by our College Data Analytics Team
[Pastoral Counseling Specialized Ministries](/majors/theology-and-religious-vocations/pastoral-counseling-specialized-ministries/) is a field where your choice of school can shape what you earn after graduation. A top-earning program sends graduates into careers with strong starting pay.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 10 schools on the early-career earnings of their pastoral counseling specialized ministries graduates.
What’s on this page:
Below are the schools whose pastoral counseling specialized ministries graduates go on to earn the most.
Andrews University earned the #1 spot for highest-paid pastoral counseling specialized ministries graduates in the Great Lakes Region. Located in the town of Berrien Springs, Andrews University is a private not-for-profit institution. After graduating, pastoral counseling specialized ministries degree recipients from Andrews University typically earn about $57,865 annually.
Grace Bible College produces some of the highest-paid graduates in pastoral counseling specialized ministries, landing the #2 spot this year. Set in the city of Wyoming, Grace 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 $48,916.
Moody Bible Institute came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying pastoral counseling specialized ministries schools. Set in the city of Chicago, Moody Bible Institute 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 $43,388.
A rank of #4 makes Methodist Theological School In Ohio one of the highest-paying schools for pastoral counseling specialized ministries. Set in the suburb of Delaware, Methodist Theological School In Ohio is a private not-for-profit institution. After graduating, pastoral counseling specialized ministries degree recipients from Methodist Theological School In Ohio typically earn about $47,271 annually.
Strong graduate earnings at Taylor University earned it the #5 place for pastoral counseling specialized ministries. Taylor University is a private not-for-profit school located in the rural area of Upland. Pastoral Counseling Specialized Ministries graduates of Taylor University earn a median of about $37,035 a year early in their careers.
Loyola University Chicago placed #6 among the highest-paying schools for pastoral counseling specialized ministries. Loyola University Chicago is a private not-for-profit school located in the city of Chicago. Pastoral Counseling Specialized Ministries graduates of Loyola University Chicago earn a median of about $46,241 a year early in their careers.
Grace College And Theological Seminary came in at #7 for pastoral counseling specialized ministries graduate earnings this year. Set in the town of Winona Lake, Grace College And Theological Seminary is a private not-for-profit institution. Pastoral Counseling Specialized Ministries graduates of Grace College And Theological Seminary earn a median of about $50,451 a year early in their careers.
Bethel College Mishawaka came in at #8 for pastoral counseling specialized ministries graduate earnings this year. Bethel College Mishawaka is a private not-for-profit school located in the city of Mishawaka. Pastoral Counseling Specialized Ministries graduates of Bethel College Mishawaka earn a median of about $31,046 a year early in their careers.
Indiana Wesleyan University ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying pastoral counseling specialized ministries schools. Indiana Wesleyan University is a private not-for-profit school located in the town of Marion. After graduating, pastoral counseling specialized ministries degree recipients from Indiana Wesleyan University typically earn about $34,810 annually.
Spring Arbor University ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying pastoral counseling specialized ministries schools. Spring Arbor University is a private not-for-profit school located in the rural area of Spring Arbor. Students who complete the pastoral counseling specialized ministries program here go on to a median salary of roughly $19,557.
This ranking is produced 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 · 10 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.