by our College Data Analytics TeamA degree in Lay Ministry involves the study of Lay Ministry. A Program That Prepares Non-Ordained Individuals To Serve As Lay Pastors, Religious Educators, Youth Leaders, And Other Professional Positions Open To The Laity In Local Churches And Other Settings. Includes Instruction In Bible Studies, Theology, Spirituality, Pastoral Counseling, Foundations Of Ministry, Effective Communication, And Church Leadership. Read on to learn the essential details every lay ministry major should know — including career paths, salary data, the skills you will develop, and the best colleges offering lay ministry programs.
Across the country, lay ministry is a popular field of study, with 732 degrees awarded annually.
Our 2026 Best Lay Ministry Schools ranking analyzes these 48 schools to determine the best overall colleges for lay ministry students. Continue reading to check out one of our many unbiased rankings of lay ministry programs later in this article.
Coursework for Lay Ministry develop a specific mix of skills, knowledge, and abilities — derived from O*NET surveys of workers in the occupations lay ministry graduates commonly enter.
Skills emphasized by a lay ministry program reflects the day-to-day work of related occupations:
Per O*NET surveys, a lay ministry major emphasizes the following knowledge areas:
There are several lay ministry degree levels. The table below shows the typical length of the most common levels, and how many graduates earn each one.
| Degree | Typical Program Length | Graduates Annually |
|---|---|---|
| Certificate | Varies | 36 |
| Associate Degree | 2 years | 72 |
| Bachelor’s Degree | 4 years | 196 |
| Master’s Degree | 1-3 years | 424 |
| Doctorate | At least 4 years | 4 |
People currently working in careers related to lay ministry tend to have obtained the following education levels.
| Level of Education | Percentage of Workers |
|---|---|
| Bachelor’s degree | 53.6% |
| Postsecondary certificate | 21.1% |
| Associate’s degree (or other 2-year) | 14.4% |
| Master’s degree | 9.2% |
| High school diploma or equivalent | 0.9% |
| Post-baccalaureate certificate | 0.6% |
| Some college courses | 0.3% |
See the chart below to get an idea of what level of education most of those in lay ministry careers hold.
Source: ONET Online education / training / experience requirements.*
Majoring in lay ministry prepares you for numerous career paths. Here are some of the most common occupations related to lay ministry.
The following options are some of the most in-demand careers related to lay ministry.
| Occupation | Projected Jobs | Expected Growth |
|---|---|---|
| Religious Workers, All Other | 258,483 | -1.4% |
| Directors, Religious Activities and Education | 239,121 | -2.3% |
Federal data tracks median earnings of lay ministry graduates 1, 4, and 5 years after completion. These numbers tend to grow as graduates gain experience.
| Years Out | Median Earnings |
|---|---|
| 1 year | $37,962 |
| 4 years | $41,537 |
| 5 years | $44,763 |
Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, field-of-study earnings tracker.
Salaries for lay ministry graduates vary widely by occupation. The following table shows the top highest-paying careers lay ministry grads often go into.
| Occupation | Median Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| Directors, Religious Activities and Education | $64,599 |
| Religious Workers, All Other | $58,956 |
With 48 different lay ministry programs to choose from, finding the best fit can be a challenge. We have analyzed these schools to produce unbiased lay ministry school rankings to help you.
Those considering lay ministry, you may also want to explore other closely related fields of study within the same broad area.
| Related Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| Pastoral Studies/Counseling | 1,323 |
| Pastoral Counseling and Specialized Ministries, Other | 678 |
| Youth Ministry | 327 |
| Women’s Ministry | 75 |
| Urban Ministry | 65 |
| Chaplain/Chaplaincy Studies | 30 |
More about our data sources and methodologies.
