College Factual  by our College Data Analytics Team
       Unbiased Factual Guarantee

2023 Most Focused Colleges for Pastoral Counseling & Specialized Ministries in the Great Lakes Region

58 Ranked Colleges
812 Degrees Awarded
$23,900 Avg Cost*
Schools Highly Focused on Pastoral Counseling Major in the Great Lakes Region

Students have lots of options to chooose from today when trying to decide which college to attend. At College Factual, we’re committed to helping you make that decision by providing information such as that found in our “Schools Highly Focused on Pastoral Counseling Major in the Great Lakes Region” ranking.

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.

Across the Great Lakes region, there were 812 pastoral counseling and specialized ministries graduates with average earnings and debt of $30,631 and $23,258 respectively.

For this year’s “Schools Highly Focused on Pastoral Counseling Major in the Great Lakes Region” ranking, we looked at 58 colleges that offer a degree in pastoral counseling and specialized ministries. This a ranking of the schools where the largest percentage of students has enrolled in pastoral counseling and specialized ministries.

For more information, check out our ranking methodology.

More Ways to Rank Pastoral Counseling & Specialized Ministries Schools

Rankings by Degree Other Award Levels
Rankings by Location Check Out Other Locales
More Pastoral Counseling Rankings Other Ranking Categories

When choosing the right school for you, it’s important to arm yourself with all the facts you can. To that end, we’ve created a number of major-specific rankings, including this “Schools Highly Focused on Pastoral Counseling Major in the Great Lakes Region” list to help you make the college decision.

In addition to College Factual’s rankings, you may want to take a look at College Combat, our unique tool that lets you pit your favorite schools head-to-head and compare how they rate on factors that most interest 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 Highly Focused on Pastoral Counseling Major in the Great Lakes Region

The colleges and universities below are the best for great lakes region pastoral counseling students.

Top 25 Most Focused Colleges for Pastoral Counseling & Specialized Ministries in the Great Lakes Region

1
Valor Christian College crest
Valor Christian College
Canal Winchester, Ohio

Out of the 58 schools in the Schools Highly Focused on Pastoral Counseling Major in the Great Lakes Region that were part of this year’s ranking, Valor Christian College landed the #1 spot on the list. Valor Christian College is a small private not-for-profit school situated in Canal Winchester, Ohio. It awarded 49 ’s pastoral counseling degrees in 2020-2021.

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

2

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend McCormick Theological Seminary. It ranked #2 on our 2023 Schools Highly Focused on Pastoral Counseling Major in the Great Lakes Region list. McCormick Theological Seminary is a private not-for-profit institution located in Chicago, Illinois. The school has a small population, and it awarded 22 ’s 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. 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

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Winebrenner Theological Seminary. The school came in at #3 for the Schools Highly Focused on Pastoral Counseling Major in the Great Lakes Region. Winebrenner Theological Seminary is a private not-for-profit institution located in Findlay, Ohio. The school has a small population, and it awarded 6 ’s 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.

Full Winebrenner Theological Seminary Pastoral Counseling & Specialized Ministries Report

4
Grace crest
Grace Christian University
Wyoming, Michigan

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Grace Christian University. It ranked #4 on our 2023 Schools Highly Focused on Pastoral Counseling Major in the Great Lakes Region list. Located in Wyoming, Michigan, this small private not-for-profit school awarded 65 degrees to qualified ’s pastoral counseling students in 2020-2021.

Read full report on Pastoral Counseling & Specialized Ministries at Grace

5

Out of the 58 schools in the Schools Highly Focused on Pastoral Counseling Major in the Great Lakes Region that were part of this year’s ranking, Northern Baptist Theological Seminary landed the #5 spot on the list. This small school is located in Lisle, Illinois, and it awarded 19 ’s pastoral counseling degrees 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 low undergrad student loan default rate of 4.0% 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%.

Read more about Pastoral Counseling & Specialized Ministries at Northern Seminary

6
Union Bible College crest
Union Bible College
Westfield, Indiana

Union Bible College did quite well in the 2023 Schools Highly Focused on Pastoral Counseling Major in the Great Lakes Region ranking, coming in at #6. Union Bible College is located in Westfield, Indiana and, has a small student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 4 ’s pastoral counseling degrees to qualified students.

Read full report on Pastoral Counseling & Specialized Ministries at Union Bible College

7

Garrett - Evangelical Theological Seminary landed the #7 spot on the 2023 Schools Highly Focused on Pastoral Counseling Major in the Great Lakes Region ranking. Evanston, Illinois is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out ’s pastoral counseling degrees to 15 students in 2020-2021.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 3.5%, which is much lower than the national rate of 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 full report on Pastoral Counseling & Specialized Ministries at Garrett - Evangelical Theological Seminary

8

With a ranking of #8, Catholic Theological Union at Chicago did quite well on the 2023 Schools Highly Focused on Pastoral Counseling Major in the Great Lakes Region list. Catholic Theological Union at Chicago is a small private not-for-profit school situated in Chicago, Illinois. It awarded 11 ’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 more about Pastoral Counseling & Specialized Ministries at Catholic Theological Union

9
Moody Theological Seminary and Graduate School crest
Moody Bible Institute
Chicago, Illinois

With a ranking of #9, Moody Bible Institute did quite well on the 2023 Schools Highly Focused on Pastoral Counseling Major in the Great Lakes Region list. Moody Bible Institute is a private not-for-profit institution located in Chicago, Illinois. The school has a small population, and it awarded 94 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 3.3%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Full Moody Bible Institute Pastoral Counseling & Specialized Ministries Report

10
Mount St. Mary's Seminary crest
Athenaeum of Ohio
Cincinnati, Ohio

With a ranking of #10, Athenaeum of Ohio did quite well on the 2023 Schools Highly Focused on Pastoral Counseling Major in the Great Lakes Region list. Cincinnati, Ohio is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out ’s pastoral counseling degrees to 5 students in 2020-2021.

Full Athenaeum of Ohio Pastoral Counseling & Specialized Ministries Report

11
Horizon University crest
Horizon University
Indianapolis, Indiana

With a ranking of #11, Horizon University did quite well on the 2023 Schools Highly Focused on Pastoral Counseling Major in the Great Lakes Region list. Horizon University is located in Indianapolis, Indiana and, has a small student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 1 ’s pastoral counseling degrees to qualified students.

With a undergrad student-to-faculty ratio of 5 to 1, it’s easy to see that the school is committed to helping their undergraduates succeed.

Read more about Pastoral Counseling & Specialized Ministries at Horizon University

12
MBU crest
Maranatha Baptist University
Watertown, Wisconsin

Maranatha Baptist University landed the #12 spot on the 2023 Schools Highly Focused on Pastoral Counseling Major in the Great Lakes Region ranking. Maranatha Baptist University is a small private not-for-profit school situated in Watertown, Wisconsin. It awarded 22 ’s pastoral counseling degrees in 2020-2021.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 3.3%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Pastoral Counseling & Specialized Ministries at MBU

13
Andrews crest
Andrews University
Berrien Springs, Michigan

Andrews University did quite well in the 2023 Schools Highly Focused on Pastoral Counseling Major in the Great Lakes Region ranking, coming in at #13. Andrews is a small school located in Berrien Springs, Michigan that handed out 85 ’s pastoral counseling degrees in 2020-2021.

The undergraduate student-to-faculty ratio of 10 to 1 is a sign that students will have more opportunities to engage with their professors one-on-one. 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%. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 85%.

Read more about Pastoral Counseling & Specialized Ministries at Andrews

14

University of Saint Mary of the Lake ranked #14 on this year’s Schools Highly Focused on Pastoral Counseling Major in the Great Lakes Region list. University of Saint Mary of the Lake is located in Mundelein, Illinois and, has a small student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 4 ’s pastoral counseling degrees to qualified students.

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 University of St. Mary of the Lake Pastoral Counseling & Specialized Ministries Report

15

United Theological Seminary landed the #15 spot on the 2023 Schools Highly Focused on Pastoral Counseling Major in the Great Lakes Region ranking. United Theological Seminary is a small school located in Dayton, Ohio that handed out 9 ’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 United Theological Seminary

16

Chicago Theological Seminary landed the #16 spot on the 2023 Schools Highly Focused on Pastoral Counseling Major in the Great Lakes Region ranking. Chicago Theological Seminary is located in Chicago, Illinois and, has a small student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 4 ’s pastoral counseling degrees to qualified students.

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.

Full Chicago Theological Seminary Pastoral Counseling & Specialized Ministries Report

17

Meadville Lombard Theological School landed the #17 spot on the 2023 Schools Highly Focused on Pastoral Counseling Major in the Great Lakes Region ranking. Meadville Lombard Theological School is a private not-for-profit institution located in Chicago, Illinois. The school has a small population, and it awarded 1 ’s degrees 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 undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 3.9%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Pastoral Counseling & Specialized Ministries at Meadville Lombard Theological School

18

Trinity International University - Illinois ranked #18 on this year’s Schools Highly Focused on Pastoral Counseling Major in the Great Lakes Region list. TIU Illinois is located in Deerfield, Illinois and, has a small student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 21 ’s pastoral counseling degrees to qualified students.

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

19

With a ranking of #19, Indiana Wesleyan University did quite well on the 2023 Schools Highly Focused on Pastoral Counseling Major in the Great Lakes Region list. Marion, Indiana is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out ’s pastoral counseling degrees to 54 students in 2020-2021.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 5.0% 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%.

Read more about Pastoral Counseling & Specialized Ministries at Indiana Wesleyan University

20

Grace College and Theological Seminary did quite well in the 2023 Schools Highly Focused on Pastoral Counseling Major in the Great Lakes Region ranking, coming in at #20. Grace College is a small school located in Winona Lake, Indiana that handed out 33 ’s pastoral counseling degrees in 2020-2021.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 3.1% 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%.

Full Grace College and Theological Seminary Pastoral Counseling & Specialized Ministries Report

21
Kuyper crest
Kuyper College
Grand Rapids, Michigan

Kuyper College ranked #21 on this year’s Schools Highly Focused on Pastoral Counseling Major in the Great Lakes Region list. Kuyper is a small private not-for-profit school situated in Grand Rapids, Michigan. It awarded 2 ’s pastoral counseling degrees in 2020-2021.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 3.3%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%. With a undergrad student-to-faculty ratio of 9 to 1, it’s easy to see that the school is committed to helping their undergraduates succeed.

Full Kuyper Pastoral Counseling & Specialized Ministries Report

22

Lutheran School of Theology at Chicago did quite well in the 2023 Schools Highly Focused on Pastoral Counseling Major in the Great Lakes Region ranking, coming in at #22. Located in Chicago, Illinois, this small private not-for-profit school awarded 2 degrees to qualified ’s pastoral counseling students 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 LSTC

23

With a ranking of #23, Lincoln Christian University did quite well on the 2023 Schools Highly Focused on Pastoral Counseling Major in the Great Lakes Region list. Lincoln Christian University is a small school located in Lincoln, Illinois that handed out 7 ’s pastoral counseling degrees in 2020-2021.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 5.0% 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%.

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

24
Taylor U crest
Taylor University
Upland, Indiana

Taylor University did quite well in the 2023 Schools Highly Focused on Pastoral Counseling Major in the Great Lakes Region ranking, coming in at #24. Taylor U is located in Upland, Indiana and, has a small student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 15 ’s pastoral counseling degrees to qualified students.

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%. With a freshman retention rate of 89%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.

Read more about Pastoral Counseling & Specialized Ministries at Taylor University

25
Olivet Nazarene crest
Olivet Nazarene University
Bourbonnais, Illinois

Olivet Nazarene University landed the #25 spot on the 2023 Schools Highly Focused on Pastoral Counseling Major in the Great Lakes Region ranking. Located in Bourbonnais, Illinois, this small private not-for-profit school awarded 38 degrees to qualified ’s pastoral counseling students in 2020-2021.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 2.7% 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%.

Read full report on Pastoral Counseling & Specialized Ministries at Olivet Nazarene

Switch to a Different Ranking Method

Notes and References

References

Read more about our data sources and methodologies

Footnotes

Popular Reports

College Rankings
Best by Location
Degree Guides by Major
Graduate Programs

Compare Your School Options