Youth Ministry is a field worth a close look when choosing where to study. While the number of schools offering the program varies, there are still top-quality ones to be found.
To produce this 2027 ranking, College Factual evaluated 6 schools to find the best for youth ministry students.
The youth ministry program you select can have a big impact on your future. That is why we developed our collection of Best Schools for Youth Ministry rankings. Our overall ranking combines our degree-level rankings, weighted by degrees awarded at each level.
In order to find the schools that are the best fit for you, you may want to filter to one of the degree levels below.
Since the program you select can have a significant impact on your future, we have developed a number of rankings, including this Best Youth Ministry Schools list, to help you choose. More interested in schools in a specific area of the country? Filter this 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.
No school ranked higher than Moody Bible Institute this year for youth ministry. Moody Bible Institute is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Chicago. About 62% of students finish within six years. Moody Bible Institute awarded about 11 youth ministry degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their youth ministry degree from Moody Bible Institute earn around $35,426 in the first couple years of their career. Moody Bible Institute graduates carry a median of $12,000 in student loans.
Read more about the youth ministry program at Moody Bible Institute
Gordon College is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in youth ministry, ranking #2. Gordon College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the rural area of Wenham. The six-year graduation rate is 68%. There were roughly 14 youth ministry students who graduated with this degree at Gordon College in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, youth ministry degree recipients from Gordon College generally make around $37,097. Typical student debt for the program is $26,372.
Get the full youth ministry details for Gordon College
A rank of #3 makes Liberty University one of the top schools for youth ministry. This very large private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Lynchburg. Liberty University graduates 67% of students within six years. Liberty University awarded about 24 youth ministry degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the youth ministry program make about $34,083 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $23,750.
Get the full youth ministry details for Liberty University
Ozark Christian College is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in youth ministry, ranking #4. Set in the city of Joplin, Ozark Christian College is a small private not-for-profit institution. Ozark Christian College graduates 58% of students within six years. There were roughly 14 youth ministry students who graduated with this degree at Ozark Christian College in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, youth ministry degree recipients from Ozark Christian College generally make around $26,422. Ozark Christian College graduates carry a median of $23,500 in student loans.
More information about a degree in youth ministry from Ozark Christian College
A rank of #5 makes Lee University one of the top schools for youth ministry. This mid-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Cleveland. Lee University graduates 63% of students within six years. Lee University awarded about 15 youth ministry degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, youth ministry degree recipients from Lee University generally make around $35,189. Lee University graduates carry a median of $28,750 in student loans.
See the full youth ministry program report for Lee University
Austin Presbyterian Theological Seminary landed the #6 spot for youth ministry this year. Set in the city of Austin, Austin Presbyterian Theological Seminary is a small private not-for-profit institution. There were roughly 15 youth ministry students who graduated with this degree at Austin Presbyterian Theological Seminary in the most recent data year. Students who receive their youth ministry degree from Austin Presbyterian Theological Seminary earn around $56,922 in the first couple years of their career.
See the full youth ministry program report for Austin Presbyterian Theological Seminary
This list is compiled by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 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 · 6 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).
