Pastoral Studies/Counseling is a field worth a close look when choosing where to study. A focused field like this rewards careful comparison of the schools that offer it.
College Factual analyzed 32 schools to build this 2027 ranking of the best pastoral studies/counseling schools.
Choosing a Great Pastoral Studies/Counseling School
The school you choose for pastoral studies/counseling can shape your career. To help, we created our Best Pastoral Studies/Counseling Schools rankings. For our Best Overall Pastoral Studies/Counseling School ranking, we roll up the results of our degree-level rankings, weighted by the number of degrees awarded at that level.
In order to find the schools that are the best fit for you, you may want to filter to one of the degree levels below.
Pastoral Studies/Counseling Rankings by Degree Level
Since the program you select can have a significant impact on your future, we have developed a number of rankings, including this Best Pastoral Studies/Counseling Schools list, to help you choose. Want schools in a particular part of the country? Narrow the list by region or state.
Want to compare schools head to head? Try our College Combat tool to weigh the factors that matter most to you.
Best Schools for Pastoral Studies/Counseling in the United States
If you are not interested in a particular degree level and want to know which schools are the overall best at delivering an education for the pastoral studies/counseling degrees they offer, see the list below.
Loyola Marymount University tops our 2027 ranking of the best pastoral studies/counseling schools. This large private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Los Angeles. Loyola Marymount University graduates 79% of students within six years. There were roughly 10 pastoral studies/counseling students who graduated with this degree at Loyola Marymount University in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, pastoral studies/counseling degree recipients from Loyola Marymount University generally make around $52,935. Loyola Marymount University graduates carry a median of $22,248 in student loans.
See the full pastoral studies/counseling program report for Loyola Marymount University
California Baptist University is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in pastoral studies/counseling, landing the #2 spot this year. California Baptist University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Riverside. About 62% of students finish within six years. California Baptist University awarded about 15 pastoral studies/counseling degrees in the most recent data year. Pastoral Studies/counseling graduates of California Baptist University earn a median of $51,999 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $28,169 to complete this degree.
More information about a degree in pastoral studies/counseling from California Baptist University
Andrews University came in at #3 on our 2027 list of the best pastoral studies/counseling schools. Andrews University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the town of Berrien Springs. About 72% of students finish within six years. Andrews University awarded about 53 pastoral studies/counseling degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, pastoral studies/counseling degree recipients from Andrews University generally make around $57,865. Typical student debt for the program is $26,314.
Read more about the pastoral studies/counseling program at Andrews University
A rank of #4 makes Olivet Nazarene University one of the top schools for pastoral studies/counseling. Olivet Nazarene University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Bourbonnais. Roughly 61% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 16 pastoral studies/counseling students who graduated with this degree at Olivet Nazarene University in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, pastoral studies/counseling degree recipients from Olivet Nazarene University generally make around $48,505. Students borrow a median of $26,797 to complete this degree.
Read more about the pastoral studies/counseling program at Olivet Nazarene University
The Masters College And Seminary came in at #5 on our 2027 list of the best pastoral studies/counseling schools. The Masters College And Seminary is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Santa Clarita. The Masters College And Seminary graduates 67% of students within six years. The Masters College And Seminary awarded about 30 pastoral studies/counseling degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the pastoral studies/counseling program make about $46,541 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $22,089 to complete this degree.
Read more about the pastoral studies/counseling program at The Masters College And Seminary
Moody Bible Institute placed #6 among the best pastoral studies/counseling schools. Located in the city of Chicago, Moody Bible Institute is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Moody Bible Institute graduates 62% of students within six years. About 37 pastoral studies/counseling degrees were awarded at Moody Bible Institute in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, pastoral studies/counseling degree recipients from Moody Bible Institute generally make around $35,426. Students borrow a median of $12,000 to complete this degree.
Read more about the pastoral studies/counseling program at Moody Bible Institute
The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary placed #7 among the best pastoral studies/counseling schools. Located in the city of Louisville, The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. The six-year graduation rate is 35%. There were roughly 14 pastoral studies/counseling students who graduated with this degree at The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary in the most recent data year. Pastoral Studies/counseling graduates of The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary earn a median of $74,388 early in their careers.
More information about a degree in pastoral studies/counseling from The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary
University Of St Thomas Texas ranked #8 on our 2027 list of the best pastoral studies/counseling schools. This mid-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Houston. About 69% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 84 pastoral studies/counseling students who graduated with this degree at University Of St Thomas Texas in the most recent data year. Pastoral Studies/counseling graduates of University Of St Thomas Texas earn a median of $58,265 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $23,628 to complete this degree.
Read more about the pastoral studies/counseling program at University Of St Thomas Texas
Loyola University Chicago placed #9 among the best pastoral studies/counseling schools. Loyola University Chicago is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Chicago. About 75% of students finish within six years. About 35 pastoral studies/counseling degrees were awarded at Loyola University Chicago in the most recent year. Pastoral Studies/counseling graduates of Loyola University Chicago earn a median of $46,241 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $23,521.
More information about a degree in pastoral studies/counseling from Loyola University Chicago
Liberty University ranked #10 on our 2027 list of the best pastoral studies/counseling schools. Set in the city of Lynchburg, Liberty University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 67% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 83 pastoral studies/counseling degrees were awarded at Liberty University in the most recent year. Students who receive their pastoral studies/counseling degree from Liberty University earn around $34,083 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $23,750 to complete this degree.
Get the full pastoral studies/counseling details for Liberty University
Vanguard University Of Southern California earned the #11 position for pastoral studies/counseling this year. Located in the city of Costa Mesa, Vanguard University Of Southern California is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Vanguard University Of Southern California graduates 57% of students within six years. About 20 pastoral studies/counseling degrees were awarded at Vanguard University Of Southern California in the most recent year. Graduates of the pastoral studies/counseling program make about $80,727 in their early career. Vanguard University Of Southern California graduates carry a median of $21,111 in student loans.
Read more about the pastoral studies/counseling program at Vanguard University Of Southern California
George Fox University earned the #12 position for pastoral studies/counseling this year. Located in the town of Newberg, George Fox University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. George Fox University graduates 72% of students within six years. There were roughly 38 pastoral studies/counseling students who graduated with this degree at George Fox University in the most recent data year. Pastoral Studies/counseling graduates of George Fox University earn a median of $74,619 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $25,324 to complete this degree.
More information about a degree in pastoral studies/counseling from George Fox University
Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary came in at #13 for pastoral studies/counseling this year. Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Kansas City. The six-year graduation rate is 64%. About 40 pastoral studies/counseling degrees were awarded at Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, pastoral studies/counseling degree recipients from Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary generally make around $55,308. Typical student debt for the program is $15,559.
Read more about the pastoral studies/counseling program at Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary
Grace College And Theological Seminary landed the #14 spot for pastoral studies/counseling this year. Set in the town of Winona Lake, Grace College And Theological Seminary is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. About 69% of students finish within six years. Grace College And Theological Seminary awarded about 20 pastoral studies/counseling degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their pastoral studies/counseling degree from Grace College And Theological Seminary earn around $34,513 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $25,500.
See the full pastoral studies/counseling program report for Grace College And Theological Seminary
New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary landed the #15 spot for pastoral studies/counseling this year. Located in the city of New Orleans, New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Roughly 70% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 29 pastoral studies/counseling students who graduated with this degree at New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary in the most recent data year.
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Lancaster Bible College earned the #16 position for pastoral studies/counseling this year. Lancaster Bible College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Lancaster. Lancaster Bible College graduates 68% of students within six years. There were roughly 46 pastoral studies/counseling students who graduated with this degree at Lancaster Bible College in the most recent data year. Pastoral Studies/counseling graduates of Lancaster Bible College earn a median of $35,286 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $22,584 to complete this degree.
Read more about the pastoral studies/counseling program at Lancaster Bible College
Life Pacific College earned the #17 position for pastoral studies/counseling this year. Located in the suburb of San Dimas, Life Pacific College is a small private not-for-profit university. About 38% of students finish within six years. About 23 pastoral studies/counseling degrees were awarded at Life Pacific College in the most recent year. Students who receive their pastoral studies/counseling degree from Life Pacific College earn around $37,436 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $24,083 to complete this degree.
Get the full pastoral studies/counseling details for Life Pacific College
Indiana Wesleyan University landed the #18 spot for pastoral studies/counseling this year. Set in the town of Marion, Indiana Wesleyan University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Indiana Wesleyan University graduates 66% of students within six years. There were roughly 27 pastoral studies/counseling students who graduated with this degree at Indiana Wesleyan University in the most recent data year. Graduates of the pastoral studies/counseling program make about $31,281 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $24,221 to complete this degree.
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Dallas Theological Seminary placed #19 among the best pastoral studies/counseling schools. Set in the city of Dallas, Dallas Theological Seminary is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Dallas Theological Seminary awarded about 57 pastoral studies/counseling degrees in the most recent data year. Pastoral Studies/counseling graduates of Dallas Theological Seminary earn a median of $45,207 early in their careers.
More information about a degree in pastoral studies/counseling from Dallas Theological Seminary
Indiana Wesleyan University National And Global ranked #20 on our 2027 list of the best pastoral studies/counseling schools. This large private not-for-profit university is located in the rural area of Marion. Indiana Wesleyan University National And Global awarded about 19 pastoral studies/counseling degrees in the most recent data year. Pastoral Studies/counseling graduates of Indiana Wesleyan University National And Global earn a median of $37,004 early in their careers. Indiana Wesleyan University National And Global graduates carry a median of $26,338 in student loans.
Read more about the pastoral studies/counseling program at Indiana Wesleyan University National And Global
North Central University earned the #21 position for pastoral studies/counseling this year. North Central University is a small private not-for-profit school located in the city of Minneapolis. Roughly 65% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 28 pastoral studies/counseling degrees were awarded at North Central University in the most recent year. Students who receive their pastoral studies/counseling degree from North Central University earn around $27,370 in the first couple years of their career. North Central University graduates carry a median of $26,750 in student loans.
Read more about the pastoral studies/counseling program at North Central University
Lee University landed the #22 spot for pastoral studies/counseling this year. Set in the city of Cleveland, Lee University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. About 63% of students finish within six years. About 26 pastoral studies/counseling degrees were awarded at Lee University in the most recent year. Graduates of the pastoral studies/counseling program make about $35,189 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $28,750.
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Amridge University came in at #23 for pastoral studies/counseling this year. This small private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Montgomery. About 100% of students finish within six years. About 19 pastoral studies/counseling degrees were awarded at Amridge University in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, pastoral studies/counseling degree recipients from Amridge University generally make around $46,125.
Read more about the pastoral studies/counseling program at Amridge University
Holy Apostles College And Seminary earned the #24 position for pastoral studies/counseling this year. This small private not-for-profit university is located in the suburb of Cromwell. Roughly 15% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 13 pastoral studies/counseling degrees were awarded at Holy Apostles College And Seminary in the most recent year.
Read more about the pastoral studies/counseling program at Holy Apostles College And Seminary
Southeastern University ranked #25 on our 2027 list of the best pastoral studies/counseling schools. Set in the city of Lakeland, Southeastern University is a large private not-for-profit institution. Southeastern University graduates 44% of students within six years. There were roughly 17 pastoral studies/counseling students who graduated with this degree at Southeastern University in the most recent data year. Graduates of the pastoral studies/counseling program make about $35,209 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $26,000 to complete this degree.
Get the full pastoral studies/counseling details for Southeastern University
Rest of the Top 32 Pastoral Studies/Counseling Schools
These schools also placed among the best for pastoral studies/counseling this year:
Pastoral Studies/Counseling Related Rankings by Major
Pastoral Studies/Counseling is one of many programs to choose from within the area of study. See all related rankings.
Notes and References
This list is compiled by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 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 · 32 schools evaluated.
The Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), a branch of the U.S. Department of Education (DOE), serves as the core of our data about colleges.
Some other college data, including much of the graduate earnings data, comes from the U.S. Department of Education’s (College Scorecard).
