2026 Best Pastoral Studies/Counseling Schools

1

Loyola Marymount University
Los Angeles, CA

No school ranked higher than Loyola Marymount University this year for pastoral studies/counseling. Set in the city of Los Angeles, Loyola Marymount University is a large private not-for-profit institution. About 79% of students finish within six years. About 11 pastoral studies/counseling degrees were awarded at Loyola Marymount University in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, pastoral studies/counseling degree recipients from Loyola Marymount University generally make around $52,935. Typical student debt for the program is $22,248. See the full pastoral studies/counseling program report for Loyola Marymount University

2

Andrews University
Berrien Springs, MI

Andrews University is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in pastoral studies/counseling, landing the #2 spot this year. Set in the town of Berrien Springs, Andrews University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 72% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 49 pastoral studies/counseling degrees were awarded at Andrews University in the most recent year. Students who receive their pastoral studies/counseling degree from Andrews University earn around $57,865 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $26,314 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in pastoral studies/counseling from Andrews University

3

Taylor University
Upland, IN

Taylor University is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in pastoral studies/counseling, landing the #3 spot this year. Located in the rural area of Upland, Taylor University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Taylor University graduates 74% of students within six years. Taylor University awarded about 11 pastoral studies/counseling degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their pastoral studies/counseling degree from Taylor University earn around $37,035 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $21,832. Get the full pastoral studies/counseling details for Taylor University

4

Bethel University Minnesota
Saint Paul, MN

Bethel University Minnesota is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in pastoral studies/counseling, landing the #4 spot this year. Bethel University Minnesota is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Saint Paul. About 71% of students finish within six years. About 17 pastoral studies/counseling degrees were awarded at Bethel University Minnesota in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, pastoral studies/counseling degree recipients from Bethel University Minnesota generally make around $45,641. Bethel University Minnesota graduates carry a median of $25,639 in student loans. More information about a degree in pastoral studies/counseling from Bethel University Minnesota

5

The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary
Louisville, KY

Students looking for a strong pastoral studies/counseling program will find one at The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, which ranked #5. Set in the city of Louisville, The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary graduates 35% of students within six years. The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary awarded about 24 pastoral studies/counseling degrees in the most recent data year. Pastoral Studies/counseling graduates of The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary earn a median of $74,388 early in their careers. Get the full pastoral studies/counseling details for The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary

6

The Masters College And Seminary
Santa Clarita, CA

The Masters College And Seminary landed the #6 spot for pastoral studies/counseling this year. Set in the suburb of Santa Clarita, The Masters College And Seminary is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. The Masters College And Seminary graduates 67% of students within six years. The Masters College And Seminary awarded about 36 pastoral studies/counseling degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their pastoral studies/counseling degree from The Masters College And Seminary earn around $46,541 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $22,089 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in pastoral studies/counseling from The Masters College And Seminary

7

Moody Bible Institute
Chicago, IL

Moody Bible Institute placed #7 among the best pastoral studies/counseling schools. Located in the city of Chicago, Moody Bible Institute is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Roughly 62% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 34 pastoral studies/counseling students who graduated with this degree at Moody Bible Institute in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, pastoral studies/counseling degree recipients from Moody Bible Institute generally make around $35,426. Moody Bible Institute graduates carry a median of $12,000 in student loans. Read more about the pastoral studies/counseling program at Moody Bible Institute

8

Vanguard University Of Southern California
Costa Mesa, CA

Vanguard University Of Southern California came in at #8 for pastoral studies/counseling this year. Set in the city of Costa Mesa, Vanguard University Of Southern California is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. About 57% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 19 pastoral studies/counseling students who graduated with this degree at Vanguard University Of Southern California in the most recent data year. Graduates of the pastoral studies/counseling program make about $80,727 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $21,111. More information about a degree in pastoral studies/counseling from Vanguard University Of Southern California

9

Liberty University
Lynchburg, VA

Liberty University earned the #9 position for pastoral studies/counseling this year. This very large private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Lynchburg. Liberty University graduates 67% of students within six years. Liberty University awarded about 102 pastoral studies/counseling degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the pastoral studies/counseling program make about $34,083 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $23,750 to complete this degree. See the full pastoral studies/counseling program report for Liberty University

10

Loyola University Chicago
Chicago, IL

Loyola University Chicago earned the #10 position for pastoral studies/counseling this year. Located in the city of Chicago, Loyola University Chicago is a large private not-for-profit university. Loyola University Chicago graduates 75% of students within six years. About 66 pastoral studies/counseling degrees were awarded at Loyola University Chicago in the most recent year. Graduates of the pastoral studies/counseling program make about $46,241 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $23,521. More information about a degree in pastoral studies/counseling from Loyola University Chicago

11

Maranatha Baptist Bible College
Watertown, WI

Maranatha Baptist Bible College ranked #11 on our 2026 list of the best pastoral studies/counseling schools. This small private not-for-profit university is located in the town of Watertown. Roughly 64% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 26 pastoral studies/counseling degrees were awarded at Maranatha Baptist Bible College in the most recent year. Pastoral Studies/counseling graduates of Maranatha Baptist Bible College earn a median of $56,298 early in their careers. Get the full pastoral studies/counseling details for Maranatha Baptist Bible College

12

University Of St Thomas Texas
Houston, TX

University Of St Thomas Texas ranked #12 on our 2026 list of the best pastoral studies/counseling schools. Located in the city of Houston, University Of St Thomas Texas is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. The six-year graduation rate is 69%. University Of St Thomas Texas awarded about 47 pastoral studies/counseling degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, pastoral studies/counseling degree recipients from University Of St Thomas Texas generally make around $58,265. Students borrow a median of $23,628 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in pastoral studies/counseling from University Of St Thomas Texas

13

Biola University
La Mirada, CA

Biola University placed #13 among the best pastoral studies/counseling schools. Set in the suburb of La Mirada, Biola University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. Biola University graduates 68% of students within six years. Biola University awarded about 10 pastoral studies/counseling degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their pastoral studies/counseling degree from Biola University earn around $45,003 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $25,308. More information about a degree in pastoral studies/counseling from Biola University

14

Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary
Kansas City, MO

Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary landed the #14 spot for pastoral studies/counseling this year. Set in the city of Kansas City, Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. About 64% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 34 pastoral studies/counseling students who graduated with this degree at Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary in the most recent data year. Graduates of the pastoral studies/counseling program make about $55,308 in their early career. Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary graduates carry a median of $15,559 in student loans. See the full pastoral studies/counseling program report for Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary

15

New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary
New Orleans, LA

New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary placed #15 among the best pastoral studies/counseling schools. This mid-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the city of New Orleans. About 70% of students finish within six years. New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary awarded about 32 pastoral studies/counseling degrees in the most recent data year. More information about a degree in pastoral studies/counseling from New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary

16

Indiana Wesleyan University
Marion, IN

Indiana Wesleyan University ranked #16 on our 2026 list of the best pastoral studies/counseling schools. This mid-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the town of Marion. The six-year graduation rate is 66%. There were roughly 15 pastoral studies/counseling students who graduated with this degree at Indiana Wesleyan University in the most recent data year. Graduates of the pastoral studies/counseling program make about $31,281 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $24,221 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in pastoral studies/counseling from Indiana Wesleyan University

17

Grace College And Theological Seminary
Winona Lake, IN

Grace College And Theological Seminary earned the #17 position for pastoral studies/counseling this year. This mid-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the town of Winona Lake. The six-year graduation rate is 69%. About 16 pastoral studies/counseling degrees were awarded at Grace College And Theological Seminary in the most recent year. Students who receive their pastoral studies/counseling degree from Grace College And Theological Seminary earn around $34,513 in the first couple years of their career. Grace College And Theological Seminary graduates carry a median of $25,500 in student loans. More information about a degree in pastoral studies/counseling from Grace College And Theological Seminary

18

Neumann University
Aston, PA

Neumann University landed the #18 spot for pastoral studies/counseling this year. Set in the suburb of Aston, Neumann University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 53% of students complete a degree within six years here. Neumann University awarded about 15 pastoral studies/counseling degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their pastoral studies/counseling degree from Neumann University earn around $56,542 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $28,450. More information about a degree in pastoral studies/counseling from Neumann University

19

George Fox University
Newberg, OR

George Fox University placed #19 among the best pastoral studies/counseling schools. Located in the town of Newberg, George Fox University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. About 72% of students finish within six years. George Fox University awarded about 48 pastoral studies/counseling degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, pastoral studies/counseling degree recipients from George Fox University generally make around $74,619. Typical student debt for the program is $25,324. See the full pastoral studies/counseling program report for George Fox University

20

Ozark Christian College
Joplin, MO

Ozark Christian College ranked #20 on our 2026 list of the best pastoral studies/counseling schools. This small private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Joplin. The six-year graduation rate is 58%. There were roughly 15 pastoral studies/counseling students who graduated with this degree at Ozark Christian College in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, pastoral studies/counseling degree recipients from Ozark Christian College generally make around $26,422. Typical student debt for the program is $23,500. Read more about the pastoral studies/counseling program at Ozark Christian College

21

Life Pacific College
San Dimas, CA

Life Pacific College placed #21 among the best pastoral studies/counseling schools. Set in the suburb of San Dimas, Life Pacific College is a small private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 38% of students complete a degree within six years here. Life Pacific College awarded about 23 pastoral studies/counseling degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the pastoral studies/counseling program make about $37,436 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $24,083. Get the full pastoral studies/counseling details for Life Pacific College

22

Dallas Theological Seminary
Dallas, TX

Dallas Theological Seminary ranked #22 on our 2026 list of the best pastoral studies/counseling schools. Located in the city of Dallas, Dallas Theological Seminary is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. About 56 pastoral studies/counseling degrees were awarded at Dallas Theological Seminary in the most recent year. Students who receive their pastoral studies/counseling degree from Dallas Theological Seminary earn around $45,207 in the first couple years of their career. Read more about the pastoral studies/counseling program at Dallas Theological Seminary

23

Lee University
Cleveland, TN

Lee University landed the #23 spot for pastoral studies/counseling this year. Lee University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Cleveland. About 63% of students finish within six years. Lee University awarded about 50 pastoral studies/counseling degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their pastoral studies/counseling degree from Lee University earn around $35,189 in the first couple years of their career. Lee University graduates carry a median of $28,750 in student loans. See the full pastoral studies/counseling program report for Lee University

24

Indiana Wesleyan University National And Global
Marion, IN

Indiana Wesleyan University National And Global came in at #24 for pastoral studies/counseling this year. Indiana Wesleyan University National And Global is a large private not-for-profit school located in the rural area of Marion. There were roughly 13 pastoral studies/counseling students who graduated with this degree at Indiana Wesleyan University National And Global in the most recent data year. Students who receive their pastoral studies/counseling degree from Indiana Wesleyan University National And Global earn around $37,004 in the first couple years of their career. Indiana Wesleyan University National And Global graduates carry a median of $26,338 in student loans. Read more about the pastoral studies/counseling program at Indiana Wesleyan University National And Global

25

Southeastern University
Lakeland, FL

Southeastern University earned the #25 position for pastoral studies/counseling this year. Southeastern University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Lakeland. The six-year graduation rate is 44%. Southeastern University awarded about 24 pastoral studies/counseling degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the pastoral studies/counseling program make about $35,209 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $26,000 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in pastoral studies/counseling from Southeastern University