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2023 Most Popular Colleges for Pastoral Counseling & Specialized Ministries

260 Ranked Colleges
3,116 Degrees Awarded
$27,000 Avg Cost*
Most Well Attended Pastoral Counseling Major

When pursuing a degree in today’s world, students have many different options to choose from. At College Factual, we’re committed to helping you make that decision by providing information such as that found in our “Most Well Attended Pastoral Counseling Major” 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.

This year’s “Most Well Attended Pastoral Counseling Major” ranking looked at 260 colleges that offer degrees in a bachelor’s in pastoral counseling and specialized ministries. The schools that top this list are recognized because they have one of the most popular pastoral counseling and specialized ministries programs in the United States.

For more information, check out our ranking methodology.

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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 “Most Well Attended Pastoral Counseling Major”.

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.

Most Well Attended Pastoral Counseling Major

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

1
Ozark Christian College crest
Ozark Christian College
Joplin, Missouri

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Ozark Christian College. It ranked #1 on our 2023 Most Well Attended Pastoral Counseling Major list. Ozark Christian College is a small private not-for-profit school situated in Joplin, Missouri. It awarded 90 ’s pastoral counseling degrees in 2020-2021.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 2.9%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on Pastoral Counseling & Specialized Ministries at Ozark Christian College

2
Moody Theological Seminary and Graduate School crest
Moody Bible Institute
Chicago, Illinois

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Moody Bible Institute. It ranked #2 on our 2023 Most Well Attended Pastoral Counseling Major list. Located in Chicago, Illinois, this small private not-for-profit school handed out 94 degrees to qualified ’s pastoral counseling students in 2020-2021.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 3.3% 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 Moody Theological Seminary and Graduate School

3
Lee University crest
Lee University
Cleveland, Tennessee

Out of the 260 schools in the Most Well Attended Pastoral Counseling Major that were part of this year’s ranking, Lee University landed the #3 spot on the list. This small school is located in Cleveland, Tennessee, and it awarded 84 ’s pastoral counseling degrees in 2020-2021.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 4.5% 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 full report on Pastoral Counseling & Specialized Ministries at Lee University

4
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Andrews University
Berrien Springs, Michigan

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Andrews University. The school came in at #4 for the Most Well Attended Pastoral Counseling Major. This small school is located in Berrien Springs, Michigan, and it awarded 85 ’s pastoral counseling degrees 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%. With a freshman retention rate of 85%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. 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.

Full Andrews Pastoral Counseling & Specialized Ministries Report

5

Out of the 260 schools in the Most Well Attended Pastoral Counseling Major that were part of this year’s ranking, Southwestern Assemblies of God University landed the #5 spot on the list. Southwestern Assemblies of God University is a private not-for-profit institution located in Waxahachie, Texas. The school has a small population, and it awarded 79 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

Read full report on Pastoral Counseling & Specialized Ministries at Southwestern Assemblies of God University

6
The Master's University crest
The Master's University and Seminary
Santa Clarita, California

The Master’s University and Seminary ranked #6 on this year’s Most Well Attended Pastoral Counseling Major list. Located in Santa Clarita, California, this small private not-for-profit school handed out 74 diplomas to qualified ’s pastoral counseling students in 2020-2021.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 1.5% 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%.

Full The Master’s University Pastoral Counseling & Specialized Ministries Report

7

New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary came in at #7 in this year’s edition of the Most Well Attended Pastoral Counseling Major ranking. This small school is located in New Orleans, Louisiana, and it awarded 145 ’s pastoral counseling degrees in 2020-2021.

Full NOBTS Pastoral Counseling & Specialized Ministries Report

8
Westminster Theological Seminary crest
Westminster Theological Seminary
Glenside, Pennsylvania

Westminster Theological Seminary landed the #8 spot on the 2023 Most Well Attended Pastoral Counseling Major ranking. This small school is located in Glenside, Pennsylvania, and it awarded 68 ’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

8

With a ranking of #8, The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary did quite well on the 2023 Most Well Attended Pastoral Counseling Major list. Located in Louisville, Kentucky, this small private not-for-profit school handed out 68 diplomas to qualified ’s pastoral counseling students in 2020-2021.

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

10
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Grace Christian University
Wyoming, Michigan

Grace Christian University ranked #10 on this year’s Most Well Attended Pastoral Counseling Major list. Located in Wyoming, Michigan, this small private not-for-profit school awarded 65 degrees to qualified ’s pastoral counseling students in 2020-2021.

Full Grace Christian University Pastoral Counseling & Specialized Ministries Report

11

Dallas Theological Seminary ranked #11 on this year’s Most Well Attended Pastoral Counseling Major list. DTS Dallas is a private not-for-profit institution located in Dallas, Texas. The school has a small population, and it awarded 61 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 0.7% 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%. 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 full report on Pastoral Counseling & Specialized Ministries at Dallas Theological Seminary

12
Lancaster Bible College crest
Lancaster Bible College
Lancaster, Pennsylvania

Lancaster Bible College came in at #12 in this year’s edition of the Most Well Attended Pastoral Counseling Major ranking. Lancaster Bible College is a small private not-for-profit school situated in Lancaster, Pennsylvania. It awarded 57 ’s pastoral counseling degrees in 2020-2021.

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

13

Indiana Wesleyan University came in at #13 in this year’s edition of the Most Well Attended Pastoral Counseling Major ranking. IWU is a small private not-for-profit school situated in Marion, Indiana. It awarded 54 ’s pastoral counseling degrees in 2020-2021.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 5.0%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on Pastoral Counseling & Specialized Ministries at IWU

14

Dallas Baptist University landed the #14 spot on the 2023 Most Well Attended Pastoral Counseling Major ranking. DBU is a small school located in Dallas, Texas that handed out 53 ’s pastoral counseling degrees in 2020-2021.

Read full report on Pastoral Counseling & Specialized Ministries at DBU

15
Valor Christian College crest
Valor Christian College
Canal Winchester, Ohio

Valor Christian College ranked #15 on this year’s Most Well Attended Pastoral Counseling Major 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.

Full Valor Christian College Pastoral Counseling & Specialized Ministries Report

16
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Regent University
Virginia Beach, Virginia

Regent University ranked #16 on this year’s Most Well Attended Pastoral Counseling Major list. Regent is located in Virginia Beach, Virginia and, has a fairly large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 46 ’s pastoral counseling degrees to qualified students.

Full Regent Pastoral Counseling & Specialized Ministries Report

17
Liberty University crest
Liberty University
Lynchburg, Virginia

Liberty University came in at #17 in this year’s edition of the Most Well Attended Pastoral Counseling Major ranking. Located in Lynchburg, Virginia, this large private not-for-profit school handed out 119 diplomas to qualified ’s pastoral counseling students in 2020-2021.

Full Liberty University Pastoral Counseling & Specialized Ministries Report

18
Gordon - Conwell Seminary crest
Gordon - Conwell Theological Seminary
South Hamilton, Massachusetts

With a ranking of #18, Gordon - Conwell Theological Seminary did quite well on the 2023 Most Well Attended Pastoral Counseling Major list. Gordon - Conwell Seminary is a small private not-for-profit school situated in South Hamilton, Massachusetts. It awarded 85 ’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%. 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 Gordon - Conwell Theological Seminary

19
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George Fox University
Newberg, Oregon

George Fox University came in at #19 in this year’s edition of the Most Well Attended Pastoral Counseling Major ranking. George Fox University is a small private not-for-profit school situated in Newberg, Oregon. It awarded 54 ’s pastoral counseling degrees in 2020-2021.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 1.6%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Pastoral Counseling & Specialized Ministries at GFU

20
Loyola Chicago crest
Loyola University Chicago
Chicago, Illinois

Loyola University Chicago came in at #20 in this year’s edition of the Most Well Attended Pastoral Counseling Major ranking. Located in Chicago, Illinois, this fairly large private not-for-profit school awarded 45 diplomas to qualified ’s pastoral counseling students in 2020-2021.

With a freshman retention rate of 85%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. 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 Loyola University Chicago

20

University of St. Thomas landed the #20 spot on the 2023 Most Well Attended Pastoral Counseling Major ranking. Located in Houston, Texas, this small private not-for-profit school awarded 38 diplomas to qualified ’s pastoral counseling students 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%.

Read full report on Pastoral Counseling & Specialized Ministries at University of St. Thomas

20
Olivet Nazarene crest
Olivet Nazarene University
Bourbonnais, Illinois

With a ranking of #20, Olivet Nazarene University did quite well on the 2023 Most Well Attended Pastoral Counseling Major list. Olivet Nazarene University is a small school located in Bourbonnais, Illinois that handed out 38 ’s pastoral counseling degrees in 2020-2021.

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%.

Full Olivet Nazarene University Pastoral Counseling & Specialized Ministries Report

23
Bethel University Minnesota crest
Bethel University Minnesota
Saint Paul, Minnesota

Bethel University Minnesota came in at #23 in this year’s edition of the Most Well Attended Pastoral Counseling Major ranking. This small school is located in Saint Paul, Minnesota, and it awarded 37 ’s pastoral counseling degrees in 2020-2021.

The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 85%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. 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%.

Read more about Pastoral Counseling & Specialized Ministries at Bethel University Minnesota

24
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Crown College
Saint Bonifacius, Minnesota

Crown College came in at #24 in this year’s edition of the Most Well Attended Pastoral Counseling Major ranking. Crown College is a small private not-for-profit school situated in Saint Bonifacius, Minnesota. It awarded 34 ’s pastoral counseling degrees in 2020-2021.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 4.7% 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 more about Pastoral Counseling & Specialized Ministries at Crown

24

Indiana Wesleyan University - National & Global did quite well in the 2023 Most Well Attended Pastoral Counseling Major ranking, coming in at #24. Indiana Wesleyan University - National & Global is a fairly large private not-for-profit school situated in Marion, Indiana. It awarded 37 ’s pastoral counseling degrees in 2020-2021.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 5.0%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Full Indiana Wesleyan University - National & Global Pastoral Counseling & Specialized Ministries Report

Rest of the Best 40 in Most Well Attended 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
27
World Mission University crest
World Mission University
Los Angeles, California
28
Universidad Pentecostal Mizpa crest
Universidad Pentecostal Mizpa
Rio Piedras, <nil>
29
Fordham U crest
Fordham University
Bronx, New York
30
LIFE Bible College crest
Life Pacific College
San Dimas, California
30
32
North Central University crest
North Central University
Minneapolis, Minnesota
33
SEBTS crest
Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary
Wake Forest, North Carolina
34
34
MBU crest
Maranatha Baptist University
Watertown, Wisconsin
36
36
36
SEU crest
Southeastern University
Lakeland, Florida
36
40
Calvin crest
Calvin University
Grand Rapids, Michigan

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Notes and References

References

Read more about our data sources and methodologies

Footnotes

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