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2023 Schools for a Doctorate Highly Focused on Pastoral Counseling Major

39 Ranked Colleges
254 Degrees Awarded
$66,736 Avg Salary
Schools for a Doctorate Highly Focused on Pastoral Counseling Major

When pursuing a degree in today’s world, students have many different options to choose from. One of our goals at College Factual is to give you as much information as we can - such as our “Schools for a Doctorate Highly Focused on Pastoral Counseling Major” ranking - to help you make that decision.

Pastoral Counseling & Specialized Ministries is the 171st most popular major in the country with 3,116 degrees awarded in 2020-2021. In 2019-2020, pastoral counseling and specialized ministries graduates who were awarded their degree in 2017-2019, earned an average of $31,592 and had an average of $26,577 in loans still to pay off.

At the doctor’s degree level specifically, there were 254 pastoral counseling and specialized ministries graduates with average earnings and debt of $75,260 and $0 respectively.

This year’s “Schools for a Doctorate Highly Focused on Pastoral Counseling Major” ranking looked at 39 colleges that offer degrees in a bachelor’s in pastoral counseling and specialized ministries. The colleges and universities that top this list are recognized because their pastoral counseling and specialized ministries program is one of the largest majors offered at the school.

See our ranking methodology to learn more.

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Since picking the right college can be one of the most important decisions of your life, we’ve developed the “Schools for a Doctorate Highly Focused on Pastoral Counseling Major” ranking, along with many other major-related rankings, to help you make that decision.

One of our other unique offerings is College Combat. This tool lets you build your own customized comparisons utilizing the factors that are most important to you. If you’re torn between two schools, you can use it to help you see how they stack up against one another. Bookmark it so you can compare any new schools that might interest you.

Schools for a Doctorate Highly Focused on Pastoral Counseling Major

The colleges and universities below are the best for doctor’s degree pastoral counseling students.

Top 25 Most Focused Doctor’s Degree Colleges for Pastoral Counseling & Specialized Ministries

1

Out of the 39 schools in the Schools for a Doctorate Highly Focused on Pastoral Counseling Major that were part of this year’s ranking, Bakke Graduate University landed the #1 spot on the list. BGU is a small school located in Dallas, Texas that handed out 12 doctorate’s pastoral counseling degrees in 2020-2021.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 3.7% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%. Since the school has a undergrad student-to-faculty ratio of to 1, those pursuing a degree will have more opportunities to interact with their professors.

Read more about Pastoral Counseling & Specialized Ministries at Bakke Graduate University

2

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend McCormick Theological Seminary. The school came in at #2 for the Schools for a Doctorate Highly Focused on Pastoral Counseling Major. Chicago, Illinois is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out doctorate’s pastoral counseling degrees to 22 students in 2020-2021.

The impressive undergraduate student-to-faculty ratio of to 1 means that students may have more opportunities to work more closely with their professors than they would at other schools. The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 4.2%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Full McCormick Theological Seminary Pastoral Counseling & Specialized Ministries Report

3

Out of the 39 schools in the Schools for a Doctorate Highly Focused on Pastoral Counseling Major that were part of this year’s ranking, Northern Baptist Theological Seminary landed the #3 spot on the list. Northern Baptist Theological Seminary is a private not-for-profit institution located in Lisle, Illinois. The school has a small population, and it awarded 19 doctorate’s degrees in 2020-2021.

The undergraduate student-to-faculty ratio of to 1 is a sign that students will have more opportunities to engage with their professors one-on-one. The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 4.0%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Pastoral Counseling & Specialized Ministries at Northern Baptist Theological Seminary

4

Out of the 39 schools in the Schools for a Doctorate Highly Focused on Pastoral Counseling Major that were part of this year’s ranking, Garrett - Evangelical Theological Seminary landed the #4 spot on the list. This small school is located in Evanston, Illinois, and it awarded 12 doctorate’s pastoral counseling degrees in 2020-2021.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 3.5% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%. The undergraduate student-to-faculty ratio of to 1 is a sign that students will have more opportunities to engage with their professors one-on-one.

Full Garrett - Evangelical Theological Seminary Pastoral Counseling & Specialized Ministries Report

5

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Charlotte Christian College and Theological Seminary. The school came in at #5 for the Schools for a Doctorate Highly Focused on Pastoral Counseling Major. This small school is located in Charlotte, North Carolina, and it awarded 6 doctorate’s pastoral counseling degrees in 2020-2021.

The impressive undergraduate student-to-faculty ratio of 8 to 1 means that students may have more opportunities to work more closely with their professors than they would at other schools.

Read more about Pastoral Counseling & Specialized Ministries at Charlotte Christian College and Theological Seminary

6
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Carolina Christian College
Winston Salem, North Carolina

Carolina Christian College landed the #6 spot on the 2023 Schools for a Doctorate Highly Focused on Pastoral Counseling Major ranking. Carolina Christian College is a private not-for-profit institution located in Winston Salem, North Carolina. The school has a small population, and it awarded 1 doctorate’s degrees in 2020-2021.

Read more about Pastoral Counseling & Specialized Ministries at Carolina Christian College

7

With a ranking of #7, Catholic Theological Union at Chicago did quite well on the 2023 Schools for a Doctorate Highly Focused on Pastoral Counseling Major list. Chicago, Illinois is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out doctorate’s pastoral counseling degrees to 6 students in 2020-2021.

Since the school has a undergrad student-to-faculty ratio of to 1, those pursuing a degree will have more opportunities to interact with their professors.

Read more about Pastoral Counseling & Specialized Ministries at Catholic Theological Union

8

Chicago Theological Seminary landed the #8 spot on the 2023 Schools for a Doctorate Highly Focused on Pastoral Counseling Major ranking. Chicago, Illinois is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out doctorate’s pastoral counseling degrees to 4 students in 2020-2021.

Since the school has a undergrad student-to-faculty ratio of to 1, those pursuing a degree will have more opportunities to interact with their professors.

Read more about Pastoral Counseling & Specialized Ministries at Chicago Theological Seminary

9

The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary landed the #9 spot on the 2023 Schools for a Doctorate Highly Focused on Pastoral Counseling Major ranking. Louisville, Kentucky is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out doctorate’s pastoral counseling degrees to 40 students in 2020-2021.

Full The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary Pastoral Counseling & Specialized Ministries Report

10
Westminster Theological Seminary crest
Westminster Theological Seminary
Glenside, Pennsylvania

With a ranking of #10, Westminster Theological Seminary did quite well on the 2023 Schools for a Doctorate Highly Focused on Pastoral Counseling Major list. This small school is located in Glenside, Pennsylvania, and it awarded 10 doctorate’s pastoral counseling degrees in 2020-2021.

Since the school has a undergrad student-to-faculty ratio of to 1, those pursuing a degree will have more opportunities to interact with their professors.

Read more about Pastoral Counseling & Specialized Ministries at Westminster Theological Seminary

11
The Master's University crest
The Master's University and Seminary
Santa Clarita, California

The Master’s University and Seminary did quite well in the 2023 Schools for a Doctorate Highly Focused on Pastoral Counseling Major ranking, coming in at #11. The Master’s University and Seminary is a private not-for-profit institution located in Santa Clarita, California. The school has a small population, and it awarded 27 doctorate’s degrees in 2020-2021.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 1.5%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on Pastoral Counseling & Specialized Ministries at The Master’s University

12

Trinity International University - Illinois landed the #12 spot on the 2023 Schools for a Doctorate Highly Focused on Pastoral Counseling Major ranking. Trinity International University - Illinois is a small school located in Deerfield, Illinois that handed out 18 doctorate’s pastoral counseling degrees in 2020-2021.

The undergraduate student-to-faculty ratio of 8 to 1 is a sign that students will have more opportunities to engage with their professors one-on-one.

Full TIU Illinois Pastoral Counseling & Specialized Ministries Report

13

With a ranking of #13, Lutheran School of Theology at Chicago did quite well on the 2023 Schools for a Doctorate Highly Focused on Pastoral Counseling Major list. Lutheran School of Theology at Chicago is a small private not-for-profit school situated in Chicago, Illinois. It awarded 2 doctorate’s pastoral counseling degrees in 2020-2021.

With a undergrad student-to-faculty ratio of to 1, it’s easy to see that the school is committed to helping their undergraduates succeed.

Read full report on Pastoral Counseling & Specialized Ministries at Lutheran School of Theology at Chicago

14
Brite Divinity crest
Brite Divinity School
Fort Worth, Texas

Brite Divinity School ranked #14 on this year’s Schools for a Doctorate Highly Focused on Pastoral Counseling Major list. Fort Worth, Texas is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out doctorate’s pastoral counseling degrees to 1 students in 2020-2021.

Since the school has a undergrad student-to-faculty ratio of to 1, those pursuing a degree will have more opportunities to interact with their professors. The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 2.7%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Pastoral Counseling & Specialized Ministries at Brite Divinity School

15

University of Saint Mary of the Lake landed the #15 spot on the 2023 Schools for a Doctorate Highly Focused on Pastoral Counseling Major ranking. This small school is located in Mundelein, Illinois, and it awarded 2 doctorate’s pastoral counseling degrees in 2020-2021.

Since the school has a undergrad student-to-faculty ratio of to 1, those pursuing a degree will have more opportunities to interact with their professors.

Read more about Pastoral Counseling & Specialized Ministries at University of St. Mary of the Lake

16
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George Fox University
Newberg, Oregon

George Fox University ranked #16 on this year’s Schools for a Doctorate Highly Focused on Pastoral Counseling Major list. Located in Newberg, Oregon, this small private not-for-profit school awarded 38 degrees to qualified doctorate’s pastoral counseling students in 2020-2021.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 1.6%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on Pastoral Counseling & Specialized Ministries at GFU

17

Hebrew Union College - Jewish Institute of Religion did quite well in the 2023 Schools for a Doctorate Highly Focused on Pastoral Counseling Major ranking, coming in at #17. Hebrew Union College - Jewish Institute of Religion is a private not-for-profit institution located in New York, New York. The school has a small population, and it awarded 4 doctorate’s degrees in 2020-2021.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 1.0%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%. The undergraduate student-to-faculty ratio of to 1 is a sign that students will have more opportunities to engage with their professors one-on-one.

Read more about Pastoral Counseling & Specialized Ministries at HUC - JIR

18
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Neumann University
Aston, Pennsylvania

Neumann University did quite well in the 2023 Schools for a Doctorate Highly Focused on Pastoral Counseling Major ranking, coming in at #18. Neumann is located in Aston, Pennsylvania and, has a small student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 5 doctorate’s pastoral counseling degrees to qualified students.

Read full report on Pastoral Counseling & Specialized Ministries at Neumann

19
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Amridge University
Montgomery, Alabama

Amridge University landed the #19 spot on the 2023 Schools for a Doctorate Highly Focused on Pastoral Counseling Major ranking. Located in Montgomery, Alabama, this small private not-for-profit school handed out 2 degrees to qualified doctorate’s pastoral counseling students in 2020-2021.

Read full report on Pastoral Counseling & Specialized Ministries at Amridge

20
Ashland crest
Ashland University
Ashland, Ohio

Ashland University did quite well in the 2023 Schools for a Doctorate Highly Focused on Pastoral Counseling Major ranking, coming in at #20. Ashland University is located in Ashland, Ohio and, has a small student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 7 doctorate’s pastoral counseling degrees to qualified students.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 4.1%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Full Ashland University Pastoral Counseling & Specialized Ministries Report

21
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Eastern University
Saint Davids, Pennsylvania

With a ranking of #21, Eastern University did quite well on the 2023 Schools for a Doctorate Highly Focused on Pastoral Counseling Major list. Located in Saint Davids, Pennsylvania, this small private not-for-profit school awarded 3 diplomas to qualified doctorate’s pastoral counseling students in 2020-2021.

Read more about Pastoral Counseling & Specialized Ministries at EU

22

Abilene Christian University came in at #22 in this year’s edition of the Schools for a Doctorate Highly Focused on Pastoral Counseling Major ranking. Abilene Christian University is located in Abilene, Texas and, has a small student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 3 doctorate’s pastoral counseling degrees to qualified students.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 4.2%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on Pastoral Counseling & Specialized Ministries at Abilene Christian

23
Gardner - Webb crest
Gardner - Webb University
Boiling Springs, North Carolina

Gardner - Webb University landed the #23 spot on the 2023 Schools for a Doctorate Highly Focused on Pastoral Counseling Major ranking. Boiling Springs, North Carolina is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out doctorate’s pastoral counseling degrees to 2 students in 2020-2021.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 3.7%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on Pastoral Counseling & Specialized Ministries at Gardner - Webb University

24

New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary landed the #24 spot on the 2023 Schools for a Doctorate Highly Focused on Pastoral Counseling Major ranking. New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary is located in New Orleans, Louisiana and, has a small student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 1 doctorate’s pastoral counseling degrees to qualified students.

Full NOBTS Pastoral Counseling & Specialized Ministries Report

25
SEBTS crest
Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary
Wake Forest, North Carolina

Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary ranked #25 on this year’s Schools for a Doctorate Highly Focused on Pastoral Counseling Major list. SEBTS is a private not-for-profit institution located in Wake Forest, North Carolina. The school has a small population, and it awarded 1 doctorate’s degrees in 2020-2021.

Read more about Pastoral Counseling & Specialized Ministries at SEBTS

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