Pastoral Counseling & Specialized Ministries is a field worth a close look when choosing where to study. The schools below stand out for the quality of their pastoral counseling & specialized ministries programs.
For its 2027 ranking, College Factual looked at 53 schools in the United States to determine which ones were the best for pastoral counseling & specialized ministries students pursuing a degree.
Choosing a Great Pastoral Counseling & Specialized Ministries School
The pastoral counseling & specialized ministries program you select can have a big impact on your future. To help, we created our Best Pastoral Counseling & Specialized Ministries Schools rankings. Our overall ranking combines our degree-level rankings, weighted by degrees awarded at each level.
To find the best fit, you can narrow this list to a specific degree level below.
Pastoral Counseling & Specialized Ministries Rankings by Degree Level
Since the program you select can have a significant impact on your future, we have developed a number of rankings, including this Best Pastoral Counseling & Specialized Ministries Schools list, to help you choose. Want schools in a particular part of the country? Narrow the list by region or state.
To further help you make the college decision, we have developed a unique tool called College Combat that lets you compare schools on the factors that matter most to you.
Best Schools for Pastoral Counseling & Specialized Ministries in the United States
If you are not interested in a particular degree level and want to know which schools are the overall best at delivering an education for the pastoral counseling & specialized ministries degrees they offer, see the list below.
Top Schools in Pastoral Counseling & Specialized Ministries
University Of St Thomas Minnesota is one of the finest schools in the country for getting a degree in pastoral counseling & specialized ministries. University Of St Thomas Minnesota is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Saint Paul. About 77% of students finish within six years. About 15 pastoral counseling & specialized ministries degrees were awarded at University Of St Thomas Minnesota in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, pastoral counseling & specialized ministries degree recipients from University Of St Thomas Minnesota generally make around $65,183. Typical student debt for the program is $23,923.
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A rank of #2 makes Fordham University one of the top schools for pastoral counseling & specialized ministries. This large private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Bronx. Fordham University graduates 82% of students within six years. Fordham University awarded about 29 pastoral counseling & specialized ministries degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the pastoral counseling & specialized ministries program make about $59,403 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $25,643 to complete this degree.
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Students looking for a strong pastoral counseling & specialized ministries program will find one at Loyola Marymount University, which ranked #3. This large private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Los Angeles. Roughly 79% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 10 pastoral counseling & specialized ministries degrees were awarded at Loyola Marymount University in the most recent year. Students who receive their pastoral counseling & specialized ministries degree from Loyola Marymount University earn around $52,935 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $22,248 to complete this degree.
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California Baptist University is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in pastoral counseling & specialized ministries, ranking #4. Located in the city of Riverside, California Baptist University is a large private not-for-profit university. About 62% of students finish within six years. About 15 pastoral counseling & specialized ministries degrees were awarded at California Baptist University in the most recent year. Graduates of the pastoral counseling & specialized ministries program make about $51,999 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $28,169.
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Students looking for a strong pastoral counseling & specialized ministries program will find one at Andrews University, which ranked #5. Andrews University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the town of Berrien Springs. The six-year graduation rate is 72%. Andrews University awarded about 57 pastoral counseling & specialized ministries degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, pastoral counseling & specialized ministries degree recipients from Andrews University generally make around $57,865. Typical student debt for the program is $26,314.
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Olivet Nazarene University placed #6 among the best pastoral counseling & specialized ministries schools. Olivet Nazarene University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Bourbonnais. The six-year graduation rate is 61%. Olivet Nazarene University awarded about 28 pastoral counseling & specialized ministries degrees in the most recent data year. Pastoral Counseling & Specialized Ministries graduates of Olivet Nazarene University earn a median of $48,505 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $26,797.
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The Masters College And Seminary earned the #7 position for pastoral counseling & specialized ministries this year. Set in the suburb of Santa Clarita, The Masters College And Seminary is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. The Masters College And Seminary graduates 67% of students within six years. There were roughly 85 pastoral counseling & specialized ministries students who graduated with this degree at The Masters College And Seminary in the most recent data year. Graduates of the pastoral counseling & specialized ministries program make about $46,541 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $22,089 to complete this degree.
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Calvin College earned the #8 position for pastoral counseling & specialized ministries this year. This mid-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Grand Rapids. The six-year graduation rate is 74%. Calvin College awarded about 20 pastoral counseling & specialized ministries degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, pastoral counseling & specialized ministries degree recipients from Calvin College generally make around $44,220. Typical student debt for the program is $22,707.
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Moody Bible Institute earned the #9 position for pastoral counseling & specialized ministries this year. This mid-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Chicago. About 62% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 64 pastoral counseling & specialized ministries students who graduated with this degree at Moody Bible Institute in the most recent data year. Pastoral Counseling & Specialized Ministries graduates of Moody Bible Institute earn a median of $35,426 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $12,000 to complete this degree.
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Taylor University came in at #10 for pastoral counseling & specialized ministries this year. This mid-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the rural area of Upland. Roughly 74% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 10 pastoral counseling & specialized ministries students who graduated with this degree at Taylor University in the most recent data year. Pastoral Counseling & Specialized Ministries graduates of Taylor University earn a median of $37,035 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $21,832.
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The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary placed #11 among the best pastoral counseling & specialized ministries schools. Set in the city of Louisville, The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary graduates 35% of students within six years. There were roughly 71 pastoral counseling & specialized ministries students who graduated with this degree at The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary in the most recent data year. Students who receive their pastoral counseling & specialized ministries degree from The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary earn around $74,388 in the first couple years of their career.
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Gordon College earned the #12 position for pastoral counseling & specialized ministries this year. Set in the rural area of Wenham, Gordon College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 68%. There were roughly 14 pastoral counseling & specialized ministries students who graduated with this degree at Gordon College in the most recent data year. Graduates of the pastoral counseling & specialized ministries program make about $37,097 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $26,372 to complete this degree.
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Abilene Christian University placed #13 among the best pastoral counseling & specialized ministries schools. Set in the city of Abilene, Abilene Christian University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 59% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 23 pastoral counseling & specialized ministries degrees were awarded at Abilene Christian University in the most recent year. Graduates of the pastoral counseling & specialized ministries program make about $56,463 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $23,772 to complete this degree.
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University Of St Thomas Texas ranked #14 on our 2027 list of the best pastoral counseling & specialized ministries schools. University Of St Thomas Texas is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Houston. University Of St Thomas Texas graduates 69% of students within six years. University Of St Thomas Texas awarded about 84 pastoral counseling & specialized ministries degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, pastoral counseling & specialized ministries degree recipients from University Of St Thomas Texas generally make around $58,265. Students borrow a median of $23,628 to complete this degree.
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Loyola University Chicago came in at #15 for pastoral counseling & specialized ministries this year. This large private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Chicago. Roughly 75% of students complete a degree within six years here. Loyola University Chicago awarded about 42 pastoral counseling & specialized ministries degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, pastoral counseling & specialized ministries degree recipients from Loyola University Chicago generally make around $46,241. Loyola University Chicago graduates carry a median of $23,521 in student loans.
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Liberty University ranked #16 on our 2027 list of the best pastoral counseling & specialized ministries schools. Set in the city of Lynchburg, Liberty University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 67% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 163 pastoral counseling & specialized ministries degrees were awarded at Liberty University in the most recent year. Pastoral Counseling & Specialized Ministries graduates of Liberty University earn a median of $34,083 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $23,750 to complete this degree.
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Vanguard University Of Southern California earned the #17 position for pastoral counseling & specialized ministries this year. Vanguard University Of Southern California is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Costa Mesa. Vanguard University Of Southern California graduates 57% of students within six years. About 21 pastoral counseling & specialized ministries degrees were awarded at Vanguard University Of Southern California in the most recent year. Pastoral Counseling & Specialized Ministries graduates of Vanguard University Of Southern California earn a median of $80,727 early in their careers. Vanguard University Of Southern California graduates carry a median of $21,111 in student loans.
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Bethel University Minnesota ranked #18 on our 2027 list of the best pastoral counseling & specialized ministries schools. Set in the suburb of Saint Paul, Bethel University Minnesota is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 71%. About 24 pastoral counseling & specialized ministries degrees were awarded at Bethel University Minnesota in the most recent year. Pastoral Counseling & Specialized Ministries graduates of Bethel University Minnesota earn a median of $45,641 early in their careers. Bethel University Minnesota graduates carry a median of $25,639 in student loans.
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George Fox University placed #19 among the best pastoral counseling & specialized ministries schools. This moderately-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the town of Newberg. About 72% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 67 pastoral counseling & specialized ministries students who graduated with this degree at George Fox University in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, pastoral counseling & specialized ministries degree recipients from George Fox University generally make around $74,619. Students borrow a median of $25,324 to complete this degree.
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Malone University came in at #20 for pastoral counseling & specialized ministries this year. Located in the city of Canton, Malone University is a small private not-for-profit university. The six-year graduation rate is 45%. Malone University awarded about 14 pastoral counseling & specialized ministries degrees in the most recent data year. Pastoral Counseling & Specialized Ministries graduates of Malone University earn a median of $48,359 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $27,956.
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Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary ranked #21 on our 2027 list of the best pastoral counseling & specialized ministries schools. Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Kansas City. The six-year graduation rate is 64%. There were roughly 52 pastoral counseling & specialized ministries students who graduated with this degree at Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary in the most recent data year. Graduates of the pastoral counseling & specialized ministries program make about $55,308 in their early career. Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary graduates carry a median of $15,559 in student loans.
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Grace College And Theological Seminary earned the #22 position for pastoral counseling & specialized ministries this year. Located in the town of Winona Lake, Grace College And Theological Seminary is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. The six-year graduation rate is 69%. Grace College And Theological Seminary awarded about 48 pastoral counseling & specialized ministries degrees in the most recent data year. Pastoral Counseling & Specialized Ministries graduates of Grace College And Theological Seminary earn a median of $34,513 early in their careers. Grace College And Theological Seminary graduates carry a median of $25,500 in student loans.
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New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary placed #23 among the best pastoral counseling & specialized ministries schools. Set in the city of New Orleans, New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 70% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 94 pastoral counseling & specialized ministries degrees were awarded at New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary in the most recent year.
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Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary ranked #24 on our 2027 list of the best pastoral counseling & specialized ministries schools. Located in the suburb of Wake Forest, Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. The six-year graduation rate is 17%. About 40 pastoral counseling & specialized ministries degrees were awarded at Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary in the most recent year. Students who receive their pastoral counseling & specialized ministries degree from Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary earn around $54,863 in the first couple years of their career.
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Lancaster Bible College landed the #25 spot for pastoral counseling & specialized ministries this year. This mid-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the suburb of Lancaster. About 68% of students finish within six years. About 53 pastoral counseling & specialized ministries degrees were awarded at Lancaster Bible College in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, pastoral counseling & specialized ministries degree recipients from Lancaster Bible College generally make around $35,286. Students borrow a median of $22,584 to complete this degree.
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Rest of the Top 50 Pastoral Counseling & Specialized Ministries Schools
Not far behind, these schools also delivered a strong pastoral counseling & specialized ministries education:
This ranking is produced by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 edition. The methodology weighs graduation rate, post-graduation earnings, cost, and program quality, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Top Ranked · 53 schools evaluated.
The Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), a branch of the U.S. Department of Education (DOE), serves as the core of our data about colleges.
Some other college data, including much of the graduate earnings data, comes from the U.S. Department of Education’s (College Scorecard).
