2026 Best Pastoral Studies/Counseling Master’s Degree Schools

1

Loyola Marymount University
Los Angeles, CA

Leading the list is Loyola Marymount University, our #1 school for pastoral studies/counseling. Located in the city of Los Angeles, Loyola Marymount University is a large private not-for-profit university. 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. Students who receive their pastoral studies/counseling degree from Loyola Marymount University earn around $52,935 in the first couple years of their career. Loyola Marymount University graduates carry a median of $22,248 in student loans. More information about a degree in pastoral studies/counseling from Loyola Marymount University

2

Andrews University
Berrien Springs, MI

A rank of #2 makes Andrews University one of the top schools for pastoral studies/counseling. Andrews University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the town of Berrien Springs. Roughly 72% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 49 pastoral studies/counseling students who graduated with this degree at Andrews University in the most recent data year. Students who receive their pastoral studies/counseling degree from Andrews University earn around $57,865 in the first couple years of their career. Andrews University graduates carry a median of $26,314 in student loans. See the full pastoral studies/counseling program report for Andrews University

3

Bethel University Minnesota
Saint Paul, MN

Bethel University Minnesota is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in pastoral studies/counseling, landing the #3 spot this year. This mid-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the suburb of Saint Paul. Bethel University Minnesota graduates 71% of students within six years. About 17 pastoral studies/counseling degrees were awarded at Bethel University Minnesota in the most recent year. Pastoral Studies/counseling graduates of Bethel University Minnesota earn a median of $45,641 early in their careers. Bethel University Minnesota graduates carry a median of $25,639 in student loans. See the full pastoral studies/counseling program report for Bethel University Minnesota

4

Vanguard University Of Southern California
Costa Mesa, CA

Vanguard University Of Southern California is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in pastoral studies/counseling, landing the #4 spot this year. Vanguard University Of Southern California is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Costa Mesa. The six-year graduation rate is 57%. Vanguard University Of Southern California awarded about 14 pastoral studies/counseling degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their pastoral studies/counseling degree from Vanguard University Of Southern California earn around $80,727 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $21,111. Read more about the pastoral studies/counseling program at Vanguard University Of Southern California

5

University Of St Thomas Texas
Houston, TX

Students looking for a strong pastoral studies/counseling program will find one at University Of St Thomas Texas, which ranked #5. Located in the city of Houston, University Of St Thomas Texas is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. University Of St Thomas Texas graduates 69% of students within six years. University Of St Thomas Texas awarded about 25 pastoral studies/counseling degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their pastoral studies/counseling degree from University Of St Thomas Texas earn around $58,265 in the first couple years of their career. 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

6

Loyola University Chicago
Chicago, IL

Loyola University Chicago earned the #6 position for pastoral studies/counseling this year. Loyola University Chicago is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Chicago. Loyola University Chicago graduates 75% of students within six years. Loyola University Chicago awarded about 51 pastoral studies/counseling degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the pastoral studies/counseling program make about $46,241 in their early career. Loyola University Chicago graduates carry a median of $23,521 in student loans. Read more about the pastoral studies/counseling program at Loyola University Chicago

7

Biola University
La Mirada, CA

Biola University placed #7 among the best pastoral studies/counseling schools. This moderately-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the suburb of La Mirada. Biola University graduates 68% of students within six years. There were roughly 10 pastoral studies/counseling students who graduated with this degree at Biola University in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, pastoral studies/counseling degree recipients from Biola University generally make around $45,003. Typical student debt for the program is $25,308. See the full pastoral studies/counseling program report for Biola University

8

Maranatha Baptist Bible College
Watertown, WI

Maranatha Baptist Bible College earned the #8 position for pastoral studies/counseling this year. Maranatha Baptist Bible College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the town of Watertown. About 64% of students finish within six years. Maranatha Baptist Bible College awarded about 17 pastoral studies/counseling degrees 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

9

Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary
Kansas City, MO

Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary came in at #9 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. The six-year graduation rate is 64%. Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary awarded about 28 pastoral studies/counseling degrees 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. Get the full pastoral studies/counseling details for Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary

10

Grace College And Theological Seminary
Winona Lake, IN

Grace College And Theological Seminary placed #10 among the best pastoral studies/counseling schools. Located in the town of Winona Lake, Grace College And Theological Seminary is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. About 69% of students finish within six years. 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. Pastoral Studies/counseling graduates of Grace College And Theological Seminary earn a median of $43,966 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $25,500 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in pastoral studies/counseling from Grace College And Theological Seminary

11

New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary
New Orleans, LA

New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary placed #11 among the best pastoral studies/counseling schools. New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of New Orleans. About 70% of students finish within six years. About 32 pastoral studies/counseling degrees were awarded at New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary in the most recent year. Read more about the pastoral studies/counseling program at New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary

12

Neumann University
Aston, PA

Neumann University landed the #12 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. There were roughly 14 pastoral studies/counseling students who graduated with this degree at Neumann University 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. Neumann University graduates carry a median of $28,450 in student loans. Read more about the pastoral studies/counseling program at Neumann University

13

Dallas Theological Seminary
Dallas, TX

Dallas Theological Seminary ranked #13 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. More information about a degree in pastoral studies/counseling from Dallas Theological Seminary

14

Southeastern University
Lakeland, FL

Southeastern University ranked #14 on our 2026 list of the best pastoral studies/counseling schools. This large private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Lakeland. Southeastern University graduates 44% of students within six years. Southeastern University awarded about 24 pastoral studies/counseling degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, pastoral studies/counseling degree recipients from Southeastern University generally make around $35,209. Students borrow a median of $26,000 to complete this degree. See the full pastoral studies/counseling program report for Southeastern University

15

Amridge University
Montgomery, AL

Amridge University placed #15 among the best pastoral studies/counseling schools. Set in the city of Montgomery, Amridge University is a small private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 100%. There were roughly 11 pastoral studies/counseling students who graduated with this degree at Amridge University in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, pastoral studies/counseling degree recipients from Amridge University generally make around $46,125. More information about a degree in pastoral studies/counseling from Amridge University

16

Luther Rice University And Seminary
Lithonia, GA

Luther Rice University And Seminary earned the #16 position for pastoral studies/counseling this year. Luther Rice University And Seminary is a small private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Lithonia. Luther Rice University And Seminary awarded about 23 pastoral studies/counseling degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the pastoral studies/counseling program make about $38,760 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $36,730. Read more about the pastoral studies/counseling program at Luther Rice University And Seminary

17

Naropa University
Boulder, CO

Naropa University ranked #17 on our 2026 list of the best pastoral studies/counseling schools. Naropa University is a small private not-for-profit school located in the city of Boulder. The six-year graduation rate is 37%. About 13 pastoral studies/counseling degrees were awarded at Naropa University in the most recent year. Students who receive their pastoral studies/counseling degree from Naropa University earn around $27,750 in the first couple years of their career. Naropa University graduates carry a median of $33,250 in student loans. More information about a degree in pastoral studies/counseling from Naropa University

18

Asbury Theological Seminary
Wilmore, KY

Asbury Theological Seminary placed #18 among the best pastoral studies/counseling schools. Asbury Theological Seminary is a small private not-for-profit school located in the town of Wilmore. Asbury Theological Seminary awarded about 12 pastoral studies/counseling degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their pastoral studies/counseling degree from Asbury Theological Seminary earn around $44,082 in the first couple years of their career. Get the full pastoral studies/counseling details for Asbury Theological Seminary

19

World Mission University
Los Angeles, CA

World Mission University earned the #19 position for pastoral studies/counseling this year. This small private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Los Angeles. Roughly 100% of students complete a degree within six years here. World Mission University awarded about 18 pastoral studies/counseling degrees in the most recent data year. Get the full pastoral studies/counseling details for World Mission University

20

Universidad Pentecostal Mizpa
Rio Piedras, PR

Universidad Pentecostal Mizpa 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 Rio Piedras. About 13 pastoral studies/counseling degrees were awarded at Universidad Pentecostal Mizpa in the most recent year. More information about a degree in pastoral studies/counseling from Universidad Pentecostal Mizpa