Best colleges for Pastoral Counseling and Specialized Ministries in Pennsylvania
Ranked by graduate earnings
Lancaster Bible College, Eastern University and Neumann University award the most Pastoral Counseling and Specialized Ministries degrees and certificates in Pennsylvania: 53, 10 and 9 graduates a year (IPEDS 2024–25). 10 Pennsylvania colleges offer Pastoral Counseling and Specialized Ministries and award 210 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 | Lancaster Bible College Lancaster Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $35,286 | 53 | 67% | $21,399 | $22,584 |
Colleges awarding the most Pastoral Counseling and Specialized Ministries degrees in Pennsylvania
Top 8 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 | Lancaster Bible College Lancaster Private not-for-profit | 53 | $35,286 |
| 2 | Eastern University Saint Davids Private not-for-profit | 10 | Not reported |
| 3 | Neumann University Aston Private not-for-profit | 9 | Not reported |
| 4 | Cairn University - Langhorne Langhorne Private not-for-profit | 9 | Not reported |
| 5 | University of Valley Forge Phoenixville Private not-for-profit | 6 | Not reported |
| 6 | Geneva College Beaver Falls Private not-for-profit | 5 | Not reported |
| 7 | Moravian University Bethlehem Private not-for-profit | 1 | Not reported |
| 8 | Thiel College Greenville Private not-for-profit | 1 | Not reported |
ShowHide the other 2 Pennsylvania colleges offering Pastoral Counseling and Specialized Ministries
| Institution | City | Control | Graduates / yr |
|---|---|---|---|
| Westminster Theological Seminary (Graduate only) | Glenside | Private not-for-profit | 115 |
| Won Institute of Graduate Studies (Graduate only) | Warminster | Private not-for-profit | 1 |
Career outlook
What this program leads to: Clergy (SOC 21-2011).
Top skills
What Clergy earn in Pennsylvania
Related careers
Common questions
Answers for students comparing Pastoral Counseling and Specialized Ministries programs in Pennsylvania.
Which Pennsylvania colleges award the most Pastoral Counseling and Specialized Ministries degrees?+
Lancaster Bible College (53 graduates a year), Eastern University (10 graduates a year) and Neumann University (9 graduates a year) award the most Pastoral Counseling and Specialized Ministries degrees and certificates in Pennsylvania, per IPEDS 2024–25 completions. In all, 10 Pennsylvania colleges offer Pastoral Counseling and Specialized Ministries.
Which Pastoral Counseling and Specialized Ministries program in Pennsylvania has the highest-earning graduates?+
By median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary), College Scorecard, Lancaster Bible College tops the list at $35,286. Compare it against graduates a year, graduation rate, cost, and debt in the ranked table above.
How much do Clergy earn in Pennsylvania?+
The average annual wage for Clergy in Pennsylvania is $57,480 (median $58,300), across about 2,150 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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