Cultivate Compassion and Wisdom
Buddhist inspired Universities
There are several Buddhist or Buddhist-affiliated institutes of higher learning in the United States—all private and non-profit. To our knowledge, these are the only such institutions outside of Asia. Below, we provide an overview of these schools. International students, including those on visas, are welcome to apply to most!
Dharma Realm Buddhist University
Nestled within the City of Ten Thousand Buddhas in Ukiah, California, Dharma Realm Buddhist University is a small but accredited institution that bridges East and West through its liberal arts degrees and strong emphasis on Buddhist practice. DRBU is a true gem for those seeking to deepen their understanding and practice of Buddhism.
Maitripa College
Maitripa College, a Tibetan Buddhist community in Portland, Oregon, offers a Master of Arts in Buddhist Studies, a Master of Divinity Degree, Continuing Education courses, and community programs. Rooted in Scholarship, Meditation, and Service, its curriculum blends modern academics with traditional Tibetan Buddhist disciplines.
As part of the Foundation for the Preservation of the Mahayana Tradition (FPMT) and encouraged by Tibetan leaders, including His Holiness the Dalai Lama, Maitripa fosters a supportive community where students cultivate wisdom, compassion, and professional skills to create positive change in the world.
Naropa University
A Buddhist-inspired contemplative university in Colorado, Naropa blends Western scholarship with Eastern wisdom traditions. Its innovative approach integrates academic study with personal growth. As the self-proclaimed birthplace of the modern mindfulness movement, Naropa is the largest Buddhist university in the U.S., offering undergraduate, graduate, and online programs.
University of
the West
An accredited private, nonprofit university near Los Angeles, blends Buddhist wisdom with Western academics in programs from bachelor’s to doctoral levels. Nestled near the San Gabriel Mountains, its peaceful campus offers modern classrooms, a full-service library, residence halls, and recreational facilities.
With small class sizes and a supportive, multicultural community, UWest fosters personal and academic growth. Dedicated to student success, affordability, and whole-person education, it provides a unique learning environment for a diverse global student body.
Buddhist Universities around the world
Outside of these colleges in the USA, all of the Buddhist affiliated universities we found are in Asia, in countries like Japan, South Korea, Taiwan, India, Indonesia, Sri Lanka, and Thailand.
Dharma Drum Institute of Liberal Arts, part of the Dharma Drum Mountain Buddhist Association, hosts international students in Taiwan and is a world leader for studying Mahayana and Chinese Buddhism.
Tzu Chi University – A Premier Campus in Hualien, Taiwan, located in culturally rich Hualien, Tzu Chi University offers a beautiful, green campus with modern facilities and a supportive research environment. With active student associations and a focus on academic excellence, it provides an inspiring place to learn and grow.
Q&A
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Yes! At most of the Buddhist universities, many classes and activities are open to the public and/or hosted online!
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Yes. Check with the school, but most of the universities offer international admissions including supporting F1 and student visas
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Students of all faiths are welcome. An open mind helps foster a diverse and tolerant community. There is no requirement to “be” Buddhist for most programs.
