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College Factual  by our College Data Analytics Team
       Unbiased Factual Guarantee

2026 Best Pastoral Studies/Counseling Schools in Texas

1 Colleges in the United States
117 Pastoral Studies/Counseling Degrees Awarded
$48,120 Avg Early-Career Salary

Pastoral Studies/Counseling is a field worth a close look when choosing where to study. While the number of schools offering the program varies, there are still top-quality ones to be found.

For its 2026 ranking, College Factual looked at 11 schools in the United States to determine which ones were the best for pastoral studies/counseling students pursuing a degree.

What’s on this page:

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Best Schools for Pastoral Studies/Counseling in Texas

Below are the schools that deliver the strongest overall pastoral studies/counseling education in Texas.

Top Schools in Pastoral Studies/Counseling

1

No school ranked higher than University Of St Thomas Texas this year for pastoral studies/counseling. University Of St Thomas Texas is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Houston. About 69% of students finish within six years. About 47 pastoral studies/counseling degrees were awarded at University Of St Thomas Texas in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, pastoral studies/counseling degree recipients from University Of St Thomas Texas generally make around $58,265. University Of St Thomas Texas graduates carry a median of $23,628 in student loans. See the full pastoral studies/counseling program report for University Of St Thomas Texas

2

Dallas Theological Seminary 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 city of Dallas. Dallas Theological Seminary awarded about 56 pastoral studies/counseling degrees in the most recent data year. Pastoral Studies/counseling graduates of Dallas Theological Seminary earn a median of $45,207 early in their careers. See the full pastoral studies/counseling program report for Dallas Theological Seminary

3
Kings University crest
Kings University
Southlake, TX

Kings University is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in pastoral studies/counseling, ranking #3. Set in the suburb of Southlake, Kings University is a small private not-for-profit institution. About 33% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 14 pastoral studies/counseling students who graduated with this degree at Kings University in the most recent data year. Graduates of the pastoral studies/counseling program make about $40,888 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $48,998 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in pastoral studies/counseling from Kings University

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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 · 11 schools evaluated.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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