Best colleges for Pastoral Counseling and Specialized Ministries in Texas
Ranked by graduate earnings
University of St Thomas, Nelson University and Dallas Baptist University award the most Pastoral Counseling and Specialized Ministries degrees and certificates in Texas: 84, 56 and 44 graduates a year (IPEDS 2024–25). 21 Texas colleges offer Pastoral Counseling and Specialized Ministries and award 362 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 2 institutions, 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 | Nelson University Waxahachie Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $30,910 | 56 | 42% | $19,790 | $26,750 |
| 2 | Lubbock Christian University Lubbock Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree Small program | $38,473 | 4 | 51% | $25,162 | — |
Colleges awarding the most Pastoral Counseling and Specialized Ministries degrees in Texas
Top 10 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 | University of St Thomas Houston Private not-for-profit | 84 | Not reported |
| 2 | Nelson University Waxahachie Private not-for-profit | 56 | $30,910 |
| 3 | Dallas Baptist University Dallas Private not-for-profit | 44 | Not reported |
| 4 | Abilene Christian University Abilene Private not-for-profit | 23 | Not reported |
| 5 | The King's University Southlake Private not-for-profit | 9 | Not reported |
| 6 | Redeemers University North America Greenville Private not-for-profit | 6 | Not reported |
| 7 | University of Dallas Irving Private not-for-profit | 5 | Not reported |
| 8 | East Texas Baptist University Marshall Private not-for-profit | 5 | Not reported |
| 9 | University of the Incarnate Word San Antonio Private not-for-profit | 5 | Not reported |
| 10 | Lubbock Christian University Lubbock Private not-for-profit | 4 | $38,473 |
ShowHide the other 11 Texas colleges offering Pastoral Counseling and Specialized Ministries
| Institution | City | Control | Graduates / yr |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dallas Theological Seminary (Graduate only) | Dallas | Private not-for-profit | 57 |
| Bakke Graduate University (Graduate only) | Dallas | Private not-for-profit | 27 |
| Austin Presbyterian Theological Seminary (Graduate only) | Austin | Private not-for-profit | 15 |
| Howard Payne University | Brownwood | Private not-for-profit | 6 |
| Abilene Christian University - Undergraduate Online (Online) | Addison | Private not-for-profit | 4 |
| Arlington Baptist University | Arlington | Private not-for-profit | 3 |
| Dallas Christian College | Dallas | Private not-for-profit | 3 |
| Episcopal Theological Seminary of the Southwest (Graduate only) | Austin | Private not-for-profit | 2 |
| University of Mary Hardin-Baylor | Belton | Private not-for-profit | 2 |
| Messenger College | Bedford | Private not-for-profit | 1 |
| Grace School of Theology | The Woodlands | Private not-for-profit | 1 |
Career outlook
What this program leads to: Clergy (SOC 21-2011).
Top skills
What Clergy earn in Texas
Related careers
Common questions
Answers for students comparing Pastoral Counseling and Specialized Ministries programs in Texas.
Which Texas colleges award the most Pastoral Counseling and Specialized Ministries degrees?+
University of St Thomas (84 graduates a year), Nelson University (56 graduates a year) and Dallas Baptist University (44 graduates a year) award the most Pastoral Counseling and Specialized Ministries degrees and certificates in Texas, per IPEDS 2024–25 completions. In all, 21 Texas colleges offer Pastoral Counseling and Specialized Ministries.
Which Pastoral Counseling and Specialized Ministries program in Texas has the highest-earning graduates?+
By median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary), College Scorecard, Nelson University tops the list at $30,910. Compare it against graduates a year, graduation rate, cost, and debt in the ranked table above.
How much do Clergy earn in Texas?+
The average annual wage for Clergy in Texas is $62,430 (median $59,480), across about 3,180 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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