Best colleges for Theological and Ministerial Studies
Ranked by graduate earnings
The top bachelor's colleges for Theological and Ministerial Studies by graduate earnings are William Jessup University ($47,102), University of Notre Dame ($45,874) and The Master's University and Seminary ($43,677), 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%.
- William Jessup University (Rocklin, CA): $47,102, 21 graduates a year
- University of Notre Dame (Notre Dame, IN): $45,874, 119 graduates a year
- The Master's University and Seminary (Santa Clarita, CA): $43,677, 121 graduates a year
- Northwest University (Kirkland, WA): $41,139, 23 graduates a year
- Northwest University - Center for Online and Extended Education (Kirkland, WA): $41,139, 41 graduates a year
Compare 411 U.S. colleges offering Theological and Ministerial Studies by graduate earnings, cost, and outcomes. Federal data across 44 states.
Theological and Ministerial Studies programs report median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary) of $32,202 (College Scorecard, 2019), and map to CIP 39.06 and the Clergy occupation (BLS SOC).
About Theological and Ministerial Studies programs
The Theological and Ministerial Studies program focuses on the study of theology and religious vocations, preparing students for various roles within religious communities. It is ideal for individuals seeking to deepen their understanding of spiritual matters and engage in ministerial work or religious leadership. Students can explore specializations such as Divinity, Rabbinical Studies, and Pre-Ministerial Studies.
Students in this program develop essential skills such as speaking, active listening, and critical thinking. Coursework typically covers philosophy, theology, and administration, equipping graduates with the knowledge needed to lead religious services, prepare sermons, and provide spiritual guidance.
Top 25 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 | William Jessup University Rocklin, CA Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $47,102 | 21 | 56% | $24,242 | $21,566 |
| 2 | University of Notre Dame Notre Dame, IN Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $45,874 | 119 | 95% | $19,452 | $19,000 |
| 3 | The Master's University and Seminary Santa Clarita, CA Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $43,677 | 121 | 68% | $30,641 | $23,774 |
| 4 | Northwest University Kirkland, WA Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $41,139 | 23 | 71% | $21,433 | $26,453 |
| 5 | Northwest University - Center for Online and Extended Education Kirkland, WA Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $41,139 | 41 | 50% | $26,831 | $26,453 |
| 6 | Baptist University of Florida Graceville, FL Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $34,350 | 26 | 52% | $9,668 | $24,916 |
| 7 | Johnson University Knoxville, TN Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $33,627 | 31 | 57% | $19,333 | $23,250 |
| 8 | Moody Bible Institute Chicago, IL Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $33,488 | 200 | 62% | $24,848 | $14,000 |
| 9 | Benedictine College Atchison, KS Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $32,202 | 39 | 62% | $24,826 | $23,250 |
| 10 | Southeastern University Lakeland, FL Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $29,809 | 386 | 43% | $29,915 | $23,218 |
| 11 | Franciscan University of Steubenville Steubenville, OH Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $29,656 | 213 | 75% | $21,122 | $25,000 |
| 12 | The King's University Southlake, TX Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $29,593 | 60 | 47% | $23,878 | $48,998 |
| 13 | Palm Beach Atlantic University West Palm Beach, FL Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $28,383 | 27 | 55% | $32,031 | $25,750 |
| 14 | Bob Jones University Greenville, SC Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $28,325 | 25 | 65% | $18,053 | — |
| 15 | Mid-America Christian University Oklahoma City, OK Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $27,391 | 23 | 44% | $17,088 | $41,422 |
| 16 | Oral Roberts University Tulsa, OK Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $27,088 | 144 | 57% | $23,543 | $30,750 |
| 17 | Ave Maria University Ave Maria, FL Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $26,924 | 45 | 54% | $22,235 | $21,102 |
| 18 | Martin Luther College New Ulm, MN Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $15,327 | 34 | 72% | $17,946 | $18,949 |
| 19 | Cornerstone University Grand Rapids, MI Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree Small program | $40,873 | 17 | 62% | $21,132 | $43,009 |
| 20 | Nazarene Bible College Colorado Springs, CO Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree Online | $40,357 | 29 | — | — | $40,332 |
| 21 | University of Northwestern-St Paul Saint Paul, MN Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree Small program | $32,815 | 17 | 68% | $23,114 | $22,000 |
| 22 | Seattle Pacific University Seattle, WA Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree Small program | $32,220 | 18 | 62% | $24,653 | — |
| 23 | University of Valley Forge Phoenixville, PA Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree Small program | $25,051 | 19 | 49% | $27,182 | $28,000 |
| 24 | Universidad Adventista de las Antillas Mayaguez, PR Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree Small program | $23,365 | 6 | 36% | $9,579 | $31,000 |
| 25 | Concordia University - Nebraska Seward, NE Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree Small program | $19,316 | 3 | 65% | $22,390 | $27,750 |
Specializations within Theological and Ministerial Studies
5 of the 5 6-digit CIP codes under CIP 39.06 have U.S. graduates (NCES CIP 2020, IPEDS 2024–25). Each links to its own page, ranked by graduates.
- Divinity/CIP 39.0602
Ministry 6,494 graduates / yr250 institutions39 states - Theology/CIP 39.0601
Theological Studies 6,127 graduates / yr288 institutions43 states - Theological and Ministerial StudiesCIP 39.06991,694 graduates / yr116 institutions35 states
- Pre-Theology/CIP 39.0604
Pre-Ministerial Studies 180 graduates / yr34 institutions21 states - Rabbinical StudiesCIP 39.0605153 graduates / yr11 institutions5 states
Offered across 44 states & territories
The same program, compared state by state. Pick a state for in-state earnings and institutions.
Careers & outlook
The payoff after graduation: occupation 21-2011, Clergy, and its national outlook.
Graduates of Theological and Ministerial Studies can pursue careers in various religious settings, with an outlook showing little or no change in job opportunities. There are approximately 23,000 annual openings, a median wage of $60,820, and a typical education requirement of a Bachelor's degree.
Top-paying metros
Related careers
CIP-to-SOC crosswalk for Theological and Ministerial Studies
The SOC occupations NCES officially maps to CIP 39.06.
Under the NCES CIP 2020 to SOC 2018 crosswalk, CIP 39.06 (Theological and Ministerial Studies) maps to 3 Standard Occupational Classification (SOC) occupations, the jobs the U.S. Department of Labor links to this field of study.
| SOC code | Occupation |
|---|---|
| 21-2011 | Clergyprimary |
| 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 Theological and Ministerial Studies 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 is the focus of Theological and Ministerial Studies?+
The program focuses on theology and religious vocations, preparing students for roles in religious leadership.
What skills will I develop in this program?+
Students will develop skills in speaking, active listening, critical thinking, and more.
What are the career prospects after graduation?+
Graduates can expect around 23,000 annual job openings with a median wage of $60,820.
What level of education is typically required?+
A Bachelor's degree is typically required for careers in this field.
How much do Theological and Ministerial Studies graduates earn?+
Theological and Ministerial Studies graduates report median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary) of $32,202, College Scorecard (2019); the Clergy occupation pays about $66,860 on average nationally (BLS OEWS May 2025).
What is the CIP code for Theological and Ministerial Studies?+
Theological and Ministerial Studies maps to CIP 39.06 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.
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