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College Factual  by our College Data Analytics Team
       Unbiased Factual Guarantee

2026 Best Divinity/Ministry Schools in the Southwest Region

4 Colleges in the United States
299 Divinity/Ministry Degrees Awarded
$49,398 Avg Early-Career Salary

Divinity/Ministry degree programs prepare students for a range of careers in the field. The schools below stand out for the quality of their divinity/ministry programs.

For its 2026 ranking, College Factual looked at 25 schools in the United States to determine which ones were the best for divinity/ministry students pursuing a degree.

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Best Schools for Divinity/Ministry in the Southwest Region

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.

Top Schools in Divinity/Ministry

1

Southern Methodist University tops our 2026 ranking of the best divinity/ministry schools. Located in the suburb of Dallas, Southern Methodist University is a large private not-for-profit university. The six-year graduation rate is 84%. Southern Methodist University awarded about 42 divinity/ministry degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, divinity/ministry degree recipients from Southern Methodist University generally make around $54,351. Students borrow a median of $20,712 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in divinity/ministry from Southern Methodist University

2

A rank of #2 makes Abilene Christian University one of the top schools for divinity/ministry. Located in the city of Abilene, Abilene Christian University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. Roughly 59% of students complete a degree within six years here. Abilene Christian University awarded about 26 divinity/ministry degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the divinity/ministry program make about $56,463 in their early career. Abilene Christian University graduates carry a median of $23,772 in student loans. Read more about the divinity/ministry program at Abilene Christian University

3

Students looking for a strong divinity/ministry program will find one at Baylor University, which ranked #3. Located in the city of Waco, Baylor University is a very large private not-for-profit university. About 80% of students finish within six years. About 44 divinity/ministry degrees were awarded at Baylor University in the most recent year. Graduates of the divinity/ministry program make about $44,601 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $23,928. More information about a degree in divinity/ministry from Baylor University

4

Students looking for a strong divinity/ministry program will find one at University Of St Thomas Texas, which ranked #4. This mid-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Houston. University Of St Thomas Texas graduates 69% of students within six years. About 10 divinity/ministry degrees were awarded at University Of St Thomas Texas in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, divinity/ministry degree recipients from University Of St Thomas Texas generally make around $58,265. University Of St Thomas Texas graduates carry a median of $23,628 in student loans. See the full divinity/ministry program report for University Of St Thomas Texas

5
Brite Divinity School crest
Brite Divinity School
Fort Worth, TX

Brite Divinity School is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in divinity/ministry, ranking #5. Brite Divinity School is a small private not-for-profit school located in the city of Fort Worth. There were roughly 15 divinity/ministry students who graduated with this degree at Brite Divinity School in the most recent data year. Divinity/ministry graduates of Brite Divinity School earn a median of $42,050 early in their careers. Read more about the divinity/ministry program at Brite Divinity School

6

Grand Canyon University earned the #6 position for divinity/ministry this year. This very large private for-profit university is located in the city of Phoenix. The six-year graduation rate is 44%. Grand Canyon University awarded about 41 divinity/ministry degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, divinity/ministry degree recipients from Grand Canyon University generally make around $56,285. Typical student debt for the program is $30,027. Read more about the divinity/ministry program at Grand Canyon University

7

Oral Roberts University came in at #7 for divinity/ministry this year. Set in the city of Tulsa, Oral Roberts University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. About 57% of students finish within six years. About 78 divinity/ministry degrees were awarded at Oral Roberts University in the most recent year. Divinity/ministry graduates of Oral Roberts University earn a median of $34,577 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $30,750. See the full divinity/ministry program report for Oral Roberts University

8

Austin Presbyterian Theological Seminary ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best divinity/ministry schools. Set in the city of Austin, Austin Presbyterian Theological Seminary is a small private not-for-profit institution. Austin Presbyterian Theological Seminary awarded about 16 divinity/ministry degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, divinity/ministry degree recipients from Austin Presbyterian Theological Seminary generally make around $56,922. More information about a degree in divinity/ministry from Austin Presbyterian Theological Seminary

9
Kings University crest
Kings University
Southlake, TX

Kings University placed #9 among the best divinity/ministry schools. Located in the suburb of Southlake, Kings University is a small private not-for-profit university. The six-year graduation rate is 33%. There were roughly 27 divinity/ministry students who graduated with this degree at Kings University in the most recent data year. Graduates of the divinity/ministry program make about $41,066 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $48,998. Get the full divinity/ministry details for Kings University

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Notes and References

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 · 25 schools evaluated.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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