Pastoral Counseling & Specialized Ministries 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 278 schools to find the best for pastoral counseling & specialized ministries students.
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Choosing a Great Pastoral Counseling & Specialized Ministries School
The pastoral counseling & specialized ministries program you select can have a big impact on your future. To help, we created our Best Pastoral Counseling & Specialized Ministries Schools rankings. For our Best Overall Pastoral Counseling & Specialized Ministries 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.
Pastoral Counseling & Specialized Ministries Rankings by Degree Level
Since the program you select can have a significant impact on your future, we have developed a number of rankings, including this Best Pastoral Counseling & Specialized Ministries Schools list, to help you choose. More interested in schools in a specific area of the country? Filter this list by region or state.
Want to compare schools head to head? Try our College Combat tool to weigh the factors that matter most to you.
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ADBLOCK #171
Best Schools for Pastoral Counseling & Specialized Ministries in the United States
If you are not interested in a particular degree level and want to know which schools are the overall best at delivering an education for the pastoral counseling & specialized ministries degrees they offer, see the list below.
Top Schools in Pastoral Counseling & Specialized Ministries
Leading the list is University Of St Thomas Minnesota, our #1 school for pastoral counseling & specialized ministries. Set in the city of Saint Paul, University Of St Thomas Minnesota is a large private not-for-profit institution. University Of St Thomas Minnesota graduates 77% of students within six years. There were roughly 15 pastoral counseling & specialized ministries students who graduated with this degree at University Of St Thomas Minnesota in the most recent data year. Pastoral Counseling & Specialized Ministries graduates of University Of St Thomas Minnesota earn a median of $65,183 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $23,923 to complete this degree.
More information about a degree in pastoral counseling & specialized ministries from University Of St Thomas Minnesota
Loyola Marymount University is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in pastoral counseling & specialized ministries, ranking #2. 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. There were roughly 11 pastoral counseling & specialized ministries students who graduated with this degree at Loyola Marymount University in the most recent data year. Pastoral Counseling & Specialized Ministries graduates of Loyola Marymount University earn a median of $52,935 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $22,248 to complete this degree.
See the full pastoral counseling & specialized ministries program report for Loyola Marymount University
Students looking for a strong pastoral counseling & specialized ministries program will find one at Calvin College, which ranked #3. Set in the city of Grand Rapids, Calvin College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. About 74% of students finish within six years. About 56 pastoral counseling & specialized ministries degrees were awarded at Calvin College in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, pastoral counseling & specialized ministries degree recipients from Calvin College generally make around $44,220. Calvin College graduates carry a median of $22,707 in student loans.
More information about a degree in pastoral counseling & specialized ministries from Calvin College
A rank of #4 makes Andrews University one of the top schools for pastoral counseling & specialized ministries. Located in the town of Berrien Springs, Andrews University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. The six-year graduation rate is 72%. Andrews University awarded about 52 pastoral counseling & specialized ministries degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their pastoral counseling & specialized ministries 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.
Read more about the pastoral counseling & specialized ministries program at Andrews University
Students looking for a strong pastoral counseling & specialized ministries program will find one at Taylor University, which ranked #5. Located in the rural area of Upland, Taylor University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Roughly 74% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 13 pastoral counseling & specialized ministries degrees were awarded at Taylor University in the most recent year. Students who receive their pastoral counseling & specialized ministries 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.
See the full pastoral counseling & specialized ministries program report for Taylor University
Bethel University Minnesota came in at #6 for pastoral counseling & specialized ministries this year. Located in the suburb of Saint Paul, Bethel University Minnesota is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. About 71% of students finish within six years. Bethel University Minnesota awarded about 25 pastoral counseling & specialized ministries degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their pastoral counseling & specialized ministries degree from Bethel University Minnesota earn around $45,641 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $25,639 to complete this degree.
Read more about the pastoral counseling & specialized ministries program at Bethel University Minnesota
The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary landed the #7 spot for pastoral counseling & specialized ministries this year. This moderately-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Louisville. Roughly 35% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 90 pastoral counseling & specialized ministries students who graduated with this degree at The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, pastoral counseling & specialized ministries degree recipients from The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary generally make around $74,388.
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Abilene Christian University landed the #8 spot for pastoral counseling & specialized ministries this year. Located in the city of Abilene, Abilene Christian University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. About 59% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 29 pastoral counseling & specialized ministries students who graduated with this degree at Abilene Christian University in the most recent data year. Students who receive their pastoral counseling & specialized ministries degree from Abilene Christian University earn around $56,463 in the first couple years of their career. Abilene Christian University graduates carry a median of $23,772 in student loans.
See the full pastoral counseling & specialized ministries program report for Abilene Christian University
The Masters College And Seminary ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the best pastoral counseling & specialized ministries schools. The Masters College And Seminary is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Santa Clarita. About 67% of students finish within six years. The Masters College And Seminary awarded about 101 pastoral counseling & specialized ministries degrees in the most recent data year. Pastoral Counseling & Specialized Ministries graduates of The Masters College And Seminary earn a median of $46,541 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $22,089 to complete this degree.
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Moody Bible Institute earned the #10 position for pastoral counseling & specialized ministries this year. This mid-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Chicago. Moody Bible Institute graduates 62% of students within six years. About 60 pastoral counseling & specialized ministries degrees were awarded at Moody Bible Institute in the most recent year. Pastoral Counseling & Specialized Ministries graduates of Moody Bible Institute earn a median of $35,426 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $12,000.
Read more about the pastoral counseling & specialized ministries program at Moody Bible Institute
Lubbock Christian University landed the #11 spot for pastoral counseling & specialized ministries this year. This small private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Lubbock. About 51% of students finish within six years. About 10 pastoral counseling & specialized ministries degrees were awarded at Lubbock Christian University in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, pastoral counseling & specialized ministries degree recipients from Lubbock Christian University generally make around $38,473. Typical student debt for the program is $28,337.
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Vanguard University Of Southern California placed #12 among the best pastoral counseling & specialized ministries schools. Vanguard University Of Southern California is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Costa Mesa. About 57% of students finish within six years. Vanguard University Of Southern California awarded about 19 pastoral counseling & specialized ministries degrees in the most recent data year. Pastoral Counseling & Specialized Ministries graduates of Vanguard University Of Southern California earn a median of $80,727 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $21,111 to complete this degree.
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Liberty University earned the #13 position for pastoral counseling & specialized ministries this year. This very large private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Lynchburg. The six-year graduation rate is 67%. There were roughly 167 pastoral counseling & specialized ministries students who graduated with this degree at Liberty University in the most recent data year. Students who receive their pastoral counseling & specialized ministries degree from Liberty University earn around $34,083 in the first couple years of their career. Liberty University graduates carry a median of $23,750 in student loans.
More information about a degree in pastoral counseling & specialized ministries from Liberty University
Loyola University Chicago placed #14 among the best pastoral counseling & specialized ministries schools. Set in the city of Chicago, Loyola University Chicago is a large private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 75% of students complete a degree within six years here. Loyola University Chicago awarded about 77 pastoral counseling & specialized ministries degrees in the most recent data year. Pastoral Counseling & Specialized Ministries graduates of Loyola University Chicago earn a median of $46,241 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $23,521.
See the full pastoral counseling & specialized ministries program report for Loyola University Chicago
Maranatha Baptist Bible College earned the #15 position for pastoral counseling & specialized ministries this year. 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. Maranatha Baptist Bible College awarded about 43 pastoral counseling & specialized ministries degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, pastoral counseling & specialized ministries degree recipients from Maranatha Baptist Bible College generally make around $56,298.
Read more about the pastoral counseling & specialized ministries program at Maranatha Baptist Bible College
University Of St Thomas Texas came in at #16 for pastoral counseling & specialized ministries this year. Set in the city of Houston, University Of St Thomas Texas is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. About 69% of students finish within six years. University Of St Thomas Texas awarded about 47 pastoral counseling & specialized ministries degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their pastoral counseling & specialized ministries 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.
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Biola University landed the #17 spot for pastoral counseling & specialized ministries this year. Biola University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of La Mirada. The six-year graduation rate is 68%. Biola University awarded about 10 pastoral counseling & specialized ministries degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the pastoral counseling & specialized ministries program make about $45,003 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $25,308.
Read more about the pastoral counseling & specialized ministries program at Biola University
Milligan College earned the #18 position for pastoral counseling & specialized ministries this year. Located in the suburb of Milligan, Milligan College is a small private not-for-profit university. About 63% of students finish within six years. Milligan College awarded about 12 pastoral counseling & specialized ministries degrees in the most recent data year. Pastoral Counseling & Specialized Ministries graduates of Milligan College earn a median of $64,327 early in their careers. Milligan College graduates carry a median of $26,150 in student loans.
More information about a degree in pastoral counseling & specialized ministries from Milligan College
Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary landed the #19 spot for pastoral counseling & specialized ministries this year. This moderately-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Kansas City. About 64% of students finish within six years. About 39 pastoral counseling & specialized ministries degrees were awarded at Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary in the most recent year. Graduates of the pastoral counseling & specialized ministries program make about $55,308 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $15,559.
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New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary landed the #20 spot for pastoral counseling & specialized ministries this year. 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 97 pastoral counseling & specialized ministries degrees in the most recent data year.
More information about a degree in pastoral counseling & specialized ministries from New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary
Indiana Wesleyan University earned the #21 position for pastoral counseling & specialized ministries this year. Indiana Wesleyan University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the town of Marion. Roughly 66% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 30 pastoral counseling & specialized ministries students who graduated with this degree at Indiana Wesleyan University in the most recent data year. Pastoral Counseling & Specialized Ministries graduates of Indiana Wesleyan University earn a median of $31,281 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $24,221.
See the full pastoral counseling & specialized ministries program report for Indiana Wesleyan University
Grace College And Theological Seminary earned the #22 position for pastoral counseling & specialized ministries 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. About 40 pastoral counseling & specialized ministries degrees were awarded at Grace College And Theological Seminary in the most recent year. Students who receive their pastoral counseling & specialized ministries degree from Grace College And Theological Seminary earn around $34,513 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $25,500.
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Lancaster Bible College landed the #23 spot for pastoral counseling & specialized ministries this year. Lancaster Bible College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Lancaster. Lancaster Bible College graduates 68% of students within six years. About 19 pastoral counseling & specialized ministries degrees were awarded at Lancaster Bible College in the most recent year. Graduates of the pastoral counseling & specialized ministries program make about $35,286 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $22,584.
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Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary landed the #24 spot for pastoral counseling & specialized ministries this year. This mid-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the suburb of Wake Forest. The six-year graduation rate is 17%. There were roughly 29 pastoral counseling & specialized ministries students who graduated with this degree at Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary in the most recent data year. Students who receive their pastoral counseling & specialized ministries degree from Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary earn around $54,863 in the first couple years of their career.
See the full pastoral counseling & specialized ministries program report for Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary
Gordon College earned the #25 position for pastoral counseling & specialized ministries this year. Gordon College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the rural area of Wenham. Roughly 68% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 12 pastoral counseling & specialized ministries degrees were awarded at Gordon College in the most recent year. Pastoral Counseling & Specialized Ministries graduates of Gordon College earn a median of $37,097 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $26,372 to complete this degree.
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Rest of the Top 50 Pastoral Counseling & Specialized Ministries Schools
These schools also placed among the best for pastoral counseling & specialized ministries this year:
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This list is compiled 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 · 278 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).
