by our College Data Analytics TeamLay Ministry was the 630th most popular major in the 2020-2021 school year. Colleges in the United States reported awarding 504 degrees in this year alone. This is a difference of 23 over the prior year, a growth of 4.6%.
Our 2023 Best Lay Ministry Schools ranking analyzes 13 of these schools to determine the best overall colleges for lay ministry students. Continue reading to check out one of our many unbiased rankings of lay ministry programs later in this article.
One of the most important skills you will need for a career in lay ministry is talking to others to convey information effectively. Being aware of others' reactions and understanding why they react as they do and understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work related documents are all required skills for careers related to this major.
A high school diploma or equivalent is typically required for most lay ministry degree programs and many students will need a minimum GPA and SAT/ACT score depending on the school. Once you obtain your degree, additional lay ministry certifications required to pursue a career in this field.
Lay Ministry degree levels vary. You can spend many years getting as high as a in lay ministry to something that takes less time like a . Different lay ministry degrees vary in how long they take.
| Degree | Credit Requirements | Typical Program Length |
|---|---|---|
| Associate Degree | 60-70 credits | 2 years |
| Bachelor’s Degree | 120 credits | 4 years |
| Master’s Degree | 50-70 credits | 1-3 years |
| Doctorate | Program required coursework including thesis or dissertation | At least 4 years |
A bachelor's degree is the most common level of education achieved by those in careers related to lay ministry, with approximately 82.2% of workers getting one. Find out other typical degree levels for lay ministry workers below.
| Level of Education | Percentage of Workers |
|---|---|
| Bachelor’s Degree | 82.2% |
| Master’s Degree | 10.3% |
| High School Diploma | 6.0% |
| Post-Baccalaureate Certificate | 0.5% |
| First Professional Degree | 0.4% |
About 93.7% of workers in careers related to lay ministry obtain at least bachelor's degrees. View the chart below to get an idea of what degree level most of those in lay ministry careers have.
This of course varies depending on which lay ministry career you choose.
Want a job when you graduate with your lay ministry degree? Lay Ministry careers are expected to grow 7.2% between 2016 and 2026.
The following options are some of the most in-demand careers related to lay ministry.
| Occupation Name | Projected Jobs | Expected Growth |
|---|---|---|
| Religious Activities and Education Directors | 157,500 | 7.1% |
| Religious Workers | 57,300 | 7.7% |
As you might expect, salaries for lay ministry graduates vary depending on the level of education that was acquired.
Salaries for lay ministry graduates can vary widely by the occupation you choose as well. The following table shows the top highest paying careers lay ministry grads often go into.
| Occupation Name | Median Average Salary |
|---|---|
| Religious Activities and Education Directors | $46,980 |
| Religious Workers | $35,860 |
With over 90 different lay ministry degree programs to choose from, finding the best fit for you can be a challenge. Fortunately you have come to the right place. We have analyzed all of these schools to come up with hundreds of unbiased lay ministry school rankings to help you with this.
One of 6 majors within the Pastoral Counseling & Specialized Ministries area of study, Lay Ministry has other similar majors worth exploring.
| Related Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| Pastoral Studies/Counseling | 1,430 |
| Other Pastoral Counseling & Specialized Ministries | 607 |
| Youth Ministry | 434 |
| Urban Ministry | 65 |
| Chaplain/Chaplaincy Studies | 18 |
