2026 Best Divinity/Ministry Associate’s Degree Schools

Divinity/Ministry programs are offered at a focused set of schools across the country. 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.

What’s on this page:

• Best Associate’s Degree Divinity/Ministry Schools
• Other Degree Levels

Best Schools for Divinity/Ministry in the United States

Below are the best divinity/ministry schools at the associate’s degree level, ranked by the quality of the education they deliver.

Top Schools in Divinity/Ministry

1

Southeastern University
Lakeland, FL

Doctoral Degree Highest Degree Type

81 Divinity/Ministry Degrees Awarded

$27,591 Median Starting Salary

Southeastern University tops our 2026 ranking of the best divinity/ministry schools. Set in the city of Lakeland, Southeastern University is a large private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 44% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 81 divinity/ministry students who graduated with this degree at Southeastern University in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, divinity/ministry degree recipients from Southeastern University generally make around $27,591. Typical student debt for the program is $16,000. Get the full divinity/ministry details for Southeastern University

2

New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary
New Orleans, LA

Doctoral Degree Highest Degree Type

112 Divinity/Ministry Degrees Awarded

70% 6-Year Graduation Rate

New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in divinity/ministry, ranking #2. Located in the city of New Orleans, New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. The six-year graduation rate is 70%. New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary awarded about 112 divinity/ministry degrees in the most recent data year. Get the full divinity/ministry details for New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary

3

City Vision University
Kansas City, MO

Associate's Degree Highest Degree Type

10 Divinity/Ministry Degrees Awarded

A rank of #3 makes City Vision University one of the top schools for divinity/ministry. This small private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Kansas City. There were roughly 10 divinity/ministry students who graduated with this degree at City Vision University in the most recent data year. More information about a degree in divinity/ministry from City Vision University

Other Divinity/Ministry Degree Levels

Explore the best divinity/ministry schools at other degree levels:

Notes and References

This ranking is produced 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).

More about our data sources and methodologies.