Best colleges for Theological and Ministerial Studies in Texas
Ranked by graduate earnings
Southern Methodist University, Baylor University and The King's University award the most Theological and Ministerial Studies degrees and certificates in Texas: 95, 68 and 60 graduates a year (IPEDS 2024–25). 27 Texas colleges offer Theological and Ministerial Studies and award 937 degrees and certificates a year in all.
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…
Top institution, 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 | The King's University Southlake Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $29,593 | 60 | 47% | $23,878 | $48,998 |
Colleges awarding the most Theological and Ministerial Studies 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 | Southern Methodist University Dallas Private not-for-profit | 95 | Not reported |
| 2 | Baylor University Waco Private not-for-profit | 68 | Not reported |
| 3 | The King's University Southlake Private not-for-profit | 60 | $29,593 |
| 4 | Grace School of Theology The Woodlands Private not-for-profit | 55 | Not reported |
| 5 | Houston Christian University Houston Private not-for-profit | 44 | Not reported |
| 6 | University of Dallas Irving Private not-for-profit | 35 | Not reported |
| 7 | University of St Thomas Houston Private not-for-profit | 26 | Not reported |
| 8 | Nelson University Waxahachie Private not-for-profit | 24 | Not reported |
| 9 | Abilene Christian University Abilene Private not-for-profit | 18 | Not reported |
| 10 | Dallas Baptist University Dallas Private not-for-profit | 14 | Not reported |
ShowHide the other 17 Texas colleges offering Theological and Ministerial Studies
| Institution | City | Control | Graduates / yr |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dallas Theological Seminary (Graduate only) | Dallas | Private not-for-profit | 317 |
| Dallas Christian College | Dallas | Private not-for-profit | 42 |
| Oblate School of Theology (Graduate only) | San Antonio | Private not-for-profit | 41 |
| Austin Presbyterian Theological Seminary (Graduate only) | Austin | Private not-for-profit | 23 |
| Criswell College | Dallas | Private not-for-profit | 13 |
| Christ Mission College | San Antonio | Private not-for-profit | 9 |
| East Texas Baptist University | Marshall | Private not-for-profit | 8 |
| Episcopal Theological Seminary of the Southwest (Graduate only) | Austin | Private not-for-profit | 8 |
| Southwestern Adventist University | Keene | Private not-for-profit | 8 |
| Lubbock Christian University | Lubbock | Private not-for-profit | 6 |
| St. Mary's University | San Antonio | Private not-for-profit | 6 |
| Brite Divinity School (Graduate only) | Fort Worth | Private not-for-profit | 6 |
| Howard Payne University | Brownwood | Private not-for-profit | 4 |
| LeTourneau University | Longview | Private not-for-profit | 2 |
| Saint Edward's University | Austin | Private not-for-profit | 2 |
| Texas Lutheran University | Seguin | Private not-for-profit | 2 |
| Bakke Graduate University (Graduate only) | Dallas | 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 Theological and Ministerial Studies programs in Texas.
Which Texas colleges award the most Theological and Ministerial Studies degrees?+
Southern Methodist University (95 graduates a year), Baylor University (68 graduates a year) and The King's University (60 graduates a year) award the most Theological and Ministerial Studies degrees and certificates in Texas, per IPEDS 2024–25 completions. In all, 27 Texas colleges offer Theological and Ministerial Studies.
Which Theological and Ministerial Studies program in Texas has the highest-earning graduates?+
By median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary), College Scorecard, The King's University tops the list at $29,593. 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 Theological and Ministerial Studies program?+
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…
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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