North Carolina · Theological and Ministerial Studies

Best colleges for Theological and Ministerial Studies in North Carolina

Ranked by graduates a year

Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary, Duke University and Manna University award the most Theological and Ministerial Studies degrees and certificates in North Carolina: 277, 212 and 21 graduates a year (IPEDS 2024–25). 15 North Carolina colleges offer Theological and Ministerial Studies and award 710 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…

Institutions
15
offering CIP 39.06
States offered
44
with a program page
Degrees / yr
710
IPEDS completions 2024–25
Median starting salary
—
1 yr after graduation, College Scorecard
With earnings data
0
College Scorecard
Median net price
$20,914
IPEDS 2024–25
Avg graduation rate
50%
IPEDS 2024–25
State pay · Clergy
$61,130
BLS OEWS May 2025

15 institutions offering Theological and Ministerial Studies in North Carolina

Graduate earnings are not yet reported for these institutions; ordered by graduates a year.

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
1Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary
Wake Forest Private not-for-profit
—27758%$6,608—
2Duke University
Durham Private not-for-profit
—21297%$16,260—
3Shepherds Theological Seminary
Cary Private not-for-profit Graduate only
—56———
4Carolina University
Winston-Salem Private not-for-profit
—3722%$19,450$35,382
5Manna University
Fayetteville Private not-for-profit
—2180%$20,171—
6Wake Forest University
Winston-Salem Private not-for-profit
—2089%$20,914—
7Hood Theological Seminary
Salisbury Private not-for-profit Graduate only
—19———
8Campbell University
Buies Creek Private not-for-profit
—1761%$23,331—
9Shaw University
Raleigh Private not-for-profit
—1222%$16,542—
10Gardner-Webb University
Boiling Springs Private not-for-profit
—1155%$22,863—
11Lenoir-Rhyne University
Hickory Private not-for-profit
—1048%$23,920—
12Carolina College of Biblical Studies
Fayetteville Private not-for-profit
—70%$18,745—
13Belmont Abbey College
Belmont Private not-for-profit
—647%$22,639—
14Montreat College
Montreat Private not-for-profit
—350%$25,763—
15Mid-Atlantic Christian University
Elizabeth City Private not-for-profit
—221%$25,800—

Colleges awarding the most Theological and Ministerial Studies degrees in North Carolina

Top 9 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)
1Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary
Wake Forest Private not-for-profit
277Not reported
2Duke University
Durham Private not-for-profit
212Not reported
3Manna University
Fayetteville Private not-for-profit
21Not reported
4Wake Forest University
Winston-Salem Private not-for-profit
20Not reported
5Campbell University
Buies Creek Private not-for-profit
17Not reported
6Gardner-Webb University
Boiling Springs Private not-for-profit
11Not reported
7Lenoir-Rhyne University
Hickory Private not-for-profit
10Not reported
8Belmont Abbey College
Belmont Private not-for-profit
6Not reported
9Montreat College
Montreat Private not-for-profit
3Not reported
Show the other 6 North Carolina colleges offering Theological and Ministerial Studies
InstitutionCityControlGraduates / yr
Shepherds Theological Seminary (Graduate only)CaryPrivate not-for-profit56
Carolina UniversityWinston-SalemPrivate not-for-profit37
Hood Theological Seminary (Graduate only)SalisburyPrivate not-for-profit19
Shaw UniversityRaleighPrivate not-for-profit12
Carolina College of Biblical StudiesFayettevillePrivate not-for-profit7
Mid-Atlantic Christian UniversityElizabeth CityPrivate not-for-profit2

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 North Carolina

Jobs in North Carolina
1,430
BLS OEWS May 2025
State average pay
$61,130
median $59,600
Best-paying metro
$64,700
Durham-Chapel Hill, NC

Related careers

Clergy
$61,130 avg · 1,430 jobs
Philosophy and Religion Teachers, Postsecondary
$85,690 avg · 680 jobs
Religious Workers, All Other
—

Common questions

Answers for students comparing Theological and Ministerial Studies programs in North Carolina.

Which North Carolina colleges award the most Theological and Ministerial Studies degrees?+

Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary (277 graduates a year), Duke University (212 graduates a year) and Manna University (21 graduates a year) award the most Theological and Ministerial Studies degrees and certificates in North Carolina, per IPEDS 2024–25 completions. In all, 15 North Carolina colleges offer Theological and Ministerial Studies.

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 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).

Theological and Ministerial Studies in other statesCaliforniaIndianaWashingtonMichiganColoradoTennesseeIllinoisMinnesota

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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