Best colleges for Pastoral Counseling and Specialized Ministries
Ranked by graduate earnings
The top bachelor's colleges for Pastoral Counseling and Specialized Ministries by graduate earnings are Life Pacific University ($37,436), Moody Bible Institute ($35,426) and Lancaster Bible College ($35,286), based on median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary), College Scorecard, among programs with at least 20 graduates a year, excluding online, degree-completion and graduate-only schools and those with a graduation rate under 30%.
- Life Pacific University (San Dimas, CA): $37,436, 23 graduates a year
- Moody Bible Institute (Chicago, IL): $35,426, 64 graduates a year
- Lancaster Bible College (Lancaster, PA): $35,286, 53 graduates a year
- Lee University (Cleveland, TN): $35,189, 46 graduates a year
- Liberty University (Lynchburg, VA): $34,083, 163 graduates a year
Compare 207 U.S. colleges offering Pastoral Counseling and Specialized Ministries by graduate earnings, cost, and outcomes. Federal data across 37 states.
Pastoral Counseling and Specialized Ministries programs report median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary) of $33,522 (College Scorecard, 2019), and map to CIP 39.07 and the Clergy occupation (BLS SOC).
About Pastoral Counseling and Specialized Ministries programs
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 seeking to serve in pastoral roles, youth ministry, urban ministry, women's ministry, and chaplaincy, among other specialized areas.
Learn more about Pastoral Counseling and Specialized Ministries →
Students in this program will develop core skills in speaking, active listening, writing, and critical thinking. They will also gain knowledge in philosophy and theology, therapy and counseling, and administration, preparing them for various ministry-related tasks and responsibilities.
Top 19 bachelor's programs, ranked by graduate earnings
Ranked by median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary), College Scorecard, predominant credential. 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 | Life Pacific University San Dimas, CA Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $37,436 | 23 | 40% | $23,832 | $24,083 |
| 2 | Moody Bible Institute Chicago, IL Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $35,426 | 64 | 62% | $24,848 | $12,000 |
| 3 | Lancaster Bible College Lancaster, PA Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $35,286 | 53 | 67% | $21,399 | $22,584 |
| 4 | Lee University Cleveland, TN Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $35,189 | 46 | 63% | $18,918 | $28,750 |
| 5 | Liberty University Lynchburg, VA Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $34,083 | 163 | 65% | $28,911 | $23,750 |
| 6 | Regent University Virginia Beach, VA Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $33,407 | 39 | 57% | $18,677 | $35,500 |
| 7 | Nelson University Waxahachie, TX Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $30,910 | 56 | 42% | $19,790 | $26,750 |
| 8 | North Central University Minneapolis, MN Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $27,370 | 44 | 66% | $23,452 | $26,750 |
| 9 | Grace College and Theological Seminary Winona Lake, IN Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $25,060 | 48 | 69% | $16,216 | $25,500 |
| 10 | Indiana Wesleyan University - Marion Marion, IN Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $19,836 | 40 | 67% | $21,351 | $22,104 |
| 11 | Evangel University Springfield, MO Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree Small program | $41,357 | 5 | 65% | $17,881 | $27,000 |
| 12 | Lubbock Christian University Lubbock, TX Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree Small program | $38,473 | 4 | 51% | $25,162 | — |
| 13 | Taylor University Upland, IN Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree Small program | $37,035 | 10 | 74% | $20,836 | — |
| 14 | Southeastern University Lakeland, FL Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree Small program | $35,209 | 18 | 43% | $29,915 | $26,000 |
| 15 | Bethel University Mishawaka, IN Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree Small program | $31,046 | 18 | 53% | $19,676 | $23,319 |
| 16 | Johnson University Knoxville, TN Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree Small program | $30,006 | 2 | 57% | $19,333 | $26,750 |
| 17 | John Brown University Siloam Springs, AR Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree Small program | $27,996 | 2 | 72% | $20,325 | — |
| 18 | Crown College Saint Bonifacius, MN Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree Small program | $26,538 | 18 | 45% | $26,706 | $27,000 |
| 19 | Calvary University Kansas City, MO Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree Small program | $23,330 | 7 | 52% | $13,552 | — |
Top 3 certificate and associate programs
Shorter credentials, ranked separately so they are not compared with four-year degrees. Ranked by median earnings one year after completion (often called starting salary), College Scorecard.
| # | Institution | Starting salary (1 yr) | Graduates / yr | Grad rate | Net price | Median debt |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Grace Christian University Wyoming, MI Private not-for-profit · Associate degree | $33,522 | 51 | 51% | $14,254 | $21,782 |
| 2 | Valor Christian College Canal Winchester, OH Private not-for-profit · Associate degree | $29,571 | 41 | 44% | $26,387 | $17,635 |
| 3 | Indiana Wesleyan University - National & Global Marion, IN Private not-for-profit · Associate degree Online | $35,736 | 26 | 35% | $18,316 | $26,338 |
Specializations within Pastoral Counseling and Specialized Ministries
7 of the 7 6-digit CIP codes under CIP 39.07 have U.S. graduates (NCES CIP 2020, IPEDS 2024–25). Each links to its own page, ranked by graduates.
- Pastoral Studies/CIP 39.0701
Counseling 1,283 graduates / yr105 institutions32 states - Lay MinistryCIP 39.0705672 graduates / yr50 institutions22 states
- Pastoral Counseling and Specialized MinistriesCIP 39.0799594 graduates / yr57 institutions23 states
- Youth MinistryCIP 39.0702253 graduates / yr60 institutions27 states
- Women's MinistryCIP 39.0704partial data83 graduates / yr7 institutions7 states
- Chaplain/CIP 39.0706
Chaplaincy Studies New in CIP 202061 graduates / yr12 institutions11 states - Urban MinistryCIP 39.0703partial data42 graduates / yr8 institutions7 states
Offered across 37 states & territories
The same program, compared state by state. Pick a state for in-state earnings and institutions.
| State | Institutions | Median earnings | Top institution by earnings |
|---|---|---|---|
| Missouri | 10 | $41,357 | Evangel University |
| Texas | 21 | $38,473 | Lubbock Christian University |
| California | 16 | $37,436 | Life Pacific University |
| Illinois | 13 | $35,426 | Moody Bible Institute |
| Pennsylvania | 10 | $35,286 | Lancaster Bible College |
| Florida | 8 | $35,209 | Southeastern University |
| Tennessee | 9 | $35,189 | Lee University |
| Virginia | 4 | $34,083 | Liberty University |
| Michigan | 6 | $33,522 | Grace Christian University |
| Indiana | 11 | $31,046 | Taylor University |
| Ohio | 11 | $29,571 | Valor Christian College |
| Arkansas | 3 | $27,996 | John Brown University |
| Minnesota | 8 | $27,370 | North Central University |
| Alabama | 5 | — | — |
| Arizonalimited | 2 | — | — |
| Colorado | 5 | — | — |
| Connecticutlimited | 2 | — | — |
| Georgia | 5 | — | — |
| Idaholimited | 2 | — | — |
| Iowalimited | 2 | — | — |
| Kansas | 6 | — | — |
| Kentucky | 5 | — | — |
| Louisianalimited | 2 | — | — |
| Massachusetts | 5 | — | — |
| New Jerseylimited | 2 | — | — |
| New York | 3 | — | — |
| North Carolina | 7 | — | — |
| North Dakotalimited | 1 | — | — |
| Oklahoma | 5 | — | — |
| Oregon | 4 | — | — |
| South Carolina | 3 | — | — |
| South Dakotalimited | 2 | — | — |
| Utahlimited | 1 | — | — |
| Washington | 3 | — | — |
| Wisconsinlimited | 1 | — | — |
| Puerto Rico | 3 | — | — |
| Hawaiilimited | 1 | — | — |
Careers & outlook
The payoff after graduation: occupation 21-2011, Clergy, and its national outlook.
Graduates of the Pastoral Counseling and Specialized Ministries program can pursue careers in various religious settings, with an outlook showing little or no change in growth. There are approximately 23,000 annual openings, with a median wage of $60,820, typically requiring a bachelor's degree for entry-level positions.
Top-paying metros
Related careers
CIP-to-SOC crosswalk for Pastoral Counseling and Specialized Ministries
The SOC occupations NCES officially maps to CIP 39.07.
Under the NCES CIP 2020 to SOC 2018 crosswalk, CIP 39.07 (Pastoral Counseling and Specialized Ministries) maps to 6 Standard Occupational Classification (SOC) occupations, the jobs the U.S. Department of Labor links to this field of study.
| SOC code | Occupation |
|---|---|
| 21-1019 | Counselors, All Other |
| 21-1099 | Community and Social Service Specialists, All Other |
| 21-2011 | Clergyprimary |
| 21-2021 | Directors, Religious Activities and Education |
| 21-2099 | Religious Workers, All Other |
| 25-1126 | Philosophy and Religion Teachers, Postsecondary |
Source: National Center for Education Statistics, CIP 2020 to SOC 2018 Crosswalk.
Skills & knowledge in Pastoral Counseling and Specialized Ministries programs
From the U.S. Dept. of Labor for the occupation this program most leads to.
Skills you'll build
Knowledge areas
What graduates do on the job
- Pray and promote spirituality.
- Prepare and deliver sermons or other talks.
- Read from sacred texts, such as the Bible, Torah, or Koran.
- Organize and lead regular religious services.
- Instruct people who seek conversion to a particular faith.
- Share information about religious issues by writing articles, giving speeches, or teaching.
Common questions
What types of specializations are available?+
Specializations include Pastoral Studies/Counseling, Youth Ministry, Urban Ministry, Women's Ministry, Lay Ministry, and Chaplaincy Studies.
What skills will I develop in this program?+
You will develop skills in speaking, active listening, writing, and critical thinking, among others.
What is the job outlook for graduates?+
The job outlook shows little or no change, with about 23,000 annual openings.
What level of education is typically required?+
A bachelor's degree is typically required for entry-level positions in this field.
How much do Pastoral Counseling and Specialized Ministries graduates earn?+
Pastoral Counseling and Specialized Ministries graduates report median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary) of $33,522, College Scorecard (2019); the Clergy occupation pays about $66,860 on average nationally (BLS OEWS May 2025).
What is the CIP code for Pastoral Counseling and Specialized Ministries?+
Pastoral Counseling and Specialized Ministries maps to CIP 39.07 in the Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP), the U.S. Department of Education taxonomy used for College Scorecard Field of Study earnings and IPEDS completions.
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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