2026 Best Religious Studies Doctoral Degree Schools

#1

Duke University

Durham, NC

Our analysis found Duke University to be the best Religious Studies school in the United States. This private not-for-profit school is set in Durham, NC. Roughly 97% of students complete a degree within six years here. In-state tuition and fees average $68,758. The median Religious Studies program debt is $13,296. More on Duke University

#2

University Of Pennsylvania

Philadelphia, PA

A rank of #2 makes University Of Pennsylvania one of the top choices in the United States. University Of Pennsylvania is a private not-for-profit school based in Philadelphia, PA. University Of Pennsylvania graduates 96% of students within six years. Students from in state pay about $68,686 in tuition and fees. Typical Religious Studies student debt is $16,155. See the full University Of Pennsylvania profile

#3

Emory University

Atlanta, GA

Emory University came in at #3 on this year's Religious Studies ranking in the United States. 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. The median Religious Studies program debt is $19,431. More on Emory University

#4

Jewish Theological Seminary Of America

New York, NY

A rank of #4 makes Jewish Theological Seminary Of America one of the top choices in the United States. Located in New York, NY, Jewish Theological Seminary Of America is a private not-for-profit institution. Jewish Theological Seminary Of America graduates 90% of students within six years. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $71,910. The median Religious Studies program debt is $16,750. Get the full Jewish Theological Seminary Of America report

#5

University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill

Chapel Hill, NC

University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill came in at #5 on this year's Religious Studies ranking in the United States. Set in Chapel Hill, NC, University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill is a public institution. Roughly 91% of students complete a degree within six years here. Students from in state pay about $8,994 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $41,203. Graduates carry a median of $12,550 in student loans. See the full University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill profile

#6

Vanderbilt University

Nashville, TN

Vanderbilt University did well this year, earning the #6 position. Located in Nashville, TN, Vanderbilt University is a private not-for-profit institution. Vanderbilt University posts a six-year graduation rate of 94%. In-state tuition and fees average $67,498. Graduates carry a median of $13,975 in student loans. More on Vanderbilt University

#7

The University Of Texas At Austin

Austin, TX

The University Of Texas At Austin landed the #7 spot in the United States this year. Located in Austin, TX, The University Of Texas At Austin is a public institution. The University Of Texas At Austin posts a six-year graduation rate of 89%. Students from in state pay about $11,688 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $44,908. Typical Religious Studies student debt is $21,275. See the full The University Of Texas At Austin profile

#8

University Of Virginia Main Campus

Charlottesville, VA

University Of Virginia Main Campus came in at #8 in this year's ranking. This public school is set in Charlottesville, VA. University Of Virginia Main Campus graduates 96% of students within six years. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $23,118, compared with $61,591 for out-of-state students. The median Religious Studies program debt is $18,267. More on University Of Virginia Main Campus

#9

Boston University

Boston, MA

Boston University ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the best Religious Studies schools. Located in Boston, MA, Boston University is a private not-for-profit institution. About 89% of students finish within six years. In-state tuition and fees run about $68,102. Boston University Religious Studies students take on a median of $25,232 in debt. Read more about Boston University

#10

Arizona State University

Tempe, AZ

Arizona State University came in at #10 in this year's ranking. Arizona State University is a public school based in Tempe, AZ. The six-year graduation rate is 68%. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,223, compared with $33,139 for out-of-state students. The median Religious Studies program debt is $20,542. See the full Arizona State University profile

#11

Columbia University In The City Of New York

New York, NY

Columbia University In The City Of New York landed the #11 spot in the United States this year. Based in New York, NY, Columbia University In The City Of New York is a private not-for-profit institution. About 96% of students finish within six years. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $70,517. Students borrow a median of $23,258 to complete their Religious Studies program here. More on Columbia University In The City Of New York

#12

University Of California Santa Barbara

Santa Barbara, CA

University Of California Santa Barbara came in at #12 in this year's ranking. Set in Santa Barbara, CA, University Of California Santa Barbara is a public institution. University Of California Santa Barbara posts a six-year graduation rate of 83%. Students from in state pay about $15,444 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $47,332. University Of California Santa Barbara Religious Studies students take on a median of $15,873 in debt. Get the full University Of California Santa Barbara report

#13

Liberty University

Lynchburg, VA

Liberty University ranked #13 on our 2026 list of the best Religious Studies schools. Set in Lynchburg, VA, Liberty University is a private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 67%. In-state tuition and fees average $16,173. Students borrow a median of $32,873 to complete their Religious Studies program here. More on Liberty University

#14

Florida State University

Tallahassee, FL

Florida State University came in at #14 in this year's ranking. Based in Tallahassee, FL, Florida State University is a public institution. Florida State University graduates 86% of students within six years. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,517, while out-of-state students pay about $21,683. Graduates carry a median of $20,488 in student loans. Get the full Florida State University report

#15

University Of Florida

Gainesville, FL

University Of Florida ranked #15 on our 2026 list of the best Religious Studies schools. University Of Florida is a public school based in Gainesville, FL. Roughly 91% of students complete a degree within six years here. In-state tuition and fees run about $6,381, while out-of-state students pay about $28,659. Graduates carry a median of $17,669 in student loans. See the full University Of Florida profile

#16

New York University

New York, NY

New York University ranked #16 on our 2026 list of the best Religious Studies schools. Set in New York, NY, New York University is a private not-for-profit institution. New York University graduates 88% of students within six years. In-state tuition and fees average $62,796. New York University Religious Studies students take on a median of $21,897 in debt. Read the full report on New York University

#17

University Of California Riverside

Riverside, CA

University Of California Riverside landed the #17 spot in the United States this year. Based in Riverside, CA, University Of California Riverside is a public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 76%. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $14,636, with out-of-state students paying around $46,524. Students borrow a median of $19,187 to complete their Religious Studies program here. Read the full report on University Of California Riverside

#18

Kenyon College

Kenyon College came in at #18 in this year's ranking. See the full Kenyon College profile

#19

Niagara University

Niagara University ranked #19 on our 2026 list of the best Religious Studies schools. Read more about Niagara University

#20

Bethany Lutheran College

Bethany Lutheran College placed #20 among Religious Studies schools in the United States. Read the full report on Bethany Lutheran College

#21

Houston Baptist University

Houston Baptist University placed #21 among Religious Studies schools in the United States. Read more about Houston Baptist University

#22

Spring Arbor University

Spring Arbor University did well this year, earning the #22 position. Read more about Spring Arbor University

#23

St Olaf College

St Olaf College came in at #23 in this year's ranking. More on St Olaf College

#24

Carroll University

Carroll University did well this year, earning the #24 position. See the full Carroll University profile

#25

Hofstra University

Hofstra University came in at #25 in this year's ranking. More on Hofstra University

#26

University Of Hawaii At Manoa

University Of Hawaii At Manoa placed #26 among Religious Studies schools in the United States. Read more about University Of Hawaii At Manoa

#27

Williamson Christian College

Williamson Christian College did well this year, earning the #27 position. Read the full report on Williamson Christian College

#28

California State University Long Beach

California State University Long Beach landed the #28 spot in the United States this year. More on California State University Long Beach

#29

Hamilton College

Hamilton College did well this year, earning the #29 position. Read more about Hamilton College

#30

Scripps College

Scripps College did well this year, earning the #30 position. Read the full report on Scripps College

#31

California State University Northridge

California State University Northridge did well this year, earning the #31 position. See the full California State University Northridge profile

#32

Appalachian State University

Appalachian State University ranked #32 on our 2026 list of the best Religious Studies schools. See the full Appalachian State University profile

#33

Marywood University

Marywood University did well this year, earning the #33 position. More on Marywood University

#34

Coastal Carolina University

Coastal Carolina University placed #34 among Religious Studies schools in the United States. Read more about Coastal Carolina University

#35

Hampton University

Hampton University placed #35 among Religious Studies schools in the United States. See the full Hampton University profile

#36

Linfield College

Linfield College did well this year, earning the #36 position. Get the full Linfield College report

#37

Reed College

Reed College ranked #37 on our 2026 list of the best Religious Studies schools. Read more about Reed College

#38

University Of Kansas

University Of Kansas ranked #38 on our 2026 list of the best Religious Studies schools. Read the full report on University Of Kansas

#39

Dartmouth College

Dartmouth College did well this year, earning the #39 position. Read more about Dartmouth College

#40

Lycoming College

Lycoming College placed #40 among Religious Studies schools in the United States. Read the full report on Lycoming College

#41

Ohr Hameir Theological Seminary

Ohr Hameir Theological Seminary placed #41 among Religious Studies schools in the United States. Read the full report on Ohr Hameir Theological Seminary

#42

Pacific Lutheran University

Pacific Lutheran University ranked #42 on our 2026 list of the best Religious Studies schools. See the full Pacific Lutheran University profile

#43

Bethel University Tennessee

Bethel University Tennessee ranked #43 on our 2026 list of the best Religious Studies schools. Read more about Bethel University Tennessee

#44

Chowan University

Chowan University ranked #44 on our 2026 list of the best Religious Studies schools. More on Chowan University

#45

The College Of Saint Scholastica

The College Of Saint Scholastica did well this year, earning the #45 position. See the full The College Of Saint Scholastica profile

#46

California State University Fullerton

California State University Fullerton came in at #46 in this year's ranking. Get the full California State University Fullerton report

#47

Colby College

Colby College placed #47 among Religious Studies schools in the United States. More on Colby College

#48

University Of Iowa

University Of Iowa did well this year, earning the #48 position. Read the full report on University Of Iowa

#49

Cuny Bernard M Baruch College

Cuny Bernard M Baruch College ranked #49 on our 2026 list of the best Religious Studies schools. Read the full report on Cuny Bernard M Baruch College

#50

Felician College

Felician College did well this year, earning the #50 position. Get the full Felician College report