2026 Best Religious Studies Bachelor’s Degree Schools
Looking for the best Religious Studies bachelor’s degree programs in the United States? We have ranked 780 schools by overall quality and student outcomes, using our 2026 methodology. Our scores reflect factors such as graduation rate, post-graduation earnings, cost, and admissions selectivity.
To help you make your decision, Course Advisor evaluated 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 Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the United States
Learn more about these excellent schools below:
Duke University earned the #1 spot in this year's ranking in the United States. Based in Durham, NC, Duke University is a private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 97% of students complete a degree within six years here. In-state tuition and fees run about $68,758. Graduates carry a median of $13,296 in student loans. See the full Duke University profile
You'll be in good company at Jewish Theological Seminary Of America, which ranked #2 this year. Based 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 more about Jewish Theological Seminary Of America
You'll be in good company at University Of Pennsylvania, which ranked #3 this year. Based in Philadelphia, PA, University Of Pennsylvania is a private not-for-profit institution. University Of Pennsylvania graduates 96% of students within six years. Students from in state pay about $68,686 in tuition and fees. Graduates carry a median of $16,155 in student loans. Get the full University Of Pennsylvania report
A rank of #4 makes Catholic University Of America one of the top choices in the United States. Based in Washington, DC, Catholic University Of America is a private not-for-profit institution. Catholic University Of America posts a six-year graduation rate of 80%. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $58,378. Students borrow a median of $25,771 to complete their Religious Studies program here. More on Catholic University Of America
Out of the 780 schools in the United States in this year's ranking, Boston College landed the #5 spot. Based in Chestnut Hill, MA, Boston College is a private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 91% of students complete a degree within six years here. Students from in state pay about $70,702 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $18,101 to complete their Religious Studies program here. More on Boston College
Emory University did well this year, earning the #6 position. Based in Atlanta, GA, Emory University is a private not-for-profit institution. About 91% of students finish within six years. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $64,280. Emory University Religious Studies students take on a median of $19,431 in debt. Read more about Emory University
University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill came in at #7 in this year's ranking. Based in Chapel Hill, NC, University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill is a public institution. University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill posts a six-year graduation rate of 91%. Students from in state pay about $8,994 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $41,203. Typical Religious Studies student debt is $12,550. Read more about University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill
Arizona State University Skysong landed the #8 spot in the United States this year. Based in Scottsdale, AZ, Arizona State University Skysong is a public institution. Students from in state pay about $11,627 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $13,925. Typical Religious Studies student debt is $20,542. Get the full Arizona State University Skysong report
Depauw University did well this year, earning the #9 position. Depauw University is a private not-for-profit school based in Greencastle, IN. The six-year graduation rate is 75%. Students from in state pay about $59,070 in tuition and fees. The median Religious Studies program debt is $26,174. See the full Depauw University profile
University Of Wisconsin Madison landed the #10 spot in the United States this year. University Of Wisconsin Madison is a public school based in Madison, WI. About 90% of students finish within six years. In-state tuition and fees run about $11,603, with out-of-state students paying around $42,103. Students borrow a median of $21,813 to complete their Religious Studies program here. See the full University Of Wisconsin Madison profile
University Of North Carolina At Charlotte ranked #11 on our 2026 list of the best Religious Studies schools. Located in Charlotte, NC, University Of North Carolina At Charlotte is a public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 69%. Students from in state pay about $7,239 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $22,492. Graduates carry a median of $24,621 in student loans. Read more about University Of North Carolina At Charlotte
University Of St Thomas Minnesota landed the #12 spot in the United States this year. Located in Saint Paul, MN, University Of St Thomas Minnesota is a private not-for-profit institution. University Of St Thomas Minnesota posts a six-year graduation rate of 77%. Students from in state pay about $54,398 in tuition and fees. University Of St Thomas Minnesota Religious Studies students take on a median of $19,500 in debt. Read more about University Of St Thomas Minnesota
Vanderbilt University landed the #13 spot in the United States this year. Set in Nashville, TN, Vanderbilt University is a private not-for-profit institution. Vanderbilt University posts a six-year graduation rate of 94%. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $67,498. The median Religious Studies program debt is $13,975. Get the full Vanderbilt University report
The University Of Texas At Austin landed the #14 spot in the United States this year. Based in Austin, TX, The University Of Texas At Austin is a public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 89%. Students from in state pay about $11,688 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $44,908. The University Of Texas At Austin Religious Studies students take on a median of $21,275 in debt. Get the full The University Of Texas At Austin report
University Of Virginia Main Campus landed the #15 spot in the United States this year. This public school is set in Charlottesville, VA. Roughly 96% of students complete a degree within six years here. In-state tuition and fees run about $23,118, with out-of-state students paying around $61,591. Typical Religious Studies student debt is $18,267. Read more about University Of Virginia Main Campus
University Of Washington Seattle Campus placed #16 among Religious Studies schools in the United States. Located in Seattle, WA, University Of Washington Seattle Campus is a public institution. University Of Washington Seattle Campus posts a six-year graduation rate of 85%. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,973, while out-of-state students pay about $43,209. Students borrow a median of $16,481 to complete their Religious Studies program here. Read more about University Of Washington Seattle Campus
University Of California Davis did well this year, earning the #17 position. University Of California Davis is a public school based in Davis, CA. The six-year graduation rate is 86%. Students from in state pay about $15,804 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $47,692. Students borrow a median of $14,404 to complete their Religious Studies program here. Read more about University Of California Davis
Arizona State University ranked #18 on our 2026 list of the best Religious Studies schools. Arizona State University is a public school based in Tempe, AZ. Arizona State University posts a six-year graduation rate of 68%. In-state tuition and fees run about $12,223, with out-of-state students paying around $33,139. Arizona State University Religious Studies students take on a median of $20,542 in debt. More on Arizona State University
Chapman University placed #19 among Religious Studies schools in the United States. Set in Orange, CA, Chapman University is a private not-for-profit institution. About 82% of students finish within six years. In-state tuition and fees average $64,984. Typical Religious Studies student debt is $21,657. Read the full report on Chapman University
College Of The Holy Cross landed the #20 spot in the United States this year. This private not-for-profit school is set in Worcester, MA. About 87% of students finish within six years. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $64,500. Typical Religious Studies student debt is $26,387. Read more about College Of The Holy Cross
University Of Chicago came in at #21 in this year's ranking. Set in Chicago, IL, University Of Chicago is a private not-for-profit institution. University Of Chicago posts a six-year graduation rate of 96%. In-state tuition and fees run about $69,324. The median Religious Studies program debt is $15,854. More on University Of Chicago
Boston University placed #22 among Religious Studies schools in the United States. Set in Boston, MA, Boston University is a private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 89% of students complete a degree within six years here. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $68,102. Typical Religious Studies student debt is $25,232. Read more about Boston University
Saint Leo University did well this year, earning the #23 position. Set in Saint Leo, FL, Saint Leo University is a private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 44%. Students from in state pay about $30,000 in tuition and fees. Saint Leo University Religious Studies students take on a median of $39,471 in debt. Read more about Saint Leo University
Liberty University did well this year, earning the #24 position. Based in Lynchburg, VA, Liberty University is a private not-for-profit institution. Liberty University graduates 67% of students within six years. Students from in state pay about $16,173 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $32,873 to complete their Religious Studies program here. Read more about Liberty University
University Of California Santa Barbara landed the #25 spot in the United States this year. Located in Santa Barbara, CA, University Of California Santa Barbara is a public institution. Roughly 83% of students complete a degree within six years here. In-state tuition and fees average $15,444, while out-of-state students pay about $47,332. The median Religious Studies program debt is $15,873. Read more about University Of California Santa Barbara
Rest of the Top 50 Best Religious Studies Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the United States
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s ranking:
Columbia University In The City Of New York ranked #26 on our 2026 list of the best Religious Studies schools. This private not-for-profit school is set in New York, NY. About 96% of students finish within six years. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $70,517. Graduates carry a median of $23,258 in student loans. Read more about Columbia University In The City Of New York
Florida State University came in at #27 in this year's ranking. Located in Tallahassee, FL, Florida State University is a public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 86%. In-state tuition and fees average $6,517, with out-of-state students paying around $21,683. Typical Religious Studies student debt is $20,488. Get the full Florida State University report
American University did well this year, earning the #28 position. This private not-for-profit school is set in Washington, DC. Roughly 76% of students complete a degree within six years here. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $58,771. The median Religious Studies program debt is $24,139. Get the full American University report
George Washington University ranked #29 on our 2026 list of the best Religious Studies schools. Set in Washington, DC, George Washington University is a private not-for-profit institution. George Washington University posts a six-year graduation rate of 84%. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $67,710. Students borrow a median of $22,910 to complete their Religious Studies program here. See the full George Washington University profile
University Of Southern California landed the #30 spot in the United States this year. University Of Southern California is a private not-for-profit school based in Los Angeles, CA. The six-year graduation rate is 92%. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $71,647. Typical Religious Studies student debt is $15,625. Read more about University Of Southern California
University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee ranked #31 on our 2026 list of the best Religious Studies schools. Located in Milwaukee, WI, University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee is a public institution. University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee graduates 53% of students within six years. In-state tuition and fees average $10,398, while out-of-state students pay about $22,398. Graduates carry a median of $26,657 in student loans. See the full University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee profile
University Of Minnesota Twin Cities ranked #32 on our 2026 list of the best Religious Studies schools. Set in Minneapolis, MN, University Of Minnesota Twin Cities is a public institution. University Of Minnesota Twin Cities posts a six-year graduation rate of 85%. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $17,214, with out-of-state students paying around $38,362. Students borrow a median of $21,577 to complete their Religious Studies program here. Read more about University Of Minnesota Twin Cities
Ohio State University Main Campus landed the #33 spot in the United States this year. Ohio State University Main Campus is a public school based in Columbus, OH. Roughly 88% of students complete a degree within six years here. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,244, with out-of-state students paying around $40,022. The median Religious Studies program debt is $22,053. Read more about Ohio State University Main Campus
University Of Florida landed the #34 spot in the United States this year. This public school is set in Gainesville, FL. Roughly 91% of students complete a degree within six years here. Students from in state pay about $6,381 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $28,659. Students borrow a median of $17,669 to complete their Religious Studies program here. Read more about University Of Florida
Gordon College placed #35 among Religious Studies schools in the United States. This private not-for-profit school is set in Wenham, MA. Gordon College graduates 68% of students within six years. In-state tuition and fees average $30,700. The median Religious Studies program debt is $26,372. Read the full report on Gordon College
University Of Arizona placed #36 among Religious Studies schools in the United States. Set in Tucson, AZ, University Of Arizona is a public institution. About 68% of students finish within six years. In-state tuition and fees average $13,573, while out-of-state students pay about $39,903. Typical Religious Studies student debt is $21,861. Get the full University Of Arizona report
University Of Massachusetts Amherst ranked #37 on our 2026 list of the best Religious Studies schools. This public school is set in Amherst, MA. The six-year graduation rate is 83%. In-state tuition and fees run about $17,772, compared with $40,449 for out-of-state students. The median Religious Studies program debt is $25,234. See the full University Of Massachusetts Amherst profile
University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign did well this year, earning the #38 position. Based in Champaign, IL, University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign is a public institution. About 85% of students finish within six years. In-state tuition and fees run about $18,267, with out-of-state students paying around $40,096. University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign Religious Studies students take on a median of $20,778 in debt. Get the full University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign report
Evangel University did well this year, earning the #39 position. Evangel University is a private not-for-profit school based in Springfield, MO. Roughly 65% of students complete a degree within six years here. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $28,548. Evangel University Religious Studies students take on a median of $26,793 in debt. Get the full Evangel University report
New York University came in at #40 in this year's ranking. Set in New York, NY, New York University is a private not-for-profit institution. New York University posts a six-year graduation rate of 88%. In-state tuition and fees run about $62,796. Typical Religious Studies student debt is $21,897. Get the full New York University report
Carson Newman College landed the #41 spot in the United States this year. Carson Newman College is a private not-for-profit school based in Jefferson City, TN. Carson Newman College graduates 52% of students 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. Get the full Carson Newman College report
Whitworth University ranked #42 on our 2026 list of the best Religious Studies schools. Based in Spokane, WA, Whitworth University is a private not-for-profit institution. Whitworth University graduates 71% of students within six years. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $52,880. Typical Religious Studies student debt is $25,000. See the full Whitworth University profile
University Of California Riverside did well this year, earning the #43 position. Based in Riverside, CA, University Of California Riverside is a public institution. University Of California Riverside graduates 76% of students within six years. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $14,636, while out-of-state students pay about $46,524. The median Religious Studies program debt is $19,187. Get the full University Of California Riverside report
Rutgers University New Brunswick landed the #44 spot in the United States this year. This public school is set in New Brunswick, NJ. The six-year graduation rate is 84%. In-state tuition and fees run about $17,929, compared with $37,441 for out-of-state students. Rutgers University New Brunswick Religious Studies students take on a median of $26,000 in debt. More on Rutgers University New Brunswick
University Of Houston placed #45 among Religious Studies schools in the United States. Located in Houston, TX, University Of Houston is a public institution. University Of Houston posts a six-year graduation rate of 65%. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,717, while out-of-state students pay about $22,547. The median Religious Studies program debt is $21,255. More on University Of Houston
California State University Northridge ranked #46 on our 2026 list of the best Religious Studies schools. California State University Northridge is a public school based in Northridge, CA. About 57% of students finish within six years. Students from in state pay about $7,458 in tuition and fees, compared with $20,058 for out-of-state students. Graduates carry a median of $13,483 in student loans. Get the full California State University Northridge report
Philadelphia Biblical University Langhorne placed #47 among Religious Studies schools in the United States. Set in Langhorne, PA, Philadelphia Biblical University Langhorne is a private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 60% of students complete a degree within six years here. In-state tuition and fees run about $33,659. Typical Religious Studies student debt is $30,750. Read more about Philadelphia Biblical University Langhorne
San Francisco State University did well this year, earning the #48 position. San Francisco State University is a public school based in San Francisco, CA. San Francisco State University posts a six-year graduation rate of 50%. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,846, with out-of-state students paying around $20,446. The median Religious Studies program debt is $17,024. More on San Francisco State University
Florida International University ranked #49 on our 2026 list of the best Religious Studies schools. Set in Miami, FL, Florida International University is a public institution. About 74% of students finish within six years. Students from in state pay about $6,565 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $18,964. Typical Religious Studies student debt is $19,349. Read the full report on Florida International University
University Of California Santa Cruz came in at #50 in this year's ranking. Set in Santa Cruz, CA, University Of California Santa Cruz is a public institution. University Of California Santa Cruz posts a six-year graduation rate of 75%. In-state tuition and fees run about $15,035, compared with $46,923 for out-of-state students. The median Religious Studies program debt is $18,559. See the full University Of California Santa Cruz profile
Related Religious Studies Rankings
Compare rankings at other degree levels:
- Best Religious Studies Schools (All Levels)
- Best Religious Studies Certificate Degree Schools
- Best Religious Studies Undergraduate Certificate Degree Schools
- Best Religious Studies Associate’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
These rankings are produced 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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