Youth Ministry degree programs prepare students for a range of careers in the field. A focused field like this rewards careful comparison of the schools that offer it.
For its 2026 ranking, College Factual looked at 97 schools in the United States to determine which ones were the best for youth ministry students pursuing a degree.
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Choosing a Great Youth Ministry School
Where you study youth ministry matters for your future. That is why we developed our collection of Best Schools for Youth Ministry rankings. For our Best Overall Youth Ministry School ranking, we roll up the results of our degree-level rankings, weighted by the number of degrees awarded at that level.
In order to find the schools that are the best fit for you, you may want to filter to one of the degree levels below.
We offer several rankings, including this Best Youth Ministry Schools list, to help you decide. Want schools in a particular part of the country? Narrow the 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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Our analysis ranked Lubbock Christian University the best school in the country for a degree in youth ministry. Located in the city of Lubbock, Lubbock Christian University is a small private not-for-profit university. The six-year graduation rate is 51%. About 10 youth ministry degrees were awarded at Lubbock Christian University in the most recent year. Graduates of the youth ministry program make about $38,473 in their early career. Lubbock Christian University graduates carry a median of $28,337 in student loans.
Get the full youth ministry details for Lubbock Christian University
Moody Bible Institute is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in youth ministry, ranking #2. Moody Bible Institute is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Chicago. Moody Bible Institute graduates 62% of students within six years. Moody Bible Institute awarded about 16 youth ministry degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the youth ministry program make about $35,426 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $12,000.
More information about a degree in youth ministry from Moody Bible Institute
Liberty University is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in youth ministry, ranking #3. Liberty University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Lynchburg. Liberty University graduates 67% of students within six years. About 33 youth ministry degrees were awarded at Liberty University in the most recent year. Youth Ministry graduates of Liberty University earn a median of $34,083 early in their careers. Liberty University graduates carry a median of $23,750 in student loans.
Get the full youth ministry details for Liberty University
Students looking for a strong youth ministry program will find one at Indiana Wesleyan University, which ranked #4. Located in the town of Marion, Indiana Wesleyan University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. The six-year graduation rate is 66%. There were roughly 10 youth ministry students who graduated with this degree at Indiana Wesleyan University in the most recent data year. Graduates of the youth ministry 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 youth ministry program report for Indiana Wesleyan University
A rank of #5 makes Gordon College one of the top schools for youth ministry. 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 youth ministry degrees were awarded at Gordon College in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, youth ministry degree recipients from Gordon College generally make around $37,097. Gordon College graduates carry a median of $26,372 in student loans.
More information about a degree in youth ministry from Gordon College
Ozark Christian College placed #6 among the best youth ministry schools. Located in the city of Joplin, Ozark Christian College is a small private not-for-profit university. The six-year graduation rate is 58%. There were roughly 15 youth ministry students who graduated with this degree at Ozark Christian College in the most recent data year. Students who receive their youth ministry degree from Ozark Christian College earn around $26,422 in the first couple years of their career. Ozark Christian College graduates carry a median of $23,500 in student loans.
Get the full youth ministry details for Ozark Christian College
Lee University ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best youth ministry schools. This mid-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Cleveland. The six-year graduation rate is 63%. About 18 youth ministry degrees were awarded at Lee University in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, youth ministry degree recipients from Lee University generally make around $35,189. Typical student debt for the program is $28,750.
See the full youth ministry program report for Lee University
Crown College earned the #8 position for youth ministry this year. This small private not-for-profit university is located in the rural area of Saint Bonifacius. The six-year graduation rate is 44%. Crown College awarded about 10 youth ministry degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their youth ministry degree from Crown College earn around $26,538 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete this degree.
See the full youth ministry program report for Crown College
Dallas Baptist University came in at #9 for youth ministry this year. Located in the city of Dallas, Dallas Baptist University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. The six-year graduation rate is 58%. Dallas Baptist University awarded about 12 youth ministry degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, youth ministry degree recipients from Dallas Baptist University generally make around $40,502. Dallas Baptist University graduates carry a median of $22,819 in student loans.
Read more about the youth ministry program at Dallas Baptist University
Cornerstone University earned the #10 position for youth ministry this year. This mid-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Grand Rapids. The six-year graduation rate is 63%. About 10 youth ministry degrees were awarded at Cornerstone University in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, youth ministry degree recipients from Cornerstone University generally make around $44,501. Cornerstone University graduates carry a median of $29,243 in student loans.
More information about a degree in youth ministry from Cornerstone University
Austin Presbyterian Theological Seminary placed #11 among the best youth ministry schools. Austin Presbyterian Theological Seminary is a small private not-for-profit school located in the city of Austin. There were roughly 12 youth ministry students who graduated with this degree at Austin Presbyterian Theological Seminary in the most recent data year. Graduates of the youth ministry program make about $56,922 in their early career.
More information about a degree in youth ministry from Austin Presbyterian Theological Seminary
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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 · 97 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).
