89 Best Theology / Divinity / Religious studies schools in France

Updated: March 15, 2026

Ranking by academic field

Below is a list of best universities in France ranked based on their research performance in Theology / Divinity / Religious studies. A graph of 585K citations received by 34.8K academic papers made by 89 universities in France was used to calculate publications' ratings, which then were adjusted for release dates and added to final scores.

We don't distinguish between undergraduate and graduate programs nor do we adjust for current majors offered. You can find information about granted degrees on a university page but always double-check with the university website.

1. Pierre and Marie Curie University

Ile-de-France | Paris

For Theology / Divinity / Religious studies

#101 in Europe

#254 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 20%
Enrollment: 35,114
Founded: 1150

2. Paris Institute of Political Studies

Ile-de-France | Paris

For Theology / Divinity / Religious studies

#156 in Europe

#411 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 9%
Enrollment: 11,196
Founded: 1872

3. School for Advanced Studies in the Social Sciences

Ile-de-France | Paris

For Theology / Divinity / Religious studies

#165 in Europe

#431 in the World

Enrollment: 2,613
Founded: 1947

4. University of Paris 1 Pantheon-Sorbonne

Ile-de-France | Paris

For Theology / Divinity / Religious studies

#168 in Europe

#439 in the World

Enrollment: 42,700
Founded: 1971

5. Claude Bernard University Lyon 1

Auvergne-Rhone-Alpes | Villeurbanne

For Theology / Divinity / Religious studies

#197 in Europe

#493 in the World

Enrollment: 38,007
Founded: 1809

6. University of Aix-Marseilles

Provence-Alpes-Cote d'Azur | Marseille

For Theology / Divinity / Religious studies

#203 in Europe

#506 in the World

Enrollment: 66,378
Founded: 2012

7. Grenoble Alpes University

Auvergne-Rhone-Alpes | Saint Martin d'Heres

For Theology / Divinity / Religious studies

#219 in Europe

#540 in the World

Enrollment: 53,949
Founded: 1339

8. University of Lille

Hauts-de-France | Lille

For Theology / Divinity / Religious studies

#221 in Europe

#545 in the World

Enrollment: 69,000
Founded: 2018

9. University of Strasbourg

Grand Est | Strasbourg

For Theology / Divinity / Religious studies

#257 in Europe

#638 in the World

Enrollment: 10,077
Founded: 1621

10. University of Bordeaux

Nouvelle-Aquitaine | Bordeaux

For Theology / Divinity / Religious studies

#266 in Europe

#658 in the World

Enrollment: 46,845
Founded: 1441

11. University of Lorraine

Grand Est | Nancy

For Theology / Divinity / Religious studies

#277 in Europe

#696 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 11%
Enrollment: 60,404
Founded: 2012

12. University of Montpellier

Occitanie | Montpellier

For Theology / Divinity / Religious studies

#298 in Europe

#738 in the World

Enrollment: 49,000
Founded: 1289

13. Paris West University Nanterre La Defense

Ile-de-France | Nanterre

For Theology / Divinity / Religious studies

#299 in Europe

#739 in the World

Enrollment: 31,975
Founded: 1964

14. Normal Superior School

Ile-de-France | Paris

For Theology / Divinity / Religious studies

#316 in Europe

#795 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 10%
Enrollment: 2,536
Founded: 1794

15. University of Paris 8

Ile-de-France | Saint-Denis

For Theology / Divinity / Religious studies

#322 in Europe

#818 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 63%
Enrollment: 22,023
Founded: 1968

16. Paul Sabatier University - Toulouse III

Occitanie | Toulouse

For Theology / Divinity / Religious studies

#331 in Europe

#841 in the World

Enrollment: 29,680
Founded: 1960

17. EHESP School of Public Health

Brittany | Rennes

For Theology / Divinity / Religious studies

#335 in Europe

#851 in the World

Enrollment: 433
Founded: 1945

18. New Sorbonne University - Paris III

Ile-de-France | Paris

For Theology / Divinity / Religious studies

#340 in Europe

#867 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 20%
Enrollment: 15,232
Founded: 1971

19. Paris Diderot University

Ile-de-France | Paris

For Theology / Divinity / Religious studies

#351 in Europe

#892 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 20%
Enrollment: 25,523
Founded: 1970

20. Paris-Sud University

Ile-de-France | Orsay

For Theology / Divinity / Religious studies

#352 in Europe

#893 in the World

Enrollment: 23,270
Founded: 2014

21. Polytechnic School

Ile-de-France | Palaiseau

For Theology / Divinity / Religious studies

#411 in Europe

#1070 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 11%
Enrollment: 2,790
Founded: 1794

22. University of Burgundy

Bourgogne-Franche-Comte | Dijon

For Theology / Divinity / Religious studies

#434 in Europe

#1127 in the World

Enrollment: 29,508
Founded: 1722

23. Versailles Saint-Quentin-en-Yvelines University

Ile-de-France | Versailles

For Theology / Divinity / Religious studies

#443 in Europe

#1157 in the World

Enrollment: 13,816
Founded: 1991

24. Francois Rabelais University

Centre-Val de Loire | Tours

For Theology / Divinity / Religious studies

#447 in Europe

#1171 in the World

Enrollment: 27,388
Founded: 1969

25. University of Nice-Sophia Antipolis

Provence-Alpes-Cote d'Azur | Nice

For Theology / Divinity / Religious studies

#454 in Europe

#1195 in the World

Enrollment: 25,327
Founded: 1965

26. Paris Dauphine University

Ile-de-France | Paris

For Theology / Divinity / Religious studies

#472 in Europe

#1254 in the World

Enrollment: 11,281
Founded: 1968

27. Paris-Est Creteil Val-de-Marne University

Ile-de-France | Creteil

For Theology / Divinity / Religious studies

#478 in Europe

#1280 in the World

Enrollment: 37,313
Founded: 1970

28. Paris Descartes University

Ile-de-France | Paris

For Theology / Divinity / Religious studies

#488 in Europe

#1314 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 20%
Enrollment: 31,690
Founded: 2019

29. Normal Superior School of Lyon

Auvergne-Rhone-Alpes | Lyon

For Theology / Divinity / Religious studies

#490 in Europe

#1319 in the World

Enrollment: 2,297
Founded: 1987

30. University of Clermont Auvergne

Auvergne-Rhone-Alpes | Clermont-Ferrand

For Theology / Divinity / Religious studies

#494 in Europe

#1335 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 60%
Enrollment: 14,690
Founded: 1854

31. Lille Catholic University

Hauts-de-France | Lille

For Theology / Divinity / Religious studies

#495 in Europe

#1338 in the World

Enrollment: 39,424
Founded: 1875

32. University of Caen Normandy

Normandy | Caen

For Theology / Divinity / Religious studies

#505 in Europe

#1389 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 60%
Enrollment: 27,465
Founded: 1432

33. University of Poitiers

Nouvelle-Aquitaine | Poitiers

For Theology / Divinity / Religious studies

#519 in Europe

#1452 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 60%
Enrollment: 27,820
Founded: 1431

34. University of Nantes

Pays de la Loire | Nantes

For Theology / Divinity / Religious studies

#524 in Europe

#1489 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 70%
Enrollment: 42,000
Founded: 1460

35. Pantheon-Assas Paris II University

Ile-de-France | Paris

For Theology / Divinity / Religious studies

#538 in Europe

#1540 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 20%
Enrollment: 19,018
Founded: 1970

36. University of Rouen Normandie

Normandy | Mont-Saint-Aignan

For Theology / Divinity / Religious studies

#540 in Europe

#1561 in the World

Enrollment: 31,500
Founded: 1966

37. University of Picardie Jules Verne

Hauts-de-France | Amiens

For Theology / Divinity / Religious studies

#551 in Europe

#1585 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 50%
Enrollment: 27,900
Founded: 1970

38. Catholic University of Lyon

Auvergne-Rhone-Alpes | Lyon

For Theology / Divinity / Religious studies

#567 in Europe

#1641 in the World

Enrollment: 12,000
Founded: 1875

39. National Graduate School of Engineering, Paris

Ile-de-France | Paris

For Theology / Divinity / Religious studies

#569 in Europe

#1653 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 15%
Enrollment: 1,500
Founded: 1783

40. Jean Moulin University Lyon 3

Auvergne-Rhone-Alpes | Lyon

For Theology / Divinity / Religious studies

#570 in Europe

#1655 in the World

Enrollment: 26,754
Founded: 1809

41. Catholic University of Paris

Ile-de-France | Paris

For Theology / Divinity / Religious studies

#574 in Europe

#1672 in the World

Founded: 1875

42. University of Limoges

Nouvelle-Aquitaine | Limoges

For Theology / Divinity / Religious studies

#577 in Europe

#1682 in the World

Enrollment: 17,658
Founded: 1968

43. University of Angers

Pays de la Loire | Angers

For Theology / Divinity / Religious studies

#579 in Europe

#1691 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 70%
Enrollment: 25,687
Founded: 1971

44. University of Orleans

Centre-Val de Loire | Orleans

For Theology / Divinity / Religious studies

#584 in Europe

#1733 in the World

Enrollment: 16,629
Founded: 1962

45. HEC School of Management

Ile-de-France | Jouy-en-Josas

For Theology / Divinity / Religious studies

#586 in Europe

#1749 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 11%
Enrollment: 5,453
Founded: 1881

46. EMLYON Business School

Auvergne-Rhone-Alpes | Lyon

For Theology / Divinity / Religious studies

#595 in Europe

#1793 in the World

Enrollment: 9,000
Founded: 1872

47. Paul Valery University, Montpellier 3

Occitanie | Montpellier

For Theology / Divinity / Religious studies

#605 in Europe

#1822 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 50%
Enrollment: 21,997
Founded: 1970

48. University of Rheims Champagne-Ardenne

Grand Est | Reims

For Theology / Divinity / Religious studies

#614 in Europe

#1855 in the World

Enrollment: 24,480
Founded: 1548

49. Grenoble Institute of Technology

Auvergne-Rhone-Alpes | Grenoble

For Theology / Divinity / Religious studies

#619 in Europe

#1867 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 30%
Enrollment: 7,646
Founded: 1900

50. ESSEC Business School Paris

Ile-de-France | Cergy-Pontoise

For Theology / Divinity / Religious studies

#636 in Europe

#1948 in the World

Founded: 1907

51. University of Savoy Mont Blanc

Auvergne-Rhone-Alpes | Chambery

For Theology / Divinity / Religious studies

#638 in Europe

#1953 in the World

Enrollment: 14,498
Founded: 1979

52. National School of Bridges and Roads

Ile-de-France | Champs sur Marne

For Theology / Divinity / Religious studies

#658 in Europe

#2055 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 20%
Founded: 1747

53. Paris Institute of Technology for Life, Food and Environmental Sciences

Ile-de-France | Paris

For Theology / Divinity / Religious studies

#674 in Europe

#2144 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 50%
Enrollment: 2,300
Founded: 2007

54. University of Franche-Comte

Bourgogne-Franche-Comte | Besancon

For Theology / Divinity / Religious studies

#686 in Europe

#2208 in the World

Enrollment: 21,677
Founded: 1423

55. SKEMA Business School

Hauts-de-France | Lille

For Theology / Divinity / Religious studies

#688 in Europe

#2211 in the World

Founded: 1892

56. Grenoble Graduate School of Business

Auvergne-Rhone-Alpes | Grenoble

For Theology / Divinity / Religious studies

#689 in Europe

#2214 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 20%
Enrollment: 8,000
Founded: 1984

57. University of Rennes 2

Brittany | Rennes

For Theology / Divinity / Religious studies

#691 in Europe

#2224 in the World

Enrollment: 23,365
Founded: 1969

58. University of Toulon

Provence-Alpes-Cote d'Azur | La Garde

For Theology / Divinity / Religious studies

#694 in Europe

#2237 in the World

Enrollment: 11,014
Founded: 1979

59. Normal Superior School of Paris-Saclay

Ile-de-France | Cachan

For Theology / Divinity / Religious studies

#704 in Europe

#2266 in the World

Enrollment: 1,382
Founded: 1912

60. University of Western Brittany

Brittany | Brest

For Theology / Divinity / Religious studies

#711 in Europe

#2298 in the World

Enrollment: 22,303
Founded: 1461

61. University of Perpignan Via Domitia

Occitanie | Perpignan

For Theology / Divinity / Religious studies

#720 in Europe

#2362 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 60%
Enrollment: 8,238
Founded: 1970

62. Kedge Business School

Nouvelle-Aquitaine | Bordeaux

For Theology / Divinity / Religious studies

#737 in Europe

#2462 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 32%
Enrollment: 14,800
Founded: 2013

63. Artois University

Hauts-de-France | Arras

For Theology / Divinity / Religious studies

#747 in Europe

#2499 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 60%
Enrollment: 12,051
Founded: 1992

64. University of Technology of Compiegne

Hauts-de-France | Compiegne

For Theology / Divinity / Religious studies

#749 in Europe

#2519 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 11%
Enrollment: 4,367
Founded: 1972

65. EDHEC Business School

Hauts-de-France | Roubaix

For Theology / Divinity / Religious studies

#752 in Europe

#2532 in the World

Founded: 1906

66. University of French Polynesia

French Polynesia | Puna'auia

For Theology / Divinity / Religious studies

#764 in Europe

#2590 in the World

Enrollment: 2,944
Founded: 1987

67. TELECOM ParisTech

Ile-de-France | Paris

For Theology / Divinity / Religious studies

#770 in Europe

#2623 in the World

Enrollment: 2,000
Founded: 1878

68. Audencia Nantes School of Management

Pays de la Loire | Nantes

For Theology / Divinity / Religious studies

#773 in Europe

#2643 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 80%
Founded: 1900

69. American University of Paris

Ile-de-France | Paris

For Theology / Divinity / Religious studies

#782 in Europe

#2683 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 68%
Founded: 1962

70. National Polytechnic Institute of Toulouse

Occitanie | Toulouse

For Theology / Divinity / Religious studies

#793 in Europe

#2757 in the World

Enrollment: 4,148
Founded: 1969

71. University of Avignon and the Vaucluse

Provence-Alpes-Cote d'Azur | Avignon

For Theology / Divinity / Religious studies

#795 in Europe

#2770 in the World

Enrollment: 6,434
Founded: 1984

72. National Institute for Applied Sciences, Lyon

Auvergne-Rhone-Alpes | Lyon

For Theology / Divinity / Religious studies

#796 in Europe

#2789 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 25%
Enrollment: 6,067
Founded: 1957

73. Jean Monnet University

Auvergne-Rhone-Alpes | Saint-Etienne

For Theology / Divinity / Religious studies

#805 in Europe

#2845 in the World

Enrollment: 17,195
Founded: 1970

74. University of La Rochelle

Nouvelle-Aquitaine | La Rochelle

For Theology / Divinity / Religious studies

#807 in Europe

#2852 in the World

Enrollment: 7,832
Founded: 1993

75. University of Pau and Pays de l'Adour

Nouvelle-Aquitaine | Pau

For Theology / Divinity / Religious studies

#811 in Europe

#2881 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 60%
Enrollment: 12,629
Founded: 1970

76. National Advanced School of Engineering

Ile-de-France | Paris

For Theology / Divinity / Religious studies

#821 in Europe

#2910 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 25%
Enrollment: 6,000
Founded: 1780

77. Montpellier SupAgro

Occitanie | Montpellier

For Theology / Divinity / Religious studies

#844 in Europe

#3001 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 40%
Founded: 2007

78. Upper Alsace University

Grand Est | Mulhouse

For Theology / Divinity / Religious studies

#855 in Europe

#3075 in the World

Enrollment: 9,921
Founded: 1975

79. Toulouse Business School

Occitanie | Toulouse

For Theology / Divinity / Religious studies

#873 in Europe

#3178 in the World

Enrollment: 5,600
Founded: 1903

80. University of the Littoral Opal Coast

Hauts-de-France | Dunkirk

For Theology / Divinity / Religious studies

#874 in Europe

#3180 in the World

Enrollment: 10,381
Founded: 1991

81. ESCP Europe

Ile-de-France | Paris

For Theology / Divinity / Religious studies

#876 in Europe

#3185 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 17%
Enrollment: 6,000
Founded: 1819

82. University of Le Havre

Normandy | Le Havre

For Theology / Divinity / Religious studies

#878 in Europe

#3209 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 60%
Enrollment: 7,591
Founded: 1984

83. Catholic University of the West

Pays de la Loire | Angers

For Theology / Divinity / Religious studies

#890 in Europe

#3304 in the World

Enrollment: 11,400
Founded: 1875

84. Angers Graduate School of Business

Pays de la Loire | Angers

For Theology / Divinity / Religious studies

#937 in Europe

#3677 in the World

Enrollment: 6,000
Founded: 1909

85. University of Evry-Val d'Essonne

Ile-de-France | Evry

For Theology / Divinity / Religious studies

#942 in Europe

#3750 in the World

Enrollment: 6,458
Founded: 1991

86. University of Southern Brittany

Brittany | Lorient

For Theology / Divinity / Religious studies

#947 in Europe

#3778 in the World

Enrollment: 9,477
Male:Female: 53:47
Founded: 1995

87. Polytechnic University of Hauts-de-France

Hauts-de-France | Valenciennes

For Theology / Divinity / Religious studies

#978 in Europe

#3943 in the World

Enrollment: 10,994
Founded: 1964

88. University of New Caledonia

New Caledonia | Noumea

For Theology / Divinity / Religious studies

#987 in Europe

#3981 in the World

Enrollment: 3,536
Founded: 1987

89. University of Nimes

Occitanie | Nimes

For Theology / Divinity / Religious studies

#1019 in Europe

#4218 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 50%
Enrollment: 5,993
Founded: 2007

The best cities to study Theology / Divinity / Religious studies in France based on the number of universities and their ranks are Paris, Villeurbanne, Marseille, and Saint Martin d'Heres.