Divinity/Ministry 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.
For its 2026 ranking, College Factual looked at 270 schools in the United States to determine which ones were the best for divinity/ministry students pursuing a degree.
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Choosing a Great Divinity/Ministry School
Where you study divinity/ministry matters for your future. That is why we developed our collection of Best Schools for Divinity/Ministry rankings. For our Best Overall Divinity/Ministry 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.
We offer several rankings, including this Best Divinity/Ministry Schools list, to help you decide. Want schools in a particular part of the country? Narrow the list by region or state.
To further help you make the college decision, we have developed a unique tool called College Combat that lets you compare schools on the factors that matter most to you.
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ADBLOCK #171
Best Schools for Divinity/Ministry 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 divinity/ministry degrees they offer, see the list below.
Santa Clara University tops our 2026 ranking of the best divinity/ministry schools. This large private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Santa Clara. The six-year graduation rate is 88%. There were roughly 11 divinity/ministry students who graduated with this degree at Santa Clara University in the most recent data year. Students who receive their divinity/ministry degree from Santa Clara University earn around $79,380 in the first couple years of their career. Santa Clara University graduates carry a median of $20,144 in student loans.
More information about a degree in divinity/ministry from Santa Clara University
University Of St Thomas Minnesota is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in divinity/ministry, landing the #2 spot this year. This large private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Saint Paul. About 77% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 15 divinity/ministry students who graduated with this degree at University Of St Thomas Minnesota in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, divinity/ministry degree recipients from University Of St Thomas Minnesota generally make around $71,681. Typical student debt for the program is $23,923.
More information about a degree in divinity/ministry from University Of St Thomas Minnesota
Students looking for a strong divinity/ministry program will find one at Duke University, which ranked #3. Duke University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Durham. Roughly 97% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 26 divinity/ministry students who graduated with this degree at Duke University in the most recent data year. Students who receive their divinity/ministry degree from Duke University earn around $70,809 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $13,296.
Read more about the divinity/ministry program at Duke University
Students looking for a strong divinity/ministry program will find one at Yale University, which ranked #4. This large private not-for-profit university is located in the city of New Haven. About 96% of students finish within six years. About 40 divinity/ministry degrees were awarded at Yale University in the most recent year. Graduates of the divinity/ministry program make about $45,451 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $14,357.
Read more about the divinity/ministry program at Yale University
A rank of #5 makes Wesley Theological Seminary one of the top schools for divinity/ministry. This small private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Washington. There were roughly 33 divinity/ministry students who graduated with this degree at Wesley Theological Seminary in the most recent data year. Divinity/ministry graduates of Wesley Theological Seminary earn a median of $53,160 early in their careers.
Read more about the divinity/ministry program at Wesley Theological Seminary
Emory University came in at #6 for divinity/ministry this year. This large private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Atlanta. The six-year graduation rate is 91%. About 106 divinity/ministry degrees were awarded at Emory University in the most recent year. Divinity/ministry graduates of Emory University earn a median of $74,348 early in their careers. Emory University graduates carry a median of $19,431 in student loans.
Read more about the divinity/ministry program at Emory University
Southern Methodist University came in at #7 for divinity/ministry this year. This large private not-for-profit university is located in the suburb of Dallas. Roughly 84% of students complete a degree within six years here. Southern Methodist University awarded about 42 divinity/ministry degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the divinity/ministry program make about $54,351 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $20,712 to complete this degree.
More information about a degree in divinity/ministry from Southern Methodist University
Sewanee The University Of The South earned the #8 position for divinity/ministry this year. This small private not-for-profit university is located in the rural area of Sewanee. Roughly 80% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 20 divinity/ministry degrees were awarded at Sewanee The University Of The South in the most recent year. Students who receive their divinity/ministry degree from Sewanee The University Of The South earn around $36,927 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $22,091 to complete this degree.
Read more about the divinity/ministry program at Sewanee The University Of The South
Vanderbilt University placed #9 among the best divinity/ministry schools. Located in the city of Nashville, Vanderbilt University is a large private not-for-profit university. Vanderbilt University graduates 94% of students within six years. There were roughly 50 divinity/ministry students who graduated with this degree at Vanderbilt University in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, divinity/ministry degree recipients from Vanderbilt University generally make around $42,583. Typical student debt for the program is $13,975.
See the full divinity/ministry program report for Vanderbilt University
Boston University came in at #10 for divinity/ministry this year. Located in the city of Boston, Boston University is a very large private not-for-profit university. About 89% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 18 divinity/ministry students who graduated with this degree at Boston University in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, divinity/ministry degree recipients from Boston University generally make around $51,172. Boston University graduates carry a median of $25,232 in student loans.
See the full divinity/ministry program report for Boston University
Moody Bible Institute placed #11 among the best divinity/ministry schools. This mid-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Chicago. Roughly 62% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 59 divinity/ministry degrees were awarded at Moody Bible Institute in the most recent year. Graduates of the divinity/ministry program make about $47,689 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $14,000 to complete this degree.
Get the full divinity/ministry details for Moody Bible Institute
Saint Charles Borromeo Seminary Overbrook landed the #12 spot for divinity/ministry this year. Located in the suburb of Ambler, Saint Charles Borromeo Seminary Overbrook is a small private not-for-profit university. The six-year graduation rate is 42%. About 18 divinity/ministry degrees were awarded at Saint Charles Borromeo Seminary Overbrook in the most recent year.
Get the full divinity/ministry details for Saint Charles Borromeo Seminary Overbrook
Abilene Christian University placed #13 among the best divinity/ministry schools. Abilene Christian University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Abilene. Roughly 59% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 26 divinity/ministry degrees were awarded at Abilene Christian University in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, divinity/ministry degree recipients from Abilene Christian University generally make around $56,463. Abilene Christian University graduates carry a median of $23,772 in student loans.
Get the full divinity/ministry details for Abilene Christian University
Andrews University ranked #14 on our 2026 list of the best divinity/ministry schools. Set in the town of Berrien Springs, Andrews University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. About 72% of students finish within six years. About 109 divinity/ministry degrees were awarded at Andrews University in the most recent year. Divinity/ministry graduates of Andrews University earn a median of $68,117 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $26,314.
Get the full divinity/ministry details for Andrews University
The Masters College And Seminary earned the #15 position for divinity/ministry this year. Set in the suburb of Santa Clarita, The Masters College And Seminary is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 67%. The Masters College And Seminary awarded about 43 divinity/ministry degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their divinity/ministry degree from The Masters College And Seminary earn around $55,300 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $23,774 to complete this degree.
More information about a degree in divinity/ministry from The Masters College And Seminary
Harvard University came in at #16 for divinity/ministry this year. This very large private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Cambridge. The six-year graduation rate is 98%. About 55 divinity/ministry degrees were awarded at Harvard University in the most recent year. Graduates of the divinity/ministry program make about $40,838 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $16,616 to complete this degree.
Get the full divinity/ministry details for Harvard University
Boston College placed #17 among the best divinity/ministry schools. Boston College is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Chestnut Hill. Roughly 91% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 14 divinity/ministry students who graduated with this degree at Boston College in the most recent data year. Students who receive their divinity/ministry degree from Boston College earn around $49,117 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $18,101 to complete this degree.
Read more about the divinity/ministry program at Boston College
Catholic University Of America came in at #18 for divinity/ministry this year. Located in the city of Washington, Catholic University Of America is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. About 80% of students finish within six years. About 29 divinity/ministry degrees were awarded at Catholic University Of America in the most recent year. Students who receive their divinity/ministry degree from Catholic University Of America earn around $65,120 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $25,771.
See the full divinity/ministry program report for Catholic University Of America
University Of Chicago landed the #19 spot for divinity/ministry this year. This very large private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Chicago. Roughly 96% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 19 divinity/ministry degrees were awarded at University Of Chicago in the most recent year. Graduates of the divinity/ministry program make about $45,985 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $15,854.
More information about a degree in divinity/ministry from University Of Chicago
Harding University ranked #20 on our 2026 list of the best divinity/ministry schools. Harding University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the town of Searcy. Roughly 69% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 14 divinity/ministry degrees were awarded at Harding University in the most recent year. Students who receive their divinity/ministry degree from Harding University earn around $53,629 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $26,715.
Read more about the divinity/ministry program at Harding University
Cedarville University earned the #21 position for divinity/ministry this year. Set in the rural area of Cedarville, Cedarville University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. Cedarville University graduates 72% of students within six years. About 29 divinity/ministry degrees were awarded at Cedarville University in the most recent year. Students who receive their divinity/ministry degree from Cedarville University earn around $57,104 in the first couple years of their career. Cedarville University graduates carry a median of $22,110 in student loans.
More information about a degree in divinity/ministry from Cedarville University
Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary placed #22 among the best divinity/ministry schools. 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%. Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary awarded about 230 divinity/ministry degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their divinity/ministry degree from Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary earn around $73,186 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $15,559.
Get the full divinity/ministry details for Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary
Baylor University earned the #23 position for divinity/ministry this year. Set in the city of Waco, Baylor University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. About 80% of students finish within six years. Baylor University awarded about 44 divinity/ministry degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their divinity/ministry degree from Baylor University earn around $44,601 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $23,928 to complete this degree.
Read more about the divinity/ministry program at Baylor University
Mount St Marys University landed the #24 spot for divinity/ministry this year. This mid-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the rural area of Emmitsburg. About 65% of students finish within six years. About 24 divinity/ministry degrees were awarded at Mount St Marys University in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, divinity/ministry degree recipients from Mount St Marys University generally make around $50,657. Mount St Marys University graduates carry a median of $23,539 in student loans.
Get the full divinity/ministry details for Mount St Marys University
The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary earned the #25 position for divinity/ministry this year. Located in the city of Louisville, The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary graduates 35% of students within six years. About 447 divinity/ministry degrees were awarded at The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary in the most recent year. Graduates of the divinity/ministry program make about $74,388 in their early career.
More information about a degree in divinity/ministry from The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary
Rest of the Top 50 Divinity/Ministry Schools
Not far behind, these schools also delivered a strong divinity/ministry education:
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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 · 270 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).
