Best institutions to study Pre-Theology/Pre-Ministerial Studies
A program that prepares individuals to enter a seminary or other program leading to religious ordination, or a related religious vocation.
34 U.S. institutions graduated 180 Pre-Theology/Pre-Ministerial Studies students in 2024–25 (IPEDS). It is CIP 39.0604, a specialization of Theological and Ministerial Studies (CIP 39.06), and leads most directly to the Clergy occupation (BLS SOC 21-2011).
About Pre-Theology/Pre-Ministerial Studies programs
A program that prepares individuals to enter a seminary or other program leading to religious ordination, or a related religious vocation.
Source: National Center for Education Statistics, Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP 2020).
The Pre-Theology/Pre-Ministerial Studies program is designed for individuals preparing to enter seminary or pursue a related religious vocation. It serves as a foundational pathway for those seeking religious ordination or roles in ministry, providing essential theological education and practical skills for effective service in religious communities. This program is ideal for students who are passionate about spirituality and wish to deepen their understanding of theology. Participants will engage in coursework that equips them with the necessary tools to lead religious services, instruct others in faith, and promote spiritual growth within their communities.
Students in this program will develop core skills such as speaking, active listening, writing, and critical thinking. They will gain knowledge in philosophy, theology, and administration, while also learning effective strategies for education and counseling. Coursework typically includes the study of sacred texts and preparation for delivering sermons.
Credentials awarded
What Pre-Theology/Pre-Ministerial Studies graduates earned in 2024–25, by award level (IPEDS completions).
- Bachelor's degree102 graduates / yr · 18 institutions57%
- Postbaccalaureate certificate23 graduates / yr · 3 institutions13%
- Award of at least 2 but less than 4 academic years18 graduates / yr · 2 institutions10%
- Master's degree18 graduates / yr · 2 institutions10%
- Associate's degree9 graduates / yr · 4 institutions5.0%
- Award of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years6 graduates / yr · 3 institutions3.3%
- Award of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year4 graduates / yr · 3 institutions2.2%
Graduates over time
Pre-Theology/Pre-Ministerial Studies completions reported to IPEDS each year, all award levels combined.
| Year | Graduates |
|---|---|
| 2012 | 236 |
| 2013 | 265 |
| 2014 | 210 |
| 2015 | 233 |
| 2016 | 267 |
| 2017 | 272 |
| 2018 | 266 |
| 2019 | 231 |
| 2020 | 320 |
| 2021 | 247 |
| 2022 | 214 |
| 2023 | 206 |
| 2024 | 192 |
| 2025 | 180 |
Top 34 institutions for Pre-Theology/Pre-Ministerial Studies, ranked by graduates
Graduates (IPEDS completions), 2024–25. Award levels show which credentials each institution confers in this specialization.
| # | Institution | Graduates / yr | Grad rate | Net price | Field earnings* (1 yr) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Martin Luther College New Ulm, MNPrivate not-for-profitBachelor'sAward of at least 2 but less than 4 academic years | 30 | 72% | $17,946 | $15,327 |
| 2 | Grand Canyon University Phoenix, AZPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 20 | 43% | $21,535 | — |
| 3 | University of Dallas Irving, TXPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 17 | 73% | $20,960 | — |
| 4 | Pentecostal Theological Seminary Cleveland, TNPrivate not-for-profitAward of at least 2 but less than 4 academic years | 16 | — | — | — |
| 5 | Saint Vincent de Paul Regional Seminary Boynton Beach, FLPrivate not-for-profitPost-degree cert. | 13 | — | — | — |
| 6 | Saint Meinrad School of Theology St. Meinrad, INPrivate not-for-profitMaster's | 10 | — | — | — |
| 7 | University of Saint Mary of the Lake Mundelein, ILPrivate not-for-profitMaster's | 8 | — | — | — |
| 8 | Lee University Cleveland, TNPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 7 | 63% | $18,918 | — |
| 9 | Western Theological Seminary Holland, MIPrivate not-for-profitPost-degree cert. | 6 | — | — | — |
| 10 | The Catholic University of America Washington, DCPrivate not-for-profitPost-degree cert. | 4 | 79% | $27,724 | — |
| 11 | Maranatha Baptist University Watertown, WIPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 4 | 64% | $25,239 | — |
| 12 | Epic Bible College & Graduate School Sacramento, CAPrivate not-for-profitAssociate's | 3 | 0% | — | — |
| 13 | Trinity College of Florida Trinity, FLPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 3 | 0% | $22,050 | — |
| 14 | Indiana Wesleyan University - Marion Marion, INPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 3 | 67% | $21,351 | — |
| 15 | The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary Louisville, KYPrivate not-for-profitAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years | 3 | 40% | — | — |
| 16 | University of Northwestern - St Paul Saint Paul, MNPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 3 | 68% | $23,114 | $32,815 |
| 17 | Montreat College Montreat, NCPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 3 | 50% | $25,763 | — |
| 18 | Concordia University - Wisconsin Mequon, WIPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 3 | 68% | $24,409 | — |
| 19 | Universidad Teologica del Caribe Trujillo Alto, PRPrivate not-for-profitAssociate's | 3 | 39% | $11,987 | — |
| 20 | Divine Word College Epworth, IAPrivate not-for-profitAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years | 2 | 100% | — | — |
| 21 | Mid - Atlantic Christian University Elizabeth City, NCPrivate not-for-profitAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 2 | 21% | $25,800 | — |
| 22 | Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary Wake Forest, NCPrivate not-for-profitAssociate's | 2 | 58% | $6,608 | — |
| 23 | Geneva College Beaver Falls, PAPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 2 | 61% | $19,540 | — |
| 24 | Johnson University Knoxville, TNPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 2 | 57% | $19,333 | $33,627 |
| 25 | Texas Lutheran University Seguin, TXPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 2 | 54% | $22,483 | — |
| 26 | Latin American Bible Institute La Puente, CAPrivate not-for-profitAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 1 | 33% | $8,939 | — |
| 27 | Southeastern University Lakeland, FLPrivate not-for-profitAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 1 | 43% | $29,915 | $29,809 |
| 28 | Asbury University Wilmore, KYPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 1 | 65% | $19,816 | — |
| 29 | Saint John's Seminary Brighton, MAPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 1 | — | — | — |
| 30 | Concordia University Ann Arbor Ann Arbor, MIPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 1 | 48% | $25,071 | — |
| 31 | Conception Seminary College Conception, MOPrivate not-for-profitAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years | 1 | 50% | $33,216 | — |
| 32 | Columbia International University Columbia, SCPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 1 | 47% | $21,361 | — |
| 33 | Alaska Christian College Soldotna, AKPrivate not-for-profitAssociate's | 1 | 11% | $6,724 | — |
| 34 | Ecclesia College Springdale, ARPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 1 | 40% | $24,560 | — |
* Median earnings 1 year after graduation for the broader Theological and Ministerial Studies field (CIP 39.06) at these institutions; College Scorecard does not publish earnings at the 6-digit level.
Offered in 21 states & territories
Where Pre-Theology/Pre-Ministerial Studies graduates come from. Each state links to all Theological and Ministerial Studies programs offered there.
Careers & outlook
The payoff after graduation: occupation 21-2011, Clergy, and its national outlook.
Graduates of the Pre-Theology/Pre-Ministerial Studies program often pursue careers as clergy or postsecondary philosophy and religion teachers. The job outlook for these roles indicates little or no change, with an annual opening of approximately 23,000 positions. A bachelor's degree is typically required, and the median wage for these careers is around $60,820.
Top-paying metros
Career pathways for CIP 39.0604
The occupations the NCES crosswalk maps this 6-digit code to, with BLS pay and 10-year outlook.
| Occupation | US median pay | Growth | Openings / yr | Typical entry education |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Clergyprimary SOC 21-2011 | $60,810 | +1.0% Little or no change | ~23,000 | Bachelor's degree |
Philosophy and Religion Teachers, Postsecondary SOC 25-1126 | $80,260 | +0.7% Little or no change | ~2,000 | Doctoral or professional degree |
Job Zone Five: Extensive Preparation Needed
- Education
- Most of these occupations require graduate school. For example, they may require a master's degree, and some require a Ph.D., M.D., or J.D. (law degree).
- Experience
- Extensive skill, knowledge, and experience are needed for these occupations. Many require more than five years of experience. For example, surgeons must complete four years of college and an additional five to seven years of specialized medical training to be able to do their job.
- Training
- Employees may need some on-the-job training, but most of these occupations assume that the person will already have the required skills, knowledge, work-related experience, and/or training.
Related careers
Skills & knowledge in Pre-Theology/Pre-Ministerial Studies programs
From the U.S. Dept. of Labor for the occupation this specialization most leads to.
Skills you'll build
Knowledge areas
Abilities that matter most
Day-to-day work activities
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.
Tools and technology used
Other Theological and Ministerial Studies specializations
The 4 other 6-digit CIP codes under Theological and Ministerial Studies (CIP 39.06).
Common questions
What degree do I earn from this program?+
You can earn a Bachelor's degree, a Postbaccalaureate certificate, or an Award of at least 2 but less than 4 academic years.
What skills will I develop?+
You will develop skills in speaking, active listening, writing, critical thinking, and more.
What careers can I pursue after graduation?+
You can become a clergy member or a philosophy and religion teacher, among other roles.
What is the job outlook for this field?+
The job outlook shows little or no change, with about 23,000 annual openings.
What is the CIP code for Pre-Theology/Pre-Ministerial Studies?+
Pre-Theology/Pre-Ministerial Studies is CIP 39.0604 in the NCES Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP 2020), a 6-digit specialization within Theological and Ministerial Studies (CIP 39.06). NCES defines it as: A program that prepares individuals to enter a seminary or other program leading to religious ordination, or a related religious vocation.
How many institutions offer Pre-Theology/Pre-Ministerial Studies programs?+
34 U.S. institutions reported Pre-Theology/Pre-Ministerial Studies graduates in IPEDS 2024–25, across 21 states & territories, awarding 180 credentials in the year. That is 1.2% of all Theological and Ministerial Studies graduates.
How much do Pre-Theology/Pre-Ministerial Studies graduates earn?+
Earnings are not published at the 6-digit CIP level by any federal source. The Clergy occupation, which Pre-Theology/Pre-Ministerial Studies most directly leads to, pays a median of $60,810 a year nationally (BLS OEWS May 2025), and graduates of the broader Theological and Ministerial Studies field report median earnings of $32,815 one year after graduation (College Scorecard).
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.
Program definitions are from the NCES Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP 2020). Skills, knowledge, abilities, work activities, tools, and job zones are from the O*NET database by the U.S. Department of Labor, used under the CC BY 4.0 license.
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