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CIP 39.0201 Theology and Religious Vocations

Bible/Biblical Studies

IPEDS Completions, US Department of Education · 2025

Total graduates

3,218

2025 · 190 schools

International share

3.0%

95 international students

Bachelor's degrees

1,941

2.3% international

Master's degrees

780

4.7% international

Overview

Bible/Biblical Studies is an academic discipline that focuses on the study of the Bible, its texts, historical contexts, and theological implications. This field encompasses a wide range of topics, including the historical and cultural backgrounds of biblical writings, the languages in which the Bible was originally composed (such as Hebrew, Aramaic, and Greek), and the various interpretations that have emerged throughout history.

Students pursuing a degree in Bible/Biblical Studies often engage with both the Old and New Testaments, exploring themes such as salvation, covenant, prophecy, ethics, and the life and teachings of Jesus Christ. The program typically includes courses in hermeneutics, exegesis, and biblical theology, as well as studies of the historical development of the biblical canon.

Biblical Studies is interdisciplinary, often intersecting with fields like history, archaeology, linguistics, and religious studies. Students may also examine how the Bible has influenced literature, art, and culture across different eras and societies.

Graduates of this program can pursue various career paths, such as pastoral ministry, teaching, religious education, or scholarly research. They may also work in non-profit organizations, mission work, or other roles that require a deep understanding of religious texts and their societal impacts. Overall, Bible/Biblical Studies provides a rich foundation for those interested in exploring the profound influence of the Bible on individuals and cultures throughout history.

Graduates by year

Graduates by degree level (first and second majors)

AssociateBachelor'sMaster'sDoctoral

From 2002 to 2025, graduates fell 22% and the international share went from 3.8% to 3.0%.

International share (%)
Graduates by group, 2025
White
64.9%
Asian
2.8%
Hispanic
7.0%
Black
12.9%
Other
9.4%
Intl.
3.0%

Colleges that award this degree

In 2025, 190 schools awarded this degree as a first major. The table lists those in the 2027 U.S. News National or Liberal Arts rankings, plus the unranked schools with the most graduates.

RankSchoolStateGraduatesInternational
#4 Yale University Connecticut 9 1
#90 Yeshiva University New York 4 0
#148 Catholic University of America D.C. 4 2
#191 Samford University Alabama 3 0
#202 University of St. Thomas (TX) Texas 5 1
#208 Belmont University Tennessee 1 0
#236 Bethel University Minnesota 4 0
#250 Lipscomb University Tennessee 2 0
#262 George Fox University Oregon 2 0
#276 Harding University Arkansas 11 0
#276 California Baptist University California 13 0
#288 Biola University California 21 4
#299 Azusa Pacific University California 24 1
#308 Abilene Christian University Texas 8 0
#365 Liberty University Virginia 203 2
#376 Belhaven University Mississippi 100 1
#382 Palm Beach Atlantic University Florida 3 0
#382 Southeastern University Florida 9 0
#382 Dallas Baptist University Texas 16 0
#382 Houston Christian University Texas 7 0
#382 Regent University Virginia 59 0
LAC #57 Wheaton College (IL) Illinois 12 1
LAC #142 Covenant College Georgia 13 1
LAC #142 Houghton University New York 1 0
LAC #166 Gods Bible School and College Ohio 4 1
LAC #184 Williams Baptist University Arkansas 7 0
— Lancaster Bible College Pennsylvania 151 0
— Moody Bible Institute Illinois 112 9
— Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary Missouri 92 1
— Pillar College New Jersey 92 0
— College of Biblical Studies-Houston Texas 74 2
— Colorado Christian University Colorado 59 0
— Kairos University South Dakota 59 0
— Asbury Theological Seminary Kentucky 56 6
— Nelson University Texas 54 0
— Grace School of Theology Texas 52 0
— Trinity College of Jacksonville Florida 50 0
— Ozark Christian College Missouri 40 0
— Cedarville University Ohio 38 0
— Truett McConnell University Georgia 37 0
— Davis College New York 35 0
— William Jessup University California 33 2
— Appalachian Bible College West Virginia 33 2
— Carolina College of Biblical Studies North Carolina 32 0
— Rosedale Bible College Ohio 31 0
— Cairn University-Langhorne Pennsylvania 29 0
— Faith Baptist Bible College and Theological Seminary Iowa 26 0
— New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary Louisiana 26 0
— Bob Jones University South Carolina 26 0
— Denver Seminary Colorado 25 0
— Luther Rice College & Seminary Georgia 25 0
— University of the Cumberlands Kentucky 25 0
— Cornerstone University Michigan 25 0
— Columbia International University South Carolina 25 2
— Maranatha Baptist University Wisconsin 25 1
— Amridge University Alabama 23 0

Purple: international students are 25% or more of the school's graduates.

Related jobs and pay

OccupationUS employmentMean hourly wageMean annual wage
Directors, Religious Activities and Education 22,160 $29.86 $62,100
Philosophy and Religion Teachers, Postsecondary 20,460 — $92,040

Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025.

Graduate counts: IPEDS Completions, US Department of Education, 2002–2025. Rankings: 2027 U.S. News.