Best colleges for Theological and Ministerial Studies in California
Ranked by graduate earnings
Biola University, The Master's University and Seminary and Santa Clara University award the most Theological and Ministerial Studies degrees and certificates in California: 123, 121 and 57 graduates a year (IPEDS 2024–25). 43 California colleges offer Theological and Ministerial Studies and award 1,193 degrees and certificates a year in all.
The Theological and Ministerial Studies program focuses on the study of theology and religious vocations, preparing students for various roles within religious communities. It is ideal for individuals seeking to deepen their understanding…
Top 2 institutions, 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 | William Jessup University Rocklin Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $47,102 | 21 | 56% | $24,242 | $21,566 |
| 2 | The Master's University and Seminary Santa Clarita Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $43,677 | 121 | 68% | $30,641 | $23,774 |
Colleges awarding the most Theological and Ministerial Studies 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 | Biola University La Mirada Private not-for-profit | 123 | Not reported |
| 2 | The Master's University and Seminary Santa Clarita Private not-for-profit | 121 | $43,677 |
| 3 | Santa Clara University Santa Clara Private not-for-profit | 57 | Not reported |
| 4 | Grace Mission University Fullerton Private not-for-profit | 34 | Not reported |
| 5 | California Prestige University Santa Fe Springs Private not-for-profit | 24 | Not reported |
| 6 | Hope International University Fullerton Private not-for-profit | 23 | Not reported |
| 7 | Azusa Pacific University Azusa Private not-for-profit | 22 | Not reported |
| 8 | William Jessup University Rocklin Private not-for-profit | 21 | $47,102 |
| 9 | California Lutheran University Thousand Oaks Private not-for-profit | 20 | Not reported |
| 10 | Concordia University - Irvine Irvine Private not-for-profit | 19 | Not reported |
ShowHide the other 33 California colleges offering Theological and Ministerial Studies
| Institution | City | Control | Graduates / yr |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fuller Theological Seminary (Graduate only) | Pasadena | Private not-for-profit | 294 |
| SUM Bible College and Theological Seminary (Online) | El Dorado Hills | Private not-for-profit | 96 |
| Franciscan School of Theology (Graduate only) | San Diego | Private not-for-profit | 33 |
| Westminster Theological Seminary in California (Graduate only) | Escondido | Private not-for-profit | 33 |
| America Evangelical University (Online) | Gardena | Private not-for-profit | 33 |
| Graduate Theological Union (Graduate only) | Berkeley | Private not-for-profit | 31 |
| World Mission University (Online) | Los Angeles | Private not-for-profit | 29 |
| Pacific School of Religion (Graduate only) | Berkeley | Private not-for-profit | 16 |
| Church Divinity School of the Pacific (Graduate only) | Berkeley | Private not-for-profit | 14 |
| Dominican School of Philosophy & Theology (Graduate only) | Berkeley | Private not-for-profit | 13 |
| Claremont School of Theology (Graduate only) | Los Angeles | Private not-for-profit | 13 |
| Berkeley School of Theology (Graduate only) | Berkeley | Private not-for-profit | 12 |
| Starr King School for the Ministry (Online) | Oakland | Private not-for-profit | 11 |
| Fresno Pacific University | Fresno | Private not-for-profit | 10 |
| Life Pacific University | San Dimas | Private not-for-profit | 10 |
| Institute of Buddhist Studies (Graduate only) | Berkeley | Private not-for-profit | 10 |
| La Sierra University | Riverside | Private not-for-profit | 9 |
| Loyola Marymount University | Los Angeles | Private not-for-profit | 8 |
| Vanguard University of Southern California | Costa Mesa | Private not-for-profit | 8 |
| University of Redlands | Redlands | Private not-for-profit | 7 |
| American Jewish University (Online) | Los Angeles | Private not-for-profit | 6 |
| Bethesda University | Anaheim | Private not-for-profit | 5 |
| Epic Bible College & Graduate School | Sacramento | Private not-for-profit | 5 |
| Pepperdine University | Malibu | Private not-for-profit | 4 |
| Academy for Jewish Religion California (Online) | Los Angeles | Private not-for-profit | 4 |
| Point Loma Nazarene University | San Diego | Private not-for-profit | 3 |
| Simpson University | Redding | Private not-for-profit | 3 |
| University of the West | Rosemead | Private not-for-profit | 3 |
| Southern California Seminary | El Cajon | Private not-for-profit | 2 |
| San Diego Christian College | Santee | Private not-for-profit | 1 |
| Latin American Bible Institute | La Puente | Private not-for-profit | 1 |
| Pacific Union College | Angwin | Private not-for-profit | 1 |
| University of San Francisco | San Francisco | 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 Theological and Ministerial Studies programs in California.
Which California colleges award the most Theological and Ministerial Studies degrees?+
Biola University (123 graduates a year), The Master's University and Seminary (121 graduates a year) and Santa Clara University (57 graduates a year) award the most Theological and Ministerial Studies degrees and certificates in California, per IPEDS 2024–25 completions. In all, 43 California colleges offer Theological and Ministerial Studies.
Which Theological and Ministerial Studies program in California has the highest-earning graduates?+
By median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary), College Scorecard, William Jessup University tops the list at $47,102. 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 Theological and Ministerial Studies program?+
The Theological and Ministerial Studies program focuses on the study of theology and religious vocations, preparing students for various roles within religious communities. It is ideal for individuals seeking to deepen their understanding…
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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