Theological & Ministerial Studies programs are offered at a focused set of schools across the country. While the number of schools offering the program varies, there are still top-quality ones to be found.
For its 2026 ranking, College Factual looked at 464 schools in the United States to determine which ones were the best for theological & ministerial studies students pursuing a degree.
DEBUG: offers_url is valid, proceeding to fetch data
DEBUG: No offers_data.offers found, showing generic ESYOH widget
Choosing a Great Theological & Ministerial Studies School
Where you study theological & ministerial studies matters for your future. That is why we developed our collection of Best Schools for Theological & Ministerial Studies rankings. For our Best Overall Theological & Ministerial Studies School ranking, we roll up the results of our degree-level rankings, weighted by the number of degrees awarded at that level.
In order to find the schools that are the best fit for you, you may want to filter to one of the degree levels below.
Theological & Ministerial Studies Rankings by Degree Level
Since the program you select can have a significant impact on your future, we have developed a number of rankings, including this Best Theological & Ministerial Studies Schools list, to help you choose. More interested in schools in a specific area of the country? Filter this 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.
No school ranked higher than Santa Clara University this year for theological & ministerial studies. Located in the city of Santa Clara, Santa Clara University is a large private not-for-profit university. Roughly 88% of students complete a degree within six years here. Santa Clara University awarded about 54 theological & ministerial studies degrees in the most recent data year. Theological & Ministerial Studies graduates of Santa Clara University earn a median of $79,380 early in their careers. Santa Clara University graduates carry a median of $20,144 in student loans.
Read more about the theological & ministerial studies program at Santa Clara University
University Of St Thomas Minnesota is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in theological & ministerial studies, ranking #2. University Of St Thomas Minnesota is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Saint Paul. University Of St Thomas Minnesota graduates 77% of students within six years. About 16 theological & ministerial studies degrees were awarded at University Of St Thomas Minnesota in the most recent year. Theological & Ministerial Studies graduates of University Of St Thomas Minnesota earn a median of $71,681 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $23,923.
Get the full theological & ministerial studies details for University Of St Thomas Minnesota
A rank of #3 makes Villanova University one of the top schools for theological & ministerial studies. Set in the suburb of Villanova, Villanova University is a large private not-for-profit institution. Villanova University graduates 92% of students within six years. About 24 theological & ministerial studies degrees were awarded at Villanova University in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, theological & ministerial studies degree recipients from Villanova University generally make around $72,601. Students borrow a median of $26,184 to complete this degree.
Read more about the theological & ministerial studies program at Villanova University
Creighton University is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in theological & ministerial studies, landing the #4 spot this year. Set in the city of Omaha, Creighton University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. Creighton University graduates 83% of students within six years. About 31 theological & ministerial studies degrees were awarded at Creighton University in the most recent year. Graduates of the theological & ministerial studies program make about $64,369 in their early career. Creighton University graduates carry a median of $25,831 in student loans.
More information about a degree in theological & ministerial studies from Creighton University
A rank of #5 makes Duke University one of the top schools for theological & ministerial studies. Located in the city of Durham, Duke University is a large private not-for-profit university. Duke University graduates 97% of students within six years. Duke University awarded about 157 theological & ministerial studies degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the theological & ministerial studies program make about $70,809 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $13,296 to complete this degree.
Read more about the theological & ministerial studies program at Duke University
Jewish Theological Seminary Of America earned the #6 position for theological & ministerial studies this year. Set in the city of New York, Jewish Theological Seminary Of America is a small private not-for-profit institution. Jewish Theological Seminary Of America graduates 90% of students within six years. About 10 theological & ministerial studies degrees were awarded at Jewish Theological Seminary Of America in the most recent year. Theological & Ministerial Studies graduates of Jewish Theological Seminary Of America earn a median of $78,469 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $16,750 to complete this degree.
Read more about the theological & ministerial studies program at Jewish Theological Seminary Of America
Yale University came in at #7 for theological & ministerial studies this year. Located in the city of New Haven, Yale University is a large private not-for-profit university. Roughly 96% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 81 theological & ministerial studies degrees were awarded at Yale University in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, theological & ministerial studies degree recipients from Yale University generally make around $45,451. Typical student debt for the program is $14,357.
Get the full theological & ministerial studies details for Yale University
Loyola Marymount University landed the #8 spot for theological & ministerial studies this year. Located in the city of Los Angeles, Loyola Marymount University is a large private not-for-profit university. Roughly 79% of students complete a degree within six years here. Loyola Marymount University awarded about 11 theological & ministerial studies degrees in the most recent data year. Theological & Ministerial Studies graduates of Loyola Marymount University earn a median of $52,935 early in their careers. Loyola Marymount University graduates carry a median of $22,248 in student loans.
See the full theological & ministerial studies program report for Loyola Marymount University
Wesley Theological Seminary came in at #9 for theological & ministerial studies this year. Wesley Theological Seminary is a small private not-for-profit school located in the city of Washington. About 37 theological & ministerial studies degrees were awarded at Wesley Theological Seminary in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, theological & ministerial studies degree recipients from Wesley Theological Seminary generally make around $53,160.
Read more about the theological & ministerial studies program at Wesley Theological Seminary
Seton Hall University landed the #10 spot for theological & ministerial studies this year. This large private not-for-profit university is located in the suburb of South Orange. About 70% of students finish within six years. About 40 theological & ministerial studies degrees were awarded at Seton Hall University in the most recent year. Graduates of the theological & ministerial studies program make about $63,871 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $23,422 to complete this degree.
Get the full theological & ministerial studies details for Seton Hall University
Emory University placed #11 among the best theological & ministerial studies schools. Emory University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Atlanta. Roughly 91% of students complete a degree within six years here. Emory University awarded about 137 theological & ministerial studies degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, theological & ministerial studies degree recipients from Emory University generally make around $74,348. Typical student debt for the program is $19,431.
Read more about the theological & ministerial studies program at Emory University
Southern Methodist University placed #12 among the best theological & ministerial studies schools. Set in the suburb of Dallas, Southern Methodist University is a large private not-for-profit institution. Southern Methodist University graduates 84% of students within six years. Southern Methodist University awarded about 69 theological & ministerial studies degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, theological & ministerial studies degree recipients from Southern Methodist University generally make around $54,351. Typical student debt for the program is $20,712.
Get the full theological & ministerial studies details for Southern Methodist University
Sewanee The University Of The South earned the #13 position for theological & ministerial studies this year. This small private not-for-profit university is located in the rural area of Sewanee. Sewanee The University Of The South graduates 80% of students within six years. There were roughly 27 theological & ministerial studies students who graduated with this degree at Sewanee The University Of The South in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, theological & ministerial studies degree recipients from Sewanee The University Of The South generally make around $36,927. Typical student debt for the program is $22,091.
See the full theological & ministerial studies program report for Sewanee The University Of The South
Vanderbilt University placed #14 among the best theological & ministerial studies schools. Located in the city of Nashville, Vanderbilt University is a large private not-for-profit university. The six-year graduation rate is 94%. Vanderbilt University awarded about 62 theological & ministerial studies degrees in the most recent data year. Theological & Ministerial Studies graduates of Vanderbilt University earn a median of $42,583 early in their careers. Vanderbilt University graduates carry a median of $13,975 in student loans.
More information about a degree in theological & ministerial studies from Vanderbilt University
Wheaton College Illinois ranked #15 on our 2026 list of the best theological & ministerial studies schools. This mid-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the suburb of Wheaton. Roughly 85% of students complete a degree within six years here. Wheaton College Illinois awarded about 31 theological & ministerial studies degrees in the most recent data year. Theological & Ministerial Studies graduates of Wheaton College Illinois earn a median of $56,069 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $23,292 to complete this degree.
Read more about the theological & ministerial studies program at Wheaton College Illinois
Boston University earned the #16 position for theological & ministerial studies this year. Boston University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Boston. The six-year graduation rate is 89%. Boston University awarded about 107 theological & ministerial studies degrees in the most recent data year. Theological & Ministerial Studies graduates of Boston University earn a median of $51,172 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $25,232.
Read more about the theological & ministerial studies program at Boston University
Hebrew Union College Jewish Institute Of Religion earned the #17 position for theological & ministerial studies this year. This small private not-for-profit university is located in the city of New York. There were roughly 18 theological & ministerial studies students who graduated with this degree at Hebrew Union College Jewish Institute Of Religion in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, theological & ministerial studies degree recipients from Hebrew Union College Jewish Institute Of Religion generally make around $114,729.
More information about a degree in theological & ministerial studies from Hebrew Union College Jewish Institute Of Religion
Moody Bible Institute placed #18 among the best theological & ministerial studies schools. Located in the city of Chicago, Moody Bible Institute is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. About 62% of students finish within six years. About 209 theological & ministerial studies degrees were awarded at Moody Bible Institute in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, theological & ministerial studies degree recipients from Moody Bible Institute generally make around $47,689. Typical student debt for the program is $14,000.
See the full theological & ministerial studies program report for Moody Bible Institute
Saint Charles Borromeo Seminary Overbrook earned the #19 position for theological & ministerial studies this year. This small private not-for-profit university is located in the suburb of Ambler. About 42% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 38 theological & ministerial studies students who graduated with this degree at Saint Charles Borromeo Seminary Overbrook in the most recent data year.
More information about a degree in theological & ministerial studies from Saint Charles Borromeo Seminary Overbrook
Vanguard University Of Southern California came in at #20 for theological & ministerial studies this year. Set in the city of Costa Mesa, Vanguard University Of Southern California is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 57%. About 14 theological & ministerial studies degrees were awarded at Vanguard University Of Southern California in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, theological & ministerial studies degree recipients from Vanguard University Of Southern California generally make around $80,727. Typical student debt for the program is $21,111.
More information about a degree in theological & ministerial studies from Vanguard University Of Southern California
Andrews University placed #21 among the best theological & ministerial studies schools. Located in the town of Berrien Springs, Andrews University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. The six-year graduation rate is 72%. About 114 theological & ministerial studies degrees were awarded at Andrews University in the most recent year. Theological & Ministerial Studies graduates of Andrews University earn a median of $68,117 early in their careers. Andrews University graduates carry a median of $26,314 in student loans.
Read more about the theological & ministerial studies program at Andrews University
Abilene Christian University landed the #22 spot for theological & ministerial studies this year. Set in the city of Abilene, Abilene Christian University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 59%. About 29 theological & ministerial studies degrees were awarded at Abilene Christian University in the most recent year. Students who receive their theological & ministerial studies degree from Abilene Christian University earn around $56,463 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $23,772.
See the full theological & ministerial studies program report for Abilene Christian University
The Masters College And Seminary came in at #23 for theological & ministerial studies this year. This mid-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the suburb of Santa Clarita. About 67% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 106 theological & ministerial studies students who graduated with this degree at The Masters College And Seminary in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, theological & ministerial studies degree recipients from The Masters College And Seminary generally make around $55,300. Students borrow a median of $23,774 to complete this degree.
Get the full theological & ministerial studies details for The Masters College And Seminary
Lipscomb University landed the #24 spot for theological & ministerial studies this year. This moderately-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Nashville. Lipscomb University graduates 72% of students within six years. About 22 theological & ministerial studies degrees were awarded at Lipscomb University in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, theological & ministerial studies degree recipients from Lipscomb University generally make around $48,949. Students borrow a median of $23,529 to complete this degree.
More information about a degree in theological & ministerial studies from Lipscomb University
Harvard University landed the #25 spot for theological & ministerial studies this year. Located in the city of Cambridge, Harvard University is a very large private not-for-profit university. The six-year graduation rate is 98%. About 129 theological & ministerial studies degrees were awarded at Harvard University in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, theological & ministerial studies degree recipients from Harvard University generally make around $40,838. Students borrow a median of $16,616 to complete this degree.
Get the full theological & ministerial studies details for Harvard University
Rest of the Top 50 Theological & Ministerial Studies Schools
Not far behind, these schools also delivered a strong theological & ministerial studies education:
This ranking is produced by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. The methodology weighs graduation rate, post-graduation earnings, cost, and program quality, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Top Ranked · 464 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).
