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Best Schools for Pastoral Studies/Counseling in the Great Lakes Region
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest overall pastoral studies/counseling education in the Great Lakes Region.
Top Schools in Pastoral Studies/Counseling
Andrews University tops our 2026 ranking of the best pastoral studies/counseling schools. Andrews University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the town of Berrien Springs. Andrews University graduates 72% of students within six years. Andrews University awarded about 49 pastoral studies/counseling degrees in the most recent data year. Pastoral Studies/counseling graduates of Andrews University earn a median of $57,865 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $26,314 to complete this degree.
Read more about the pastoral studies/counseling program at Andrews University
Taylor University came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best pastoral studies/counseling schools. This mid-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the rural area of Upland. Taylor University graduates 74% of students within six years. About 11 pastoral studies/counseling degrees were awarded at Taylor University in the most recent year. Graduates of the pastoral studies/counseling program make about $37,035 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $21,832.
More information about a degree in pastoral studies/counseling from Taylor University
Moody Bible Institute came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best pastoral studies/counseling schools. Moody Bible Institute is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Chicago. The six-year graduation rate is 62%. There were roughly 34 pastoral studies/counseling students who graduated with this degree at Moody Bible Institute in the most recent data year. Graduates of the pastoral studies/counseling program make about $35,426 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $12,000.
Read more about the pastoral studies/counseling program at Moody Bible Institute
Students looking for a strong pastoral studies/counseling program will find one at Loyola University Chicago, which ranked #4. This large private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Chicago. Loyola University Chicago graduates 75% of students within six years. There were roughly 66 pastoral studies/counseling students who graduated with this degree at Loyola University Chicago in the most recent data 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.
Get the full pastoral studies/counseling details for Loyola University Chicago
Maranatha Baptist Bible College is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in pastoral studies/counseling, landing the #5 spot this year. Located in the town of Watertown, Maranatha Baptist Bible College is a small private not-for-profit university. Roughly 64% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 26 pastoral studies/counseling students who graduated with this degree at Maranatha Baptist Bible College in the most recent data 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
Indiana Wesleyan University ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best pastoral studies/counseling schools. Located in the town of Marion, Indiana Wesleyan University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Indiana Wesleyan University graduates 66% of students within six years. About 15 pastoral studies/counseling degrees were awarded at Indiana Wesleyan University in the most recent year. Graduates of the pastoral studies/counseling program make about $31,281 in their early career. Indiana Wesleyan University graduates carry a median of $24,221 in student loans.
Read more about the pastoral studies/counseling program at Indiana Wesleyan University
Grace College And Theological Seminary came in at #7 for pastoral studies/counseling this year. Located in the town of Winona Lake, Grace College And Theological Seminary is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Roughly 69% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 16 pastoral studies/counseling students who graduated with this degree at Grace College And Theological Seminary in the most recent data year. Graduates of the pastoral studies/counseling program make about $34,513 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $25,500 to complete this degree.
Get the full pastoral studies/counseling details for Grace College And Theological Seminary
Indiana Wesleyan University National And Global landed the #8 spot for pastoral studies/counseling this year. Located in the rural area of Marion, Indiana Wesleyan University National And Global is a large private not-for-profit university. About 13 pastoral studies/counseling degrees were awarded at Indiana Wesleyan University National And Global in the most recent year. Pastoral Studies/counseling graduates of Indiana Wesleyan University National And Global earn a median of $37,004 early in their careers. Indiana Wesleyan University National And Global graduates carry a median of $26,338 in student loans.
More information about a degree in pastoral studies/counseling from Indiana Wesleyan University National And Global
Valor Christian College ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the best pastoral studies/counseling schools. This small private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Canal Winchester. About 29 pastoral studies/counseling degrees were awarded at Valor Christian College in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, pastoral studies/counseling degree recipients from Valor Christian College generally make around $29,571. Typical student debt for the program is $17,635.
See the full pastoral studies/counseling program report for Valor Christian College
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Notes and References
This ranking is produced by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. The methodology weighs graduation rate, post-graduation earnings, cost, and program quality, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Top Ranked · 31 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).
More about our data sources and methodologies.
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