How many colleges in Virginia offer Religious Studies programs?

CampusPin currently lists 80 U.S. colleges and universities in Virginia that offer Religious Studies programs. The list updates daily as institutions report new program offerings to IPEDS.

What's the tuition for a Religious Studies program in Virginia?

Among the 50 Religious Studies programs listed in Virginia, published in-state tuition ranges from $4,835 to $48,002 (median around $16,494). Public institutions are typically lower for in-state students than private ones. Always verify the current cost of attendance with each school before applying.

What jobs can a Religious Studies degree lead to?

A Religious Studies degree commonly leads to roles such as Clergy Member, Chaplain, Religious Educator, Nonprofit Program Director. Typical pay (early-career; BLS figures are occupation-wide medians): Early-career wages vary by employer, region, and experience (BLS, 2024 clergy median $60,820)..

Can I apply to a Religious Studies program in Virginia with the Common App?

Many Religious Studies programs in Virginia accept the Common Application. CampusPin tags each school's Common App acceptance, use the Common App filter on /results to narrow to programs you can apply to with one application.

Religious Studies · Virginia

Religious Studies colleges in Virginia

CampusPin lists 80 U.S. colleges in Virginia that offer Religious Studies programs. Compare tuition, acceptance rate, and enrollment in the table below, every figure links back to the institution's official IPEDS data.

Religious Studies examines the world's religious traditions, texts, and practices through history, philosophy, and social science, suiting students drawn to belief, culture, and ethics.

Schools in Virginia that offer Religious Studies

Religious Studies programs in Virginia: by the numbers

A quick comparison of the 50 schools (of 80 total) listed above, drawn from each institution's published IPEDS data.

Schools listed

Public / private

23 / 27

Universities / 2-year

30 / 20

Cities represented

In-state tuition range

$4,835–$48,002

Median in-state tuition

$16,494

Lowest published in-state tuition

New River Community College

$4,835

Most selective

Riverside College of Health Careers

17% acceptance

Largest by enrollment

Liberty University

100,304 students

Figures reflect the schools currently listed and each institution's most recent reported data. Verify current tuition and admissions details with the school before applying.

What you'll study in a Religious Studies program

Comparative survey of major world religious traditions
Scriptural and textual analysis of primary sacred sources
History of religions and religious movements
Philosophy of religion and ethics
Sociology, psychology, and anthropology of religious practice
Mythology and ritual studies
Sacred-language reading skills (Hebrew, Greek, Arabic, or Sanskrit)
Research methods and writing in the humanities
Senior thesis or capstone research project

Where a Religious Studies degree can lead

Clergy Member
Chaplain
Religious Educator
Nonprofit Program Director
Community Outreach Coordinator
Religious Studies Researcher

Typical pay: Early-career wages vary by employer, region, and experience (BLS, 2024 clergy median $60,820).

A Religious Studies major analyzes how religious belief, sacred texts, rituals, and communities work, drawing on history, philosophy, sociology, psychology, anthropology, literature, and art rather than training students for a single faith's ministry. Students read scripture and other primary sources closely, study how myths and traditions develop and spread, and compare specific faith communities, their beliefs, practices, and the political and social roles they play. Unlike theology or divinity programs, which are confessional and prepare candidates to lead within one tradition, Religious Studies takes an academic, comparative stance and treats every tradition as an object of study rather than a commitment to defend.

The credential is usually a four-year bachelor's degree, built around survey courses, a foreign or sacred language, methods coursework, and a senior thesis or capstone research project rather than clinical or laboratory training. Reading knowledge of a language such as Hebrew, Greek, Arabic, or Sanskrit is often expected for students who plan graduate work. Graduates work in nonprofit and community organizations, education, publishing, government and public affairs, and interfaith or social-service settings; roles in ministry or hospital and military chaplaincy typically require additional graduate study and ordination or board certification, and state or institutional requirements should be verified for any path involving counseling, teaching, or chaplaincy.

In federal data for the closely related occupation of clergy, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reports a 2024 median wage of $60,820 and projects employment to grow about 1% from 2024 to 2034; a bachelor's degree is the typical entry-level education for that occupation. National figures are occupation-wide medians across all experience levels, not starting wages or graduate outcomes.

Religious Studies in other states

Other majors in Virginia

Find more Religious Studies schools

Use CampusPin's filter-first search to narrow 80+ Religious Studies programs in Virginia by tuition, school size, acceptance rate, and campus setting.

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