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Religion instructor education requirements
Updated January 8, 2025
4 min read
There are several educational requirements to become a religion instructor. Religion instructors usually study theology, education, or philosophy. 58% of religion instructors hold a bachelor's degree, and 30% hold an master's degree. We analyzed 74 real religion instructor resumes to see exactly what religion instructor education sections show.
The most common colleges for religion instructors are the University of Dayton and the University of Dayton.
There are also many online religion instructor courses to help get the education required to be a religion instructor.
What education do you need to become a religion instructor?
What degree do you need to be a religion instructor?
- Bachelor's, 58%
- Master's, 30%
- Doctorate, 7%
- Associate, 5%
What should I major in to become a religion instructor?
- Theology, 14%
- Education, 12%
- Philosophy, 11%
- Religion, 9%
- Other Majors, 54%
Most common colleges for religion instructors
| Religion instructor common college | Percentages |
|---|---|
| University of Dayton | 8.70% |
| Cheyney University of Pennsylvania | 8.70% |
| Andrews University | 8.70% |
| Louisiana State University and A&M College | 4.35% |
| New York University | 4.35% |
Best majors for religion instructors
| Rank | Major | Percentages |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Theology | 14.0% |
| 2 | Education | 12.3% |
| 3 | Philosophy | 10.5% |
| 4 | Religion | 8.8% |
| 5 | Area Studies | 5.3% |
Best colleges for religion instructors
The best colleges for religion instructors are Northwestern University, Columbia University in the City of New York, and Harvard University.
A religion instructor with advanced education typically earns a higher salary and has access to better jobs. That's why Zippia looked into the best colleges for religion instructors. We based this list on several metrics: admissions rate, retention rate, mean earnings of graduates, the ratio of working vs. non-working students ten years after admission, the average cost of attendance, and median debt for graduates who become religion instructors.
1. Harvard University
Cambridge, MA • Private
In-state tuition
$50,420
Enrollment
7,582
2. Emory University
Atlanta, GA • Private
In-state tuition
$51,306
Enrollment
6,975
3. Northwestern University
Evanston, IL • Private
In-state tuition
$54,568
Enrollment
8,451
4. Columbia University in the City of New York
New York, NY • Private
In-state tuition
$59,430
Enrollment
8,216
5. University of Pennsylvania
Philadelphia, PA • Private
In-state tuition
$55,584
Enrollment
10,764
6. Duke University
Durham, NC • Private
In-state tuition
$55,695
Enrollment
6,596
7. Stanford University
Stanford, CA • Private
In-state tuition
$51,354
Enrollment
7,083
8. Indiana Wesleyan University
Marion, IN • Private
In-state tuition
$26,630
Enrollment
2,647
9. Yale University
New Haven, CT • Private
In-state tuition
$53,430
Enrollment
5,963
10. Union University
Jackson, TN • Private
In-state tuition
$32,610
Enrollment
2,061
20 best online courses for religion instructors
Advertising disclosure
1. Science & Religion 101
This course examines the nature of both science and religion and attempts to explore the possible relationships between them. The primary purpose is to dispel the popular myth that science and religion are entrenched in a never-ending conflict. As a result, this course argues that if the limits of both science and religion are respected, then their relationship can be complementary. Topics include: Science and Religion Categories and Foundational Principles, Definitions of Science and Religion,...
2. South Asian Religions & Ecology
At first glance the fields of religion and ecology may seem and unlikely pairing, but a deeper consideration reveals the two have a great deal to contribute to one another and are indeed inextricably linked. Religions recognize the unity and interdependence of humans with nature. Ecological sciences affirm this deep interconnection with the natural world. This partnership can inspire work for the wellbeing of the Earth community There is a need for broader literacy and deeper knowledge of the...
3. Start Your Traveling Ministry - Itinerant and Evangelistic
Ministry Training Institute. How do you get started with a traveling ministry?...
4. Master Logos Bible Software to Supercharge Your Bible Study
Unofficial but Awesome tutorial course to master Logos Bible Software version 10 (and 9) on the Desktop...
5. East Asian Religions & Ecology
At first glance the fields of religion and ecology may seem and unlikely pairing, but a deeper consideration reveals the two have a great deal to contribute to one another and are indeed inextricably linked. Religions recognize the unity and interdependence of humans with nature. Ecological sciences affirm this deep interconnection with the natural world. This partnership can inspire work for the wellbeing of the Earth community There is a need for broader literacy and deeper knowledge of the...
6. Indigenous Religions & Ecology
At first glance the fields of religion and ecology may seem and unlikely pairing, but a deeper consideration reveals the two have a great deal to contribute to one another and are indeed inextricably linked. Religions recognize the unity and interdependence of humans with nature. Ecological sciences affirm this deep interconnection with the natural world. This partnership can inspire work for the wellbeing of the Earth community There is a need for broader literacy and deeper knowledge of the...
7. Implementing Positive Behaviour Management in the Classroom
Practical Strategies to Address Behaviour Issues in any Classroom...
8. Worldviews, the Bible, and the Believer
Critical to understanding the New Testament world and our world is an understanding of worldview-- the lens of living...
9. Philosophy, Science and Religion: Religion and Science
Philosophy, Science and Religion mark three of the most fundamental modes of thinking about the world and our place in it. Are these modes incompatible? Put another way: is the intellectually responsible thing to do to ‘pick sides’ and identify with one of these approaches at the exclusion of others? Or, are they complementary or mutually supportive? As is typical of questions of such magnitude, the devil is in the details. For example, it is important to work out what is really distinctive...
10. Teaching Impacts of Technology in K-12 Education
2% That’s the estimate of how many high school students in all of California took a Computer Science class in 2015. And yet, computers and data are everywhere. Just consider a typical 24 hours in your life … how many different computer devices do you use? We all live in multiple digital worlds that are changing rapidly with new apps, devices, and data analyses offering a constant stream of innovations and technology integrations for our lives.\n\nAs it's an integral part of our lives, we’re...
11. Agile Crash Course: Agile Project Management; Agile Delivery
Agile Project Management Basics (Scrum) & Agile Project Management Essentials (Scrum). Plus Agile Certification (Scrum)...
12. Signs, Wonders & Miracles - Healing and Deliverance Ministry
Ministry Training Institute. This course is a revelation of Divine Healing and Deliverance of demonic powers...
13. Music Education for Teachers
In the Music Education for Teachers specialization, you will explore ways of integrating popular music into your teaching. You'll begin by learning from two highly experienced teachers, Krystal Banfield, the Vice President of Educational Outreach for Berklee College of Music, and David Alexis a Berklee Professor and long-time instructor for the Berklee City Music Program. They will take you through their process of incorporating popular music, improvisation, arranging, and music technology into...
14. Religion and Thought in Modern China: the Song, Jin, and Yuan
This sequence of four courses will propose a multi-disciplinary approach to the study of Chinese cultural history conceived of as a succession of modes of rationality (philosophical, bureaucratic, and economic). The focus will be on the moments of paradigm shift from one mode of rationality to another. For each of these moments, cultural facts and artifacts—thought, literature, ritual—will be examined in relationship to changing social, political, and economic systems. The first two courses...
15. Microsoft Project ADVANCED: Project Management Technics 3PDU
MS PROJECT 2016 ADVANCED Project Management Techniques -incl Enterprise level. HANDS-ON from #1 BESTSELLING INSTRUCTOR...
16. Complete Google Classroom Course: Teaching Google Classroom
Mastering the Art of Teaching with Google Classroom - Teaching Online with Google Classroom - Google Certified Educator...
17. Mastering Agile Scrum Project Management
Review and master agile development & scrum methodologies for your career...
18. TESOL - Teaching of English to Speakers of Other Languages
Teaching Skills and Classroom Management...
19. Teaching with Google Classroom
Learn how to create, use, and teach creative, memorable lessons using Google Classroom...
20. Project Management - Complete Guide For A+ Project Managers
Complete guide to project management - stakeholders, planning, cost, quality, risks, feasibility, methods & resourcing...
Top 10 most affordable universities for religion instructors
The most affordable schools for religion instructors are Baruch College of the City University of New York, california state university - long beach, and luther rice college and seminary.
If the best universities for religion instructors are out of your price range, check out these affordable schools. After factoring in in-state tuition and fees, the average cost of attendance, admissions rate, average net price, and mean earnings after six years, we found that these are the most affordable schools for religion instructors.
1. Baruch College of the City University of New York
New York, NY • Private
In-state tuition
$7,262
Cost of attendance
14,046
2. California State University - Long Beach
Long Beach, CA • Private
In-state tuition
$6,798
Cost of attendance
18,306
3. Luther Rice College and Seminary
Lithonia, GA • Private
In-state tuition
$7,616
Cost of attendance
8,720
4. Brigham Young University
Provo, UT • Private
In-state tuition
$5,620
Cost of attendance
18,136
5. California State University - Bakersfield
Bakersfield, CA • Private
In-state tuition
$7,309
Cost of attendance
16,714
6. Brooklyn College of the City University of New York
Brooklyn, NY • Private
In-state tuition
$7,240
Cost of attendance
13,991
7. University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
Chapel Hill, NC • Private
In-state tuition
$8,987
Cost of attendance
25,527
8. University of South Florida
Tampa, FL • Private
In-state tuition
$6,410
Cost of attendance
20,456
9. Florida Atlantic University
Boca Raton, FL • Private
In-state tuition
$4,831
Cost of attendance
19,559
10. California State University - Fresno
Fresno, CA • Private
In-state tuition
$6,587
Cost of attendance
16,915
Top 10 hardest universities to get into for religion instructors
The hardest universities for religion instructors to get into are Northwestern University, Columbia University in the City of New York, and Harvard University.
Some great schools for religion instructors are hard to get into, but they also set your career up for greater success. The list below shows the most challenging universities to get into for religion instructors based on an institution's admissions rates, average SAT scores accepted, median ACT scores accepted, and mean earnings of students six years after admission.
1. Northwestern University
Evanston, IL • Private
Admissions rate
8%
SAT average
1,508
2. Columbia University in the City of New York
New York, NY • Private
Admissions rate
6%
SAT average
1,512
3. Harvard University
Cambridge, MA • Private
Admissions rate
5%
SAT average
1,520
4. University of Pennsylvania
Philadelphia, PA • Private
Admissions rate
8%
SAT average
1,492
5. Emory University
Atlanta, GA • Private
Admissions rate
19%
SAT average
1,449
6. Vanderbilt University
Nashville, TN • Private
Admissions rate
10%
SAT average
1,514
7. Yale University
New Haven, CT • Private
Admissions rate
6%
SAT average
1,517
8. Duke University
Durham, NC • Private
Admissions rate
9%
SAT average
1,516
9. Boston College
Chestnut Hill, MA • Private
Admissions rate
28%
SAT average
1,429
10. Stanford University
Stanford, CA • Private
Admissions rate
4%
SAT average
1,497
Top 10 easy-to-apply-to universities for religion instructors
The easiest schools for religion instructors to get into are Barry University, nyack college, and mount saint mary's university.
Some schools are much easier to get into. If you want to start your career as a religion instructor without much hassle, check out the list of schools where you will be accepted in no time. We compiled admissions rates, average SAT scores, average ACT scores, and average salary of students six years after graduation to uncover which were the easiest schools to get into for religion instructors.
1. Barry University
Miami, FL • Private
Admissions rate
91%
SAT average
1,006
2. Nyack College
New York, NY • Private
Admissions rate
98%
SAT average
999
3. Mount Saint Mary's University
Los Angeles, CA • Private
Admissions rate
84%
SAT average
1,031
4. Wayland Baptist University
Plainview, TX • Private
Admissions rate
98%
SAT average
1,003
5. Oklahoma Wesleyan University
Bartlesville, OK • Private
Admissions rate
68%
SAT average
964
6. Felician University
Lodi, NJ • Private
Admissions rate
81%
SAT average
999
7. Notre Dame de Namur University
Belmont, CA • Private
Admissions rate
82%
SAT average
983
8. Holy Names University
Oakland, CA • Private
Admissions rate
70%
SAT average
849
9. Gwynedd Mercy University
Gwynedd Valley, PA • Private
Admissions rate
92%
SAT average
1,031
10. Fresno Pacific University
Fresno, CA • Private
Admissions rate
85%
SAT average
1,053
Average religion instructor salary by education level
| Religion instructor education level | Religion instructor salary |
|---|---|
| Master's Degree | $45,324 |
| Doctorate Degree | $55,161 |
Religion instructor education FAQs
Have more questions? See all answers to common education, training, and library questions.
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Updated January 8, 2025
Updated January 8, 2025