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Theological Studies: Program Overview, Universities, Careers & Salaries

Program Overview

Explore the foundational beliefs, doctrinal frameworks, and theological traditions of a specific religious faith through an in-depth, faith-centered academic lens. This program equips students with critical analytical skills to engage deeply with sacred texts, historical developments, and ethical dimensions of religious thought within its own internal context.

  • Systematic Theology: A structured exploration of core religious doctrines, organizing beliefs into coherent, comprehensive frameworks that reflect the faith’s understanding of God, humanity, and salvation.
  • Historical Theology: An examination of how theological ideas have evolved over time, tracing key developments, movements, and figures across centuries of religious history.
  • Moral Theology: A study of ethical principles and moral reasoning grounded in religious teachings, emphasizing virtue, responsibility, and the application of faith to everyday life.
  • Doctrinal Studies: In-depth analysis of official teachings and authoritative statements within a religious tradition, focusing on clarity, consistency, and scriptural basis.
  • Dogmatics: The formal articulation and defense of core theological beliefs, particularly those considered essential to the identity and unity of a religious community.
  • Apologetics: The rational defense and justification of religious beliefs against philosophical, scientific, or cultural challenges, using reasoned argumentation and evidence.
  • Ecclesiastical Polity and Religious Life: Investigation into the organizational structures, governance models, and lived practices that shape religious communities and institutional life.

Theological Studies Graduate Trends (2010-2024)

6,345
Total Graduates (2023-2024)
288
Universities & Colleges
2
Career Pathways

Theological Studies Career Pathways & Salary Outlook

The following table presents salary data for occupations typically aligned with Theological Studies degrees, including Philosophy and Religion Teachers, Postsecondary and Clergy. 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 78,920 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
Clergy 21-2011 $60,820 $37,140 - $99,720 58,080 $29.24

Theological Studies Salary Map by State

Geographic location significantly impacts earning potential for these careers. Average salaries range from $36,600 in West Virginia to $90,530 in California—a 147% difference. The highest-paying states include California, Utah, and Washington. Nationwide, these occupations employ over 78,920 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 Theological Studies by Graduate Enrollment

Below are the top 97 institutions offering Theological 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 Theological Studies is found at Liberty University (1,182 graduates), Dallas Theological Seminary (DTS) (249 graduates), Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary (MBTS) (244 graduates), Franciscan University of Steubenville (219 graduates), and The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary (SBTS) (175 graduates). Combined, these colleges produced 5,466 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
Postbac Cert.
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
Other Award
1,182 Lynchburg, Virginia Private liberty.edu
Dallas Theological Seminary (DTS)
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
249 Dallas, Texas Private dts.edu
Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary (MBTS)
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
244 Kansas City, Missouri Private mbts.edu
Franciscan University of Steubenville
Associate's
Bachelor's
Master's
219 Steubenville, Ohio Private franciscan.edu
The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary (SBTS)
Associate's
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
Doctorate (Other)
175 Louisville, Kentucky Private sbts.edu
University of Notre Dame (ND)
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
149 Notre Dame, Indiana Private nd.edu
Duke University
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
131 Durham, North Carolina Private duke.edu
Boston College (BC)
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
106 Chestnut Hill, Massachusetts Private bc.edu
Rabbinical Seminary of America
Bachelor's
Postbac Cert.
Master's
85 Flushing, New York Private rabbinical.org
Concordia Seminary
Postbac Cert.
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
Doctorate (Other)
84 Saint Louis, Missouri Private csl.edu
Boston University (BU)
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
Doctorate (Professional)
83 Boston, Massachusetts Private bu.edu
Fuller Theological Seminary
Master's
Post-Master's
Doctorate (Research)
82 Pasadena, California Private fuller.edu
Pentecostal Theological Seminary (PTS)
Master's
Doctorate (Other)
81 Cleveland, Tennessee Private ptseminary.edu
Regent University
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
80 Virginia Beach, Virginia Private regent.edu
Holy Apostles College and Seminary
Bachelor's
Master's
Post-Master's
79 Cromwell, Connecticut Private holyapostles.edu
Harvard University
Master's
74 Cambridge, Massachusetts Private harvard.edu
The Master's University and Seminary (TMU)
Bachelor's
Master's
73 Santa Clarita, California Private masters.edu
University of Chicago (UChicago)
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
71 Chicago, Illinois Private uchicago.edu
Trinity International University (TIU)
Postbac Cert.
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
64 Deerfield, Illinois Private tiu.edu
Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary (SEBTS)
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
60 Wake Forest, North Carolina Private sebts.edu
Rabbinical College of Ohr Shimon Yisroel
Bachelor's
58 Brooklyn, New York Private ohr-sy.com
Benedictine College
Bachelor's
54 Atchison, Kansas Private benedictine.edu
SUM Bible College and Theological Seminary
Associate's
Bachelor's
51 El Dorado Hills, California Private sum.edu
Shepherds Theological Seminary (STS)
Master's
50 Cary, North Carolina Private shepherds.edu
Eastern University
Bachelor's
Master's
Other Award
49 Saint Davids, Pennsylvania Private eastern.edu
Saint Leo University
Master's
Residency
47 Saint Leo, Florida Private saintleo.edu
New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary (NOBTS)
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
47 New Orleans, Louisiana Private nobts.edu
Saint Joseph's College of Maine (SJC)
Bachelor's
Postbac Cert.
Master's
Other Award
47 Standish, Maine Private sjcme.edu
Sacred Heart Major Seminary (SHMS)
Associate's
Bachelor's
Master's
Other Award
46 Detroit, Michigan Private shms.edu
Santa Clara University (SCU)
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
Doctorate (Professional)
43 Santa Clara, California Private scu.edu
Western Seminary
Master's
43 Portland, Oregon Private westernseminary.edu
Graduate Theological Union (GTU)
Postbac Cert.
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
42 Berkeley, California Private gtu.edu
Princeton Theological Seminary (PTS)
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
42 Princeton, New Jersey Private ptsem.edu
Northern Baptist Theological Seminary
Master's
41 Lisle, Illinois Private seminary.edu
St Bernard's School of Theology and Ministry (SBSTM)
Postbac Cert.
Master's
40 Rochester, New York Private stbernards.edu
Asbury Theological Seminary
Master's
38 Wilmore, Kentucky Private asburyseminary.edu
Seton Hall University (SHU)
Bachelor's
Master's
34 South Orange, New Jersey Private shu.edu
Luther Seminary
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
33 Saint Paul, Minnesota Private luthersem.edu
Emory University
Master's
31 Atlanta, Georgia Private emory.edu
Wheaton College
Postbac Cert.
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
31 Wheaton, Illinois Private wheaton.edu
Family of Faith Christian University (FFCU)
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Master's
31 Shawnee, Oklahoma Private familyoffaith.edu
Catholic Distance University (CDU)
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Bachelor's
Postbac Cert.
Master's
Other Award
31 Charles Town, West Virginia Private cdu.edu
Drew University
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
30 Madison, New Jersey Private drew.edu
Payne Theological Seminary
Master's
30 Wilberforce, Ohio Private payneseminary.edu
Houston Christian University (HCU)
Bachelor's
Master's
30 Houston, Texas Private hc.edu
Hood Theological Seminary
Master's
Doctorate (Other)
30 Salisbury, North Carolina Private hoodseminary.edu
Ave Maria University (AMU)
Bachelor's
Master's
29 Ave Maria, Florida Private avemaria.edu
The King's University (TKU)
Bachelor's
Master's
28 Southlake, Texas Private tku.edu
Southern Methodist University (SMU)
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
27 Dallas, Texas Private smu.edu
Concordia University (CUI)
Bachelor's
Master's
26 Irvine, California Private cui.edu
Covenant Theological Seminary (CTS)
Master's
26 Saint Louis, Missouri Private covenantseminary.edu
Union Theological Seminary in the City of New York (UTS)
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
25 New York, New York Private utsnyc.edu
Villanova University
Bachelor's
Postbac Cert.
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
25 Villanova, Pennsylvania Private villanova.edu
Kairos University
Bachelor's
Doctorate (Research)
25 Sioux Falls, South Dakota Private kairos.edu
Palm Beach Atlantic University (PBA)
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
24 West Palm Beach, Florida Private pba.edu
Saint Meinrad School of Theology
Postbac Cert.
Master's
24 St. Meinrad, Indiana Private saintmeinrad.edu
Colorado Christian University (CCU)
Bachelor's
Master's
22 Lakewood, Colorado Private ccu.edu
Mount St. Mary's University
Bachelor's
Master's
22 Emmitsburg, Maryland Private msmary.edu
Calvin Theological Seminary
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
21 Grand Rapids, Michigan Private calvinseminary.edu
Biola University
Master's
20 La Mirada, California Private biola.edu
Pontifical Faculty of the Immaculate Conception (PFIC)
Postbac Cert.
Master's
Post-Master's
20 Washington, District of Columbia Private dhs.edu
Baptist University of Florida (BUF)
Bachelor's
Master's
20 Graceville, Florida Private buf.edu
Moody Bible Institute (MBI)
Bachelor's
20 Chicago, Illinois Private moody.edu
Saint Charles Borromeo Seminary
Master's
20 Wynnewood, Pennsylvania Private scs.edu
Missio Theological Seminary
Master's
17 Philadelphia, Pennsylvania Private missio.edu
Erskine College
Master's
Doctorate (Other)
17 Due West, South Carolina Private erskine.edu
University of Dallas (UD)
Bachelor's
Master's
17 Irving, Texas Private udallas.edu
Marquette University
Bachelor's
Master's
17 Milwaukee, Wisconsin Private marquette.edu
United Theological Seminary of the Twin Cities
Master's
16 St. Paul, Minnesota Private unitedseminary.edu
United Lutheran Seminary (ULS)
Post-Master's
16 Gettysburg, Pennsylvania Private unitedlutheranseminary.edu
Dallas Baptist University (DBU)
Postbac Cert.
Master's
16 Dallas, Texas Private dbu.edu
Pacific School of Religion (PSR)
Master's
Doctorate (Other)
15 Berkeley, California Private psr.edu
Columbia International University (CIU)
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Bachelor's
Master's
15 Columbia, South Carolina Private ciu.edu
Southern Adventist University
Bachelor's
Master's
15 Collegedale, Tennessee Private southern.edu
Seattle Pacific University (SPU)
Bachelor's
Master's
15 Seattle, Washington Private spu.edu
Franciscan School of Theology (FST)
Master's
14 San Diego, California Private fst.edu
Vanguard University of Southern California
Master's
14 Costa Mesa, California Private vanguard.edu
University of Saint Mary of the Lake (USML)
Master's
Post-Master's
14 Mundelein, Illinois Private usml.edu
Concordia University-Nebraska
Bachelor's
14 Seward, Nebraska Private cune.edu
Lipscomb University
Bachelor's
Master's
14 Nashville, Tennessee Private lipscomb.edu
Lee University
Master's
14 Cleveland, Tennessee Private leeuniversity.edu
Yeshiva College of the Nations Capital (YCNC)
Bachelor's
14 Silver Spring, Maryland Private ycnc.org
Denver Seminary
Postbac Cert.
13 Littleton, Colorado Private denverseminary.edu
Yale University
Master's
13 New Haven, Connecticut Private yale.edu
Loyola University Chicago (LUC)
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
13 Chicago, Illinois Private luc.edu
North Park University
Master's
Doctorate (Professional)
13 Chicago, Illinois Private northpark.edu
Saint Johns University (SJU)
Bachelor's
Master's
13 Collegeville, Minnesota Private csbsju.edu
Northeastern Seminary
Master's
13 Rochester, New York Private nes.edu
Faith International University (FIU)
Master's
13 Tacoma, Washington Private faithiu.edu
Pontifical John Paul II Institute for Studies on Marriage and Family
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
13 Washington, District of Columbia Private johnpaulii.edu
Southeastern University (SEU)
Master's
12 Lakeland, Florida Private seu.edu
Lutheran School of Theology (LSTC)
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
12 Chicago, Illinois Private lstc.edu
Anabaptist Mennonite Biblical Seminary (AMBS)
Postbac Cert.
Master's
12 Elkhart, Indiana Private ambs.edu
Evangel University
Master's
12 Springfield, Missouri Private evangel.edu
University of Mary (UMary)
Bachelor's
12 Bismarck, North Dakota Private umary.edu
United Theological Seminary
Master's
12 Dayton, Ohio Private united.edu
Oral Roberts University (ORU)
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctorate (Professional)
12 Tulsa, Oklahoma Private oru.edu

Frequently Asked Questions

Find answers to the most common questions about Theological Studies programs

How much can I earn with a Theological Studies degree?

Salaries for Theological Studies graduates vary by role and location. Philosophy and Religion Teachers, Postsecondary earn a median of $78,050 annually, while Clergy earn around $60,820. Geographic location significantly impacts earnings—professionals in California average $90,530 compared to $36,600 in West Virginia. Approximately 78,920 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 Theological Studies programs?

Currently 288 accredited institutions offer Theological Studies degrees across the U.S. Programs with the highest enrollment include Liberty University (1,182 graduates), Dallas Theological Seminary (DTS) (249 graduates), and Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary (MBTS) (244 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 Theological Studies growing or declining?

Graduate numbers have decreased over the past decade, rising from 6,375 in 2010 to 6,345 in 2023-24. This represents a 0% 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 Theological Studies degree?

This degree prepares you for roles such as Philosophy and Religion Teachers, Postsecondary, Clergy, . Related occupations employ approximately 78,920 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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