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College Factual  by our College Data Analytics Team
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2026 Best Pastoral Counseling & Specialized Ministries Schools in the Great Lakes Region

6 Colleges in the United States
514 Pastoral Counseling & Specialized Ministries Degrees Awarded
$40,478 Avg Early-Career Salary

Pastoral Counseling & Specialized Ministries degree programs prepare students for a range of careers in the field. 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 61 schools in the United States to determine which ones were the best for pastoral counseling & specialized ministries students pursuing a degree.

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Best Schools for Pastoral Counseling & Specialized Ministries in the Great Lakes Region

Below are the schools that deliver the strongest overall pastoral counseling & specialized ministries education in the Great Lakes Region.

Top Schools in Pastoral Counseling & Specialized Ministries

1
Calvin College crest
Calvin College
Grand Rapids, MI

Calvin College tops our 2026 ranking of the best pastoral counseling & specialized ministries schools. Calvin College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Grand Rapids. Roughly 74% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 56 pastoral counseling & specialized ministries students who graduated with this degree at Calvin College in the most recent data year. Graduates of the pastoral counseling & specialized ministries program make about $44,220 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $22,707. More information about a degree in pastoral counseling & specialized ministries from Calvin College

2
Andrews University crest
Andrews University
Berrien Springs, MI

Students looking for a strong pastoral counseling & specialized ministries program will find one at Andrews University, which ranked #2. 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 52 pastoral counseling & specialized ministries degrees were awarded at Andrews University in the most recent 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. Get the full pastoral counseling & specialized ministries details for Andrews University

3
Taylor University crest
Taylor University
Upland, IN

Taylor University is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in pastoral counseling & specialized ministries, landing the #3 spot this year. Located in the rural area of Upland, Taylor University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. About 74% of students finish within six years. 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. Students borrow a median of $21,832 to complete this degree. Get the full pastoral counseling & specialized ministries details for Taylor University

4

A rank of #4 makes Moody Bible Institute one of the top schools for pastoral counseling & specialized ministries. Located in the city of Chicago, Moody Bible Institute is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. The six-year graduation rate is 62%. About 60 pastoral counseling & specialized ministries degrees were awarded at Moody Bible Institute in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, pastoral counseling & specialized ministries degree recipients from Moody Bible Institute generally make around $35,426. Typical student debt for the program is $12,000. Get the full pastoral counseling & specialized ministries details for Moody Bible Institute

5

Loyola University Chicago is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in pastoral counseling & specialized ministries, ranking #5. Loyola University Chicago is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Chicago. The six-year graduation rate is 75%. There were roughly 77 pastoral counseling & specialized ministries students who graduated with this degree at Loyola University Chicago in the most recent data year. Graduates of the pastoral counseling & specialized ministries program make about $46,241 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $23,521 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in pastoral counseling & specialized ministries from Loyola University Chicago

6

Maranatha Baptist Bible College ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best pastoral counseling & specialized ministries schools. This small private not-for-profit university is located in the town of Watertown. About 64% of students finish within six years. About 43 pastoral counseling & specialized ministries degrees were awarded at Maranatha Baptist Bible College in the most recent 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

7

Indiana Wesleyan University ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best pastoral counseling & specialized ministries schools. This mid-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the town of Marion. Roughly 66% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 30 pastoral counseling & specialized ministries degrees were awarded at Indiana Wesleyan University in the most recent year. Graduates of the pastoral counseling & specialized ministries program make about $31,281 in their early career. Indiana Wesleyan University graduates carry a median of $24,221 in student loans. See the full pastoral counseling & specialized ministries program report for Indiana Wesleyan University

8

Grace College And Theological Seminary ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best pastoral counseling & specialized ministries schools. Grace College And Theological Seminary is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the town of Winona Lake. The six-year graduation rate is 69%. There were roughly 40 pastoral counseling & specialized ministries students who graduated with this degree at Grace College And Theological Seminary in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, pastoral counseling & specialized ministries degree recipients from Grace College And Theological Seminary generally make around $34,513. Grace College And Theological Seminary graduates carry a median of $25,500 in student loans. Get the full pastoral counseling & specialized ministries details for Grace College And Theological Seminary

9

Bethel College Mishawaka came in at #9 for pastoral counseling & specialized ministries this year. This small private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Mishawaka. Bethel College Mishawaka graduates 52% of students within six years. Bethel College Mishawaka awarded about 26 pastoral counseling & specialized ministries degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the pastoral counseling & specialized ministries program make about $31,046 in their early career. Bethel College Mishawaka graduates carry a median of $23,319 in student loans. Read more about the pastoral counseling & specialized ministries program at Bethel College Mishawaka

10

Indiana Wesleyan University National And Global earned the #10 position for pastoral counseling & specialized ministries this year. Set in the rural area of Marion, Indiana Wesleyan University National And Global is a large private not-for-profit institution. Indiana Wesleyan University National And Global awarded about 24 pastoral counseling & specialized ministries degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the pastoral counseling & specialized ministries program make about $37,004 in their early career. Indiana Wesleyan University National And Global graduates carry a median of $26,338 in student loans. See the full pastoral counseling & specialized ministries program report for Indiana Wesleyan University National And Global

11
Cornerstone University crest
Cornerstone University
Grand Rapids, MI

Cornerstone University landed the #11 spot for pastoral counseling & specialized ministries this year. Set in the city of Grand Rapids, Cornerstone University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 63%. About 11 pastoral counseling & specialized ministries degrees were awarded at Cornerstone University in the most recent year. Graduates of the pastoral counseling & specialized ministries program make about $44,501 in their early career. Cornerstone University graduates carry a median of $29,243 in student loans. Read more about the pastoral counseling & specialized ministries program at Cornerstone University

12
Valor Christian College crest
Valor Christian College
Canal Winchester, OH

Valor Christian College placed #12 among the best pastoral counseling & specialized ministries schools. Located in the city of Canal Winchester, Valor Christian College is a small private not-for-profit university. Valor Christian College awarded about 36 pastoral counseling & specialized ministries degrees in the most recent data year. Pastoral Counseling & Specialized Ministries graduates of Valor Christian College earn a median of $29,571 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $17,635. Read more about the pastoral counseling & specialized ministries program at Valor Christian College

13

Grace Bible College earned the #13 position for pastoral counseling & specialized ministries this year. Grace Bible College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the city of Wyoming. The six-year graduation rate is 51%. There were roughly 46 pastoral counseling & specialized ministries students who graduated with this degree at Grace Bible College in the most recent data year. Graduates of the pastoral counseling & specialized ministries program make about $41,219 in their early career. Grace Bible College graduates carry a median of $30,118 in student loans. More information about a degree in pastoral counseling & specialized ministries from Grace Bible College

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Notes and References

The ranking above is published by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. Schools are scored on a blend of student outcomes (graduation rate, post-graduation earnings), affordability, and program focus, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).

Ranking method: College Major Top Ranked · 61 schools evaluated.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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