by our College Data Analytics TeamIn the latest year, 50 U.S. colleges awarded 673 degrees and certificates in Lay Ministry. Master’s degrees are the most popular award, at 60% of graduates. College Factual ranks 14 schools in its 2027 Best Lay Ministry Schools ranking and compares their cost in a Best Value ranking. Graduates earn a median $37,962 one year after completing, rising to $45,950 after four years.
A degree in Lay Ministry involves the study of Lay Ministry. A Program That Prepares Non-Ordained Individuals To Serve As Lay Pastors, Religious Educators, Youth Leaders, And Other Professional Positions Open To The Laity In Local Churches And Other Settings. Includes Instruction In Bible Studies, Theology, Spirituality, Pastoral Counseling, Foundations Of Ministry, Effective Communication, And Church Leadership.
Source: IPEDS 2025; College Scorecard July 2026; BLS; O*NET; College Factual rankings 2027. Data as of: July 2026.
Across the country, lay ministry is a popular field of study, with 673 degrees awarded annually. 50 colleges award lay ministry degrees, an average of 13 graduates per school; the largest program awarded 118.
By level, the 673 awards include 21 certificates, 62 associate degrees, 183 bachelor’s degrees, 401 master’s degrees and 6 doctorates.
Women earned 43% of lay ministry degrees and certificates in the latest year (288 of 673). The largest groups of graduates by race and ethnicity are White (364) and Black or African American (105), and international students earned 19.
College Factual ranks 14 schools in its 2027 Best Lay Ministry Schools ranking, including 2 for associate degrees, 8 for bachelor’s degrees and 4 for master’s degrees. It also ranks lay ministry schools within 6 states. In all, 50 colleges offer lay ministry programs; compare them by degree level below or in the Best Value Lay Ministry Colleges ranking, which weighs quality against cost.
The most common lay ministry credential is the master’s degree: 401 of the 673 awarded in the latest year. Jobs related to lay ministry call most for Speaking, Active Listening and Social Perceptiveness, and for knowledge of Philosophy and Theology, Education and Training and Customer and Personal Service, according to O*NET. The most important abilities are Oral Expression, Written Comprehension and Written Expression.
Top skills, rated 0–5:
Top knowledge areas, rated 0–5:
How long a lay ministry degree takes:
| Degree | Typical Program Length | Graduates Annually |
|---|---|---|
| Certificate | Varies | 21 |
| Associate Degree | 2 years | 62 |
| Bachelor’s Degree | 4 years | 183 |
| Master’s Degree | 1-3 years | 401 |
| Doctorate | At least 4 years | 6 |
Bachelor’s degree is the most common level of education among workers in jobs related to lay ministry, at 53.6%.
| Level of Education | Percentage of Workers |
|---|---|
| Bachelor’s degree | 53.6% |
| Postsecondary certificate | 21.1% |
| Associate’s degree (or other 2-year) | 14.4% |
| Master’s degree | 9.2% |
| High school diploma or equivalent | 0.9% |
| Post-baccalaureate certificate | 0.6% |
| Some college courses | 0.3% |
Source: O*NET Online.
2 occupations are related to Lay Ministry, with an average median salary of $61,778. Typical job titles include Shochet, Spiritual Advisor, Verger and Church Official.
The occupation related to lay ministry with the most projected jobs is Religious Workers, All Other, at 258,483.
| Occupation | Projected Jobs | Expected Growth |
|---|---|---|
| Religious Workers, All Other | 258,483 | -1.4% |
| Directors, Religious Activities and Education | 239,121 | -2.3% |
Lay Ministry graduates earn a median $37,962 one year after completing their program, $45,950 after four years and $44,763 after five years, according to the U.S. Department of Education’s College Scorecard.
| Years Out | Median Earnings |
|---|---|
| 1 year | $37,962 |
| 4 years | $45,950 |
| 5 years | $44,763 |
Source: College Scorecard.
The highest-paying occupation related to lay ministry is Directors, Religious Activities and Education, with a median salary of $64,599.
| Occupation | Median Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| Directors, Religious Activities and Education | $64,599 |
| Religious Workers, All Other | $58,956 |
Lay Ministry has 6 similar majors in the Theology & Religious Vocations field, which together award 2,323 degrees a year; the largest are Pastoral Studies/Counseling (1,285), Pastoral Counseling and Specialized Ministries, Other (596) and Youth Ministry (256). Browse all Theology & Religious Vocations majors or the full list of college majors.
| Related Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| Pastoral Studies/Counseling | 1,285 |
| Pastoral Counseling and Specialized Ministries, Other | 596 |
| Youth Ministry | 256 |
| Women’s Ministry | 83 |
| Chaplain/Chaplaincy Studies | 61 |
| Urban Ministry | 42 |
More about our data sources and methodologies.
