Boston College places 5th worldwide in theology, divinity & religious studies
Boston College is ranked 5th among universities worldwide in the prestigious 2026 QS World University Rankings of the top places to study theology, divinity & religious studies—matching the University’s highest ranking ever in the subject category, which was introduced in 2017.
Released March 25 in London, the QS Rankings are prepared by the British firm Quacquarelli Symonds, considered among the most influential providers of international university rankings.
Boston College’s ranking is reflective of the joint contributions of its Clough School of Theology and Ministry and Department of Theology in the Morrissey College of Arts and Sciences. The QS rankings are based on academic and employer reputation and global research impact.
Clough School Dean Michael McCarthy, S.J. (Photo by Caitlin Cunningham)
Boston College was the highest ranked Jesuit university in the world. ºìÌÒÊÓƵ, the University of Notre Dame, and KU Leuven were the only Catholic institutions ranked in the top 10 in the global survey.
Clough School of Theology and Ministry Dean Michael C. McCarthy, S.J., said ºìÌÒÊÓƵ’s strong showing in the QS rankings is a testament to the school’s dedicated and mission-driven faculty.
"At the Clough School of Theology and Ministry, we are committed to offering a world-class theological education—one that is especially attentive to ministerial contexts in which so many of our students will work," said Fr. McCarthy. "Our faculty includes excellent scholars, teachers, and mentors. We know who we are as an institution and what our mission is. It's nice that, in a global context, our approach is recognized."
Walsh Professor of Bioethics Andrea Vicini, S.J. (Photo by Lee Pellegrini)
Theology Department Chair Andrea Vicini, S.J., the Michael P. Walsh, S.J., Professor of Bioethics, said that the rankings affirm the academic excellence of faculty and students.
"The 2026 QS ranking is a greatly appreciated international recognition of the commitment of our Theology Department to foster academically rigorous theological discourse, creative scholarship, high quality teaching, and formative pathways," said Fr. Vicini. "This ranking highlights the remarkable dedication and competence of our faculty and students. With renewed energy, both globally and at Boston College, we are confirmed in our mission to foster our engagement with other disciplines, as well as with the Church, religions, culture, and society, striving to promote dialogue and collaborative interactions."
The top 10 schools in this year’s survey of theology, divinity & religious studies are (in order): University of Notre Dame, University of Oxford (UK), Harvard University, Durham University (UK), Boston College, University of Chicago, University of Cambridge (UK), KU Leuven (Belgium), Duke University, and Yale University.