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2026 Best Pastoral Counseling & Specialized Ministries Schools in the Far Western Region

3 Colleges in the United States
276 Pastoral Counseling & Specialized Ministries Degrees Awarded
$56,210 Avg Early-Career Salary

Pastoral Counseling & Specialized Ministries programs are offered at a focused set of schools across the country. A focused field like this rewards careful comparison of the schools that offer it.

College Factual analyzed 33 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best pastoral counseling & specialized ministries schools.

What’s on this page:

Best Schools for Pastoral Counseling & Specialized Ministries in the Far Western Region

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

1

Our analysis ranked Loyola Marymount University the best school in the country for a degree in pastoral counseling & specialized ministries. Located in the city of Los Angeles, Loyola Marymount University is a large private not-for-profit university. Loyola Marymount University graduates 79% of students within six years. There were roughly 11 pastoral counseling & specialized ministries students who graduated with this degree at Loyola Marymount University in the most recent data year. Graduates of the pastoral counseling & specialized ministries program make about $52,935 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $22,248. Get the full pastoral counseling & specialized ministries details for Loyola Marymount University

2

The Masters College And Seminary is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in pastoral counseling & specialized ministries, ranking #2. The Masters College And Seminary is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Santa Clarita. The Masters College And Seminary graduates 67% of students within six years. There were roughly 101 pastoral counseling & specialized ministries students who graduated with this degree at The Masters College And Seminary in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, pastoral counseling & specialized ministries degree recipients from The Masters College And Seminary generally make around $46,541. Typical student debt for the program is $22,089. See the full pastoral counseling & specialized ministries program report for The Masters College And Seminary

3

Vanguard University Of Southern California is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in pastoral counseling & specialized ministries, landing the #3 spot this year. Set in the city of Costa Mesa, Vanguard University Of Southern California is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. About 57% of students finish within six years. Vanguard University Of Southern California awarded about 19 pastoral counseling & specialized ministries degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the pastoral counseling & specialized ministries program make about $80,727 in their early career. Vanguard University Of Southern California graduates carry a median of $21,111 in student loans. See the full pastoral counseling & specialized ministries program report for Vanguard University Of Southern California

4
Biola University crest
Biola University
La Mirada, CA

Biola University is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in pastoral counseling & specialized ministries, ranking #4. Set in the suburb of La Mirada, Biola University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. About 68% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 10 pastoral counseling & specialized ministries students who graduated with this degree at Biola University in the most recent data year. Graduates of the pastoral counseling & specialized ministries program make about $45,003 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $25,308. See the full pastoral counseling & specialized ministries program report for Biola University

5

George Fox University is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in pastoral counseling & specialized ministries, ranking #5. Set in the town of Newberg, George Fox University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 72% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 70 pastoral counseling & specialized ministries degrees were awarded at George Fox University in the most recent year. Graduates of the pastoral counseling & specialized ministries program make about $74,619 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $25,324 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in pastoral counseling & specialized ministries from George Fox University

6
Life Pacific College crest
Life Pacific College
San Dimas, CA

Life Pacific College ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best pastoral counseling & specialized ministries schools. This small private not-for-profit university is located in the suburb of San Dimas. Roughly 38% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 23 pastoral counseling & specialized ministries degrees were awarded at Life Pacific College in the most recent year. Graduates of the pastoral counseling & specialized ministries program make about $37,436 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $24,083. Get the full pastoral counseling & specialized ministries details for Life Pacific College

7
World Mission University crest
World Mission University
Los Angeles, CA

World Mission University earned the #7 position for pastoral counseling & specialized ministries this year. This small private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Los Angeles. Roughly 100% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 42 pastoral counseling & specialized ministries degrees were awarded at World Mission University in the most recent year. Get the full pastoral counseling & specialized ministries details for World Mission University

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Notes and References

This list is compiled by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. Schools are scored on a blend of student outcomes (graduation rate, post-graduation earnings), affordability, and program focus, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).

Ranking method: College Major Top Ranked · 33 schools evaluated.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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