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College Factual  by our College Data Analytics Team
       Unbiased Factual Guarantee

2026 Best Theological & Ministerial Studies Schools in Tennessee

3 Colleges in the United States
312 Theological & Ministerial Studies Degrees Awarded
$48,666 Avg Early-Career Salary

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.

To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 18 schools to find the best for theological & ministerial studies students.

What’s on this page:

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Best Schools for Theological & Ministerial Studies in Tennessee

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

Top Schools in Theological & Ministerial Studies

1

Leading the list is Sewanee The University Of The South, our #1 school for theological & ministerial studies. Sewanee The University Of The South is a small private not-for-profit school located in the rural area of Sewanee. About 80% of students finish 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. Theological & Ministerial Studies graduates of Sewanee The University Of The South earn a median of $36,927 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $22,091. Get the full theological & ministerial studies details for Sewanee The University Of The South

2
Vanderbilt University crest
Vanderbilt University
Nashville, TN

Vanderbilt University is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in theological & ministerial studies, ranking #2. Set in the city of Nashville, Vanderbilt University is a large private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 94%. There were roughly 62 theological & ministerial studies students who graduated with this degree at Vanderbilt University in the most recent data year. Graduates of the theological & ministerial studies program make about $42,583 in their early career. Vanderbilt University graduates carry a median of $13,975 in student loans. Read more about the theological & ministerial studies program at Vanderbilt University

3
Lipscomb University crest
Lipscomb University
Nashville, TN

Students looking for a strong theological & ministerial studies program will find one at Lipscomb University, which ranked #3. Set in the city of Nashville, Lipscomb University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 72%. There were roughly 22 theological & ministerial studies students who graduated with this degree at Lipscomb University in the most recent data year. Students who receive their theological & ministerial studies degree from Lipscomb University earn around $48,949 in the first couple years of their career. Lipscomb University graduates carry a median of $23,529 in student loans. Get the full theological & ministerial studies details for Lipscomb University

4
Milligan College crest
Milligan College
Milligan, TN

A rank of #4 makes Milligan College one of the top schools for theological & ministerial studies. Set in the suburb of Milligan, Milligan College is a small private not-for-profit institution. About 63% of students finish within six years. Milligan College awarded about 12 theological & ministerial studies degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the theological & ministerial studies program make about $64,327 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $26,150 to complete this degree. See the full theological & ministerial studies program report for Milligan College

5

Freed Hardeman University is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in theological & ministerial studies, ranking #5. This mid-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the town of Henderson. The six-year graduation rate is 69%. There were roughly 13 theological & ministerial studies students who graduated with this degree at Freed Hardeman University in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, theological & ministerial studies degree recipients from Freed Hardeman University generally make around $54,530. Typical student debt for the program is $24,479. More information about a degree in theological & ministerial studies from Freed Hardeman University

6

Southern Adventist University placed #6 among the best theological & ministerial studies schools. Southern Adventist University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Collegedale. Roughly 55% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 20 theological & ministerial studies degrees were awarded at Southern Adventist University in the most recent year. Graduates of the theological & ministerial studies program make about $61,366 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $25,498 to complete this degree. Read more about the theological & ministerial studies program at Southern Adventist University

7
Johnson University crest
Johnson University
Knoxville, TN

Johnson University earned the #7 position for theological & ministerial studies this year. This small private not-for-profit university is located in the rural area of Knoxville. The six-year graduation rate is 54%. Johnson University awarded about 53 theological & ministerial studies degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the theological & ministerial studies program make about $37,989 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $23,250 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in theological & ministerial studies from Johnson University

8
Lee University crest
Lee University
Cleveland, TN

Lee University earned the #8 position for theological & ministerial studies this year. Located in the city of Cleveland, Lee University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. About 63% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 41 theological & ministerial studies students who graduated with this degree at Lee University in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, theological & ministerial studies degree recipients from Lee University generally make around $42,658. Lee University graduates carry a median of $26,422 in student loans. More information about a degree in theological & ministerial studies from Lee University

9

Memphis Theological Seminary landed the #9 spot for theological & ministerial studies this year. This small private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Memphis. There were roughly 62 theological & ministerial studies students who graduated with this degree at Memphis Theological Seminary in the most recent data year. See the full theological & ministerial studies program report for Memphis Theological Seminary

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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 · 18 schools evaluated.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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