2026 Best Theological & Ministerial Studies Schools in California

1

Santa Clara University
Santa Clara, CA

No school ranked higher than Santa Clara University this year for theological & ministerial studies. This large private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Santa Clara. Santa Clara University graduates 88% of students within six years. Santa Clara University awarded about 54 theological & ministerial studies degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, theological & ministerial studies degree recipients from Santa Clara University generally make around $79,380. Typical student debt for the program is $20,144. See the full theological & ministerial studies program report for Santa Clara University

2

Loyola Marymount University
Los Angeles, CA

Loyola Marymount University came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best theological & ministerial studies schools. Loyola Marymount University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Los Angeles. Roughly 79% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 11 theological & ministerial studies degrees were awarded at Loyola Marymount University in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, theological & ministerial studies degree recipients from Loyola Marymount University generally make around $52,935. Loyola Marymount University graduates carry a median of $22,248 in student loans. More information about a degree in theological & ministerial studies from Loyola Marymount University

3

Vanguard University Of Southern California
Costa Mesa, CA

Students looking for a strong theological & ministerial studies program will find one at Vanguard University Of Southern California, which ranked #3. Located in the city of Costa Mesa, Vanguard University Of Southern California is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. About 57% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 14 theological & ministerial studies students who graduated with this degree at Vanguard University Of Southern California in the most recent data year. Graduates of the theological & ministerial studies program make about $80,727 in their early career. Vanguard University Of Southern California graduates carry a median of $21,111 in student loans. Read more about the theological & ministerial studies program at Vanguard University Of Southern California

4

The Masters College And Seminary
Santa Clarita, CA

A rank of #4 makes The Masters College And Seminary one of the top schools for theological & ministerial studies. The Masters College And Seminary is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Santa Clarita. The Masters College And Seminary graduates 67% of students within six years. About 106 theological & ministerial studies degrees were awarded at The Masters College And Seminary in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, theological & ministerial studies degree recipients from The Masters College And Seminary generally make around $55,300. Typical student debt for the program is $23,774. More information about a degree in theological & ministerial studies from The Masters College And Seminary

5

Concordia University Irvine
Irvine, CA

A rank of #5 makes Concordia University Irvine one of the top schools for theological & ministerial studies. Concordia University Irvine is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Irvine. The six-year graduation rate is 58%. There were roughly 25 theological & ministerial studies students who graduated with this degree at Concordia University Irvine in the most recent data year. Theological & Ministerial Studies graduates of Concordia University Irvine earn a median of $58,590 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $26,085 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in theological & ministerial studies from Concordia University Irvine

6

Biola University
La Mirada, CA

Biola University placed #6 among the best theological & ministerial studies schools. Set in the suburb of La Mirada, Biola University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. Biola University graduates 68% of students within six years. Biola University awarded about 119 theological & ministerial studies degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the theological & ministerial studies program make about $42,625 in their early career. Biola University graduates carry a median of $25,308 in student loans. See the full theological & ministerial studies program report for Biola University

7

Fuller Theological Seminary In California
Pasadena, CA

Fuller Theological Seminary In California landed the #7 spot for theological & ministerial studies this year. Fuller Theological Seminary In California is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Pasadena. About 283 theological & ministerial studies degrees were awarded at Fuller Theological Seminary In California in the most recent year. Graduates of the theological & ministerial studies program make about $60,609 in their early career. Get the full theological & ministerial studies details for Fuller Theological Seminary In California

8

Life Pacific College
San Dimas, CA

Life Pacific College landed the #8 spot for theological & ministerial studies this year. Located in the suburb of San Dimas, Life Pacific College is a small private not-for-profit university. The six-year graduation rate is 38%. About 10 theological & ministerial studies degrees were awarded at Life Pacific College in the most recent year. Graduates of the theological & ministerial studies program make about $39,411 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $22,521. Read more about the theological & ministerial studies program at Life Pacific College

9

Azusa Pacific University
Azusa, CA

Azusa Pacific University earned the #9 position for theological & ministerial studies this year. Azusa Pacific University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Azusa. Roughly 62% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 26 theological & ministerial studies students who graduated with this degree at Azusa Pacific University in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, theological & ministerial studies degree recipients from Azusa Pacific University generally make around $58,302. Students borrow a median of $23,709 to complete this degree. See the full theological & ministerial studies program report for Azusa Pacific University

10

Sum Bible College And Theological Seminary
El Dorado Hills, CA

Sum Bible College And Theological Seminary landed the #10 spot for theological & ministerial studies this year. This small private not-for-profit university is located in the suburb of El Dorado Hills. Sum Bible College And Theological Seminary graduates 14% of students within six years. Sum Bible College And Theological Seminary awarded about 93 theological & ministerial studies degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the theological & ministerial studies program make about $26,407 in their early career. Sum Bible College And Theological Seminary graduates carry a median of $29,299 in student loans. Get the full theological & ministerial studies details for Sum Bible College And Theological Seminary

11

Hope International University
Fullerton, CA

Hope International University landed the #11 spot for theological & ministerial studies this year. Located in the suburb of Fullerton, Hope International University is a small private not-for-profit university. Hope International University graduates 49% of students within six years. Hope International University awarded about 23 theological & ministerial studies degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the theological & ministerial studies program make about $50,661 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $18,054. Get the full theological & ministerial studies details for Hope International University

12

World Mission University
Los Angeles, CA

World Mission University earned the #12 position for theological & ministerial studies this year. Located in the city of Los Angeles, World Mission University is a small private not-for-profit university. World Mission University graduates 100% of students within six years. World Mission University awarded about 20 theological & ministerial studies degrees in the most recent data year. More information about a degree in theological & ministerial studies from World Mission University