Best colleges for Pastoral Counseling and Specialized Ministries in Indiana
Ranked by graduate earnings
Grace College and Theological Seminary, Indiana Wesleyan University - Marion and Bethel University award the most Pastoral Counseling and Specialized Ministries degrees in Indiana: 48, 40 and 18 graduates a year (IPEDS 2024–25). 11 Indiana colleges offer Pastoral Counseling and Specialized Ministries and award 159 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 4 bachelor's programs, 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 | Grace College and Theological Seminary Winona Lake Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $25,060 | 48 | 69% | $16,216 | $25,500 |
| 2 | Indiana Wesleyan University - Marion Marion Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $19,836 | 40 | 67% | $21,351 | $22,104 |
| 3 | Taylor University Upland Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree Small program | $37,035 | 10 | 74% | $20,836 | — |
| 4 | Bethel University Mishawaka Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree Small program | $31,046 | 18 | 53% | $19,676 | $23,319 |
Top certificate or associate program
Shorter credentials, ranked separately so they are not compared with four-year degrees. Ranked by median earnings one year after completion (often called starting salary), College Scorecard.
| # | Institution | Starting salary (1 yr) | Graduates / yr | Grad rate | Net price | Median debt |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Indiana Wesleyan University - National & Global Marion Private not-for-profit · Associate degree Online | $35,736 | 26 | 35% | $18,316 | $26,338 |
Colleges awarding the most Pastoral Counseling and Specialized Ministries degrees in Indiana
Top 8 by graduates a year (IPEDS 2024–25 completions). Certificate and associate programs, 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 | Grace College and Theological Seminary Winona Lake Private not-for-profit | 48 | $25,060 |
| 2 | Indiana Wesleyan University - Marion Marion Private not-for-profit | 40 | $19,836 |
| 3 | Bethel University Mishawaka Private not-for-profit | 18 | $31,046 |
| 4 | Taylor University Upland Private not-for-profit | 10 | $37,035 |
| 5 | Huntington University Huntington Private not-for-profit | 4 | Not reported |
| 6 | Marian University Indianapolis Private not-for-profit | 3 | Not reported |
| 7 | Union Bible College Westfield Private not-for-profit | 2 | Not reported |
| 8 | Horizon University Indianapolis Private not-for-profit | 1 | Not reported |
ShowHide the other 3 Indiana colleges offering Pastoral Counseling and Specialized Ministries
| Institution | City | Control | Graduates / yr |
|---|---|---|---|
| Indiana Wesleyan University - National & Global (Online) | Marion | Private not-for-profit | 26 |
| Saint Meinrad School of Theology (Graduate only) | St. Meinrad | Private not-for-profit | 5 |
| Anabaptist Mennonite Biblical Seminary (Graduate only) | Elkhart | Private not-for-profit | 2 |
Career outlook
What this program leads to: Clergy (SOC 21-2011).
Top skills
What Clergy earn in Indiana
Related careers
Common questions
Answers for students comparing Pastoral Counseling and Specialized Ministries programs in Indiana.
Which Indiana colleges award the most Pastoral Counseling and Specialized Ministries degrees?+
Grace College and Theological Seminary (48 graduates a year), Indiana Wesleyan University - Marion (40 graduates a year) and Bethel University (18 graduates a year) award the most Pastoral Counseling and Specialized Ministries degrees in Indiana, per IPEDS 2024–25 completions. In all, 11 Indiana colleges offer Pastoral Counseling and Specialized Ministries.
Which Pastoral Counseling and Specialized Ministries program in Indiana has the highest-earning graduates?+
By median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary), College Scorecard, Grace College and Theological Seminary tops the list at $25,060. Compare it against graduates a year, graduation rate, cost, and debt in the ranked table above.
How much do Clergy earn in Indiana?+
The average annual wage for Clergy in Indiana is $58,400 (median $59,020), across about 1,060 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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