Best colleges for Pastoral Counseling and Specialized Ministries in California
Ranked by graduate earnings
The Master's University and Seminary, Life Pacific University and Vanguard University of Southern California award the most Pastoral Counseling and Specialized Ministries degrees and certificates in California: 85, 23 and 21 graduates a year (IPEDS 2024–25). 16 California colleges offer Pastoral Counseling and Specialized Ministries and award 224 degrees and certificates a year in all.
The Pastoral Counseling and Specialized Ministries program focuses on equipping students with the skills and knowledge necessary for effective ministry and counseling within various religious contexts. This program is ideal for individuals…
Top institution, ranked by graduate earnings
Ranked by median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary), College Scorecard. Programs with fewer than 20 graduates a year, a graduation rate under 30%, or online, degree-completion or graduate-only status rank after the rest.
| # | Institution | Starting salary (1 yr) | Graduates / yr | Grad rate | Net price | Median debt |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Life Pacific University San Dimas Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $37,436 | 23 | 40% | $23,832 | $24,083 |
Colleges awarding the most Pastoral Counseling and Specialized Ministries degrees in California
Top 10 by graduates a year (IPEDS 2024–25 completions). Online, degree-completion and graduate-only schools, and schools with a graduation rate under 30% are listed in full below.
| # | Institution | Graduates / yr | Starting salary (1 yr) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | The Master's University and Seminary Santa Clarita Private not-for-profit | 85 | Not reported |
| 2 | Life Pacific University San Dimas Private not-for-profit | 23 | $37,436 |
| 3 | Vanguard University of Southern California Costa Mesa Private not-for-profit | 21 | Not reported |
| 4 | California Baptist University Riverside Private not-for-profit | 15 | Not reported |
| 5 | Southern California Seminary El Cajon Private not-for-profit | 10 | Not reported |
| 6 | Loyola Marymount University Los Angeles Private not-for-profit | 10 | Not reported |
| 7 | Biola University La Mirada Private not-for-profit | 9 | Not reported |
| 8 | University of the West Rosemead Private not-for-profit | 4 | Not reported |
| 9 | Grace Mission University Fullerton Private not-for-profit | 4 | Not reported |
| 10 | Azusa Pacific University Azusa Private not-for-profit | 3 | Not reported |
ShowHide the other 6 California colleges offering Pastoral Counseling and Specialized Ministries
| Institution | City | Control | Graduates / yr |
|---|---|---|---|
| World Mission University (Online) | Los Angeles | Private not-for-profit | 32 |
| Academy for Jewish Religion California (Online) | Los Angeles | Private not-for-profit | 2 |
| California Prestige University | Santa Fe Springs | Private not-for-profit | 2 |
| America Evangelical University (Online) | Gardena | Private not-for-profit | 2 |
| William Jessup University | Rocklin | Private not-for-profit | 1 |
| Epic Bible College & Graduate School | Sacramento | Private not-for-profit | 1 |
Career outlook
What this program leads to: Clergy (SOC 21-2011).
Top skills
What Clergy earn in California
Related careers
Common questions
Answers for students comparing Pastoral Counseling and Specialized Ministries programs in California.
Which California colleges award the most Pastoral Counseling and Specialized Ministries degrees?+
The Master's University and Seminary (85 graduates a year), Life Pacific University (23 graduates a year) and Vanguard University of Southern California (21 graduates a year) award the most Pastoral Counseling and Specialized Ministries degrees and certificates in California, per IPEDS 2024–25 completions. In all, 16 California colleges offer Pastoral Counseling and Specialized Ministries.
Which Pastoral Counseling and Specialized Ministries program in California has the highest-earning graduates?+
By median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary), College Scorecard, Life Pacific University tops the list at $37,436. Compare it against graduates a year, graduation rate, cost, and debt in the ranked table above.
How much do Clergy earn in California?+
The average annual wage for Clergy in California is $87,150 (median $77,710), across about 7,110 jobs. Source: BLS OEWS, May 2025.
What is the focus of the Pastoral Counseling and Specialized Ministries program?+
The Pastoral Counseling and Specialized Ministries program focuses on equipping students with the skills and knowledge necessary for effective ministry and counseling within various religious contexts. This program is ideal for individuals…
What skills will I develop in this program?+
You will develop speaking, active listening, writing, reading comprehension, and related professional skills.
What is the job outlook for Clergy?+
The national job outlook is about +1.0% growth with around 23,000 annual openings (BLS Employment Projections 2024–2034).
What is the typical education requirement?+
A Bachelor's degree is the typical entry-level education for this field (BLS).
About the data on this page
Every figure comes from an official federal or public source. Here is each one and the release it is currently on.
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