2026 Best Pastoral Studies/Counseling Schools in Illinois

Pastoral Studies/Counseling programs are offered at a focused set of schools across the country. A focused field like this rewards careful comparison of the schools that offer it.

For its 2026 ranking, College Factual looked at 11 schools in the United States to determine which ones were the best for pastoral studies/counseling students pursuing a degree.

What’s on this page:

• Best Pastoral Studies/Counseling Schools in Illinois

Best Schools for Pastoral Studies/Counseling in Illinois

Below are the schools that deliver the strongest overall pastoral studies/counseling education in Illinois.

Top Schools in Pastoral Studies/Counseling

1

Moody Bible Institute
Chicago, IL

Doctoral Degree Highest Degree Type

34 Pastoral Studies/Counseling Degrees Awarded

$35,426 Median Starting Salary

Moody Bible Institute is one of the finest schools in the country for getting a degree in pastoral studies/counseling. This mid-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Chicago. The six-year graduation rate is 62%. There were roughly 34 pastoral studies/counseling students who graduated with this degree at Moody Bible Institute in the most recent data year. Students who receive their pastoral studies/counseling degree from Moody Bible Institute earn around $35,426 in the first couple years of their career. Moody Bible Institute graduates carry a median of $12,000 in student loans. See the full pastoral studies/counseling program report for Moody Bible Institute

2

Loyola University Chicago
Chicago, IL

Doctoral Degree Highest Degree Type

66 Pastoral Studies/Counseling Degrees Awarded

$46,241 Median Starting Salary

Loyola University Chicago came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best pastoral studies/counseling schools. This large private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Chicago. About 75% of students finish within six years. About 66 pastoral studies/counseling degrees were awarded at Loyola University Chicago in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, pastoral studies/counseling degree recipients from Loyola University Chicago generally make around $46,241. Loyola University Chicago graduates carry a median of $23,521 in student loans. Get the full pastoral studies/counseling details for Loyola University Chicago

Notes and References

This ranking is produced 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 · 11 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.