Best institutions to study Pastoral Counseling and Specialized Ministries
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 a median of $33,522 one year after graduation (College Scorecard, 2024), 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 22 institutions, ranked by graduate earnings
Earnings = median 1 year after graduation (College Scorecard, predominant credential).
| # | Institution | Grad earnings (1 yr) | Completions | Grad rate | Net price | Median debt |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Evangel University Springfield, MO Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $41,357 | 5 | 65% | $17,881 | $27,000 |
| 2 | Lubbock Christian University Lubbock, TX Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $38,473 | 4 | 51% | $25,162 | — |
| 3 | Life Pacific University San Dimas, CA Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $37,436 | 23 | 40% | $23,832 | $24,083 |
| 4 | Taylor University Upland, IN Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $37,035 | 10 | 74% | $20,836 | — |
| 5 | Indiana Wesleyan University - National & Global Marion, IN Private not-for-profit · Associate degree | $35,736 | 26 | 35% | $18,316 | $26,338 |
| 6 | Moody Bible Institute Chicago, IL Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $35,426 | 64 | 62% | $24,848 | $12,000 |
| 7 | Lancaster Bible College Lancaster, PA Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $35,286 | 53 | 67% | $21,399 | $22,584 |
| 8 | Southeastern University Lakeland, FL Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $35,209 | 18 | 43% | $29,915 | $26,000 |
| 9 | Lee University Cleveland, TN Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $35,189 | 46 | 63% | $18,918 | $28,750 |
| 10 | Liberty University Lynchburg, VA Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $34,083 | 163 | 65% | $28,911 | $23,750 |
| 11 | Grace Christian University Wyoming, MI Private not-for-profit · Associate degree | $33,522 | 51 | 51% | $14,254 | $21,782 |
| 12 | Regent University Virginia Beach, VA Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $33,407 | 39 | 57% | $18,677 | $35,500 |
| 13 | Bethel University Mishawaka, IN Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $31,046 | 18 | 53% | $19,676 | $23,319 |
| 14 | Nelson University Waxahachie, TX Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $30,910 | 56 | 42% | $19,790 | $26,750 |
| 15 | Johnson University Knoxville, TN Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $30,006 | 2 | 57% | $19,333 | $26,750 |
| 16 | Valor Christian College Canal Winchester, OH Private not-for-profit · Associate degree | $29,571 | 41 | 44% | $26,387 | $17,635 |
| 17 | John Brown University Siloam Springs, AR Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $27,996 | 2 | 72% | $20,325 | — |
| 18 | North Central University Minneapolis, MN Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $27,370 | 44 | 66% | $23,452 | $26,750 |
| 19 | Crown College Saint Bonifacius, MN Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $26,538 | 18 | 45% | $26,706 | $27,000 |
| 20 | Grace College and Theological Seminary Winona Lake, IN Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $25,060 | 48 | 69% | $16,216 | $25,500 |
| 21 | Calvary University Kansas City, MO Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $23,330 | 7 | 52% | $13,552 | — |
| 22 | Indiana Wesleyan University - Marion Marion, IN Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $19,836 | 40 | 67% | $21,351 | $22,104 |
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.
Concentrations within Pastoral Counseling and Specialized Ministries
Specializations under this field (NCES CIP 2020).
- Pastoral Studies/CounselingCIP 39.0701
A program that focuses on the theory and principles of pastoral care and prepares ordained clergy to provide non-clinical pastoral counseling to individuals and groups
- Youth MinistryCIP 39.0702
A program that prepares the ordained clergy and other religious professionals to provide spiritual, counseling, and leadership services to children, adolescents, and young adults
- Urban MinistryCIP 39.0703
A program that prepares the ordained clergy and other religious professionals to provide spiritual, counseling, and leadership services to individuals and groups in urban communities
- Women's MinistryCIP 39.0704
A program that prepares non-ordained women to provide spiritual, counseling, and leadership services to other women in local churches, parachurch organizations, and other settings
- Lay MinistryCIP 39.0705
A program that prepares non-ordained individuals to serve as lay pastors, religious educators, youth leaders, and other professional positions open to the laity in local churches and other settings
- Chaplain/Chaplaincy StudiesCIP 39.0706
A program that prepares individuals to provide caregiver, pastoral, and spiritual support in an institutional, hospice, military, or sports setting
- Pastoral Counseling and Specialized Ministries, OtherCIP 39.0799
Any instructional program in pastoral counseling and specialized ministries not listed above.
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 of $33,522 one year after graduation, per College Scorecard (2024); 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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