
Bachelor's
|
2 | Bridgewater, Virginia | Private | bridgewater.edu |
| Stanford University |
Bachelor's
|
2 | Stanford, California | Private | stanford.edu |
| Olivet Nazarene University (ONU) |
Bachelor's
|
1 | Bourbonnais, Illinois | Private | olivet.edu |
| Quincy University (QU) |
Bachelor's
|
1 | Quincy, Illinois | Private | quincy.edu |
| Friends University |
Bachelor's
|
1 | Wichita, Kansas | Private | friends.edu |
| Roberts Wesleyan University |
Bachelor's
|
1 | Rochester, New York | Private | roberts.edu |
| St. Thomas Aquinas College (STAC) |
Bachelor's
|
1 | Sparkill, New York | Private | stac.edu |
| Claflin University |
Bachelor's
|
1 | Orangeburg, South Carolina | Private | claflin.edu |
| Union University |
Bachelor's
|
1 | Jackson, Tennessee | Private | uu.edu |
| Regent University |
Postbac Cert.
|
1 | Virginia Beach, Virginia | Private | regent.edu |
Frequently Asked Questions
Find answers to the most common questions about Philosophy and Religious Studies programs
How much can I earn with a Philosophy and Religious Studies degree?
Salaries for Philosophy and Religious 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 Philosophy and Religious Studies programs?
Currently 33 accredited institutions offer Philosophy and Religious Studies degrees across the U.S. Programs with the highest enrollment include Biola University (39 graduates), Maharishi International University (MIU) (29 graduates), and James Madison University (JMU) (27 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 Philosophy and Religious Studies growing or declining?
Graduate numbers have decreased over the past decade, rising from 623 in 2010 to a peak of 304 in 2020, before declining slightly to 224 in 2023-24. This represents a 64% decrease overall from 2010.
The field remains specialized with consistent demand, 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 Philosophy and Religious 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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