Lay Ministry is a field worth a close look when choosing where to study. A focused field like this rewards careful comparison of the schools that offer it.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 72 schools to find the best for lay ministry students.
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Choosing a Great Lay Ministry School
The lay ministry program you select can have a big impact on your future. That is why we built our Best Lay Ministry Schools rankings. For our Best Overall Lay Ministry School ranking, we roll up the results of our degree-level rankings, weighted by the number of degrees awarded at that level.
To find the best fit, you can narrow this list to a specific degree level below.
Since the program you select can have a significant impact on your future, we have developed a number of rankings, including this Best Lay Ministry Schools list, to help you choose. Want schools in a particular part of the country? Narrow the list by region or state.
To further help you make the college decision, we have developed a unique tool called College Combat that lets you compare schools on the factors that matter most to you.
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University Of St Thomas Minnesota is one of the finest schools in the country for getting a degree in lay ministry. This large private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Saint Paul. Roughly 77% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 15 lay ministry degrees were awarded at University Of St Thomas Minnesota in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, lay ministry degree recipients from University Of St Thomas Minnesota generally make around $65,183. University Of St Thomas Minnesota graduates carry a median of $23,923 in student loans.
Get the full lay ministry details for University Of St Thomas Minnesota
Calvin College came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best lay ministry schools. This mid-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Grand Rapids. Calvin College graduates 74% of students within six years. There were roughly 56 lay ministry students who graduated with this degree at Calvin College in the most recent data year. Students who receive their lay ministry degree from Calvin College earn around $44,220 in the first couple years of their career. Calvin College graduates carry a median of $22,707 in student loans.
More information about a degree in lay ministry from Calvin College
The Masters College And Seminary is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in lay ministry, landing the #3 spot this year. Located in the suburb of Santa Clarita, The Masters College And Seminary is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. The six-year graduation rate is 67%. The Masters College And Seminary awarded about 37 lay ministry degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, lay ministry degree recipients from The Masters College And Seminary generally make around $46,541. Students borrow a median of $22,089 to complete this degree.
More information about a degree in lay ministry from The Masters College And Seminary
Liberty University is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in lay ministry, ranking #4. This very large private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Lynchburg. About 67% of students finish within six years. About 31 lay ministry degrees were awarded at Liberty University in the most recent year. Graduates of the lay ministry program make about $34,083 in their early career. Liberty University graduates carry a median of $23,750 in student loans.
See the full lay ministry program report for Liberty University
Students looking for a strong lay ministry program will find one at Grace College And Theological Seminary, which ranked #5. Set in the town of Winona Lake, Grace College And Theological Seminary is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 69% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 15 lay ministry degrees were awarded at Grace College And Theological Seminary in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, lay ministry degree recipients from Grace College And Theological Seminary generally make around $34,513. Typical student debt for the program is $25,500.
More information about a degree in lay ministry from Grace College And Theological Seminary
North Central University earned the #6 position for lay ministry this year. Located in the city of Minneapolis, North Central University is a small private not-for-profit university. North Central University graduates 65% of students within six years. About 16 lay ministry degrees were awarded at North Central University in the most recent year. Students who receive their lay ministry degree from North Central University earn around $27,370 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $26,750.
More information about a degree in lay ministry from North Central University
Bethel College Mishawaka ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best lay ministry schools. Set in the city of Mishawaka, Bethel College Mishawaka is a small private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 52% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 23 lay ministry degrees were awarded at Bethel College Mishawaka in the most recent year. Graduates of the lay ministry program make about $31,046 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $23,319.
Read more about the lay ministry program at Bethel College Mishawaka
Indiana Wesleyan University National And Global placed #8 among the best lay ministry schools. This large private not-for-profit university is located in the rural area of Marion. There were roughly 11 lay ministry students who graduated with this degree at Indiana Wesleyan University National And Global in the most recent data year. Lay Ministry graduates of Indiana Wesleyan University National And Global earn a median of $37,004 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $26,338.
Read more about the lay ministry program at Indiana Wesleyan University National And Global
Colorado Christian University placed #9 among the best lay ministry schools. Set in the suburb of Lakewood, Colorado Christian University is a large private not-for-profit institution. Colorado Christian University graduates 63% of students within six years. About 28 lay ministry degrees were awarded at Colorado Christian University in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, lay ministry degree recipients from Colorado Christian University generally make around $47,333. Students borrow a median of $36,092 to complete this degree.
Read more about the lay ministry program at Colorado Christian University
Regent University landed the #10 spot for lay ministry this year. This large private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Virginia Beach. Regent University graduates 58% of students within six years. There were roughly 29 lay ministry students who graduated with this degree at Regent University in the most recent data year. Students who receive their lay ministry degree from Regent University earn around $33,407 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $35,500 to complete this degree.
More information about a degree in lay ministry from Regent University
Gordon Conwell Theological Seminary ranked #11 on our 2026 list of the best lay ministry schools. Located in the suburb of South Hamilton, Gordon Conwell Theological Seminary is a small private not-for-profit university. Gordon Conwell Theological Seminary awarded about 157 lay ministry degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the lay ministry program make about $41,332 in their early career.
Read more about the lay ministry program at Gordon Conwell Theological Seminary
Grace Bible College placed #12 among the best lay ministry schools. This small private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Wyoming. The six-year graduation rate is 51%. There were roughly 46 lay ministry students who graduated with this degree at Grace Bible College in the most recent data year. Lay Ministry graduates of Grace Bible College earn a median of $41,219 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $30,118 to complete this degree.
Get the full lay ministry details for Grace Bible College
Southeastern Free Will Baptist Bible College landed the #13 spot for lay ministry this year. This small private not-for-profit university is located in the rural area of Wendell. About 42% of students finish within six years. About 10 lay ministry degrees were awarded at Southeastern Free Will Baptist Bible College in the most recent year.
Read more about the lay ministry program at Southeastern Free Will Baptist Bible College
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The ranking above is published by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. Schools are scored on a blend of student outcomes (graduation rate, post-graduation earnings), affordability, and program focus, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Top Ranked · 72 schools evaluated.
The Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), a branch of the U.S. Department of Education (DOE), serves as the core of our data about colleges.
Some other college data, including much of the graduate earnings data, comes from the U.S. Department of Education’s (College Scorecard).
