2027 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.
College Factual analyzed 3 schools to build this 2027 ranking of the best pastoral studies/counseling schools.
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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
Leading the list is Olivet Nazarene University, our #1 school for pastoral studies/counseling. Olivet Nazarene University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Bourbonnais. About 61% of students finish within six years. About 16 pastoral studies/counseling degrees were awarded at Olivet Nazarene University in the most recent year. Students who receive their pastoral studies/counseling degree from Olivet Nazarene University earn around $48,505 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $26,797.
More information about a degree in pastoral studies/counseling from Olivet Nazarene University
Moody Bible Institute came in at #2 on our 2027 list of the best pastoral studies/counseling schools. Located in the city of Chicago, Moody Bible Institute is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. The six-year graduation rate is 62%. 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. Moody Bible Institute graduates carry a median of $12,000 in student loans.
More information about a degree in pastoral studies/counseling from Moody Bible Institute
Loyola University Chicago is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in pastoral studies/counseling, landing the #3 spot this year. Set in the city of Chicago, Loyola University Chicago is a large private not-for-profit institution. About 75% of students finish within six years. Loyola University Chicago awarded about 35 pastoral studies/counseling degrees in the most recent data year. Pastoral Studies/counseling graduates of Loyola University Chicago earn a median of $46,241 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $23,521 to complete this degree.
See the full pastoral studies/counseling program report for Loyola University Chicago
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Notes and References
The ranking above is published 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 · 3 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.
