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2023 Most Focused Doctor’s Degree Colleges for Pastoral Studies/Counseling

26 Ranked Colleges
186 Degrees Awarded
$27,000 Avg Cost*
Schools for a Doctorate Highly Focused on Pastoral Studies/Counseling Major

It’s not easy to decide which college to attend when there so many options available for students. One of our goals at College Factual is to give you as much information as we can - such as our “Schools for a Doctorate Highly Focused on Pastoral Studies/Counseling Major” ranking - to help you make that decision.

In 2020-2021, 1,430 people earned their degree in pastoral studies/counseling, making the major the 364th most popular in the United States.

At the doctor’s degree level specifically, there were 186 pastoral studies/counseling graduates with average earnings and debt of $75,260 and $0 respectively.

For this year’s “Schools for a Doctorate Highly Focused on Pastoral Studies/Counseling Major” ranking, we looked at 26 colleges that offer a degree in pastoral studies/counseling. This a ranking of the schools where the largest percentage of students has enrolled in pastoral studies/counseling.

See our ranking methodology to learn more.

More Ways to Rank Pastoral Studies/Counseling Schools

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More Pastoral Studies/Counseling Rankings Other Ranking Categories

When choosing the right school for you, it’s important to arm yourself with all the facts you can. To that end, we’ve created a number of major-specific rankings, including this “Schools for a Doctorate Highly Focused on Pastoral Studies/Counseling Major” list to help you make the college decision.

In addition to College Factual’s rankings, you may want to take a look at College Combat, our unique tool that lets you pit your favorite schools head-to-head and compare how they rate on factors that most interest you. Test it out when you get a chance! You may also want to bookmark the link and share it with others who are trying to make the college decision.

Schools for a Doctorate Highly Focused on Pastoral Studies/Counseling Major

The following schools top our list of the Best “Schools for a Doctorate Highly Focused on Pastoral Studies/Counseling Major”.

Top 26 Most Focused Doctor’s Degree Colleges for Pastoral Studies/Counseling

1

Out of the 26 schools in the Schools for a Doctorate Highly Focused on Pastoral Studies/Counseling Major that were part of this year’s ranking, McCormick Theological Seminary landed the #1 spot on the list. This small school is located in Chicago, Illinois, and it awarded 22 doctorate’s pastoral studies/counseling degrees in 2020-2021.

With a undergrad student-to-faculty ratio of to 1, it’s easy to see that the school is committed to helping their undergraduates succeed. The low undergrad student loan default rate of 4.2% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.

Read full report on Pastoral Studies/Counseling at McCormick Theological Seminary

2

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Northern Baptist Theological Seminary. The school came in at #2 for the Schools for a Doctorate Highly Focused on Pastoral Studies/Counseling Major. This small school is located in Lisle, Illinois, and it awarded 19 doctorate’s pastoral studies/counseling degrees in 2020-2021.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 4.0% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%. The impressive undergraduate student-to-faculty ratio of to 1 means that students may have more opportunities to work more closely with their professors than they would at other schools.

Read full report on Pastoral Studies/Counseling at Northern Baptist Theological Seminary

3

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Charlotte Christian College and Theological Seminary. It ranked #3 on our 2023 Schools for a Doctorate Highly Focused on Pastoral Studies/Counseling Major list. This small school is located in Charlotte, North Carolina, and it awarded 6 doctorate’s pastoral studies/counseling degrees in 2020-2021.

The undergraduate student-to-faculty ratio of 8 to 1 is a sign that students will have more opportunities to engage with their professors one-on-one.

Full Charlotte Christian College and Theological Seminary Pastoral Studies/Counseling Report

4

Out of the 26 schools in the Schools for a Doctorate Highly Focused on Pastoral Studies/Counseling Major that were part of this year’s ranking, Catholic Theological Union at Chicago landed the #4 spot on the list. Catholic Theological Union is a small private not-for-profit school situated in Chicago, Illinois. It awarded 6 doctorate’s pastoral studies/counseling degrees in 2020-2021.

Since the school has a undergrad student-to-faculty ratio of to 1, those pursuing a degree will have more opportunities to interact with their professors.

Read more about Pastoral Studies/Counseling at Catholic Theological Union at Chicago

5

Out of the 26 schools in the Schools for a Doctorate Highly Focused on Pastoral Studies/Counseling Major that were part of this year’s ranking, Chicago Theological Seminary landed the #5 spot on the list. Chicago Theological Seminary is a private not-for-profit institution located in Chicago, Illinois. The school has a small population, and it awarded 4 doctorate’s degrees in 2020-2021.

With a undergrad student-to-faculty ratio of to 1, it’s easy to see that the school is committed to helping their undergraduates succeed.

Full Chicago Theological Seminary Pastoral Studies/Counseling Report

6
The Master's University crest
The Master's University and Seminary
Santa Clarita, California

The Master’s University and Seminary came in at #6 in this year’s edition of the Schools for a Doctorate Highly Focused on Pastoral Studies/Counseling Major ranking. The Master’s University is located in Santa Clarita, California and, has a small student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 27 doctorate’s pastoral studies/counseling degrees to qualified students.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 1.5%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Pastoral Studies/Counseling at The Master’s University

7

With a ranking of #7, Trinity International University - Illinois did quite well on the 2023 Schools for a Doctorate Highly Focused on Pastoral Studies/Counseling Major list. Located in Deerfield, Illinois, this small private not-for-profit school awarded 18 diplomas to qualified doctorate’s pastoral studies/counseling students in 2020-2021.

The undergraduate student-to-faculty ratio of 8 to 1 is a sign that students will have more opportunities to engage with their professors one-on-one.

Read full report on Pastoral Studies/Counseling at Trinity International University - Illinois

8

University of Saint Mary of the Lake came in at #8 in this year’s edition of the Schools for a Doctorate Highly Focused on Pastoral Studies/Counseling Major ranking. University of St. Mary of the Lake is a small private not-for-profit school situated in Mundelein, Illinois. It awarded 2 doctorate’s pastoral studies/counseling degrees in 2020-2021.

With a undergrad student-to-faculty ratio of to 1, it’s easy to see that the school is committed to helping their undergraduates succeed.

Full University of Saint Mary of the Lake Pastoral Studies/Counseling Report

9
GFU crest
George Fox University
Newberg, Oregon

With a ranking of #9, George Fox University did quite well on the 2023 Schools for a Doctorate Highly Focused on Pastoral Studies/Counseling Major list. Newberg, Oregon is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out doctorate’s pastoral studies/counseling degrees to 38 students in 2020-2021.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 1.6%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on Pastoral Studies/Counseling at George Fox University

10

The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary did quite well in the 2023 Schools for a Doctorate Highly Focused on Pastoral Studies/Counseling Major ranking, coming in at #10. SBTS is a small school located in Louisville, Kentucky that handed out 20 doctorate’s pastoral studies/counseling degrees in 2020-2021.

Read more about Pastoral Studies/Counseling at SBTS

11

Hebrew Union College - Jewish Institute of Religion did quite well in the 2023 Schools for a Doctorate Highly Focused on Pastoral Studies/Counseling Major ranking, coming in at #11. New York, New York is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out doctorate’s pastoral studies/counseling degrees to 4 students in 2020-2021.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 1.0%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%. Since the school has a undergrad student-to-faculty ratio of to 1, those pursuing a degree will have more opportunities to interact with their professors.

Full Hebrew Union College - Jewish Institute of Religion Pastoral Studies/Counseling Report

12
Neumann crest
Neumann University
Aston, Pennsylvania

Neumann University landed the #12 spot on the 2023 Schools for a Doctorate Highly Focused on Pastoral Studies/Counseling Major ranking. Neumann University is a small private not-for-profit school situated in Aston, Pennsylvania. It awarded 5 doctorate’s pastoral studies/counseling degrees in 2020-2021.

Read full report on Pastoral Studies/Counseling at Neumann University

13
Amridge crest
Amridge University
Montgomery, Alabama

With a ranking of #13, Amridge University did quite well on the 2023 Schools for a Doctorate Highly Focused on Pastoral Studies/Counseling Major list. Amridge University is a small private not-for-profit school situated in Montgomery, Alabama. It awarded 2 doctorate’s pastoral studies/counseling degrees in 2020-2021.

Full Amridge Pastoral Studies/Counseling Report

14
Ashland crest
Ashland University
Ashland, Ohio

Ashland University did quite well in the 2023 Schools for a Doctorate Highly Focused on Pastoral Studies/Counseling Major ranking, coming in at #14. Ashland, Ohio is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out doctorate’s pastoral studies/counseling degrees to 7 students in 2020-2021.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 4.1%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Pastoral Studies/Counseling at Ashland University

15
EU crest
Eastern University
Saint Davids, Pennsylvania

Eastern University came in at #15 in this year’s edition of the Schools for a Doctorate Highly Focused on Pastoral Studies/Counseling Major ranking. Saint Davids, Pennsylvania is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out doctorate’s pastoral studies/counseling degrees to 3 students in 2020-2021.

Read full report on Pastoral Studies/Counseling at Eastern University

16
Gardner - Webb crest
Gardner - Webb University
Boiling Springs, North Carolina

Gardner - Webb University came in at #16 in this year’s edition of the Schools for a Doctorate Highly Focused on Pastoral Studies/Counseling Major ranking. Gardner - Webb is a small private not-for-profit school situated in Boiling Springs, North Carolina. It awarded 2 doctorate’s pastoral studies/counseling degrees in 2020-2021.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 3.7%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Pastoral Studies/Counseling at Gardner - Webb

17

Inter American University of Puerto Rico - Metro came in at #17 in this year’s edition of the Schools for a Doctorate Highly Focused on Pastoral Studies/Counseling Major ranking. Inter American University of Puerto Rico - Metro is a medium-sized private not-for-profit school situated in San Juan, . It awarded 1 doctorate’s pastoral studies/counseling degrees in 2020-2021.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 3.0% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.

Read full report on Pastoral Studies/Counseling at Inter American University of Puerto Rico - Metro

18
America Evangelical University crest
America Evangelical University
Los Angeles, California

America Evangelical University did quite well in the 2023 Schools for a Doctorate Highly Focused on Pastoral Studies/Counseling Major ranking, coming in at #18. This small school is located in Los Angeles, California, and it awarded 0 doctorate’s pastoral studies/counseling degrees in 2020-2021.

Read full report on Pastoral Studies/Counseling at America Evangelical University

18
TKU crest
The King's University
Southlake, Texas

The King’s University did quite well in the 2023 Schools for a Doctorate Highly Focused on Pastoral Studies/Counseling Major ranking, coming in at #18. TKU is located in Southlake, Texas and, has a small student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 12 doctorate’s pastoral studies/counseling degrees to qualified students.

The undergraduate student-to-faculty ratio of 10 to 1 is a sign that students will have more opportunities to engage with their professors one-on-one.

Read more about Pastoral Studies/Counseling at The King’s University

18
Emory crest
Emory University
Atlanta, Georgia

Emory University ranked #18 on this year’s Schools for a Doctorate Highly Focused on Pastoral Studies/Counseling Major list. Emory is a fairly large private not-for-profit school situated in Atlanta, Georgia. It awarded 0 doctorate’s pastoral studies/counseling degrees in 2020-2021.

The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 93%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. The impressive undergraduate student-to-faculty ratio of 9 to 1 means that students may have more opportunities to work more closely with their professors than they would at other schools. The low undergrad student loan default rate of 1.4% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.

Read more about Pastoral Studies/Counseling at Emory

18

Grace College and Theological Seminary landed the #18 spot on the 2023 Schools for a Doctorate Highly Focused on Pastoral Studies/Counseling Major ranking. Grace College is located in Winona Lake, Indiana and, has a small student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 14 doctorate’s pastoral studies/counseling degrees to qualified students.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 3.1%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Pastoral Studies/Counseling at Grace College and Theological Seminary

18
ORU crest
Oral Roberts University
Tulsa, Oklahoma

Oral Roberts University came in at #18 in this year’s edition of the Schools for a Doctorate Highly Focused on Pastoral Studies/Counseling Major ranking. Oral Roberts University is a small school located in Tulsa, Oklahoma that handed out 15 doctorate’s pastoral studies/counseling degrees in 2020-2021.

Read full report on Pastoral Studies/Counseling at Oral Roberts University

18

Faith Baptist Bible College and Theological Seminary came in at #18 in this year’s edition of the Schools for a Doctorate Highly Focused on Pastoral Studies/Counseling Major ranking. This small school is located in Ankeny, Iowa, and it awarded 0 doctorate’s pastoral studies/counseling degrees in 2020-2021.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 3.3%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Full Faith Baptist Bible College and Theological Seminary Pastoral Studies/Counseling Report

18
Virginia Beach Theological Seminary crest
Virginia Beach Theological Seminary
Virginia Beach, Virginia

Virginia Beach Theological Seminary came in at #18 in this year’s edition of the Schools for a Doctorate Highly Focused on Pastoral Studies/Counseling Major ranking. Virginia Beach, Virginia is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out doctorate’s pastoral studies/counseling degrees to 0 students in 2020-2021.

Full Virginia Beach Theological Seminary Pastoral Studies/Counseling Report

18

Columbia Theological Seminary landed the #18 spot on the 2023 Schools for a Doctorate Highly Focused on Pastoral Studies/Counseling Major ranking. This small school is located in Decatur, Georgia, and it awarded 0 doctorate’s pastoral studies/counseling degrees in 2020-2021.

Since the school has a undergrad student-to-faculty ratio of to 1, those pursuing a degree will have more opportunities to interact with their professors.

Full Columbia Theological Seminary Pastoral Studies/Counseling Report

18
USW crest
University of the Southwest
Hobbs, New Mexico

University of the Southwest did quite well in the 2023 Schools for a Doctorate Highly Focused on Pastoral Studies/Counseling Major ranking, coming in at #18. University of the Southwest is a small school located in Hobbs, New Mexico that handed out 0 doctorate’s pastoral studies/counseling degrees in 2020-2021.

Read more about Pastoral Studies/Counseling at USW

Notes and References

References

Read more about our data sources and methodologies

Footnotes

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