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College Factual  by our College Data Analytics Team
       Unbiased Factual Guarantee

2026 Best Theological & Ministerial Studies Schools in North Carolina

1 Colleges in the United States
685 Theological & Ministerial Studies Degrees Awarded
$47,736 Avg Early-Career Salary

Theological & Ministerial Studies degree programs prepare students for a range of careers in the field. The schools below stand out for the quality of their theological & ministerial studies programs.

College Factual analyzed 16 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best theological & ministerial studies schools.

What’s on this page:

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Best Schools for Theological & Ministerial Studies in North Carolina

Below are the schools that deliver the strongest overall theological & ministerial studies education in North Carolina.

Top Schools in Theological & Ministerial Studies

1
Duke University crest
Duke University
Durham, NC

No school ranked higher than Duke University this year for theological & ministerial studies. Set in the city of Durham, Duke University is a large private not-for-profit institution. About 97% of students finish 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. Typical student debt for the program is $13,296. See the full theological & ministerial studies program report for Duke University

2

A rank of #2 makes Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary one of the top schools for theological & ministerial studies. Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Wake Forest. The six-year graduation rate is 17%. There were roughly 321 theological & ministerial studies students who graduated with this degree at Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary in the most recent data year. Theological & Ministerial Studies graduates of Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary earn a median of $54,863 early in their careers. More information about a degree in theological & ministerial studies from Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary

3
Wake Forest University crest
Wake Forest University
Winston-Salem, NC

Wake Forest University is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in theological & ministerial studies, ranking #3. Located in the city of Winston-Salem, Wake Forest University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. About 89% of students finish within six years. About 28 theological & ministerial studies degrees were awarded at Wake Forest University in the most recent year. Students who receive their theological & ministerial studies degree from Wake Forest University earn around $40,732 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $21,577. Read more about the theological & ministerial studies program at Wake Forest University

4

Lenoir Rhyne University came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best theological & ministerial studies schools. 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 theological & ministerial studies degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the theological & ministerial studies program make about $49,985 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $26,900 to complete this degree. Read more about the theological & ministerial studies program at Lenoir Rhyne University

5
Campbell University crest
Campbell University
Buies Creek, NC

A rank of #5 makes Campbell University one of the top schools for theological & ministerial studies. Campbell University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the town of Buies Creek. Roughly 60% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 28 theological & ministerial studies degrees were awarded at Campbell University in the most recent year. Students who receive their theological & ministerial studies degree from Campbell University earn around $40,858 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $23,641. Get the full theological & ministerial studies details for Campbell University

6
Shaw University crest
Shaw University
Raleigh, NC

Shaw University landed the #6 spot for theological & ministerial studies this year. Located in the city of Raleigh, Shaw University is a small private not-for-profit university. Shaw University graduates 22% of students within six years. About 36 theological & ministerial studies degrees were awarded at Shaw University in the most recent year. Graduates of the theological & ministerial studies program make about $28,533 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $37,044 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in theological & ministerial studies from Shaw University

7

Piedmont International University came in at #7 for theological & ministerial studies this year. Located in the city of Winston-Salem, Piedmont International University is a small private not-for-profit university. The six-year graduation rate is 21%. There were roughly 79 theological & ministerial studies students who graduated with this degree at Piedmont International University in the most recent data year. Theological & Ministerial Studies graduates of Piedmont International University earn a median of $48,372 early in their careers. Piedmont International University graduates carry a median of $35,382 in student loans. Get the full theological & ministerial studies details for Piedmont International University

8
Grace College Of Divinity crest
Grace College Of Divinity
Fayetteville, NC

Grace College Of Divinity landed the #8 spot for theological & ministerial studies this year. Set in the city of Fayetteville, Grace College Of Divinity is a small private not-for-profit institution. About 24 theological & ministerial studies degrees were awarded at Grace College Of Divinity in the most recent year. Read more about the theological & ministerial studies program at Grace College Of Divinity

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Notes and References

The ranking above is published 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 · 16 schools evaluated.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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