Michigan · Pastoral Counseling and Specialized Ministries

Best colleges for Pastoral Counseling and Specialized Ministries in Michigan

Ranked by graduate earnings

Andrews University, Grace Christian University and Calvin University award the most Pastoral Counseling and Specialized Ministries degrees and certificates in Michigan: 57, 51 and 20 graduates a year (IPEDS 2024–25). 6 Michigan colleges offer Pastoral Counseling and Specialized Ministries and award 142 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…

Institutions
6
offering CIP 39.07
States offered
37
with a program page
Degrees / yr
142
IPEDS completions 2024–25
Median starting salary
$33,522
1 yr after graduation, College Scorecard
With earnings data
1
College Scorecard
Median net price
$21,132
IPEDS 2024–25
Avg graduation rate
57%
IPEDS 2024–25
State pay · Clergy
$55,620
BLS OEWS May 2025

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.

Starting salary (1 yr): median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary), College Scorecard.
#InstitutionStarting salary (1 yr)Graduates / yrGrad rateNet priceMedian debt
1Grace Christian University
Wyoming Private not-for-profit · Associate degree
$33,5225151%$14,254$21,782

Colleges awarding the most Pastoral Counseling and Specialized Ministries degrees in Michigan

Top 6 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.

Graduates / yr: degrees and certificates awarded in a year, IPEDS completions. Starting salary (1 yr): median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary), College Scorecard.
#InstitutionGraduates / yrStarting salary (1 yr)
1Andrews University
Berrien Springs Private not-for-profit
57Not reported
2Grace Christian University
Wyoming Private not-for-profit
51$33,522
3Calvin University
Grand Rapids Private not-for-profit
20Not reported
4Cornerstone University
Grand Rapids Private not-for-profit
9Not reported
5Great Lakes Christian College
Lansing Private not-for-profit
3Not reported
6Concordia University Ann Arbor
Ann Arbor Private not-for-profit
2Not reported

Career outlook

What this program leads to: Clergy (SOC 21-2011).

Projected growth (2024–2034)
+1.0%
Little or no change
Openings / yr (US)
~23,000
BLS Employment Projections
US median wage
$60,820
typically Bachelor's degree

Top skills

SpeakingActive ListeningWritingReading ComprehensionActive LearningCritical Thinking

What Clergy earn in Michigan

Jobs in Michigan
1,880
BLS OEWS May 2025
State average pay
$55,620
median $56,490
Best-paying metro
$64,710
Kalamazoo-Portage, MI

Related careers

Community and Social Service Specialists, All Other
$53,440 avg · 2,360 jobs
Clergy
$55,620 avg · 1,880 jobs
Directors, Religious Activities and Education
$52,460 avg · 950 jobs
Religious Workers, All Other
$48,560 avg · 810 jobs
Philosophy and Religion Teachers, Postsecondary
$92,370 avg · 620 jobs
Counselors, All Other
$46,400 avg · 470 jobs

Common questions

Answers for students comparing Pastoral Counseling and Specialized Ministries programs in Michigan.

Which Michigan colleges award the most Pastoral Counseling and Specialized Ministries degrees?+

Andrews University (57 graduates a year), Grace Christian University (51 graduates a year) and Calvin University (20 graduates a year) award the most Pastoral Counseling and Specialized Ministries degrees and certificates in Michigan, per IPEDS 2024–25 completions. In all, 6 Michigan colleges offer Pastoral Counseling and Specialized Ministries.

Which Pastoral Counseling and Specialized Ministries program in Michigan has the highest-earning graduates?+

By median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary), College Scorecard, Grace Christian University tops the list at $33,522. Compare it against graduates a year, graduation rate, cost, and debt in the ranked table above.

How much do Clergy earn in Michigan?+

The average annual wage for Clergy in Michigan is $55,620 (median $56,490), across about 1,880 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).

Pastoral Counseling and Specialized Ministries in other statesMissouriTexasCaliforniaIllinoisPennsylvaniaFloridaTennesseeVirginia

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.

IPEDSFall 2025–26 release, published July 28, 2026
Enrollment, completions, graduation rates, tuition, financial aid, staffing, and finance for every U.S. institution in federal student aid programs.
College ScorecardJune 10, 2026 release (merged 2025–26 files)
Institution and field-of-study costs, graduate earnings, debt, completion, and admissions outcomes compiled from federal aid records, tax data, and IPEDS.
PSEO graduate earnings2019–21 graduation cohorts (release V4.13.0)
Earnings and employment outcomes of graduates by institution, degree level, and field of study, measured from state wage records.
BLS wages & outlookOEWS May 2025 release
Occupational employment and wage estimates plus 10-year job outlook, used to connect programs to real-world earnings.
FVT/GE program performanceProvisional preview, May 18, 2026 release
Program-level debt-to-earnings and earnings-premium measures behind the FVT/GE and STATS accountability frameworks.

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