2026 Best Divinity/Ministry Schools in the Southeast Region

1

Duke University
Durham, NC

Duke University is one of the finest schools in the country for getting a degree in divinity/ministry. Located in the city of Durham, Duke University is a large private not-for-profit university. About 97% of students finish within six years. About 26 divinity/ministry degrees were awarded at Duke University in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, divinity/ministry degree recipients from Duke University generally make around $70,809. Duke University graduates carry a median of $13,296 in student loans. Read more about the divinity/ministry program at Duke University

2

Emory University
Atlanta, GA

A rank of #2 makes Emory University one of the top schools for divinity/ministry. Located in the city of Atlanta, Emory University is a large private not-for-profit university. The six-year graduation rate is 91%. About 106 divinity/ministry degrees were awarded at Emory University in the most recent year. Students who receive their divinity/ministry degree from Emory University earn around $74,348 in the first couple years of their career. Emory University graduates carry a median of $19,431 in student loans. Get the full divinity/ministry details for Emory University

3

Sewanee The University Of The South
Sewanee, TN

Students looking for a strong divinity/ministry program will find one at Sewanee The University Of The South, which ranked #3. This small private not-for-profit university is located in the rural area of Sewanee. The six-year graduation rate is 80%. There were roughly 20 divinity/ministry students who graduated with this degree at Sewanee The University Of The South in the most recent data year. Graduates of the divinity/ministry program make about $36,927 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $22,091 to complete this degree. Get the full divinity/ministry details for Sewanee The University Of The South

4

Vanderbilt University
Nashville, TN

Vanderbilt University is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in divinity/ministry, ranking #4. Vanderbilt University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Nashville. Roughly 94% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 50 divinity/ministry students who graduated with this degree at Vanderbilt University in the most recent data year. Students who receive their divinity/ministry degree from Vanderbilt University earn around $42,583 in the first couple years of their career. Vanderbilt University graduates carry a median of $13,975 in student loans. Get the full divinity/ministry details for Vanderbilt University

5

Harding University
Searcy, AR

Students looking for a strong divinity/ministry program will find one at Harding University, which ranked #5. This moderately-sized private not-for-profit university is 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. Divinity/ministry graduates of Harding University earn a median of $53,629 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $26,715. Get the full divinity/ministry details for Harding University

6

The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary
Louisville, KY

The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary earned the #6 position for divinity/ministry this year. Set in the city of Louisville, The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. About 35% of students finish within six years. The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary awarded about 447 divinity/ministry degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, divinity/ministry degree recipients from The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary generally make around $74,388. More information about a degree in divinity/ministry from The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary

7

Milligan College
Milligan, TN

Milligan College landed the #7 spot for divinity/ministry this year. Located in the suburb of Milligan, Milligan College is a small private not-for-profit university. The six-year graduation rate is 63%. Milligan College awarded about 10 divinity/ministry degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the divinity/ministry program make about $64,327 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $26,150. Get the full divinity/ministry details for Milligan College

8

Samford University
Birmingham, AL

Samford University came in at #8 for divinity/ministry this year. Set in the suburb of Birmingham, Samford University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 77%. Samford University awarded about 41 divinity/ministry degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, divinity/ministry degree recipients from Samford University generally make around $37,532. Typical student debt for the program is $21,039. More information about a degree in divinity/ministry from Samford University

9

Anderson University Sc
Anderson, SC

Anderson University Sc ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the best divinity/ministry schools. Set in the city of Anderson, Anderson University Sc is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 66% of students complete a degree within six years here. Anderson University Sc awarded about 20 divinity/ministry degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the divinity/ministry program make about $49,036 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $28,034 to complete this degree. Get the full divinity/ministry details for Anderson University Sc

10

New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary
New Orleans, LA

New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary came in at #10 for divinity/ministry this year. Set in the city of New Orleans, New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary graduates 70% of students within six years. About 112 divinity/ministry degrees were awarded at New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary in the most recent year. Read more about the divinity/ministry program at New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary

11

Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary
Wake Forest, NC

Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary landed the #11 spot for divinity/ministry this year. Set in the suburb of Wake Forest, Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 17% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 259 divinity/ministry degrees were awarded at Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary in the most recent year. Divinity/ministry graduates of Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary earn a median of $54,863 early in their careers. Get the full divinity/ministry details for Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary

12

Johnson University
Knoxville, TN

Johnson University placed #12 among the best divinity/ministry schools. Set in the rural area of Knoxville, Johnson University is a small private not-for-profit institution. Johnson University graduates 54% of students within six years. About 53 divinity/ministry degrees were awarded at Johnson University in the most recent year. Divinity/ministry graduates of Johnson University earn a median of $37,989 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $23,250. More information about a degree in divinity/ministry from Johnson University

13

Wake Forest University
Winston-Salem, NC

Wake Forest University came in at #13 for divinity/ministry this year. Set in the city of Winston-Salem, Wake Forest University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. Wake Forest University graduates 89% of students within six years. There were roughly 28 divinity/ministry students who graduated with this degree at Wake Forest University in the most recent data year. Students who receive their divinity/ministry degree from Wake Forest University earn around $40,732 in the first couple years of their career. Wake Forest University graduates carry a median of $21,577 in student loans. Read more about the divinity/ministry program at Wake Forest University

14

Lenoir Rhyne University
Hickory, NC

Lenoir Rhyne University landed the #14 spot for divinity/ministry this year. Lenoir Rhyne University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Hickory. Roughly 48% of students complete a degree within six years here. Lenoir Rhyne University awarded about 12 divinity/ministry degrees in the most recent data year. Divinity/ministry graduates of Lenoir Rhyne University earn a median of $49,985 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $26,900. See the full divinity/ministry program report for Lenoir Rhyne University

15

Southeastern University
Lakeland, FL

Southeastern University ranked #15 on our 2026 list of the best divinity/ministry schools. Southeastern University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Lakeland. About 44% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 429 divinity/ministry students who graduated with this degree at Southeastern University in the most recent data year. Graduates of the divinity/ministry program make about $33,030 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $19,609. More information about a degree in divinity/ministry from Southeastern University

16

Columbia Theological Seminary
Decatur, GA

Columbia Theological Seminary landed the #16 spot for divinity/ministry this year. This small private not-for-profit university is located in the suburb of Decatur. About 51 divinity/ministry degrees were awarded at Columbia Theological Seminary in the most recent year. Divinity/ministry graduates of Columbia Theological Seminary earn a median of $44,694 early in their careers. Get the full divinity/ministry details for Columbia Theological Seminary

17

Liberty University
Lynchburg, VA

Liberty University came in at #17 for divinity/ministry this year. Liberty University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Lynchburg. The six-year graduation rate is 67%. There were roughly 571 divinity/ministry students who graduated with this degree at Liberty University in the most recent data year. Students who receive their divinity/ministry degree from Liberty University earn around $53,626 in the first couple years of their career. Liberty University graduates carry a median of $27,414 in student loans. Get the full divinity/ministry details for Liberty University

18

Amridge University
Montgomery, AL

Amridge University came in at #18 for divinity/ministry this year. Located in the city of Montgomery, Amridge University is a small private not-for-profit university. Roughly 100% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 18 divinity/ministry degrees were awarded at Amridge University in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, divinity/ministry degree recipients from Amridge University generally make around $46,125. See the full divinity/ministry program report for Amridge University

19

Mercer University
Macon, GA

Mercer University came in at #19 for divinity/ministry this year. Set in the city of Macon, Mercer University is a large private not-for-profit institution. About 70% of students finish within six years. Mercer University awarded about 32 divinity/ministry degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the divinity/ministry program make about $42,866 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $32,463. Get the full divinity/ministry details for Mercer University

20

Luther Rice University And Seminary
Lithonia, GA

Luther Rice University And Seminary placed #20 among the best divinity/ministry schools. Luther Rice University And Seminary is a small private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Lithonia. Luther Rice University And Seminary awarded about 34 divinity/ministry degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, divinity/ministry degree recipients from Luther Rice University And Seminary generally make around $58,008. Luther Rice University And Seminary graduates carry a median of $36,730 in student loans. Read more about the divinity/ministry program at Luther Rice University And Seminary

21

Regent University
Virginia Beach, VA

Regent University landed the #21 spot for divinity/ministry this year. This large private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Virginia Beach. Regent University graduates 58% of students within six years. Regent University awarded about 122 divinity/ministry degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their divinity/ministry degree from Regent University earn around $49,840 in the first couple years of their career. Regent University graduates carry a median of $29,451 in student loans. More information about a degree in divinity/ministry from Regent University

22

Campbell University
Buies Creek, NC

Campbell University landed the #22 spot for divinity/ministry this year. Located in the town of Buies Creek, Campbell University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. The six-year graduation rate is 60%. Campbell University awarded about 28 divinity/ministry degrees in the most recent data year. Divinity/ministry graduates of Campbell University earn a median of $40,858 early in their careers. Campbell University graduates carry a median of $23,641 in student loans. Get the full divinity/ministry details for Campbell University

23

Brewton Parker College
Mount Vernon, GA

Brewton Parker College earned the #23 position for divinity/ministry this year. This small private not-for-profit university is located in the rural area of Mount Vernon. Brewton Parker College graduates 17% of students within six years. About 31 divinity/ministry degrees were awarded at Brewton Parker College in the most recent year. Get the full divinity/ministry details for Brewton Parker College

24

Virginia Union University
Richmond, VA

Virginia Union University earned the #24 position for divinity/ministry this year. This small private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Richmond. About 34% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 61 divinity/ministry students who graduated with this degree at Virginia Union University in the most recent data year. Divinity/ministry graduates of Virginia Union University earn a median of $25,910 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $30,593 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in divinity/ministry from Virginia Union University

25

Shaw University
Raleigh, NC

Shaw University ranked #25 on our 2026 list of the best divinity/ministry schools. Set in the city of Raleigh, Shaw University is a small private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 22% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 21 divinity/ministry degrees were awarded at Shaw University in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, divinity/ministry degree recipients from Shaw University generally make around $28,533. Typical student debt for the program is $37,044. Get the full divinity/ministry details for Shaw University