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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 The Plains States Region

6 Colleges in the United States
236 Pastoral Counseling & Specialized Ministries Degrees Awarded
$41,077 Avg Early-Career Salary

Pastoral Counseling & Specialized Ministries 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.

College Factual analyzed 39 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best pastoral counseling & specialized ministries schools.

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Best Schools for Pastoral Counseling & Specialized Ministries in the The Plains States Region

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

1

No school ranked higher than University Of St Thomas Minnesota this year for pastoral counseling & specialized ministries. Located in the city of Saint Paul, University Of St Thomas Minnesota is a large private not-for-profit university. About 77% of students finish 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. University Of St Thomas Minnesota graduates carry a median of $23,923 in student loans. Get the full pastoral counseling & specialized ministries details for University Of St Thomas Minnesota

2

Bethel University Minnesota is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in pastoral counseling & specialized ministries, ranking #2. Located in the suburb of Saint Paul, Bethel University Minnesota is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Bethel University Minnesota graduates 71% of students within six years. About 25 pastoral counseling & specialized ministries degrees were awarded at Bethel University Minnesota in the most recent year. Pastoral Counseling & Specialized Ministries graduates of Bethel University Minnesota earn a median of $45,641 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $25,639 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in pastoral counseling & specialized ministries from Bethel University Minnesota

3

Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in pastoral counseling & specialized ministries, landing the #3 spot 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%. About 39 pastoral counseling & specialized ministries degrees were awarded at Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary in the most recent year. Pastoral Counseling & Specialized Ministries graduates of Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary earn a median of $55,308 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $15,559 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in pastoral counseling & specialized ministries from Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary

4
North Central University crest
North Central University
Minneapolis, MN

A rank of #4 makes North Central University one of the top schools for pastoral counseling & specialized ministries. Located in the city of Minneapolis, North Central University is a small private not-for-profit university. The six-year graduation rate is 65%. There were roughly 34 pastoral counseling & specialized ministries students who graduated with this degree at North Central University in the most recent data year. Graduates of the pastoral counseling & specialized ministries program make about $27,370 in their early career. North Central University graduates carry a median of $26,750 in student loans. Read more about the pastoral counseling & specialized ministries program at North Central University

5

Ozark Christian College is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in pastoral counseling & specialized ministries, landing the #5 spot this year. Ozark Christian College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the city of Joplin. Roughly 58% of students complete a degree within six years here. Ozark Christian College awarded about 104 pastoral counseling & specialized ministries degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the pastoral counseling & specialized ministries program make about $26,422 in their early career. Ozark Christian College graduates carry a median of $23,500 in student loans. Read more about the pastoral counseling & specialized ministries program at Ozark Christian College

6
Crown College crest
Crown College
Saint Bonifacius, MN

Crown College came in at #6 for pastoral counseling & specialized ministries this year. Crown College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the rural area of Saint Bonifacius. Crown College graduates 44% of students within six years. Crown College awarded about 19 pastoral counseling & specialized ministries degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the pastoral counseling & specialized ministries program make about $26,538 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete this degree. Read more about the pastoral counseling & specialized ministries program at Crown College

Narrow Pastoral Counseling & Specialized Ministries Schools by State

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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 · 39 schools evaluated.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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