by our College Data Analytics TeamIn the latest year, 251 U.S. colleges awarded 6,513 degrees and certificates in Divinity/Ministry. Master’s degrees are the most popular award, at 80% of graduates. College Factual ranks 101 schools in its 2027 Best Divinity/Ministry 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.
A major in Divinity/Ministry involves the study of Divinity/ministry. A Program That Prepares Individuals For Ordination As Ministers Or Priests In Any Of The Christian Religious Traditions. Includes Instruction In The Theology And Polity Of A Particular Church, Church Law, Liturgy And Ritual, Principles Of Pastoral Ministry, Homiletics, Evangelism, Church/parish Organization And Management, Christian Ethics, Church History, And Related Studies. Examples: [Divinity/ministry (Bd)], [Divinity/ministry (Mdiv)].
Source: IPEDS 2025; College Scorecard July 2026; BLS; O*NET; College Factual rankings 2027. Data as of: July 2026.
Nationwide, divinity/ministry is a widely-pursued major, with 6,513 degrees awarded annually. 251 colleges award divinity/ministry degrees, an average of 26 graduates per school; the largest program awarded 597.
By level, the 6,513 awards include 16 certificates, 81 associate degrees, 615 bachelor’s degrees, 5,223 master’s degrees and 578 doctorates.
Women earned 31% of divinity/ministry degrees and certificates in the latest year (2,031 of 6,513). The largest groups of graduates by race and ethnicity are White (3,705) and Black or African American (890), and international students earned 460.
College Factual ranks 101 schools in its 2027 Best Divinity/Ministry Schools ranking, including 2 for associate degrees, 17 for bachelor’s degrees, 90 for master’s degrees and 31 for doctorates. It also ranks divinity/ministry schools within 19 states. In all, 251 colleges offer divinity/ministry programs; compare them by degree level below or in the Best Value Divinity/Ministry Colleges ranking, which weighs quality against cost.
The most common divinity/ministry credential is the master’s degree: 5,223 of the 6,513 awarded in the latest year. Jobs related to divinity/ministry 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.
Top skills, rated 0–5:
Top knowledge areas, rated 0–5:
How long a divinity/ministry degree takes:
| Degree | Typical Program Length | Graduates Annually |
|---|---|---|
| Certificate | Varies | 16 |
| Associate Degree | 2 years | 81 |
| Bachelor’s Degree | 4 years | 615 |
| Master’s Degree | 1-3 years | 5,223 |
| Doctorate | At least 4 years | 578 |
Doctoral degree is the most common level of education among workers in jobs related to divinity/ministry, 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.
2 occupations are related to Divinity/Ministry, with an average median salary of $60,719; the strongest outlook belongs to Philosophy and Religion Teachers, Postsecondary, at 3.7% projected job growth. Typical job titles include Systematic Theology Professor, Philosophy Professor, Religion Instructor and Professor.
That occupation also has the most projected jobs of any related to divinity/ministry, at 1,031,835.
| Occupation | Projected Jobs | Expected Growth |
|---|---|---|
| Philosophy and Religion Teachers, Postsecondary | 1,031,835 | 3.7% |
| Clergy | 33,072 | -3.3% |
Divinity/Ministry 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 divinity/ministry, with a median salary of $71,584.
| Occupation | Median Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| Philosophy and Religion Teachers, Postsecondary | $71,584 |
| Clergy | $49,854 |
Divinity/Ministry has 4 similar majors in the Theology & Religious Vocations field, which together award 8,371 degrees a year; the largest are Theology/Theological Studies (6,332), Theological and Ministerial Studies, Other (1,706) and Pre-Theology/Pre-Ministerial Studies (180). Browse all Theology & Religious Vocations majors or the full list of college majors.
| Related Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| Theology/Theological Studies | 6,332 |
| Theological and Ministerial Studies, Other | 1,706 |
| Pre-Theology/Pre-Ministerial Studies | 180 |
| Rabbinical Studies | 153 |
More about our data sources and methodologies.
