Best colleges for Pastoral Counseling and Specialized Ministries in Ohio
Ranked by graduate earnings
Valor Christian College, Malone University and University of Dayton award the most Pastoral Counseling and Specialized Ministries degrees and certificates in Ohio: 41, 14 and 5 graduates a year (IPEDS 2024–25). 11 Ohio colleges offer Pastoral Counseling and Specialized Ministries and award 119 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 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.
| # | Institution | Starting salary (1 yr) | Graduates / yr | Grad rate | Net price | Median debt |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Valor Christian College Canal Winchester Private not-for-profit · Associate degree | $29,571 | 41 | 44% | $26,387 | $17,635 |
Colleges awarding the most Pastoral Counseling and Specialized Ministries degrees in Ohio
Top 7 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 | Valor Christian College Canal Winchester Private not-for-profit | 41 | $29,571 |
| 2 | Malone University Canton Private not-for-profit | 14 | Not reported |
| 3 | University of Dayton Dayton Private not-for-profit | 5 | Not reported |
| 4 | Gods Bible School and College Cincinnati Private not-for-profit | 4 | Not reported |
| 5 | Cedarville University Cedarville Private not-for-profit | 2 | Not reported |
| 6 | Ursuline College Pepper Pike Private not-for-profit | 2 | Not reported |
| 7 | Ohio Christian University Circleville Private not-for-profit | 1 | Not reported |
ShowHide the other 4 Ohio colleges offering Pastoral Counseling and Specialized Ministries
| Institution | City | Control | Graduates / yr |
|---|---|---|---|
| Athenaeum of Ohio (Graduate only) | Cincinnati | Private not-for-profit | 23 |
| Winebrenner Theological Seminary (Graduate only) | Findlay | Private not-for-profit | 15 |
| United Theological Seminary (Graduate only) | Dayton | Private not-for-profit | 7 |
| Payne Theological Seminary (Graduate only) | Wilberforce | Private not-for-profit | 5 |
Career outlook
What this program leads to: Clergy (SOC 21-2011).
Top skills
What Clergy earn in Ohio
Related careers
Common questions
Answers for students comparing Pastoral Counseling and Specialized Ministries programs in Ohio.
Which Ohio colleges award the most Pastoral Counseling and Specialized Ministries degrees?+
Valor Christian College (41 graduates a year), Malone University (14 graduates a year) and University of Dayton (5 graduates a year) award the most Pastoral Counseling and Specialized Ministries degrees and certificates in Ohio, per IPEDS 2024–25 completions. In all, 11 Ohio colleges offer Pastoral Counseling and Specialized Ministries.
Which Pastoral Counseling and Specialized Ministries program in Ohio has the highest-earning graduates?+
By median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary), College Scorecard, Valor Christian College tops the list at $29,571. Compare it against graduates a year, graduation rate, cost, and debt in the ranked table above.
How much do Clergy earn in Ohio?+
The average annual wage for Clergy in Ohio is $58,320 (median $59,160), across about 2,020 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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