2026 Best Pastoral Studies/Counseling Schools in California
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 16 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best pastoral studies/counseling schools.
What’s on this page:
Best Schools for Pastoral Studies/Counseling in California
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.
Top Schools in Pastoral Studies/Counseling
No school ranked higher than Loyola Marymount University this year for pastoral studies/counseling. Set in the city of Los Angeles, Loyola Marymount University is a large private not-for-profit institution. Loyola Marymount University graduates 79% of students within six years. Loyola Marymount University awarded about 11 pastoral studies/counseling degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the pastoral studies/counseling program make about $52,935 in their early career. Loyola Marymount University graduates carry a median of $22,248 in student loans.
Get the full pastoral studies/counseling details for Loyola Marymount University
The Masters College And Seminary came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best pastoral studies/counseling schools. Set in the suburb of Santa Clarita, The Masters College And Seminary is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. The Masters College And Seminary graduates 67% of students within six years. There were roughly 36 pastoral studies/counseling students who graduated with this degree at The Masters College And Seminary in the most recent data year. Pastoral Studies/counseling graduates of The Masters College And Seminary earn a median of $46,541 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $22,089 to complete this degree.
Get the full pastoral studies/counseling details for The Masters College And Seminary
Vanguard University Of Southern California is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in pastoral studies/counseling, ranking #3. Set in the city of Costa Mesa, Vanguard University Of Southern California is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 57% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 19 pastoral studies/counseling students who graduated with this degree at Vanguard University Of Southern California in the most recent data 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.
See the full pastoral studies/counseling program report for Vanguard University Of Southern California
Biola University is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in pastoral studies/counseling, ranking #4. Located in the suburb of La Mirada, Biola University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. Roughly 68% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 10 pastoral studies/counseling degrees were awarded at Biola University in the most recent year. Pastoral Studies/counseling graduates of Biola University earn a median of $45,003 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $25,308.
Read more about the pastoral studies/counseling program at Biola University
Life Pacific College is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in pastoral studies/counseling, landing the #5 spot this year. Life Pacific College is a small private not-for-profit school 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. Soon after graduation, pastoral studies/counseling degree recipients from Life Pacific College generally make around $37,436. Life Pacific College graduates carry a median of $24,083 in student loans.
Get the full pastoral studies/counseling details for Life Pacific College
World Mission University placed #6 among the best pastoral studies/counseling schools. This small private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Los Angeles. About 100% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 18 pastoral studies/counseling students who graduated with this degree at World Mission University in the most recent data year.
See the full pastoral studies/counseling program report for World Mission University
More Pastoral Studies/Counseling Rankings
View All Pastoral Studies/Counseling Rankings >
Notes and References
This list is compiled by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 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 · 16 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.
