by our College Data Analytics TeamIn the latest year, 417 U.S. colleges awarded 14,884 degrees and certificates in Theological & Ministerial Studies. Master’s degrees are the most popular award, at 72% of graduates. College Factual ranks 163 schools in its 2027 Best Theological & Ministerial Studies Schools ranking and compares their cost in a Best Value ranking. Graduates earn a median $48,676 one year after completing, rising to $60,725 after four years.
Do you enjoy speaking to large groups of people? Do you have a strong faith and enjoy spreading the word of God? A degree in Theological and Ministerial Studies may be for you.
While the theology part of this field allows you to learn about religion and the role it plays in everyday life, the ministerial part prepares students to attend a seminary or other religious program to become ordained as a minister or religious leader. You will take classes in biblical studies, religious studies, philosophy, sociology, history, literature, anthropology, and foreign languages to prepare for a career within the church.
If you are interested in learning about world religions, you may want to major in general Theological Studies. However, some colleges offer areas of specialization that include Divinity/Ministry, Pre-Theology Studies, Rabbinical Studies, and Talmudic Studies. These areas allow you to focus on the aspect of theology and ministry you are most passionate about.
A degree in Theological & Ministerial Studies involves the study of Theological And Ministerial Studies.
Source: IPEDS 2025; College Scorecard July 2026; BLS; O*NET; College Factual rankings 2027. Data as of: July 2026.
In the U.S., theological & ministerial studies is a popular field of study, with 14,884 degrees awarded annually. 417 colleges award theological & ministerial studies degrees, an average of 36 graduates per school; the largest program awarded 1,825.
By level, the 14,884 awards include 46 certificates, 175 associate degrees, 2,332 bachelor’s degrees, 10,661 master’s degrees and 1,665 doctorates.
Women earned 35% of theological & ministerial studies degrees and certificates in the latest year (5,188 of 14,884). The largest groups of graduates by race and ethnicity are White (8,417) and Black or African American (1,828), and international students earned 1,170.
College Factual ranks 163 schools in its 2027 Best Theological & Ministerial Studies Schools ranking, including 3 for associate degrees, 36 for bachelor’s degrees, 140 for master’s degrees and 35 for doctorates. It also ranks theological & ministerial studies schools within 22 states. In all, 417 colleges offer theological & ministerial studies programs; compare them by degree level below or in the Best Value Theological & Ministerial Studies Colleges ranking, which weighs quality against cost.
The most common theological & ministerial studies credential is the master’s degree: 10,661 of the 14,884 awarded in the latest year. Jobs related to theological & ministerial studies call most for Reading Comprehension, Speaking and Active Listening, and for knowledge of Philosophy and Theology, English Language and Education and Training, according to O*NET. The most important abilities are Speech Clarity, Oral Expression and Written Comprehension.
Students who choose to pursue a career as a minister or religious leader should have strong interpersonal and communication skills. You will be expected to speak in front of large groups as well as counsel individuals.
A degree in this field often leads to a full time job in a variety of fields. While those who wish to become ordained will be expected to attend religious ceremonies on the weekends and during the week along with their other responsibilities, graduates who pursue a different career may work more typical work hours. The work environment varies depending on the occupation you pursue.
Theological and Ministerial Studies students should pursue an internship or summer job or volunteer with their church or congregation. This will give students experience working for a religious group and help them decide which career path they want to follow.
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How long a theological & ministerial studies degree takes:
| Degree | Typical Program Length | Graduates Annually |
|---|---|---|
| Certificate | Varies | 46 |
| Associate Degree | 2 years | 175 |
| Bachelor’s Degree | 4 years | 2,332 |
| Master’s Degree | 1-3 years | 10,661 |
| Doctorate | At least 4 years | 1,665 |
Doctoral degree is the most common level of education among workers in jobs related to theological & ministerial studies, at 71.5%.
| Level of Education | Percentage of Workers |
|---|---|
| Doctoral degree | 71.5% |
| Master’s degree | 14.2% |
| Post-doctoral training | 12.1% |
| Bachelor’s degree | 0.6% |
| Post-master’s certificate | 0.6% |
| Some college courses | 0.5% |
| High school diploma or equivalent | 0.4% |
Source: O*NET Online.
3 occupations are related to Theological & Ministerial Studies, with an average median salary of $60,131; the strongest outlook belongs to Philosophy and Religion Teachers, Postsecondary, at 3.7% projected job growth. Typical job titles include Religious Educator, Philosophy Adjunct Professor, Metaphysics Teacher and Religion Professor.
Graduates with a degree in in Theological and Ministerial Studies have gone into a variety of fields. While those focusing on Ministerial Studies usually go on to become ordained as religious leaders, other Theological graduates are counselors, teachers, lawyers, church administrators, and healthcare professionals. This field is growing at an average rate.
That occupation also has the most projected jobs of any related to theological & ministerial studies, at 1,031,835.
| Occupation | Projected Jobs | Expected Growth |
|---|---|---|
| Philosophy and Religion Teachers, Postsecondary | 1,031,835 | 3.7% |
| Religious Workers, All Other | 258,483 | -1.4% |
| Clergy | 33,072 | -3.3% |
Theological & Ministerial Studies graduates earn a median $48,676 one year after completing their program, $60,725 after four years and $59,922 after five years, according to the U.S. Department of Education’s College Scorecard.
| Years Out | Median Earnings |
|---|---|
| 1 year | $48,676 |
| 4 years | $60,725 |
| 5 years | $59,922 |
Source: College Scorecard.
The same occupation is also the highest-paying one related to theological & ministerial studies, with a median salary of $71,584.
| Occupation | Median Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| Philosophy and Religion Teachers, Postsecondary | $71,584 |
| Religious Workers, All Other | $58,956 |
| Clergy | $49,854 |
Theological & Ministerial Studies includes 5 concentrations that together award 14,884 degrees a year; by graduates, the largest are Divinity/Ministry (6,513), Theology/Theological Studies (6,332) and Theological and Ministerial Studies, Other (1,706). It has 7 similar majors in the Theology & Religious Vocations field, which together award 11,096 degrees a year; the largest are Bible/Biblical Studies (3,775), Pastoral Counseling and Specialized Ministries (2,996) and Religious Education (1,274). Browse all Theology & Religious Vocations majors or the full list of college majors.
| Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| Divinity/Ministry | 6,513 |
| Theology/Theological Studies | 6,332 |
| Theological and Ministerial Studies, Other | 1,706 |
| Pre-Theology/Pre-Ministerial Studies | 180 |
| Rabbinical Studies | 153 |
| Related Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| Bible/Biblical Studies | 3,775 |
| Pastoral Counseling and Specialized Ministries | 2,996 |
| Religious Education | 1,274 |
| Missions/Missionary Studies and Missiology | 1,266 |
| Theology and Religious Vocations, Other | 1,247 |
| Religious Music and Worship | 477 |
| Religious Institution Administration and Law | 61 |
More about our data sources and methodologies.
