2026 Best Pastoral Studies/Counseling Schools in the Far Western Region
Pastoral Studies/Counseling degree programs prepare students for a range of careers in the field. A focused field like this rewards careful comparison of the schools that offer it.
College Factual analyzed 23 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best pastoral studies/counseling schools.
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Best Schools for Pastoral Studies/Counseling in the Far Western Region
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest overall pastoral studies/counseling education in the Far Western Region.
Top Schools in Pastoral Studies/Counseling
No school ranked higher than Loyola Marymount University this year for pastoral studies/counseling. This large private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Los Angeles. The six-year graduation rate is 79%. About 11 pastoral studies/counseling degrees were awarded at Loyola Marymount University in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, pastoral studies/counseling degree recipients from Loyola Marymount University generally make around $52,935. Students borrow a median of $22,248 to complete this degree.
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Students looking for a strong pastoral studies/counseling program will find one at The Masters College And Seminary, which ranked #2. The Masters College And Seminary is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Santa Clarita. About 67% of students finish within six years. The Masters College And Seminary awarded about 36 pastoral studies/counseling degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, pastoral studies/counseling degree recipients from The Masters College And Seminary generally make around $46,541. The Masters College And Seminary graduates carry a median of $22,089 in student loans.
More information about a degree in pastoral studies/counseling from The Masters College And Seminary
Students looking for a strong pastoral studies/counseling program will find one at Vanguard University Of Southern California, which ranked #3. Vanguard University Of Southern California is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Costa Mesa. The six-year graduation rate is 57%. Vanguard University Of Southern California awarded about 19 pastoral studies/counseling degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the pastoral studies/counseling program make about $80,727 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $21,111.
Get the full pastoral studies/counseling details for Vanguard University Of Southern California
Biola University came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best pastoral studies/counseling schools. This moderately-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the suburb of La Mirada. About 68% of students finish within six years. About 10 pastoral studies/counseling degrees were awarded at Biola University in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, pastoral studies/counseling degree recipients from Biola University generally make around $45,003. Students borrow a median of $25,308 to complete this degree.
Read more about the pastoral studies/counseling program at Biola University
A rank of #5 makes George Fox University one of the top schools for pastoral studies/counseling. George Fox University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the town of Newberg. Roughly 72% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 48 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. Typical student debt for the program is $25,324.
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Life Pacific College landed the #6 spot for pastoral studies/counseling this year. This small private not-for-profit university is located in the suburb of San Dimas. Roughly 38% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 23 pastoral studies/counseling degrees were awarded at Life Pacific College in the most recent year. Graduates of the pastoral studies/counseling program make about $37,436 in their early career. Life Pacific College graduates carry a median of $24,083 in student loans.
Read more about the pastoral studies/counseling program at Life Pacific College
World Mission University ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best pastoral studies/counseling schools. World Mission University is a small private not-for-profit school located in the city of Los Angeles. About 100% of students finish within six years. About 18 pastoral studies/counseling degrees were awarded at World Mission University in the most recent year.
See the full pastoral studies/counseling program report for World Mission University
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Notes and References
This list is compiled by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. Schools are scored on a blend of student outcomes (graduation rate, post-graduation earnings), affordability, and program focus, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Top Ranked · 23 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).
More about our data sources and methodologies.
