2027 Best Pastoral Studies/Counseling Schools in the Southeast Region
Pastoral Studies/Counseling programs are offered at a focused set of schools across the country. While the number of schools offering the program varies, there are still top-quality ones to be found.
To produce this 2027 ranking, College Factual evaluated 7 schools to find the best for pastoral studies/counseling students.
What’s on this page:
Best Schools for Pastoral Studies/Counseling in the Southeast Region
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
Our analysis ranked The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary the best school in the country for a degree in pastoral studies/counseling. The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Louisville. The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary graduates 35% of students within six years. The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary awarded about 14 pastoral studies/counseling degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the pastoral studies/counseling program make about $74,388 in their early career.
See the full pastoral studies/counseling program report for The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary
Liberty University is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in pastoral studies/counseling, landing the #2 spot this year. This very large private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Lynchburg. Roughly 67% of students complete a degree within six years here. Liberty University awarded about 83 pastoral studies/counseling degrees in the most recent data 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.
See the full pastoral studies/counseling program report for Liberty University
New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in pastoral studies/counseling, ranking #3. This mid-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the city of New Orleans. About 70% of students finish within six years. 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.
More information about a degree in pastoral studies/counseling from New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary
Students looking for a strong pastoral studies/counseling program will find one at Lee University, which ranked #4. Set in the city of Cleveland, Lee University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Lee University graduates 63% of students within six years. There were roughly 26 pastoral studies/counseling students who graduated with this degree at Lee University in the most recent data year. Students who receive their pastoral studies/counseling degree from Lee University earn around $35,189 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $28,750 to complete this degree.
Read more about the pastoral studies/counseling program at Lee University
A rank of #5 makes Amridge University one of the top schools for pastoral studies/counseling. Located in the city of Montgomery, Amridge University is a small private not-for-profit university. Roughly 100% of students complete a degree within six years here. Amridge University awarded about 19 pastoral studies/counseling degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, pastoral studies/counseling degree recipients from Amridge University generally make around $46,125.
See the full pastoral studies/counseling program report for Amridge University
Southeastern University landed the #6 spot for pastoral studies/counseling this year. Set in the city of Lakeland, Southeastern University is a large private not-for-profit institution. About 44% of students finish within six years. About 17 pastoral studies/counseling degrees were awarded at Southeastern University in the most recent year. Graduates of the pastoral studies/counseling program make about $35,209 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $26,000.
Read more about the pastoral studies/counseling program at Southeastern University
Luther Rice University And Seminary ranked #7 on our 2027 list of the best pastoral studies/counseling schools. Located in the suburb of Lithonia, Luther Rice University And Seminary is a small private not-for-profit university. Luther Rice University And Seminary awarded about 22 pastoral studies/counseling degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their pastoral studies/counseling degree from Luther Rice University And Seminary earn around $38,760 in the first couple years of their career. Luther Rice University And Seminary graduates carry a median of $36,730 in student loans.
Read more about the pastoral studies/counseling program at Luther Rice University And Seminary
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Notes and References
This ranking is produced by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 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 · 7 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.
