100 Best Theology / Divinity / Religious studies schools in the United States

Updated: February 29, 2024

Ranking by academic field

Below is a list of best universities in the United States ranked based on their research performance in Theology / Divinity / Religious studies. A graph of 11.7M citations received by 671K academic papers made by 1,074 universities in the United States 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. University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

North Carolina | Chapel Hill

For Theology / Divinity / Religious studies

#1 in North America

#2 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 17%
Average SAT: 1440
Average ACT: 32
Receiving Aid: 59%

2. University of Michigan - Ann Arbor

Michigan | Ann Arbor

For Theology / Divinity / Religious studies

#3 in North America

#4 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 18%
Average SAT: 1440
Average ACT: 33
Receiving Aid: 74%

3. University of California - Berkeley

California | Berkeley

For Theology / Divinity / Religious studies

#4 in North America

#5 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 11%
Receiving Aid: 60%
Average Aid: $21,669
Enrollment: 45,307

4. Harvard University

Massachusetts | Cambridge

For Theology / Divinity / Religious studies

#5 in North America

#7 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 3%
Average SAT: 1535
Average ACT: 35
Net Price: $19,491

5. Stanford University

California | Stanford

For Theology / Divinity / Religious studies

#6 in North America

#8 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 4%
Average SAT: 1540
Average ACT: 34
Net Price: $18,279

6. Yale University

Connecticut | New Haven

For Theology / Divinity / Religious studies

#7 in North America

#10 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 5%
Average SAT: 1540
Average ACT: 34
Net Price: $18,647

7. University of Chicago

Illinois | Chicago

For Theology / Divinity / Religious studies

#8 in North America

#11 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 5%
Average SAT: 1540
Average ACT: 35
Net Price: $36,991

8. Columbia University

New York State | New York City

For Theology / Divinity / Religious studies

#9 in North America

#12 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 4%
Average SAT: 1535
Average ACT: 35
Net Price: $22,058

9. University of California - Los Angeles

California | Los Angeles

For Theology / Divinity / Religious studies

#10 in North America

#13 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 9%
Receiving Aid: 57%
Average Aid: $21,766
Enrollment: 46,430

10. University of Wisconsin - Madison

Wisconsin | Madison

For Theology / Divinity / Religious studies

#11 in North America

#14 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 49%
Average SAT: 1425
Average ACT: 29
Receiving Aid: 58%

11. New York University

New York State | New York City

For Theology / Divinity / Religious studies

#12 in North America

#15 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 12%
Average SAT: 1520
Average ACT: 34
Net Price: $29,499

12. University of Washington - Seattle

Washington | Seattle

For Theology / Divinity / Religious studies

#13 in North America

#16 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 48%
Receiving Aid: 58%
Average Aid: $14,731
Enrollment: 52,319

13. University of Pennsylvania

Pennsylvania | Philadelphia

For Theology / Divinity / Religious studies

#14 in North America

#19 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 7%
Average SAT: 1535
Average ACT: 35
Net Price: $26,123

14. Pennsylvania State University

Pennsylvania | University Park

For Theology / Divinity / Religious studies

#15 in North America

#20 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 55%
Average SAT: 1300
Average ACT: 29
Receiving Aid: 68%

15. University of Texas at Austin

Texas | Austin

For Theology / Divinity / Religious studies

#16 in North America

#21 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 31%
Average SAT: 1365
Average ACT: 30
Receiving Aid: 89%

16. Princeton University

New Jersey | Princeton

For Theology / Divinity / Religious studies

#17 in North America

#22 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 6%
Average SAT: 1535
Average ACT: 34
Net Price: $18,698

17. Cornell University

New York State | Ithaca

For Theology / Divinity / Religious studies

#18 in North America

#23 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 7%
Average SAT: 1520
Average ACT: 34
Net Price: $26,060

18. Ohio State University

Ohio | Columbus

For Theology / Divinity / Religious studies

#20 in North America

#28 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 53%
Average SAT: 1395
Average ACT: 31
Receiving Aid: 83%

19. Duke University

North Carolina | Durham

For Theology / Divinity / Religious studies

#21 in North America

#32 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 6%
Average SAT: 1530
Average ACT: 35
Net Price: $23,694

20. University of Illinois at Urbana - Champaign

Illinois | Champaign

For Theology / Divinity / Religious studies

#22 in North America

#33 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 45%
Average SAT: 1415
Average ACT: 32
Receiving Aid: 64%

21. Rutgers University - New Brunswick

New Jersey | New Brunswick

For Theology / Divinity / Religious studies

#23 in North America

#35 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 66%
Average SAT: 1375
Average ACT: 31
Receiving Aid: 70%

22. University of Arizona

Arizona | Tucson

For Theology / Divinity / Religious studies

#24 in North America

#36 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 87%
Average SAT: 1255
Average ACT: 25
Receiving Aid: 98%

23. Arizona State University - Tempe

Arizona | Tempe

For Theology / Divinity / Religious studies

#26 in North America

#40 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 90%
Receiving Aid: 93%
Average Aid: $12,381
Enrollment: 80,065

24. University of Florida

Florida | Gainesville

For Theology / Divinity / Religious studies

#27 in North America

#44 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 23%
Average SAT: 1395
Average ACT: 31
Receiving Aid: 94%

25. University of Pittsburgh

Pennsylvania | Pittsburgh

For Theology / Divinity / Religious studies

#28 in North America

#45 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 49%
Average SAT: 1375
Average ACT: 31
Receiving Aid: 87%

26. Johns Hopkins University

Maryland | Baltimore

For Theology / Divinity / Religious studies

#29 in North America

#46 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 7%
Average SAT: 1545
Average ACT: 35
Net Price: $24,034

27. University of Southern California

California | Los Angeles

For Theology / Divinity / Religious studies

#30 in North America

#47 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 12%
Average SAT: 1500
Average ACT: 34
Net Price: $36,808

28. University of Notre Dame

Indiana | Notre Dame

For Theology / Divinity / Religious studies

#31 in North America

#48 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 13%
Average SAT: 1500
Average ACT: 34
Net Price: $28,474

29. University of Minnesota - Twin Cities

Minnesota | Minneapolis

For Theology / Divinity / Religious studies

#32 in North America

#49 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 75%
Average SAT: 1395
Average ACT: 30
Receiving Aid: 82%

30. University of Virginia

Virginia | Charlottesville

For Theology / Divinity / Religious studies

#33 in North America

#54 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 19%
Average SAT: 1470
Average ACT: 33
Receiving Aid: 54%

31. University of California-San Diego

California | San Diego

For Theology / Divinity / Religious studies

#34 in North America

#55 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 24%
Receiving Aid: 61%
Average Aid: $20,782
Enrollment: 42,006

32. University of Maryland - College Park

Maryland | College Park

For Theology / Divinity / Religious studies

#35 in North America

#56 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 45%
Average SAT: 1440
Average ACT: 32
Receiving Aid: 63%

33. Boston University

Massachusetts | Boston

For Theology / Divinity / Religious studies

#36 in North America

#61 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 14%
Average SAT: 1425
Average ACT: 33
Net Price: $27,829

34. Emory University

Georgia | Atlanta

For Theology / Divinity / Religious studies

#37 in North America

#62 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 11%
Average SAT: 1490
Average ACT: 33
Net Price: $26,680

35. Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Massachusetts | Cambridge

For Theology / Divinity / Religious studies

#38 in North America

#66 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 4%
Average SAT: 1555
Average ACT: 36
Net Price: $20,232

36. University of California - Irvine

California | Irvine

For Theology / Divinity / Religious studies

#39 in North America

#67 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 21%
Receiving Aid: 80%
Average Aid: $17,411
Enrollment: 35,937

37. Georgetown University

District of Columbia | Washington

For Theology / Divinity / Religious studies

#40 in North America

#68 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 12%
Average SAT: 1485
Average ACT: 34
Net Price: $35,566

38. University of Iowa

Iowa State | Iowa City

For Theology / Divinity / Religious studies

#41 in North America

#73 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 86%
Average SAT: 1235
Average ACT: 25
Receiving Aid: 91%

39. University of California - Davis

California | Davis

For Theology / Divinity / Religious studies

#42 in North America

#77 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 37%
Receiving Aid: 63%
Average Aid: $20,548
Enrollment: 39,679

40. Michigan State University

Michigan | East Lansing

For Theology / Divinity / Religious studies

#44 in North America

#79 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 88%
Average SAT: 1260
Average ACT: 28
Receiving Aid: 94%

41. Washington University in St Louis

Missouri | St. Louis

For Theology / Divinity / Religious studies

#46 in North America

#84 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 12%
Average SAT: 1535
Average ACT: 34
Net Price: $23,432

42. University of California - Santa Barbara

California | Santa Barbara

For Theology / Divinity / Religious studies

#47 in North America

#85 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 26%
Receiving Aid: 59%
Average Aid: $20,389
Enrollment: 26,420

43. Florida State University

Florida | Tallahassee

For Theology / Divinity / Religious studies

#48 in North America

#87 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 25%
Average SAT: 1290
Average ACT: 29
Receiving Aid: 93%

44. University of Rochester

New York State | Rochester

For Theology / Divinity / Religious studies

#50 in North America

#90 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 39%
Average SAT: 1465
Average ACT: 33
Net Price: $39,775

45. Boston College

Massachusetts | Boston

For Theology / Divinity / Religious studies

#51 in North America

#91 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 17%
Average SAT: 1488
Average ACT: 34
Net Price: $30,559

46. Vanderbilt University

Tennessee | Nashville

For Theology / Divinity / Religious studies

#52 in North America

#92 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 7%
Average SAT: 1530
Average ACT: 35
Net Price: $25,606

47. University of Kentucky

Kentucky | Lexington

For Theology / Divinity / Religious studies

#53 in North America

#94 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 95%
Average SAT: 1180
Average ACT: 25
Receiving Aid: 96%

48. Indiana University - Bloomington

Indiana | Bloomington

For Theology / Divinity / Religious studies

#54 in North America

#100 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 82%
Average SAT: 1290
Average ACT: 30
Receiving Aid: 83%

49. Northwestern University

Illinois | Evanston

For Theology / Divinity / Religious studies

#55 in North America

#101 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 7%
Average SAT: 1530
Average ACT: 34
Net Price: $22,095

50. University of Utah

Utah | Salt Lake

For Theology / Divinity / Religious studies

#56 in North America

#102 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 89%
Average SAT: 1290
Average ACT: 26
Receiving Aid: 99%

51. University of Massachusetts - Amherst

Massachusetts | Amherst

For Theology / Divinity / Religious studies

#58 in North America

#107 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 64%
Average SAT: 1370
Average ACT: 31
Receiving Aid: 91%

52. University of Colorado Boulder

Colorado | Boulder

For Theology / Divinity / Religious studies

#59 in North America

#108 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 81%
Average SAT: 1275
Average ACT: 29
Receiving Aid: 68%

53. University of California - San Francisco

California | San Francisco

For Theology / Divinity / Religious studies

#60 in North America

#112 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 13%
Enrollment: 3,140
Male:Female: 35:65
Founded: 1864

54. Texas A&M University - College Station

Texas | College Station

For Theology / Divinity / Religious studies

#61 in North America

#114 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 63%
Average SAT: 1270
Average ACT: 28
Receiving Aid: 74%

55. University of Miami

Florida | Coral Gables

For Theology / Divinity / Religious studies

#62 in North America

#116 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 19%
Average SAT: 1395
Average ACT: 32
Net Price: $36,467

56. University of Connecticut

Connecticut | Storrs

For Theology / Divinity / Religious studies

#63 in North America

#117 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 55%
Average SAT: 1330
Average ACT: 31
Receiving Aid: 89%

57. Brigham Young University - Provo

Utah | Provo

For Theology / Divinity / Religious studies

#64 in North America

#118 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 67%
Average SAT: 1374
Average ACT: 30
Net Price: $13,521

58. Brown University

Rhode Island | Providence

For Theology / Divinity / Religious studies

#65 in North America

#119 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 5%
Average SAT: 1535
Average ACT: 35
Net Price: $26,723

59. Carnegie Mellon University

Pennsylvania | Pittsburgh

For Theology / Divinity / Religious studies

#66 in North America

#120 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 11%
Average SAT: 1530
Average ACT: 35
Net Price: $33,499

60. University of Missouri - Columbia

Missouri | Columbia

For Theology / Divinity / Religious studies

#67 in North America

#122 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 79%
Average SAT: 1240
Average ACT: 27
Receiving Aid: 91%

61. University of South Florida

Florida | Tampa

For Theology / Divinity / Religious studies

#69 in North America

#124 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 44%
Average SAT: 1235
Average ACT: 27
Receiving Aid: 90%

62. University of Georgia

Georgia | Athens

For Theology / Divinity / Religious studies

#70 in North America

#125 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 43%
Average SAT: 1320
Average ACT: 30
Receiving Aid: 94%

63. Providence College

Rhode Island | Providence

For Theology / Divinity / Religious studies

#71 in North America

#126 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 53%
Average SAT: 1340
Average ACT: 30
Net Price: $43,970

64. University of Illinois at Chicago

Illinois | Chicago

For Theology / Divinity / Religious studies

#72 in North America

#130 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 79%
Average SAT: 1225
Average ACT: 27
Receiving Aid: 81%

65. Fordham University

New York State | New York City

For Theology / Divinity / Religious studies

#73 in North America

#131 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 54%
Average SAT: 1400
Average ACT: 32
Net Price: $43,943

66. Case Western Reserve University

Ohio | Cleveland

For Theology / Divinity / Religious studies

#74 in North America

#133 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 27%
Average SAT: 1475
Average ACT: 34
Net Price: $38,279

67. University at Buffalo

New York State | Buffalo

For Theology / Divinity / Religious studies

#76 in North America

#142 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 68%
Average SAT: 1285
Average ACT: 29
Receiving Aid: 86%

68. Georgia State University

Georgia | Atlanta

For Theology / Divinity / Religious studies

#78 in North America

#144 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 67%
Average SAT: 1135
Average ACT: 23
Receiving Aid: 95%

69. Syracuse University

New York State | Syracuse

For Theology / Divinity / Religious studies

#79 in North America

#145 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 52%
Average SAT: 1345
Average ACT: 30
Net Price: $43,651

70. Baylor University

Texas | Waco

For Theology / Divinity / Religious studies

#80 in North America

#147 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 46%
Average SAT: 1320
Average ACT: 31
Net Price: $45,988

71. George Washington University

District of Columbia | Washington

For Theology / Divinity / Religious studies

#81 in North America

#148 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 49%
Average SAT: 1410
Average ACT: 33
Net Price: $42,723

72. University of Kansas

Kansas State | Lawrence

For Theology / Divinity / Religious studies

#82 in North America

#149 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 88%
Average SAT: 1215
Average ACT: 25
Receiving Aid: 91%

73. George Mason University

Virginia | Fairfax

For Theology / Divinity / Religious studies

#83 in North America

#156 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 90%
Average SAT: 1245
Average ACT: 28
Receiving Aid: 80%

74. Temple University

Pennsylvania | Philadelphia

For Theology / Divinity / Religious studies

#84 in North America

#164 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 80%
Receiving Aid: 93%
Average Aid: $11,575
Enrollment: 33,196

75. Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University

Virginia | Blacksburg

For Theology / Divinity / Religious studies

#85 in North America

#168 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 57%
Average SAT: 1335
Average ACT: 30
Receiving Aid: 71%

76. University of Tennessee - Knoxville

Tennessee | Knoxville

For Theology / Divinity / Religious studies

#87 in North America

#171 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 68%
Average SAT: 1250
Average ACT: 28
Receiving Aid: 91%

77. Dartmouth College

New Hampshire | Hanover

For Theology / Divinity / Religious studies

#88 in North America

#174 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 6%
Average SAT: 1540
Average ACT: 34
Net Price: $19,208

78. Iowa State University

Iowa State | Ames

For Theology / Divinity / Religious studies

#89 in North America

#176 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 90%
Average SAT: 1220
Average ACT: 25
Receiving Aid: 89%

79. University of California - Riverside

California | Riverside

For Theology / Divinity / Religious studies

#91 in North America

#182 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 69%
Receiving Aid: 79%
Average Aid: $22,042
Enrollment: 26,809

80. University of Oklahoma - Norman

Oklahoma State | Norman

For Theology / Divinity / Religious studies

#92 in North America

#183 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 73%
Average SAT: 1230
Average ACT: 26
Receiving Aid: 99%

81. University of South Carolina - Columbia

South Carolina | Columbia

For Theology / Divinity / Religious studies

#93 in North America

#184 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 64%
Average SAT: 1280
Average ACT: 30
Receiving Aid: 98%

82. University of Vermont

Vermont | Burlington

For Theology / Divinity / Religious studies

#94 in North America

#185 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 60%
Average SAT: 1345
Average ACT: 30
Receiving Aid: 98%

83. Virginia Commonwealth University

Virginia | Richmond

For Theology / Divinity / Religious studies

#95 in North America

#186 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 91%
Average SAT: 1160
Average ACT: 26
Receiving Aid: 90%

84. University of Houston

Texas | Houston

For Theology / Divinity / Religious studies

#96 in North America

#188 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 66%
Average SAT: 1245
Average ACT: 26
Receiving Aid: 83%

85. Stony Brook University

New York State | Stony Brook

For Theology / Divinity / Religious studies

#97 in North America

#189 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 49%
Average SAT: 1410
Average ACT: 31
Receiving Aid: 88%

86. Louisiana State University and Agricultural & Mechanical College

Louisiana | Baton Rouge

For Theology / Divinity / Religious studies

#98 in North America

#191 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 76%
Average SAT: 1230
Average ACT: 26
Receiving Aid: 98%

87. University of Cincinnati

Ohio | Cincinnati

For Theology / Divinity / Religious studies

#99 in North America

#193 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 86%
Average SAT: 1260
Average ACT: 27
Receiving Aid: 84%

88. Loyola University Chicago

Illinois | Chicago

For Theology / Divinity / Religious studies

#100 in North America

#196 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 79%
Average SAT: 1275
Average ACT: 29
Net Price: $37,511

89. University of Delaware

Delaware | Newark

For Theology / Divinity / Religious studies

#101 in North America

#197 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 74%
Average SAT: 1275
Average ACT: 29
Receiving Aid: 93%

90. California University of Pennsylvania

Pennsylvania | California

For Theology / Divinity / Religious studies

#102 in North America

#200 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 83%
Receiving Aid: 95%
Average Aid: $6,250
Enrollment: 6,885

91. CUNY Graduate School and University Center

New York State | New York City

For Theology / Divinity / Religious studies

#103 in North America

#206 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 24%
Enrollment: 8,733
Male:Female: 32:68
Founded: 1961

92. Purdue University

Indiana | West Lafayette

For Theology / Divinity / Religious studies

#104 in North America

#209 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 53%
Average SAT: 1335
Average ACT: 31
Receiving Aid: 60%

93. Tufts University

Massachusetts | Medford

For Theology / Divinity / Religious studies

#105 in North America

#210 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 10%
Average SAT: 1500
Average ACT: 34
Net Price: $30,479

94. Seattle University

Washington | Seattle

For Theology / Divinity / Religious studies

#106 in North America

#211 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 85%
Average SAT: 1265
Average ACT: 27
Net Price: $35,412

95. University of Alabama

Alabama | Tuscaloosa

For Theology / Divinity / Religious studies

#107 in North America

#212 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 80%
Average SAT: 1270
Average ACT: 27
Receiving Aid: 87%

96. University of California - Santa Cruz

California | Santa Cruz

For Theology / Divinity / Religious studies

#108 in North America

#214 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 47%
Receiving Aid: 74%
Average Aid: $21,202
Enrollment: 19,478

97. Colorado State University - Fort Collins

Colorado | Fort Collins

For Theology / Divinity / Religious studies

#109 in North America

#216 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 91%
Average SAT: 1185
Average ACT: 26
Receiving Aid: 84%

98. Binghamton University

New York State | Vestal

For Theology / Divinity / Religious studies

#111 in North America

#223 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 42%
Average SAT: 1425
Average ACT: 32
Receiving Aid: 80%

99. Marquette University

Wisconsin | Milwaukee

For Theology / Divinity / Religious studies

#112 in North America

#224 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 87%
Average SAT: 1265
Average ACT: 29
Net Price: $33,136

100. North Carolina State University at Raleigh

North Carolina | Raleigh

For Theology / Divinity / Religious studies

#113 in North America

#226 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 47%
Average SAT: 1370
Average ACT: 31
Receiving Aid: 80%

The best cities to study Theology / Divinity / Religious studies in the United States based on the number of universities and their ranks are Chapel Hill, Ann Arbor, Berkeley, and Cambridge.