2026 Best Religious Studies Master’s Degree Schools
Looking for the best Religious Studies master’s degree programs in the United States? Our ranking highlights 780 institutions 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 Master’s Degree Schools in the United States
Here are the top-ranked schools:
Duke University tops our 2026 ranking of the best Religious Studies master's degree schools in the United States. Based in Durham, NC, Duke University is a private not-for-profit institution. Duke University graduates 97% of students within six years. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $68,758. Typical Religious Studies student debt is $13,296. Read the full report on Duke University
Jewish Theological Seminary Of America came in at #2 on this year's Religious Studies ranking in the United States. Based in New York, NY, Jewish Theological Seminary Of America is a private not-for-profit institution. Jewish Theological Seminary Of America posts a six-year graduation rate of 90%. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $71,910. The median Religious Studies program debt is $16,750. See the full Jewish Theological Seminary Of America profile
University Of Pennsylvania came in at #3 on this year's Religious Studies ranking in the United States. University Of Pennsylvania is a private not-for-profit school based in Philadelphia, PA. The six-year graduation rate is 96%. In-state tuition and fees average $68,686. Typical Religious Studies student debt is $16,155. Read more about University Of Pennsylvania
Emory University came in at #4 on this year's Religious Studies ranking in the United States. Emory University is a private not-for-profit school based in Atlanta, GA. The six-year graduation rate is 91%. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $64,280. Graduates carry a median of $19,431 in student loans. See the full Emory University profile
University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill came in at #5 on this year's Religious Studies ranking in the United States. University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill is a public school based in Chapel Hill, NC. The six-year graduation rate is 91%. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,994, while out-of-state students pay about $41,203. Graduates carry a median of $12,550 in student loans. Read more about University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill
Vanderbilt University landed the #6 spot in the United States this year. This private not-for-profit school is set in Nashville, TN. About 94% of students finish within six years. In-state tuition and fees run about $67,498. Vanderbilt University Religious Studies students take on a median of $13,975 in debt. Read more about Vanderbilt University
University Of North Carolina At Charlotte came in at #7 in this year's ranking. Set 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, compared with $22,492 for out-of-state students. The median Religious Studies program debt is $24,621. More on University Of North Carolina At Charlotte
University Of St Thomas Minnesota came in at #8 in this year's ranking. Based in Saint Paul, MN, University Of St Thomas Minnesota is a private not-for-profit institution. About 77% of students finish within six years. Students from in state pay about $54,398 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $19,500 to complete their Religious Studies program here. Read the full report on University Of St Thomas Minnesota
The University Of Texas At Austin placed #9 among Religious Studies schools in the United States. The University Of Texas At Austin is a public school based in Austin, TX. About 89% of students finish within six years. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,688, compared with $44,908 for out-of-state students. The median Religious Studies program debt is $21,275. More on The University Of Texas At Austin
University Of Virginia Main Campus placed #10 among Religious Studies schools in the United States. Set in Charlottesville, VA, University Of Virginia Main Campus is a public institution. About 96% of students finish within six years. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $23,118, while out-of-state students pay about $61,591. Typical Religious Studies student debt is $18,267. See the full University Of Virginia Main Campus profile
University Of Washington Seattle Campus did well this year, earning the #11 position. This public school is set in Seattle, WA. The six-year graduation rate is 85%. In-state tuition and fees average $12,973, compared with $43,209 for out-of-state students. The median Religious Studies program debt is $16,481. Read more about University Of Washington Seattle Campus
University Of Notre Dame placed #12 among Religious Studies schools in the United States. Based in Notre Dame, IN, University Of Notre Dame is a private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 95% of students complete a degree within six years here. In-state tuition and fees run about $65,025. Typical Religious Studies student debt is $19,891. See the full University Of Notre Dame profile
University Of California Davis placed #13 among Religious Studies schools in the United States. Set in Davis, CA, University Of California Davis is a public institution. University Of California Davis posts a six-year graduation rate of 86%. In-state tuition and fees run about $15,804, with out-of-state students paying around $47,692. Typical Religious Studies student debt is $14,404. More on University Of California Davis
Arizona State University ranked #14 on our 2026 list of the best Religious Studies schools. This public school is set in Tempe, AZ. Roughly 68% of students complete a degree within six years here. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,223, while out-of-state students pay about $33,139. The median Religious Studies program debt is $20,542. Get the full Arizona State University report
Columbia University In The City Of New York placed #15 among Religious Studies schools in the United States. Columbia University In The City Of New York is a private not-for-profit school based in New York, NY. Columbia University In The City Of New York graduates 96% of students 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. Get the full Columbia University In The City Of New York report
Trinity International University Illinois landed the #16 spot in the United States this year. Based in Deerfield, IL, Trinity International University Illinois is a private not-for-profit institution. About 46% of students finish within six years. In-state tuition and fees run about $12,320. Students borrow a median of $26,892 to complete their Religious Studies program here. Read the full report on Trinity International University Illinois
University Of California Santa Barbara landed the #17 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 run about $15,444, with out-of-state students paying around $47,332. Students borrow a median of $15,873 to complete their Religious Studies program here. Get the full University Of California Santa Barbara report
George Washington University placed #18 among Religious Studies schools in the United States. Located in Washington, DC, George Washington University is a private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 84%. In-state tuition and fees average $67,710. The median Religious Studies program debt is $22,910. Read the full report on George Washington University
Florida State University landed the #19 spot in the United States this year. Based in Tallahassee, FL, Florida State University is a public institution. Florida State University posts a six-year graduation rate of 86%. In-state tuition and fees average $6,517, compared with $21,683 for out-of-state students. Typical Religious Studies student debt is $20,488. Read more about Florida State University
Liberty University landed the #20 spot in the United States this year. Liberty University is a private not-for-profit school based in Lynchburg, VA. Roughly 67% of students complete a degree within six years here. In-state tuition and fees run about $16,173. Liberty University Religious Studies students take on a median of $32,873 in debt. See the full Liberty University profile
University Of Florida placed #21 among Religious Studies schools in the United States. University Of Florida is a public school based in Gainesville, FL. The six-year graduation rate is 91%. Students from in state pay about $6,381 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $28,659. Graduates carry a median of $17,669 in student loans. Get the full University Of Florida report
University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign landed the #22 spot in the United States this year. Based in Champaign, IL, University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign is a public institution. About 85% of students finish within six years. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $18,267, with out-of-state students paying around $40,096. Typical Religious Studies student debt is $20,778. More on University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign
New York University did well this year, earning the #23 position. Based in New York, NY, New York University is a private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 88% of students complete a degree within six years here. In-state tuition and fees run about $62,796. The median Religious Studies program debt is $21,897. Read more about New York University
Philadelphia Biblical University Langhorne came in at #24 in this year's ranking. Located in Langhorne, PA, Philadelphia Biblical University Langhorne is a private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 60%. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $33,659. Students borrow a median of $30,750 to complete their Religious Studies program here. Get the full Philadelphia Biblical University Langhorne report
University Of California Riverside did well this year, earning the #25 position. Located in Riverside, CA, University Of California Riverside is a public institution. About 76% of students finish within six years. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $14,636, while out-of-state students pay about $46,524. Students borrow a median of $19,187 to complete their Religious Studies program here. Get the full University Of California Riverside report
Rest of the Top 50 Best Religious Studies Master’s Degree Schools in the United States
Not far behind, these schools also made the top of the list:
Rutgers University New Brunswick landed the #26 spot in the United States this year. This public school is set in New Brunswick, NJ. About 84% of students finish within six years. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $17,929, while out-of-state students pay about $37,441. Typical Religious Studies student debt is $26,000. Read the full report on Rutgers University New Brunswick
Florida International University placed #27 among Religious Studies schools in the United States. Based in Miami, FL, Florida International University is a public institution. Roughly 74% of students complete a degree within six years here. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,565, compared with $18,964 for out-of-state students. Typical Religious Studies student debt is $19,349. More on Florida International University
University Of Scranton placed #28 among Religious Studies schools in the United States. This private not-for-profit school is set in Scranton, PA. University Of Scranton posts a six-year graduation rate of 80%. In-state tuition and fees average $53,777. The median Religious Studies program debt is $26,500. Read more about University Of Scranton
Georgia State University ranked #29 on our 2026 list of the best Religious Studies schools. Georgia State University is a public school based in Atlanta, GA. Roughly 53% of students complete a degree within six years here. In-state tuition and fees run about $8,664, with out-of-state students paying around $24,840. Typical Religious Studies student debt is $26,091. Read the full report on Georgia State University
Fordham University ranked #30 on our 2026 list of the best Religious Studies schools. Located in Bronx, NY, Fordham University is a private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 82% of students complete a degree within six years here. In-state tuition and fees run about $64,470. Students borrow a median of $26,320 to complete their Religious Studies program here. More on Fordham University
Gardner Webb University came in at #31 in this year's ranking. Gardner Webb University is a private not-for-profit school based in Boiling Springs, NC. About 54% of students finish within six years. Students from in state pay about $34,750 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $25,033 to complete their Religious Studies program here. Get the full Gardner Webb University report
Yeshiva University placed #32 among Religious Studies schools in the United States. Read more about Yeshiva University
Augsburg College
Augsburg College ranked #33 on our 2026 list of the best Religious Studies schools. See the full Augsburg College profile
Baldwin Wallace College placed #34 among Religious Studies schools in the United States. Read the full report on Baldwin Wallace College
Community College Of Philadelphia landed the #35 spot in the United States this year. See the full Community College Of Philadelphia profile
Hobart William Smith Colleges landed the #36 spot in the United States this year. More on Hobart William Smith Colleges
Pfeiffer University came in at #37 in this year's ranking. More on Pfeiffer University
Seminary Bnos Chaim landed the #38 spot in the United States this year. Get the full Seminary Bnos Chaim report
Inter American University Of Puerto Rico Fajardo placed #39 among Religious Studies schools in the United States. Read more about Inter American University Of Puerto Rico Fajardo
Providence College placed #40 among Religious Studies schools in the United States. See the full Providence College profile
Northwestern University did well this year, earning the #42 position. More on Northwestern University
Temple University did well this year, earning the #43 position. More on Temple University
Academy For Jewish Religion California came in at #44 in this year's ranking. Read more about Academy For Jewish Religion California
Augustana College Illinois came in at #45 in this year's ranking. See the full Augustana College Illinois profile
Friends University landed the #46 spot in the United States this year. Read more about Friends University
Regis University
Regis University ranked #47 on our 2026 list of the best Religious Studies schools. Read the full report on Regis University
Mirrer Yeshiva Cent Institute placed #48 among Religious Studies schools in the United States. More on Mirrer Yeshiva Cent Institute
Randolph Macon College came in at #49 in this year's ranking. More on Randolph Macon College
Scripps College
Scripps College landed the #50 spot in the United States this year. Read the full report on Scripps College
Related Religious Studies Rankings
Explore 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 Bachelor’s Degree Schools
- Best Religious Studies Graduate Certificate 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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