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2023 Most Focused Colleges for Pastoral Counseling & Specialized Ministries

260 Ranked Colleges
3,116 Degrees Awarded
$19,200 Avg Cost*
Schools 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 Highly Focused on Pastoral Counseling Major” ranking - to help you make that decision.

In 2020-2021, 3,116 people earned their degree in pastoral counseling and specialized ministries, making the major the 171st most popular in the United States. 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.

This year’s “Schools Highly Focused on Pastoral Counseling Major” ranking analyzed 260 colleges that offered a degree in pastoral counseling and specialized ministries. That schools that top this list have a program in pastoral counseling and specialized ministries in which the largest percentage of students at the school are enrolled.

Check out our ranking methodology for more information.

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The pastoral counseling school you choose to invest your time and money in matters. To help you make the decision that is right for you, we’ve developed a number of major-specific rankings, including this list of “Schools Highly Focused on Pastoral Counseling Major”.

You can create your own custom comparison that focuses on the factors most important to you using our tool, College Combat. 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

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

Top 25 Most Focused Colleges for Pastoral Counseling & Specialized Ministries

1
Bethel Seminary - San Diego crest
Bethel Seminary - San Diego
San Diego, California

Out of the 260 schools in the Schools Highly Focused on Pastoral Counseling Major that were part of this year’s ranking, Bethel Seminary - San Diego landed the #1 spot on the list. Bethel Seminary - San Diego is a small school located in San Diego, California that handed out 18 ’s pastoral counseling degrees in 2020-2021.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 1.9%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%. 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.

Read more about Pastoral Counseling & Specialized Ministries at Bethel Seminary - San Diego

2
Universidad Pentecostal Mizpa crest
Universidad Pentecostal Mizpa
Rio Piedras, <nil>

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Universidad Pentecostal Mizpa. The school came in at #2 for the Schools Highly Focused on Pastoral Counseling Major. Universidad Pentecostal Mizpa is a small school located in Rio Piedras, that handed out 30 ’s pastoral counseling degrees in 2020-2021.

Read full report on Pastoral Counseling & Specialized Ministries at Universidad Pentecostal Mizpa

3

Out of the 260 schools in the Schools Highly Focused on Pastoral Counseling Major that were part of this year’s ranking, Bakke Graduate University landed the #3 spot on the list. Dallas, Texas is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out ’s pastoral counseling degrees to 16 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 undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 3.7%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Full Bakke Graduate University Pastoral Counseling & Specialized Ministries Report

4
Ozark Christian College crest
Ozark Christian College
Joplin, Missouri

Out of the 260 schools in the Schools Highly Focused on Pastoral Counseling Major that were part of this year’s ranking, Ozark Christian College landed the #4 spot on the list. Joplin, Missouri is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out ’s pastoral counseling degrees to 90 students in 2020-2021.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 2.9% 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 Ozark Christian College Pastoral Counseling & Specialized Ministries Report

5

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Charlotte Christian College and Theological Seminary. It ranked #5 on our 2023 Schools Highly Focused on Pastoral Counseling Major list. Charlotte Christian College and Theological Seminary is a small school located in Charlotte, North Carolina that handed out 21 ’s pastoral counseling degrees in 2020-2021.

Since the school has a undergrad student-to-faculty ratio of 8 to 1, those pursuing a degree will have more opportunities to interact with their professors.

Read more about Pastoral Counseling & Specialized Ministries at CCCTS

6

With a ranking of #6, Episcopal Theological Seminary of the Southwest did quite well on the 2023 Schools Highly Focused on Pastoral Counseling Major list. Austin, Texas is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out ’s pastoral counseling degrees to 21 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.

Full Episcopal Theological Seminary of the Southwest Pastoral Counseling & Specialized Ministries Report

7
Valor Christian College crest
Valor Christian College
Canal Winchester, Ohio

Valor Christian College came in at #7 in this year’s edition of the Schools Highly Focused on Pastoral Counseling Major ranking. This small school is located in Canal Winchester, Ohio, and it awarded 49 ’s pastoral counseling degrees in 2020-2021.

Full Valor Christian College Pastoral Counseling & Specialized Ministries Report

8

Family of Faith Christian University came in at #8 in this year’s edition of the Schools Highly Focused on Pastoral Counseling Major ranking. FFCU is a private not-for-profit institution located in Shawnee, Oklahoma. The school has a small population, and it awarded 5 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

Since the school has a undergrad student-to-faculty ratio of 4 to 1, those pursuing a degree will have more opportunities to interact with their professors.

Read full report on Pastoral Counseling & Specialized Ministries at FFCU

9

With a ranking of #9, McCormick Theological Seminary did quite well on the 2023 Schools 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 ’s pastoral counseling degrees to 22 students in 2020-2021.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 4.2%, 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 full report on Pastoral Counseling & Specialized Ministries at McCormick Theological Seminary

10

With a ranking of #10, Winebrenner Theological Seminary did quite well on the 2023 Schools Highly Focused on Pastoral Counseling Major list. Winebrenner Theological Seminary is located in Findlay, Ohio and, has a small student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 6 ’s pastoral counseling degrees to qualified students.

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 Winebrenner Theological Seminary

11
Westminster Theological Seminary crest
Westminster Theological Seminary
Glenside, Pennsylvania

Westminster Theological Seminary ranked #11 on this year’s Schools Highly Focused on Pastoral Counseling Major list. Westminster Theological Seminary is a private not-for-profit institution located in Glenside, Pennsylvania. The school has a small population, and it awarded 68 ’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 Westminster Theological Seminary Pastoral Counseling & Specialized Ministries Report

12
Pacific Bible College crest
Pacific Bible College
Medford, Oregon

Pacific Bible College ranked #12 on this year’s Schools Highly Focused on Pastoral Counseling Major list. This small school is located in Medford, Oregon, and it awarded 2 ’s pastoral counseling degrees in 2020-2021.

Read more about Pastoral Counseling & Specialized Ministries at Pacific Bible College

13
OHCC crest
Oak Hills Christian College
Bemidji, Minnesota

With a ranking of #13, Oak Hills Christian College did quite well on the 2023 Schools Highly Focused on Pastoral Counseling Major list. Oak Hills Christian College is a small private not-for-profit school situated in Bemidji, Minnesota. It awarded 7 ’s pastoral counseling degrees in 2020-2021.

With a undergrad student-to-faculty ratio of 10 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 OHCC

14
Grace crest
Grace Christian University
Wyoming, Michigan

Grace Christian University landed the #14 spot on the 2023 Schools Highly Focused on Pastoral Counseling Major ranking. Grace Christian University is a small private not-for-profit school situated in Wyoming, Michigan. It awarded 65 ’s pastoral counseling degrees in 2020-2021.

Full Grace Christian University Pastoral Counseling & Specialized Ministries Report

15

Urshan Graduate School of Theology ranked #15 on this year’s Schools Highly Focused on Pastoral Counseling Major list. Urshan Graduate School of Theology is a private not-for-profit institution located in Florissant, Missouri. The school has a small population, and it awarded 8 ’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 Urshan Graduate School of Theology Pastoral Counseling & Specialized Ministries Report

16

Arlington Baptist University ranked #16 on this year’s Schools Highly Focused on Pastoral Counseling Major list. ABU is a small private not-for-profit school situated in Arlington, Texas. It awarded 7 ’s pastoral counseling degrees in 2020-2021.

Read full report on Pastoral Counseling & Specialized Ministries at Arlington Baptist University

17
World Mission University crest
World Mission University
Los Angeles, California

World Mission University ranked #17 on this year’s Schools Highly Focused on Pastoral Counseling Major list. World Mission University is a small private not-for-profit school situated in Los Angeles, California. It awarded 31 ’s pastoral counseling degrees in 2020-2021.

The impressive undergraduate student-to-faculty ratio of 7 to 1 means that students may have more opportunities to work more closely with their professors than they would at other schools.

Read full report on Pastoral Counseling & Specialized Ministries at World Mission University

18

With a ranking of #18, Northern Baptist Theological Seminary did quite well on the 2023 Schools Highly Focused on Pastoral Counseling Major list. Northern Seminary is a private not-for-profit institution located in Lisle, Illinois. The school has a small population, and it awarded 19 ’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 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

19
Union Bible College crest
Union Bible College
Westfield, Indiana

Union Bible College landed the #19 spot on the 2023 Schools Highly Focused on Pastoral Counseling Major ranking. Union Bible College is a private not-for-profit institution located in Westfield, Indiana. The school has a small population, and it awarded 4 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

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

20

Austin Presbyterian Theological Seminary came in at #20 in this year’s edition of the Schools Highly Focused on Pastoral Counseling Major ranking. Austin, Texas is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out ’s pastoral counseling degrees to 8 students 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.

Full Austin Presbyterian Theological Seminary Pastoral Counseling & Specialized Ministries Report

21

Pacific Rim Christian University came in at #21 in this year’s edition of the Schools Highly Focused on Pastoral Counseling Major ranking. Pacific Rim Christian University is a small school located in Honolulu, Hawaii that handed out 9 ’s pastoral counseling degrees in 2020-2021.

The undergraduate student-to-faculty ratio of 7 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 Pacific Rim Christian University

22

Louisville Presbyterian Theological Seminary came in at #22 in this year’s edition of the Schools Highly Focused on Pastoral Counseling Major ranking. Louisville Seminary is a small school located in Louisville, Kentucky that handed out 9 ’s pastoral counseling degrees in 2020-2021.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 1.6% 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.

Full Louisville Seminary Pastoral Counseling & Specialized Ministries Report

23
UTC crest
Universidad Teologica del Caribe
Trujillo Alto, <nil>

Universidad Teologica del Caribe did quite well in the 2023 Schools Highly Focused on Pastoral Counseling Major ranking, coming in at #23. Universidad Teologica del Caribe is a small school located in Trujillo Alto, that handed out 14 ’s pastoral counseling degrees in 2020-2021.

The impressive undergraduate student-to-faculty ratio of 10 to 1 means that students may have more opportunities to work more closely with their professors than they would at other schools.

Read full report on Pastoral Counseling & Specialized Ministries at Universidad Teologica del Caribe

24

Garrett - Evangelical Theological Seminary came in at #24 in this year’s edition of the Schools Highly Focused on Pastoral Counseling Major 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 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 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%.

Read more about Pastoral Counseling & Specialized Ministries at Garrett - Evangelical Theological Seminary

25
Baptist Bible College crest
Baptist Bible College
Springfield, Missouri

Baptist Bible College landed the #25 spot on the 2023 Schools Highly Focused on Pastoral Counseling Major ranking. Baptist Bible College is located in Springfield, Missouri and, has a small student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 12 ’s pastoral counseling degrees to qualified students.

Read more about Pastoral Counseling & Specialized Ministries at Baptist Bible College

Rest of the Best 40 in Schools Highly Focused on Pastoral Counseling Major

Not only did these schools make the top 40 list, but they also landed in the top 15% of this year’s ranking:

26
LIFE Bible College crest
Life Pacific College
San Dimas, California
27
28
Nazarene Bible College crest
Nazarene Bible College
Colorado Springs, Colorado
29
Boise Bible College crest
Boise Bible College
Boise, Idaho
30
Bethel crest
Bethel University
Hampton, Virginia
30
Messenger College crest
Messenger College
Euless, Texas
32
33
The Master's University crest
The Master's University and Seminary
Santa Clarita, California
34
Calvary crest
Calvary University
Kansas City, Missouri
35
New Brunswick Theological Seminary crest
New Brunswick Theological Seminary
New Brunswick, New Jersey
36
UWest crest
University of the West
Rosemead, California
37
38
TKU crest
The King's University
Southlake, Texas
39
40

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Notes and References

References

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