by our College Data Analytics TeamDo you enjoy speaking to large groups of people? Do you have a strong faith and enjoy spreading the word of God? A degree in Theological and Ministerial Studies may be for you.
While the theology part of this field allows you to learn about religion and the role it plays in everyday life, the ministerial part prepares students to attend a seminary or other religious program to become ordained as a minister or religious leader. You will take classes in biblical studies, religious studies, philosophy, sociology, history, literature, anthropology, and foreign languages to prepare for a career within the church.
If you are interested in learning about world religions, you may want to major in general Theological Studies. However, some colleges offer areas of specialization that include Divinity/Ministry, Pre-Theology Studies, Rabbinical Studies, and Talmudic Studies. These areas allow you to focus on the aspect of theology and ministry you are most passionate about.
A degree in Theological & Ministerial Studies involves the study of Theological And Ministerial Studies. Read on to learn the key facts every theological & ministerial studies student should know — including career paths, salary data, the skills you will develop, and the best colleges offering theological & ministerial studies programs.
In the U.S., theological & ministerial studies is a popular field of study, with 15,135 degrees awarded annually.
Our 2026 Best Theological & Ministerial Studies Schools ranking analyzes these 406 schools to determine the best overall colleges for theological & ministerial studies students. Continue reading to check out one of our many unbiased rankings of theological & ministerial studies programs later in this article.
Studies in Theological & Ministerial Studies develop a specific mix of skills, knowledge, and abilities — derived from O*NET surveys of workers in the occupations theological & ministerial studies graduates commonly enter.
Students who choose to pursue a career as a minister or religious leader should have strong interpersonal and communication skills. You will be expected to speak in front of large groups as well as counsel individuals.
A degree in this field often leads to a full time job in a variety of fields. While those who wish to become ordained will be expected to attend religious ceremonies on the weekends and during the week along with their other responsibilities, graduates who pursue a different career may work more typical work hours. The work environment varies depending on the occupation you pursue.
Theological and Ministerial Studies students should pursue an internship or summer job or volunteer with their church or congregation. This will give students experience working for a religious group and help them decide which career path they want to follow.
The skill set emphasized by a theological & ministerial studies program reflects the day-to-day work of related occupations:
Based on O*NET data, a theological & ministerial studies major emphasizes the following knowledge areas:
There are several theological & ministerial studies degree levels. The table below shows the typical length of the most common levels, and how many graduates earn each one.
| Degree | Typical Program Length | Graduates Annually |
|---|---|---|
| Certificate | Varies | 114 |
| Associate Degree | 2 years | 246 |
| Bachelor’s Degree | 4 years | 2,219 |
| Master’s Degree | 1-3 years | 10,701 |
| Doctorate | At least 4 years | 1,795 |
People currently working in careers related to theological & ministerial studies tend to have obtained the following education levels.
| Level of Education | Percentage of Workers |
|---|---|
| Doctoral degree | 71.5% |
| Master’s degree | 14.2% |
| Post-doctoral training | 12.1% |
| Bachelor’s degree | 0.6% |
| Post-master’s certificate | 0.6% |
| Some college courses | 0.5% |
| High school diploma or equivalent | 0.4% |
See the chart below to get an idea of what level of education most of those in theological & ministerial studies careers hold.
Source: ONET Online education / training / experience requirements.*
Graduates with a degree in in Theological and Ministerial Studies have gone into a variety of fields. While those focusing on Ministerial Studies usually go on to become ordained as religious leaders, other Theological graduates are counselors, teachers, lawyers, church administrators, and healthcare professionals. This field is growing at an average rate.
Majoring in theological & ministerial studies can lead to many career paths. Below are some of the most common occupations related to theological & ministerial studies.
The following options are some of the most in-demand careers related to theological & ministerial studies.
| Occupation | Projected Jobs | Expected Growth |
|---|---|---|
| Philosophy and Religion Teachers, Postsecondary | 1,031,835 | 3.7% |
| Religious Workers, All Other | 258,483 | -1.4% |
| Clergy | 33,072 | -3.3% |
College Scorecard reports median earnings of theological & ministerial studies graduates 1, 4, and 5 years after completion. Wages typically rise as graduates gain experience.
| Years Out | Median Earnings |
|---|---|
| 1 year | $48,647 |
| 4 years | $53,283 |
| 5 years | $59,877 |
Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, field-of-study earnings tracker.
Salaries for theological & ministerial studies graduates vary widely by occupation. The following table shows the top highest-paying careers theological & ministerial studies grads often go into.
| Occupation | Median Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| Philosophy and Religion Teachers, Postsecondary | $71,584 |
| Religious Workers, All Other | $58,956 |
| Clergy | $49,854 |
With 406 different theological & ministerial studies programs to choose from, finding the best fit can be a challenge. We have analyzed these schools to produce unbiased theological & ministerial studies school rankings to help you.
Those considering theological & ministerial studies, you may also want to explore other closely related fields of study within the same broad area.
| Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| Divinity/Ministry | 6,724 |
| Theology/Theological Studies | 6,345 |
| Theological and Ministerial Studies, Other | 1,726 |
| Pre-Theology/Pre-Ministerial Studies | 192 |
| Rabbinical Studies | 148 |
| Related Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| Bible/Biblical Studies | 3,603 |
| Pastoral Counseling and Specialized Ministries | 3,230 |
| Missions/Missionary Studies and Missiology | 1,249 |
| Theology and Religious Vocations, Other | 1,235 |
| Religious Education | 1,230 |
| Religious Music and Worship | 477 |
| Religious Institution Administration and Law | 57 |
More about our data sources and methodologies.
