by our College Data Analytics Team
[Pastoral Counseling Specialized Ministries](/majors/theology-and-religious-vocations/pastoral-counseling-specialized-ministries/) programs reward a close look at where graduates go on to earn the most. The highest-paying schools turn a pastoral counseling specialized ministries degree into the strongest early-career earnings.
For its 2026 highest-paid-graduates ranking, College Factual looked at 32 schools to find where pastoral counseling specialized ministries graduates earn the most.
What’s on this page:
Below are the schools whose pastoral counseling specialized ministries graduates go on to earn the most.
Our analysis ranked Eastern University the top school for pastoral counseling specialized ministries graduate earnings in the United States. Set in the suburb of Saint Davids, Eastern University is a private not-for-profit institution. Pastoral Counseling Specialized Ministries graduates of Eastern University earn a median of about $51,838 a year early in their careers.
Dallas Christian College came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying pastoral counseling specialized ministries schools. Located in the suburb of Dallas, Dallas Christian College is a private not-for-profit institution. Early-career pastoral counseling specialized ministries graduates from Dallas Christian College make a median of around $51,166 per year.
A rank of #3 makes Grace Bible College one of the highest-paying schools for pastoral counseling specialized ministries. Set in the city of Wyoming, Grace Bible College is a private not-for-profit institution. Pastoral Counseling Specialized Ministries graduates of Grace Bible College earn a median of about $48,916 a year early in their careers.
A rank of #4 makes Vanguard University Of Southern California one of the highest-paying schools for pastoral counseling specialized ministries. Located in the city of Costa Mesa, Vanguard University Of Southern California is a private not-for-profit institution. Pastoral Counseling Specialized Ministries graduates of Vanguard University Of Southern California earn a median of about $47,152 a year early in their careers.
A rank of #5 makes Bethel University Minnesota one of the highest-paying schools for pastoral counseling specialized ministries. Set in the suburb of Saint Paul, Bethel University Minnesota is a private not-for-profit institution. Early-career pastoral counseling specialized ministries graduates from Bethel University Minnesota make a median of around $44,268 per year.
Nazarene Bible College placed #6 among the highest-paying schools for pastoral counseling specialized ministries. Set in the city of Colorado Springs, Nazarene Bible College is a private not-for-profit institution. Early-career pastoral counseling specialized ministries graduates from Nazarene Bible College make a median of around $43,767 per year.
Evangel University placed #7 among the highest-paying schools for pastoral counseling specialized ministries. Set in the city of Springfield, Evangel University is a private not-for-profit institution. Early-career pastoral counseling specialized ministries graduates from Evangel University make a median of around $39,859 per year.
Liberty University landed the #8 spot for pastoral counseling specialized ministries salaries this year. Set in the city of Lynchburg, Liberty University is a private not-for-profit institution. Pastoral Counseling Specialized Ministries graduates of Liberty University earn a median of about $50,386 a year early in their careers.
Life Pacific College landed the #9 spot for pastoral counseling specialized ministries salaries this year. Located in the suburb of San Dimas, Life Pacific College is a private not-for-profit institution. Early-career pastoral counseling specialized ministries graduates from Life Pacific College make a median of around $40,556 per year.
Moody Bible Institute earned the #10 position for pastoral counseling specialized ministries graduate earnings this year. Located in the city of Chicago, Moody Bible Institute is a private not-for-profit institution. After graduating, pastoral counseling specialized ministries degree recipients from Moody Bible Institute typically earn about $43,388 annually.
Lubbock Christian University ranked #11 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying pastoral counseling specialized ministries schools. Located in the city of Lubbock, Lubbock Christian University is a private not-for-profit institution. After graduating, pastoral counseling specialized ministries degree recipients from Lubbock Christian University typically earn about $38,473 annually.
Lee University earned the #12 position for pastoral counseling specialized ministries graduate earnings this year. Located in the city of Cleveland, Lee University is a private not-for-profit institution. Pastoral Counseling Specialized Ministries graduates of Lee University earn a median of about $43,323 a year early in their careers.
Geneva College came in at #13 for pastoral counseling specialized ministries graduate earnings this year. Set in the suburb of Beaver Falls, Geneva College is a private not-for-profit institution. Pastoral Counseling Specialized Ministries graduates of Geneva College earn a median of about $38,032 a year early in their careers.
Gordon College landed the #14 spot for pastoral counseling specialized ministries salaries this year. Set in the rural area of Wenham, Gordon College is a private not-for-profit institution. Early-career pastoral counseling specialized ministries graduates from Gordon College make a median of around $37,771 per year.
Northwestern College Minnesota landed the #15 spot for pastoral counseling specialized ministries salaries this year. Set in the suburb of Saint Paul, Northwestern College Minnesota is a private not-for-profit institution. Pastoral Counseling Specialized Ministries graduates of Northwestern College Minnesota earn a median of about $37,525 a year early in their careers.
Taylor University came in at #16 for pastoral counseling specialized ministries graduate earnings this year. Located in the rural area of Upland, Taylor University is a private not-for-profit institution. Students who complete the pastoral counseling specialized ministries program here go on to a median salary of roughly $37,035.
Valley Forge Christian College ranked #17 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying pastoral counseling specialized ministries schools. Valley Forge Christian College is a private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Phoenixville. Pastoral Counseling Specialized Ministries graduates of Valley Forge Christian College earn a median of about $35,468 a year early in their careers.
Grace College And Theological Seminary landed the #18 spot for pastoral counseling specialized ministries salaries this year. Grace College And Theological Seminary is a private not-for-profit school located in the town of Winona Lake. After graduating, pastoral counseling specialized ministries degree recipients from Grace College And Theological Seminary typically earn about $50,451 annually.
Southeastern University ranked #19 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying pastoral counseling specialized ministries schools. Southeastern University is a private not-for-profit school located in the city of Lakeland. After graduating, pastoral counseling specialized ministries degree recipients from Southeastern University typically earn about $35,209 annually.
Lancaster Bible College landed the #20 spot for pastoral counseling specialized ministries salaries this year. Set in the suburb of Lancaster, Lancaster Bible College is a private not-for-profit institution. Students who complete the pastoral counseling specialized ministries program here go on to a median salary of roughly $34,930.
Dallas Baptist University placed #21 among the highest-paying schools for pastoral counseling specialized ministries. Set in the city of Dallas, Dallas Baptist University is a private not-for-profit institution. Pastoral Counseling Specialized Ministries graduates of Dallas Baptist University earn a median of about $34,770 a year early in their careers.
North Central University came in at #22 for pastoral counseling specialized ministries graduate earnings this year. North Central University is a private not-for-profit school located in the city of Minneapolis. Students who complete the pastoral counseling specialized ministries program here go on to a median salary of roughly $44,697.
Southwestern Assemblies Of God University placed #23 among the highest-paying schools for pastoral counseling specialized ministries. Located in the suburb of Waxahachie, Southwestern Assemblies Of God University is a private not-for-profit institution. Students who complete the pastoral counseling specialized ministries program here go on to a median salary of roughly $38,540.
Regent University placed #24 among the highest-paying schools for pastoral counseling specialized ministries. Regent University is a private not-for-profit school located in the city of Virginia Beach. Pastoral Counseling Specialized Ministries graduates of Regent University earn a median of about $32,738 a year early in their careers.
Crown College ranked #25 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying pastoral counseling specialized ministries schools. Located in the rural area of Saint Bonifacius, Crown College is a private not-for-profit institution. After graduating, pastoral counseling specialized ministries degree recipients from Crown College typically earn about $42,816 annually.
Not far behind, these schools also produced high-earning pastoral counseling specialized ministries graduates:
Looking for a different degree level? Compare highest-paid Pastoral Counseling Specialized Ministries rankings across degree levels:
This list is compiled by College Factual, 2026 edition. The methodology measures the salaries pastoral counseling specialized ministries graduates go on to earn early in their careers, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (College Scorecard field-of-study earnings and IPEDS).
Ranking method: College Major Earnings · 32 schools evaluated.
*Salary figures reflect median early-career earnings (about 5 years after graduation) and may vary by how long a person takes to complete their degree.
More about our data sources and methodologies.