Best colleges for Pastoral Counseling and Specialized Ministries in Virginia
Ranked by graduate earnings
Liberty University, Regent University and Hampton University award the most Pastoral Counseling and Specialized Ministries degrees and certificates in Virginia: 163, 39 and 1 graduates a year (IPEDS 2024–25). 4 Virginia colleges offer Pastoral Counseling and Specialized Ministries and award 204 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 | Liberty University Lynchburg Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $34,083 | 163 | 65% | $28,911 | $23,750 |
| 2 | Regent University Virginia Beach Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $33,407 | 39 | 57% | $18,677 | $35,500 |
Colleges awarding the most Pastoral Counseling and Specialized Ministries degrees in Virginia
Top 4 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 | Liberty University Lynchburg Private not-for-profit | 163 | $34,083 |
| 2 | Regent University Virginia Beach Private not-for-profit | 39 | $33,407 |
| 3 | Hampton University Hampton Private not-for-profit | 1 | Not reported |
| 4 | Ascent College Gainesville Private not-for-profit | 1 | Not reported |
Career outlook
What this program leads to: Clergy (SOC 21-2011).
Top skills
What Clergy earn in Virginia
Related careers
Common questions
Answers for students comparing Pastoral Counseling and Specialized Ministries programs in Virginia.
Which Virginia colleges award the most Pastoral Counseling and Specialized Ministries degrees?+
Liberty University (163 graduates a year), Regent University (39 graduates a year) and Hampton University (1 graduate a year) award the most Pastoral Counseling and Specialized Ministries degrees and certificates in Virginia, per IPEDS 2024–25 completions. In all, 4 Virginia colleges offer Pastoral Counseling and Specialized Ministries.
Which Pastoral Counseling and Specialized Ministries program in Virginia has the highest-earning graduates?+
By median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary), College Scorecard, Liberty University tops the list at $34,083. Compare it against graduates a year, graduation rate, cost, and debt in the ranked table above.
How much do Clergy earn in Virginia?+
The average annual wage for Clergy in Virginia is $57,350 (median $55,430), across about 1,220 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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