Best degree programs for Religious Workers, All Other, ranked by enrollment
11 college programs and 252 schools train Religious Workers, All Other. Compare graduates per year, cost and pay, $45,280 median wage, 15,760 U.S. jobs. Federal data.
11 college programs at 252 schools train religious workers, all other, graduating 4,472 people a year (IPEDS completions). The largest is Theological and Ministerial Studies, Other. The job pays a median of $45,280 (BLS OEWS May 2025).
About religious workers, all other
All religious workers not listed separately.
Fields of study that lead to this job
Grouped at the 4-digit CIP level, the tier our program pages are built on. Numbers are graduates per year.
11 degree programs that lead to this job
Ranked by graduates per year (IPEDS completions). Graduate earnings and debt are College Scorecard figures for people who finished the program, reported at the 4-digit CIP level, so specializations within one field share a figure. That is a different measurement from the occupation-wide wages further down this page.
| # | Program | Graduates / yr | Share of pipeline | Schools | Grad earnings (1 yr) | Median debt |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | CIP 39.0699 | 1,694 | 37.9% | 116 | $32,202 | $25,375 |
| 2 | CIP 39.0701 | 1,283 | 28.7% | 105 | $32,226 | $26,000 |
| 3 | CIP 39.0705 | 672 | 15.0% | 50 | $32,226 | $26,000 |
| 4 | CIP 39.0799 | 594 | 13.3% | 57 | $32,226 | $26,000 |
| 5 | CIP 39.0704 | 83 | 1.9% | 7 | $32,226 | $26,000 |
| 6 | CIP 39.0706 | 61 | 1.4% | 12 | $32,226 | $26,000 |
| 7 | CIP 39.0703 | 42 | 0.9% | 8 | $32,226 | $26,000 |
| 8 | CIP 30.5301 | 19 | 0.4% | 2 | — | — |
| 9 | CIP 39.0302 | 15 | 0.3% | 3 | $28,103 | $17,318 |
| 10 | CIP 39.0599 | 6 | 0.1% | 2 | $30,092 | $27,000 |
| 11 | CIP 30.2502 | 3 | 0.1% | 2 | $41,362 | $17,750 |
Top 50 schools by graduates into this job
Counting every feeder program a school offers, not just its largest one.
| # | School | Graduates / yr | Top feeder program | Grad rate | Net price | Acceptance |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Gordon - Conwell Theological Seminary South Hamilton, MA Private not-for-profit · 2 feeder programs | 220 | Lay Ministry | — | — | — |
| 2 | Moody Bible Institute Chicago, IL Private not-for-profit · 4 feeder programs | 189 | Theological and Ministerial Studies, Other | 62% | $24,848 | 83% |
| 3 | New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary New Orleans, LA Private not-for-profit · 5 feeder programs | 186 | Theological and Ministerial Studies, Other | 74% | — | — |
| 4 | Liberty University Lynchburg, VA Private not-for-profit · 5 feeder programs | 144 | Pastoral Studies/Counseling | 65% | $28,911 | 99% |
| 5 | Westminster Theological Seminary Glenside, PA Private not-for-profit · 3 feeder programs | 118 | Lay Ministry | — | — | — |
| 6 | Fuller Theological Seminary Pasadena, CA Private not-for-profit · 1 feeder programs | 112 | Theological and Ministerial Studies, Other | — | — | — |
| 7 | Dallas Theological Seminary Dallas, TX Private not-for-profit · 2 feeder programs | 109 | Pastoral Studies/Counseling | — | — | — |
| 8 | The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary Louisville, KY Private not-for-profit · 3 feeder programs | 89 | Pastoral Counseling and Specialized Ministries, Other | 40% | — | 56% |
| 9 | The Master's University and Seminary Santa Clarita, CA Private not-for-profit · 4 feeder programs | 85 | Pastoral Studies/Counseling | 68% | $30,641 | 84% |
| 10 | George Fox University Newberg, OR Private not-for-profit · 4 feeder programs | 84 | Pastoral Studies/Counseling | 72% | $26,564 | 94% |
| 11 | Ozark Christian College Joplin, MO Private not-for-profit · 2 feeder programs | 84 | Pastoral Counseling and Specialized Ministries, Other | 64% | $17,334 | 94% |
| 12 | University of St Thomas Houston, TX Private not-for-profit · 1 feeder programs | 84 | Pastoral Studies/Counseling | 69% | $19,546 | 90% |
| 13 | Lancaster Bible College Lancaster, PA Private not-for-profit · 3 feeder programs | 80 | Pastoral Studies/Counseling | 67% | $21,399 | 56% |
| 14 | Nelson University Waxahachie, TX Private not-for-profit · 3 feeder programs | 72 | Pastoral Counseling and Specialized Ministries, Other | 42% | $19,790 | 89% |
| 15 | Biola University La Mirada, CA Private not-for-profit · 2 feeder programs | 67 | Theological and Ministerial Studies, Other | 68% | $26,727 | 74% |
| 16 | Pittsburgh Theological Seminary Pittsburgh, PA Private not-for-profit · 1 feeder programs | 60 | Theological and Ministerial Studies, Other | — | — | — |
| 17 | Andrews University Berrien Springs, MI Private not-for-profit · 2 feeder programs | 57 | Pastoral Studies/Counseling | 72% | $17,800 | 82% |
| 18 | Oral Roberts University Tulsa, OK Private not-for-profit · 2 feeder programs | 56 | Theological and Ministerial Studies, Other | 57% | $23,543 | 99% |
| 19 | Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary Kansas City, MO Private not-for-profit · 2 feeder programs | 52 | Pastoral Studies/Counseling | 48% | $26,572 | 96% |
| 20 | Trinity Bible College and Graduate School Ellendale, ND Private not-for-profit · 2 feeder programs | 52 | Theological and Ministerial Studies, Other | 46% | $21,475 | 26% |
| 21 | Grace Christian University Wyoming, MI Private not-for-profit · 1 feeder programs | 51 | Lay Ministry | 51% | $14,254 | 99% |
| 22 | Lee University Cleveland, TN Private not-for-profit · 4 feeder programs | 49 | Pastoral Studies/Counseling | 63% | $18,918 | 71% |
| 23 | Dallas Christian College Dallas, TX Private not-for-profit · 2 feeder programs | 45 | Theological and Ministerial Studies, Other | 29% | $22,492 | 22% |
| 24 | North Central University Minneapolis, MN Private not-for-profit · 4 feeder programs | 44 | Pastoral Studies/Counseling | 66% | $23,452 | 99% |
| 25 | Grace College and Theological Seminary Winona Lake, IN Private not-for-profit · 4 feeder programs | 43 | Pastoral Studies/Counseling | 69% | $16,216 | 82% |
| 26 | Loyola University Chicago Chicago, IL Private not-for-profit · 2 feeder programs | 42 | Pastoral Studies/Counseling | 73% | $33,454 | 82% |
| 27 | Asbury Theological Seminary Wilmore, KY Private not-for-profit · 2 feeder programs | 41 | Theological and Ministerial Studies, Other | — | — | — |
| 28 | Northwest University - Center for Online and Extended Education Kirkland, WA Private not-for-profit · 1 feeder programs | 41 | Theological and Ministerial Studies, Other | 50% | $26,831 | — |
| 29 | World Mission University Los Angeles, CA Private not-for-profit · 3 feeder programs | 41 | Pastoral Counseling and Specialized Ministries, Other | 100% | $16,598 | — |
| 30 | Regent University Virginia Beach, VA Private not-for-profit · 3 feeder programs | 40 | Lay Ministry | 57% | $18,677 | 38% |
| 31 | Valor Christian College Canal Winchester, OH Private not-for-profit · 1 feeder programs | 39 | Pastoral Studies/Counseling | 44% | $26,387 | — |
| 32 | Grace School of Theology The Woodlands, TX Private not-for-profit · 2 feeder programs | 38 | Theological and Ministerial Studies, Other | 100% | — | — |
| 33 | Dallas Baptist University Dallas, TX Private not-for-profit · 1 feeder programs | 37 | Pastoral Counseling and Specialized Ministries, Other | 57% | $29,227 | 89% |
| 34 | Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary Wake Forest, NC Private not-for-profit · 3 feeder programs | 37 | Pastoral Counseling and Specialized Ministries, Other | 58% | $6,608 | 75% |
| 35 | Olivet Nazarene University Bourbonnais, IL Private not-for-profit · 4 feeder programs | 36 | Pastoral Studies/Counseling | 61% | $20,903 | 56% |
| 36 | Indiana Wesleyan University - Marion Marion, IN Private not-for-profit · 3 feeder programs | 35 | Pastoral Studies/Counseling | 67% | $21,351 | 89% |
| 37 | Columbia International University Columbia, SC Private not-for-profit · 2 feeder programs | 33 | Theological and Ministerial Studies, Other | 47% | $21,361 | 94% |
| 38 | Loyola University New Orleans New Orleans, LA Private not-for-profit · 1 feeder programs | 33 | Theological and Ministerial Studies, Other | 59% | $22,906 | 93% |
| 39 | Yale University New Haven, CT Private not-for-profit · 1 feeder programs | 30 | Theological and Ministerial Studies, Other | 96% | $27,025 | 4% |
| 40 | Bethel University Saint Paul, MN Private not-for-profit · 3 feeder programs | 29 | Lay Ministry | 71% | $25,225 | 88% |
| 41 | Fordham University Bronx, NY Private not-for-profit · 2 feeder programs | 29 | Lay Ministry | 82% | $38,931 | 59% |
| 42 | Luther Rice College & Seminary Lithonia, GA Private not-for-profit · 2 feeder programs | 29 | Pastoral Studies/Counseling | — | $3,935 | 92% |
| 43 | Memphis Theological Seminary Memphis, TN Private not-for-profit · 1 feeder programs | 29 | Theological and Ministerial Studies, Other | — | — | — |
| 44 | Universidad Pentecostal Mizpa Rio Piedras, PR Private not-for-profit · 3 feeder programs | 29 | Pastoral Studies/Counseling | 15% | $5,607 | — |
| 45 | The King's University Southlake, TX Private not-for-profit · 2 feeder programs | 28 | Theological and Ministerial Studies, Other | 47% | $23,878 | 61% |
| 46 | Universidad Teologica del Caribe Trujillo Alto, PR Private not-for-profit · 2 feeder programs | 28 | Pastoral Studies/Counseling | 39% | $11,987 | — |
| 47 | Bakke Graduate University Dallas, TX Private not-for-profit · 1 feeder programs | 27 | Urban Ministry | — | — | — |
| 48 | Creighton University Omaha, NE Private not-for-profit · 1 feeder programs | 27 | Theological and Ministerial Studies, Other | 83% | $27,353 | 80% |
| 49 | Indiana Wesleyan University - National & Global Marion, IN Private not-for-profit · 2 feeder programs | 26 | Pastoral Studies/Counseling | 35% | $18,316 | — |
| 50 | Colorado Christian University Lakewood, CO Private not-for-profit · 1 feeder programs | 24 | Lay Ministry | 64% | $23,447 | — |
What religious workers, all other earn
What people already working in this job earn (BLS OEWS May 2025). Not graduate earnings.
Top-paying states
Top-paying metro areas
Job outlook
Bureau of Labor Statistics Employment Projections, 2024 to 2034.
Where the jobs are, state by state
Pick a state for in-state pay, the schools there, and the programs they run.
| State | Median pay | Jobs | Concentration | Schools | Graduates / yr |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Texas | $36,420 | 440 | 0.31× | 23 | 534 |
| California | $45,440 | 1,390 | 0.75× | 27 | 467 |
| Illinois | $47,070 | 600 | 0.96× | 15 | 369 |
| Pennsylvania | $34,580 | 940 | 1.53× | 13 | 312 |
| Missouri | $46,780 | 80 | 0.27× | 11 | 214 |
| Virginiamoderate | $48,210 | 90 | 0.23× | 4 | 186 |
| Indiana | $38,130 | 210 | 0.64× | 14 | 170 |
| Minnesota | $36,660 | 280 | 0.95× | 9 | 156 |
| Kentucky | $34,090 | — | — | 6 | 155 |
| Michigan | $46,960 | 810 | 1.83× | 6 | 151 |
| Ohio | $40,780 | 320 | 0.57× | 11 | 141 |
| Tennessee | $43,980 | 130 | 0.38× | 11 | 125 |
| Oklahoma | — | 50 | 0.28× | 7 | 112 |
| Oregon | $36,830 | 660 | 3.29× | 6 | 99 |
| Washingtonmoderate | $62,620 | 790 | 2.19× | 4 | 68 |
| New York | $51,150 | — | — | 5 | 64 |
| Connecticutmoderate | $39,310 | 150 | 0.88× | 3 | 53 |
| Florida | $38,490 | 750 | 0.74× | 8 | 50 |
| Colorado | $50,440 | 250 | 0.86× | 5 | 49 |
| Iowa | $44,110 | 230 | 1.43× | 5 | 43 |
| Georgia | $49,200 | 630 | 1.27× | 5 | 42 |
| New Jerseylimited | $43,480 | 560 | 1.28× | 2 | 15 |
| Arizonamoderate | $50,750 | 530 | 1.60× | 4 | 13 |
| Arkansaslimited | $44,760 | 100 | 0.76× | 2 | 9 |
| Hawaiilimited | $37,730 | 180 | 2.81× | 1 | 7 |
Skills and tools
From O*NET, the U.S. Department of Labor's occupational database. Importance is a 1 to 5 scale.
How to get in
How to become a Religious Worker, All Other
- Typical entry education
- Bachelor's degree
Every major mapped to this job
The official federal mapping behind the rankings above.
All 13 majors mapped to Religious Workers, All Other11 of them graduated someone in the latest IPEDS year. NCES CIP 2020 → SOC 2018 crosswalk.+
- 30.2502Contemplative Studies/Inquiry
- 30.5301Thanatology
- 39.0302Church Planting
- 39.0399Missions/Missionary Studies and Missiology, Other(no graduates reported)
- 39.0599Religious Music and Worship, Other
- 39.0699Theological and Ministerial Studies, Other
- 39.0701Pastoral Studies/Counseling
- 39.0703Urban Ministry
- 39.0704Women's Ministry
- 39.0705Lay Ministry
- 39.0706Chaplain/Chaplaincy Studies
- 39.0799Pastoral Counseling and Specialized Ministries, Other
- 39.0802Religious/Canon Law(no graduates reported)
Common questions
What degree do you need to become a Religious Worker, All Other?+
Bachelor's degree is the typical entry-level education BLS reports for this occupation. The most common program people actually graduate from is Theological and Ministerial Studies, Other, which awarded 1,694 degrees in 2024-25, 37.9% of everyone graduating from a program that feeds this career.
Which college majors lead to becoming a Religious Worker, All Other?+
The NCES CIP-to-SOC crosswalk maps 11 programs to this occupation. The largest are Pastoral Counseling and Specialized Ministries, Theological and Ministerial Studies, Thanatology, Missions/Missionary Studies and Missiology, plus 2 more. Together they graduate about 4,472 people a year.
How much do religious workers, all other earn?+
The median is $45,280 a year (BLS OEWS May 2025). The middle range runs from $31,200 at the 10th percentile to $93,900 at the 90th. This is pay for people already working in the occupation, not the same thing as graduate earnings one year after finishing a degree.
Is demand for religious workers, all other growing?+
BLS projects a +0.6% change in employment between 2024 and 2034, little or no change, with roughly 11,100 openings a year nationally once retirements and job changes are counted.
How many schools offer programs for this career?+
252 institutions reported graduates from at least one of the 11 programs that feed this occupation in IPEDS 2024-25. Rankings on this page use graduates per year, because the federal data publishes no enrollment count by program.
Do you need training or experience beyond a degree?+
BLS lists 'None' for related work experience and 'None' for on-the-job training typically needed to reach competency.
About the data on this page
Rankings use IPEDS completions 2024-25, degrees awarded per year. That is the closest federal measure of how many people a program puts into a career, because no federal dataset publishes enrollment by program. Wages and employment come from BLS OEWS May 2025, growth and openings from BLS Employment Projections 2024-34, and which majors lead to which jobs from the NCES CIP 2020 to SOC 2018 crosswalk. Occupation descriptions, tasks, skills and tools are O*NET 30.3 (CC BY 4.0, U.S. Department of Labor/ETA).
BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics
May 2025Wages, employment counts, location quotients and metro breakdowns.
BLS Employment Projections
2024–34Projected growth, annual openings and typical entry-level education.
IPEDS Completions
2024-25 (provisional)Graduates per year by program and institution — the ranking metric.
College Scorecard, Field of Study
2020-21 cohortsMedian graduate earnings one year after completion, and median debt.
Census Post-Secondary Employment Outcomes
latest availableGraduate earnings 1/5/10 years out, where the state participates.
NCES CIP 2020 and the CIP-to-SOC 2018 crosswalk
CIP 2020 / SOC 2018Which college programs officially lead to this occupation.
O*NET Database 30.3
30.3Tasks, skills, knowledge, tools, job zone and alternate job titles.
Official source →CC BY 4.0, U.S. Department of Labor / ETA
Explore every U.S. college in one conversation
Clema turns plain-language questions into sourced answers across every U.S. institution — earnings, aid, acceptance, graduation, safety, and athletics from IPEDS, College Scorecard, and 10+ federal datasets, built in.
Free for teams up to 3 · No credit card