2026 Best Religious Studies Schools
Looking for the best Religious Studies programs programs in the United States? Our ranking highlights 780 colleges by overall quality and student outcomes, using our 2026 methodology. The rankings below weigh factors such as graduation rate, post-graduation earnings, cost, and admissions selectivity.
To arm you with the information you need, Course Advisor reviewed schools to produce this 2026 ranking, drawing primarily on U.S. Department of Education data (IPEDS and College Scorecard). View our full ranking methodology.
Top 25 Religious Studies Schools in the United States
Learn more about these excellent schools below:
No school ranked higher than Duke University this year in the United States. Located in Durham, NC, Duke University is a private not-for-profit institution. About 97% of students finish within six years. In-state tuition and fees average $68,758. Students borrow a median of $13,296 to complete their Religious Studies program here. Get the full Duke University report
Jewish Theological Seminary Of America came in at #2 on this year's Religious Studies ranking in the United States. Located in New York, NY, Jewish Theological Seminary Of America is a private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 90% of students complete a degree within six years here. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $71,910. Graduates carry a median of $16,750 in student loans. Read the full report on Jewish Theological Seminary Of America
Out of the 780 schools in the United States in this year's ranking, University Of Pennsylvania landed the #3 spot. Set in Philadelphia, PA, University Of Pennsylvania is a private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 96% of students complete a degree within six years here. In-state tuition and fees run about $68,686. Graduates carry a median of $16,155 in student loans. More on University Of Pennsylvania
Out of the 780 schools in the United States in this year's ranking, Emory University landed the #4 spot. This private not-for-profit school is set in Atlanta, GA. About 91% of students finish within six years. In-state tuition and fees average $64,280. Emory University Religious Studies students take on a median of $19,431 in debt. Get the full Emory University report
Catholic University Of America came in at #5 on this year's Religious Studies ranking in the United States. Set in Washington, DC, Catholic University Of America is a private not-for-profit institution. Catholic University Of America graduates 80% of students within six years. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $58,378. The median Religious Studies program debt is $25,771. Read more about Catholic University Of America
Boston College came in at #6 in this year's ranking. Located in Chestnut Hill, MA, Boston College is a private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 91%. In-state tuition and fees average $70,702. Students borrow a median of $18,101 to complete their Religious Studies program here. Read the full report on Boston College
University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill came in at #7 in this year's ranking. Set in Chapel Hill, NC, University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill is a public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 91%. In-state tuition and fees average $8,994, compared with $41,203 for out-of-state students. University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill Religious Studies students take on a median of $12,550 in debt. Get the full University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill report
Arizona State University Skysong landed the #8 spot in the United States this year. Set in Scottsdale, AZ, Arizona State University Skysong is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees run about $11,627, while out-of-state students pay about $13,925. Arizona State University Skysong Religious Studies students take on a median of $20,542 in debt. More on Arizona State University Skysong
Depauw University did well this year, earning the #9 position. This private not-for-profit school is set in Greencastle, IN. Roughly 75% of students complete a degree within six years here. In-state tuition and fees average $59,070. Graduates carry a median of $26,174 in student loans. Get the full Depauw University report
University Of Wisconsin Madison did well this year, earning the #10 position. This public school is set in Madison, WI. Roughly 90% of students complete a degree within six years here. Students from in state pay about $11,603 in tuition and fees, compared with $42,103 for out-of-state students. The median Religious Studies program debt is $21,813. Get the full University Of Wisconsin Madison report
Vanderbilt University landed the #11 spot in the United States this year. Located in Nashville, TN, Vanderbilt University is a private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 94%. In-state tuition and fees run about $67,498. Typical Religious Studies student debt is $13,975. Get the full Vanderbilt University report
University Of North Carolina At Charlotte did well this year, earning the #12 position. Located in Charlotte, NC, University Of North Carolina At Charlotte is a public institution. About 69% of students finish within six years. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,239, while out-of-state students pay about $22,492. Typical Religious Studies student debt is $24,621. More on University Of North Carolina At Charlotte
University Of St Thomas Minnesota landed the #13 spot in the United States this year. Located in Saint Paul, MN, University Of St Thomas Minnesota is a private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 77%. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $54,398. Typical Religious Studies student debt is $19,500. See the full University Of St Thomas Minnesota profile
The University Of Texas At Austin ranked #14 on our 2026 list of the best Religious Studies schools. This public school is set in Austin, TX. The University Of Texas At Austin graduates 89% of students within six years. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,688, while out-of-state students pay about $44,908. Typical Religious Studies student debt is $21,275. Read the full report on The University Of Texas At Austin
University Of Virginia Main Campus landed the #15 spot in the United States this year. Set in Charlottesville, VA, University Of Virginia Main Campus is a public institution. University Of Virginia Main Campus posts a six-year graduation rate of 96%. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $23,118, with out-of-state students paying around $61,591. Typical Religious Studies student debt is $18,267. See the full University Of Virginia Main Campus profile
University Of Washington Seattle Campus came in at #16 in this year's ranking. Located in Seattle, WA, University Of Washington Seattle Campus is a public institution. University Of Washington Seattle Campus graduates 85% of students within six years. In-state tuition and fees run about $12,973, while out-of-state students pay about $43,209. Graduates carry a median of $16,481 in student loans. Get the full University Of Washington Seattle Campus report
University Of Notre Dame did well this year, earning the #17 position. Located in Notre Dame, IN, University Of Notre Dame is a private not-for-profit institution. About 95% of students finish within six years. Students from in state pay about $65,025 in tuition and fees. Typical Religious Studies student debt is $19,891. See the full University Of Notre Dame profile
Boston University landed the #18 spot in the United States this year. Based in Boston, MA, Boston University is a private not-for-profit institution. About 89% of students finish within six years. Students from in state pay about $68,102 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $25,232 to complete their Religious Studies program here. Read more about Boston University
University Of California Davis came in at #19 in this year's ranking. This public school is set in Davis, CA. About 86% of students finish within six years. In-state tuition and fees run about $15,804, while out-of-state students pay about $47,692. Students borrow a median of $14,404 to complete their Religious Studies program here. See the full University Of California Davis profile
Arizona State University came in at #20 in this year's ranking. Located in Tempe, AZ, Arizona State University is a public institution. Roughly 68% of students complete a degree within six years here. In-state tuition and fees average $12,223, while out-of-state students pay about $33,139. Arizona State University Religious Studies students take on a median of $20,542 in debt. Read the full report on Arizona State University
Chapman University placed #21 among Religious Studies schools in the United States. Based in Orange, CA, Chapman University is a private not-for-profit institution. Chapman University posts a six-year graduation rate of 82%. Students from in state pay about $64,984 in tuition and fees. The median Religious Studies program debt is $21,657. Read the full report on Chapman University
College Of The Holy Cross ranked #22 on our 2026 list of the best Religious Studies schools. Located in Worcester, MA, College Of The Holy Cross is a private not-for-profit institution. About 87% of students finish within six years. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $64,500. Students borrow a median of $26,387 to complete their Religious Studies program here. More on College Of The Holy Cross
University Of Chicago placed #23 among Religious Studies schools in the United States. Located in Chicago, IL, University Of Chicago is a private not-for-profit institution. About 96% of students finish within six years. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $69,324. Students borrow a median of $15,854 to complete their Religious Studies program here. Read the full report on University Of Chicago
Saint Leo University came in at #24 in this year's ranking. Set in Saint Leo, FL, Saint Leo University is a private not-for-profit institution. About 44% of students finish within six years. In-state tuition and fees run about $30,000. Typical Religious Studies student debt is $39,471. More on Saint Leo University
Columbia University In The City Of New York did well this year, earning the #25 position. Based in New York, NY, Columbia University In The City Of New York is a private not-for-profit institution. Columbia University In The City Of New York posts a six-year graduation rate of 96%. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $70,517. The median Religious Studies program debt is $23,258. Read the full report on Columbia University In The City Of New York
Rest of the Top 50 Best Religious Studies Schools in the United States
Not far behind, these schools also made the top of the list:
Trinity International University Illinois came in at #26 in this year's ranking. Located in Deerfield, IL, Trinity International University Illinois is a private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 46%. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,320. Typical Religious Studies student debt is $26,892. Read the full report on Trinity International University Illinois
University Of California Santa Barbara did well this year, earning the #27 position. Set in Santa Barbara, CA, University Of California Santa Barbara is a public institution. Roughly 83% of students complete a degree within six years here. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $15,444, compared with $47,332 for out-of-state students. The median Religious Studies program debt is $15,873. More on University Of California Santa Barbara
Liberty University came in at #28 in this year's ranking. This private not-for-profit school is set in Lynchburg, VA. Liberty University graduates 67% of students within six years. In-state tuition and fees run about $16,173. Graduates carry a median of $32,873 in student loans. Get the full Liberty University report
Florida State University landed the #29 spot in the United States this year. Set in Tallahassee, FL, Florida State University is a public institution. Roughly 86% of students complete a degree within six years here. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,517, compared with $21,683 for out-of-state students. Florida State University Religious Studies students take on a median of $20,488 in debt. Read the full report on Florida State University
American University came in at #30 in this year's ranking. This private not-for-profit school is set in Washington, DC. American University posts a six-year graduation rate of 76%. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $58,771. American University Religious Studies students take on a median of $24,139 in debt. Read more about American University
George Washington University placed #31 among Religious Studies schools in the United States. George Washington University is a private not-for-profit school based in Washington, DC. George Washington University posts a six-year graduation rate of 84%. Students from in state pay about $67,710 in tuition and fees. The median Religious Studies program debt is $22,910. See the full George Washington University profile
University Of Southern California ranked #32 on our 2026 list of the best Religious Studies schools. University Of Southern California is a private not-for-profit school based in Los Angeles, CA. Roughly 92% of students complete a degree within six years here. In-state tuition and fees run about $71,647. The median Religious Studies program debt is $15,625. See the full University Of Southern California profile
University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee ranked #33 on our 2026 list of the best Religious Studies schools. Located in Milwaukee, WI, University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee is a public institution. About 53% of students finish within six years. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,398, compared with $22,398 for out-of-state students. Graduates carry a median of $26,657 in student loans. See the full University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee profile
University Of Minnesota Twin Cities placed #34 among Religious Studies schools in the United States. This public school is set in Minneapolis, MN. University Of Minnesota Twin Cities posts a six-year graduation rate of 85%. Students from in state pay about $17,214 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $38,362. Graduates carry a median of $21,577 in student loans. Read the full report on University Of Minnesota Twin Cities
Ohio State University Main Campus came in at #35 in this year's ranking. Set in Columbus, OH, Ohio State University Main Campus is a public institution. Ohio State University Main Campus posts a six-year graduation rate of 88%. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,244, with out-of-state students paying around $40,022. Graduates carry a median of $22,053 in student loans. More on Ohio State University Main Campus
University Of Florida came in at #36 in this year's ranking. Based in Gainesville, FL, University Of Florida is a public institution. Roughly 91% of students complete a degree within six years here. In-state tuition and fees average $6,381, compared with $28,659 for out-of-state students. The median Religious Studies program debt is $17,669. Read the full report on University Of Florida
Gordon College did well this year, earning the #37 position. This private not-for-profit school is set in Wenham, MA. Roughly 68% of students complete a degree within six years here. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $30,700. Students borrow a median of $26,372 to complete their Religious Studies program here. More on Gordon College
University Of Arizona placed #38 among Religious Studies schools in the United States. Located in Tucson, AZ, University Of Arizona is a public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 68%. Students from in state pay about $13,573 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $39,903. Students borrow a median of $21,861 to complete their Religious Studies program here. See the full University Of Arizona profile
University Of Massachusetts Amherst ranked #39 on our 2026 list of the best Religious Studies schools. Based in Amherst, MA, University Of Massachusetts Amherst is a public institution. Roughly 83% of students complete a degree within six years here. In-state tuition and fees run about $17,772, with out-of-state students paying around $40,449. Graduates carry a median of $25,234 in student loans. More on University Of Massachusetts Amherst
New York University landed the #40 spot in the United States this year. This private not-for-profit school is set in New York, NY. About 88% of students finish within six years. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $62,796. New York University Religious Studies students take on a median of $21,897 in debt. More on New York University
University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign landed the #41 spot in the United States this year. Set in Champaign, IL, University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign is a public institution. Roughly 85% of students complete a degree within six years here. Students from in state pay about $18,267 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $40,096. Graduates carry a median of $20,778 in student loans. Read more about University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign
Evangel University did well this year, earning the #42 position. Evangel University is a private not-for-profit school based in Springfield, MO. The six-year graduation rate is 65%. In-state tuition and fees average $28,548. The median Religious Studies program debt is $26,793. Read more about Evangel University
Carson Newman College ranked #43 on our 2026 list of the best Religious Studies schools. Carson Newman College is a private not-for-profit school based in Jefferson City, TN. About 52% of students finish within six years. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $34,700. Students borrow a median of $22,843 to complete their Religious Studies program here. More on Carson Newman College
Whitworth University placed #44 among Religious Studies schools in the United States. Set in Spokane, WA, Whitworth University is a private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 71% of students complete a degree within six years here. In-state tuition and fees run about $52,880. The median Religious Studies program debt is $25,000. More on Whitworth University
University Of California Riverside placed #45 among Religious Studies schools in the United States. This public school is set in Riverside, CA. University Of California Riverside posts a six-year graduation rate of 76%. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $14,636, while out-of-state students pay about $46,524. The median Religious Studies program debt is $19,187. More on University Of California Riverside
Philadelphia Biblical University Langhorne ranked #46 on our 2026 list of the best Religious Studies schools. Based in Langhorne, PA, Philadelphia Biblical University Langhorne is a private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 60%. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $33,659. The median Religious Studies program debt is $30,750. Get the full Philadelphia Biblical University Langhorne report
Rutgers University New Brunswick came in at #47 in this year's ranking. This public school is set in New Brunswick, NJ. The six-year graduation rate is 84%. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $17,929, compared with $37,441 for out-of-state students. The median Religious Studies program debt is $26,000. Get the full Rutgers University New Brunswick report
University Of Houston did well this year, earning the #48 position. University Of Houston is a public school based in Houston, TX. The six-year graduation rate is 65%. Students from in state pay about $9,717 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $22,547. Typical Religious Studies student debt is $21,255. Get the full University Of Houston report
California State University Northridge came in at #49 in this year's ranking. Set in Northridge, CA, California State University Northridge is a public institution. About 57% of students finish within six years. In-state tuition and fees run about $7,458, while out-of-state students pay about $20,058. Students borrow a median of $13,483 to complete their Religious Studies program here. Read the full report on California State University Northridge
San Francisco State University placed #50 among Religious Studies schools in the United States. Based in San Francisco, CA, San Francisco State University is a public institution. About 50% of students finish within six years. Students from in state pay about $7,846 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $20,446. The median Religious Studies program debt is $17,024. See the full San Francisco State University profile
Best Religious Studies Schools by Degree Level
See the best schools at each degree level:
- Best Religious Studies Certificate Degree Schools
- Best Religious Studies Undergraduate Certificate Degree Schools
- Best Religious Studies Associate’s Degree Schools
- Best Religious Studies Bachelor’s Degree Schools
- Best Religious Studies Graduate Certificate Degree Schools
- Best Religious Studies Master’s Degree Schools
- Best Religious Studies Doctoral Degree Schools
Ranking Methodology & Notes
The ranking above is published by Course Advisor (DMS_RANKING_2023), 2026 edition. Schools are scored on a blend of student outcomes (graduation rate, post-graduation earnings), affordability, and admissions data drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: Dms College Quality · Scope: Nation. *Averages shown above reflect the top 780 ranked schools only.
References
- Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) — National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Department of Education (core institutional data).
- College Scorecard — U.S. Department of Education (graduate earnings and outcomes data).
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