Best colleges for Pastoral Counseling and Specialized Ministries in North Carolina
Ranked by graduates a year
Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary, Gardner-Webb University and Lenoir-Rhyne University award the most Pastoral Counseling and Specialized Ministries degrees and certificates in North Carolina: 40, 6 and 5 graduates a year (IPEDS 2024–25). 7 North Carolina colleges offer Pastoral Counseling and Specialized Ministries and award 64 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…
7 institutions offering Pastoral Counseling and Specialized Ministries in North Carolina
Graduate earnings are not yet reported for these institutions; ordered by graduates a year.
| # | Institution | Starting salary (1 yr) | Graduates / yr | Grad rate | Net price | Median debt |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary Wake Forest Private not-for-profit | — | 40 | 58% | $6,608 | — |
| 2 | Gardner-Webb University Boiling Springs Private not-for-profit | — | 6 | 55% | $22,863 | — |
| 3 | Lenoir-Rhyne University Hickory Private not-for-profit | — | 5 | 48% | $23,920 | — |
| 4 | Southeastern Free Will Baptist Bible College Wendell Private not-for-profit | — | 4 | 42% | $15,826 | — |
| 5 | Charlotte Christian College and Theological Seminary Charlotte Private not-for-profit | — | 4 | — | — | — |
| 6 | Manna University Fayetteville Private not-for-profit | — | 3 | 80% | $20,171 | — |
| 7 | Mid-Atlantic Christian University Elizabeth City Private not-for-profit | — | 2 | 21% | $25,800 | — |
Colleges awarding the most Pastoral Counseling and Specialized Ministries degrees in North Carolina
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.
| # | Institution | Graduates / yr | Starting salary (1 yr) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary Wake Forest Private not-for-profit | 40 | Not reported |
| 2 | Gardner-Webb University Boiling Springs Private not-for-profit | 6 | Not reported |
| 3 | Lenoir-Rhyne University Hickory Private not-for-profit | 5 | Not reported |
| 4 | Southeastern Free Will Baptist Bible College Wendell Private not-for-profit | 4 | Not reported |
| 5 | Charlotte Christian College and Theological Seminary Charlotte Private not-for-profit | 4 | Not reported |
| 6 | Manna University Fayetteville Private not-for-profit | 3 | Not reported |
ShowHide the other 1 North Carolina colleges offering Pastoral Counseling and Specialized Ministries
| Institution | City | Control | Graduates / yr |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mid-Atlantic Christian University | Elizabeth City | Private not-for-profit | 2 |
Career outlook
What this program leads to: Clergy (SOC 21-2011).
Top skills
What Clergy earn in North Carolina
Related careers
Common questions
Answers for students comparing Pastoral Counseling and Specialized Ministries programs in North Carolina.
Which North Carolina colleges award the most Pastoral Counseling and Specialized Ministries degrees?+
Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary (40 graduates a year), Gardner-Webb University (6 graduates a year) and Lenoir-Rhyne University (5 graduates a year) award the most Pastoral Counseling and Specialized Ministries degrees and certificates in North Carolina, per IPEDS 2024–25 completions. In all, 7 North Carolina colleges offer Pastoral Counseling and Specialized Ministries.
How much do Clergy earn in North Carolina?+
The average annual wage for Clergy in North Carolina is $61,130 (median $59,600), across about 1,430 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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