Bachelor of Arts [B.A] [Humanities - Religious Studies] From San Jose State University

San Jose State University Bachelor of Arts Humanities with Religious Studies concentration is a four-year interdisciplinary program in San Jose, California available to international students. The degree requires a minimum 3.0 GPA, IELTS 6.0 (or TOEFL 61), and costs US$15,450 per year (INR 1,47,300) in tuition and fees. Fall 2027 intake applications open October 2026 with a deadline of April 2027. The program combines philosophy, history, anthropology, and religious traditions to train scholars and professionals for diverse careers.

The Religious Studies concentration within the Humanities B.A. is distinctive for its comparative and global approach to understanding the world’s major religious traditions. The program emphasizes both scholarly methodology and practical application, preparing graduates for roles in academia, education, nonprofit organizations, government, international business, and public sector work. The concentration is ideal for students interested in interfaith dialogue, cultural studies, or religion’s role in society.

• Interdisciplinary curriculum spanning history, philosophy, anthropology, and comparative religion across four semesters.
• Access to Silicon Valley’s diverse communities and internship opportunities in international nonprofits and cultural organizations.
• Small student-faculty ratio of 16-17:1 enables mentorship and direct engagement with faculty research on identity, diaspora, and social movements.

Also Check: San Jose State University Admission Requirements

San Jose State University Bachelor of Arts Humanities Fees and Living Costs 2027

Tuition and mandatory fees for the Religious Studies concentration are charged at the standard SJSU rate for domestic and international students in the Humanities B.A. program. The costs below reflect the 2025-2026 published rates and are expected to remain consistent for 2026-2027 enrollment.

• Non-resident surcharge applies automatically to all international students regardless of state residency.
• Health insurance is mandatory and included in the quoted amount above.
• Graduate assistantships and work-study positions may reduce costs for eligible students after first year.
• Four-year total for degree completion: US$70,800 (INR 67,52,000 or approximately INR 67.5 Lakhs).

Source: San Jose State University Office of Financial Aid 2025-2026 published rates.

Key insight: The four-year cost of US$70,800 does not include living expenses, books, or transportation. Budget an additional US$95,420 (INR 9,10,140) for subsistence across four years.

Cost of Living in San Jose for Religious Studies Students

San Jose, California, is in the heart of Silicon Valley and has a moderate to high cost of living. On-campus and off-campus housing dominate student expenses. Food and transportation costs are reasonable for the region.

Source: San Jose State University Cost of Attendance 2025-2026.

Tip for Indian students: Total annual cost of US$39,305 (tuition plus living) equals approximately INR 3,74,900 per year. A four-year degree costs roughly INR 15 Lakhs including all fees and living expenses. Consider this when comparing to Indian alternatives. All INR conversions in the article use a conversion rate of USD 1 = INR 95.3 as of June 2026. Rates fluctuate daily, verify before applying.

San Jose State University Bachelor of Arts Humanities Admission 2027

San Jose State admits international students for the Bachelor of Arts in Humanities with Religious Studies concentration twice yearly: Fall (September) and Spring (January). Fall intake is the primary intake with significantly higher admission capacity. Spring intake has limited seats and is not guaranteed for applicants.

San Jose State is moderately competitive for international students, with a 78 percent acceptance rate. The university is ranked 4th among regional universities in the US West by US News, indicating solid academic standing and strong regional reputation in business, engineering, and liberal arts.

Academic eligibility requires a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher in your secondary and tertiary coursework. Applicants with lower GPAs may be considered under specific review conditions. All grades are evaluated on the US 4.0 scale.

English Language Proficiency Requirements

International students whose primary language is not English must demonstrate proficiency via standardized test scores. San Jose State accepts multiple English language tests and does not enforce a single minimum.

• IELTS at 6.0 is the most accessible for Indian students and typically requires 10-12 weeks of targeted prep from a baseline of B2-level English.
• TOEFL iBT at 61 is achievable for fluent speakers of English but demands focused preparation on listening and academic reading for Indian test-takers unfamiliar with North American accents.
• Duolingo is less expensive (USD 49 vs IELTS USD 230) and results arrive in 48 hours, making it ideal for tight timelines.
• Indian applicants often exceed minimum scores; an IELTS of 6.5-7.0 or TOEFL of 75+ strengthens competitiveness significantly.

Tip for Indian students: A 3.0 GPA and 6.0 IELTS put you at the minimum threshold, not a competitive edge. Aim for 6.5+ IELTS or 70+ TOEFL to stand out among other Indian applicants.

San Jose State University Bachelor of Arts Humanities Application 2027

San Jose State operates under the California State University (CSU) Applytexas centralized portal. All applicants, including international students, submit a single online application covering academic history, test scores, and a personal insight question.

• Application fee for international students is US$70 and is non-refundable regardless of admission outcome.
• WES or similar credential evaluation service is strongly recommended to validate secondary and undergraduate transcripts for US admissions committees.
• TOEFL or IELTS scores must be sent directly from the testing agency to SJSU’s code.
• No campus visit is required, and applications can be completed entirely online from India.

Application tip: The personal insight question is crucial. Focus on how Religious Studies connects to your career goals and personal growth rather than generic study-abroad aspirations.

San Jose State University Bachelor of Arts Humanities Scholarships 2027

San Jose State offers limited merit-based scholarships to international students. The most widely available scholarship is the Global Spartan Scholarship, which provides partial tuition support based on academic merit.

The Global Spartan Scholarship awards US$1,000 to US$5,000 annually to international students with a minimum 3.3 GPA and strong academic records. Recipients may receive funding for all four years of study, subject to maintenance of the 3.3 GPA and satisfactory academic progress. The scholarship is non-renewable if you fall below the GPA threshold.

San Jose State does not offer need-based financial aid to international students. Scholarships are merit-only and highly competitive; approximately 5-10 percent of international applicants receive any scholarship support. You should assume full cost of attendance when planning financially.

Alternative funding includes external scholarships from Indian organizations (Inlaks, Tata Trusts), government schemes (ICCR, state boards), and employer sponsorships. These are typically worth US$2,000 to US$10,000 annually and require separate application processes.

Scholarship reality: Full-ride scholarships are rare. Plan to cover the full US$39,305 annual cost. If the Global Spartan scholarship (max US$5,000) is awarded, it covers only 12-13 percent of your annual expenses.

Also Check: San Jose State University Scholarships for International Students

San Jose State University Bachelor of Arts Humanities Salary 2027

Graduates of the Religious Studies concentration work across multiple sectors. Career outcomes vary widely depending on post-graduation choices: some pursue graduate study in theology or religious studies, while others enter nonprofit, government, education, or business roles.

Salary data specifically for Religious Studies graduates at SJSU is limited. However, liberal arts and humanities graduates from SJSU report median salaries of US$38,000 to US$45,000 in entry-level roles. Graduates in government, education, and nonprofit sectors typically earn US$35,000 to US$48,000 in their first role. Those in tech-adjacent roles (UX research, business operations, communications at tech firms) earn US$50,000 to US$65,000.

Ten years post-graduation, SJSU alumni report median income of approximately US$80,600 across all majors. Religious Studies graduates specifically tend to earn at the median or slightly below, reflecting careers in education and nonprofit work rather than high-paying tech sectors.

Source: SJSU Graduate Outcome Surveys 2019-2025; PayScale and Glassdoor aggregate data for SJSU alumni.

Take-home salary varies by state tax (California state income tax is 9.3 percent average) and federal tax bracket. An entry-level role at US$42,000 yields approximately US$32,000 in net annual income. Use the IRS tax calculator to estimate exact take-home based on filing status and deductions.

ROI reality: Religious Studies graduates earn less than engineering or business majors but gain diverse career flexibility. A humanities degree opens paths in government, nonprofits, and international organizations that narrower majors cannot access.

Read More: Cost of Living and Salary Data United States

United States Visa Bachelor of Arts Humanities

International students studying in the United States are sponsored on an F-1 Student Visa. The F-1 visa is granted for the duration of your study program plus a 60-day grace period after graduation. The US government does not impose a maximum stay duration on F-1 visas; you remain in legal status as long as you maintain enrollment and comply with visa conditions.

• F-1 visa allows up to 20 hours per week of on-campus work during semesters and full-time work during official breaks.
• Optional Practical Training (OPT) after graduation permits up to 12 months of full-time work in a role related to your degree field.
• No STEM extension applies to the Religious Studies degree (STEM list includes computer science, engineering, biological sciences, but not humanities or social sciences).
• Spouses and dependent children may accompany you on dependent F-2 visas; they cannot work but can attend school if enrolled as full-time students.

Visa reality: F-1 students cannot work off-campus without explicit authorization. Student employment is limited to on-campus roles or authorized internships (CPT). Unauthorized work can result in visa revocation and deportation.

Also Check: United States F-1 Student Visa Process and Requirements