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)
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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