2026 Best Theological & Ministerial Studies Schools in the Southwest Region

1

Southern Methodist University
Dallas, TX

Leading the list is Southern Methodist University, our #1 school for theological & ministerial studies. Southern Methodist University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Dallas. Roughly 84% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 69 theological & ministerial studies degrees were awarded at Southern Methodist University in the most recent year. Students who receive their theological & ministerial studies degree from Southern Methodist University earn around $54,351 in the first couple years of their career. Southern Methodist University graduates carry a median of $20,712 in student loans. See the full theological & ministerial studies program report for Southern Methodist University

2

Abilene Christian University
Abilene, TX

A rank of #2 makes Abilene Christian University one of the top schools for theological & ministerial studies. This moderately-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Abilene. About 59% of students finish within six years. Abilene Christian University awarded about 29 theological & ministerial studies degrees in the most recent data year. Theological & Ministerial Studies graduates of Abilene Christian University earn a median of $56,463 early in their careers. Abilene Christian University graduates carry a median of $23,772 in student loans. More information about a degree in theological & ministerial studies from Abilene Christian University

3

Baylor University
Waco, TX

Baylor University came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best theological & ministerial studies schools. Set in the city of Waco, Baylor University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. Baylor University graduates 80% of students within six years. Baylor University awarded about 60 theological & ministerial studies degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the theological & ministerial studies program make about $44,601 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $23,928 to complete this degree. Get the full theological & ministerial studies details for Baylor University

4

University Of St Thomas Texas
Houston, TX

University Of St Thomas Texas is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in theological & ministerial studies, ranking #4. This mid-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Houston. Roughly 69% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 19 theological & ministerial studies students who graduated with this degree at University Of St Thomas Texas in the most recent data year. Graduates of the theological & ministerial studies program make about $58,265 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $23,628. More information about a degree in theological & ministerial studies from University Of St Thomas Texas

5

Dallas Theological Seminary
Dallas, TX

Dallas Theological Seminary came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best theological & ministerial studies schools. Dallas Theological Seminary is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Dallas. About 307 theological & ministerial studies degrees were awarded at Dallas Theological Seminary in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, theological & ministerial studies degree recipients from Dallas Theological Seminary generally make around $53,095. Read more about the theological & ministerial studies program at Dallas Theological Seminary

6

University Of Dallas
Irving, TX

University Of Dallas earned the #6 position for theological & ministerial studies this year. This mid-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Irving. Roughly 73% of students complete a degree within six years here. University Of Dallas awarded about 23 theological & ministerial studies degrees in the most recent data year. Theological & Ministerial Studies graduates of University Of Dallas earn a median of $58,396 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $23,411 to complete this degree. See the full theological & ministerial studies program report for University Of Dallas

7

Brite Divinity School
Fort Worth, TX

Brite Divinity School earned the #7 position for theological & ministerial studies this year. Set in the city of Fort Worth, Brite Divinity School is a small private not-for-profit institution. Brite Divinity School awarded about 15 theological & ministerial studies degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, theological & ministerial studies degree recipients from Brite Divinity School generally make around $42,050. See the full theological & ministerial studies program report for Brite Divinity School

8

Dallas Baptist University
Dallas, TX

Dallas Baptist University earned the #8 position for theological & ministerial studies this year. Located in the city of Dallas, Dallas Baptist University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. The six-year graduation rate is 58%. There were roughly 16 theological & ministerial studies students who graduated with this degree at Dallas Baptist University in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, theological & ministerial studies degree recipients from Dallas Baptist University generally make around $48,822. Students borrow a median of $22,819 to complete this degree. Get the full theological & ministerial studies details for Dallas Baptist University

9

Houston Baptist University
Houston, TX

Houston Baptist University landed the #9 spot for theological & ministerial studies this year. Located in the city of Houston, Houston Baptist University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. Houston Baptist University graduates 49% of students within six years. There were roughly 39 theological & ministerial studies students who graduated with this degree at Houston Baptist University in the most recent data year. Students who receive their theological & ministerial studies degree from Houston Baptist University earn around $51,968 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $25,601. See the full theological & ministerial studies program report for Houston Baptist University

10

Grand Canyon University
Phoenix, AZ

Grand Canyon University ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best theological & ministerial studies schools. Grand Canyon University is a very large private for-profit school located in the city of Phoenix. Roughly 44% of students complete a degree within six years here. Grand Canyon University awarded about 52 theological & ministerial studies degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their theological & ministerial studies degree from Grand Canyon University earn around $56,285 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $30,027. More information about a degree in theological & ministerial studies from Grand Canyon University

11

Oral Roberts University
Tulsa, OK

Oral Roberts University came in at #11 for theological & ministerial studies this year. Oral Roberts University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Tulsa. The six-year graduation rate is 57%. About 169 theological & ministerial studies degrees were awarded at Oral Roberts University in the most recent year. Students who receive their theological & ministerial studies degree from Oral Roberts University earn around $34,577 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $30,750. Get the full theological & ministerial studies details for Oral Roberts University

12

Southwestern Assemblies Of God University
Waxahachie, TX

Southwestern Assemblies Of God University placed #12 among the best theological & ministerial studies schools. Southwestern Assemblies Of God University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Waxahachie. Southwestern Assemblies Of God University graduates 36% of students within six years. There were roughly 30 theological & ministerial studies students who graduated with this degree at Southwestern Assemblies Of God University in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, theological & ministerial studies degree recipients from Southwestern Assemblies Of God University generally make around $47,762. Students borrow a median of $28,248 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in theological & ministerial studies from Southwestern Assemblies Of God University

13

Mid America Christian University
Oklahoma City, OK

Mid America Christian University earned the #13 position for theological & ministerial studies this year. Located in the city of Oklahoma City, Mid America Christian University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. About 39% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 17 theological & ministerial studies students who graduated with this degree at Mid America Christian University in the most recent data year. Theological & Ministerial Studies graduates of Mid America Christian University earn a median of $27,391 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $41,422. See the full theological & ministerial studies program report for Mid America Christian University

14

Austin Presbyterian Theological Seminary
Austin, TX

Austin Presbyterian Theological Seminary earned the #14 position for theological & ministerial studies this year. Austin Presbyterian Theological Seminary is a small private not-for-profit school located in the city of Austin. Austin Presbyterian Theological Seminary awarded about 21 theological & ministerial studies degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, theological & ministerial studies degree recipients from Austin Presbyterian Theological Seminary generally make around $56,922. Read more about the theological & ministerial studies program at Austin Presbyterian Theological Seminary

15

Kings University
Southlake, TX

Kings University landed the #15 spot for theological & ministerial studies this year. Located in the suburb of Southlake, Kings University is a small private not-for-profit university. The six-year graduation rate is 33%. Kings University awarded about 75 theological & ministerial studies degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, theological & ministerial studies degree recipients from Kings University generally make around $41,066. Students borrow a median of $48,998 to complete this degree. Get the full theological & ministerial studies details for Kings University