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 13 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.
Our analysis ranked Andrews University the top school for pastoral counseling specialized ministries graduate earnings in the United States. Set in the town of Berrien Springs, Andrews University is a private not-for-profit institution. Early-career pastoral counseling specialized ministries graduates from Andrews University make a median of around $57,865 per year.
Strong graduate earnings at Bethel University Minnesota earned it the #2 place for pastoral counseling specialized ministries. Located 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 $50,731 per year.
Methodist Theological School In Ohio produces some of the highest-paid graduates in pastoral counseling specialized ministries, landing the #3 spot this year. Located 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.
Students chasing top earnings in pastoral counseling specialized ministries will find them at Denver Seminary, which ranked #4. Denver Seminary is a private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Littleton. Students who complete the pastoral counseling specialized ministries program here go on to a median salary of roughly $46,950.
A rank of #5 makes The Masters College And Seminary one of the highest-paying schools for pastoral counseling specialized ministries. The Masters College And Seminary is a private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Santa Clarita. Students who complete the pastoral counseling specialized ministries program here go on to a median salary of roughly $46,541.
Loyola University Chicago placed #6 among the highest-paying schools for pastoral counseling specialized ministries. Located in the city of Chicago, Loyola University Chicago 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 $46,241.
Westminster Theological Seminary ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying pastoral counseling specialized ministries schools. Set in the suburb of Glenside, Westminster Theological Seminary 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 $45,263.
Dallas Theological Seminary came in at #8 for pastoral counseling specialized ministries graduate earnings this year. Located in the city of Dallas, Dallas Theological Seminary is a private not-for-profit institution. Pastoral Counseling Specialized Ministries graduates of Dallas Theological Seminary earn a median of about $45,207 a year early in their careers.
Episcopal Theological Seminary Of The Southwest placed #9 among the highest-paying schools for pastoral counseling specialized ministries. Located in the city of Austin, Episcopal Theological Seminary Of The Southwest is a private not-for-profit institution. Pastoral Counseling Specialized Ministries graduates of Episcopal Theological Seminary Of The Southwest earn a median of about $44,738 a year early in their careers.
Grace College And Theological Seminary landed the #10 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. Students who complete the pastoral counseling specialized ministries program here go on to a median salary of roughly $43,966.
Dallas Baptist University earned the #11 position for pastoral counseling specialized ministries graduate earnings this year. Dallas Baptist University is a private not-for-profit school located in the city of Dallas. After graduating, pastoral counseling specialized ministries degree recipients from Dallas Baptist University typically earn about $48,006 annually.
Luther Rice University And Seminary ranked #12 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying pastoral counseling specialized ministries schools. Luther Rice University And Seminary is a private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Lithonia. Students who complete the pastoral counseling specialized ministries program here go on to a median salary of roughly $38,760.
Indiana Wesleyan University landed the #13 spot for pastoral counseling specialized ministries salaries this year. Set in the town of Marion, Indiana Wesleyan University is a private not-for-profit institution. After graduating, pastoral counseling specialized ministries degree recipients from Indiana Wesleyan University typically earn about $38,272 annually.
Looking for a different degree level? Compare highest-paid Pastoral Counseling Specialized Ministries rankings across degree levels:
The ranking above is published 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 · 13 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.