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2023 Most Focused Colleges for Divinity/Ministry in California

28 Ranked Colleges
470 Degrees Awarded
$32,500 Avg Cost*
Schools Highly Focused on Divinity Studies Major in California

When pursuing a degree in today’s world, students have many different options to choose from. College Factual has developed its “Schools Highly Focused on Divinity Studies Major in California” ranking as one item you can use to help make this decision.

In 2020-2021, 7,238 people earned their degree in divinity/ministry, making the major the 113th most popular in the United States.

Across California, there were 470 divinity/ministry graduates with average earnings and debt of $0 and $0 respectively.

For this year’s “Schools Highly Focused on Divinity Studies Major in California” ranking, we looked at 28 colleges that offer a degree in divinity/ministry. The colleges and universities that top this list are recognized because their divinity/ministry program is one of the largest majors offered at the school.

For more information, check out our ranking methodology.

More Ways to Rank Divinity/Ministry Schools

Rankings by Degree Other Award Levels
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More Divinity Studies Rankings Other Ranking Categories

When choosing the right school for you, it’s important to arm yourself with all the facts you can. To that end, we’ve created a number of major-specific rankings, including this “Schools Highly Focused on Divinity Studies Major in California” list to help you make the college decision.

You can create your own custom comparison that focuses on the factors most important to you using our tool, College Combat. We encourage you to try it out and pit your favorite colleges and universities head to head! If you don’t have time right now, you can bookmark it for later.

Schools Highly Focused on Divinity Studies Major in California

The colleges and universities below are the best for california divinity studies students.

Top 25 Most Focused Colleges for Divinity/Ministry in California

1
Starr King School for Ministry crest
Starr King School for Ministry
Berkeley, California

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Starr King School for Ministry. It ranked #1 on our 2023 Schools Highly Focused on Divinity Studies Major in California list. Starr King School for Ministry is a small private not-for-profit school situated in Berkeley, California. It awarded 13 ’s divinity studies degrees in 2020-2021.

The undergraduate student-to-faculty ratio of to 1 is a sign that students will have more opportunities to engage with their professors one-on-one.

Full Starr King School for Ministry Divinity/Ministry Report

2

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Westminster Theological Seminary in California. It ranked #2 on our 2023 Schools Highly Focused on Divinity Studies Major in California list. Westminster Seminary California is a small private not-for-profit school situated in Escondido, California. It awarded 18 ’s divinity studies degrees in 2020-2021.

With a undergrad student-to-faculty ratio of to 1, it’s easy to see that the school is committed to helping their undergraduates succeed.

Full Westminster Theological Seminary in California Divinity/Ministry Report

3

Out of the 28 schools in the Schools Highly Focused on Divinity Studies Major in California that were part of this year’s ranking, Church Divinity School of the Pacific landed the #3 spot on the list. CDSP is located in Berkeley, California and, has a small student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 9 ’s divinity studies degrees to qualified students.

With a undergrad student-to-faculty ratio of to 1, it’s easy to see that the school is committed to helping their undergraduates succeed.

Read more about Divinity/Ministry at Church Divinity School of the Pacific

4
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Franciscan School of Theology
Oceanside, California

Out of the 28 schools in the Schools Highly Focused on Divinity Studies Major in California that were part of this year’s ranking, Franciscan School of Theology landed the #4 spot on the list. FST is located in Oceanside, California and, has a small student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 4 ’s divinity studies degrees to qualified students.

With a undergrad student-to-faculty ratio of to 1, it’s easy to see that the school is committed to helping their undergraduates succeed.

Read more about Divinity/Ministry at Franciscan School of Theology

5
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Institute of Buddhist Studies
Berkeley, California

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Institute of Buddhist Studies. The school came in at #5 for the Schools Highly Focused on Divinity Studies Major in California. Located in Berkeley, California, this small private not-for-profit school awarded 2 diplomas to qualified ’s divinity studies students in 2020-2021.

The undergraduate student-to-faculty ratio of to 1 is a sign that students will have more opportunities to engage with their professors one-on-one.

Read full report on Divinity/Ministry at Institute of Buddhist Studies

6
Claremont School of Theology crest
Claremont School of Theology
Claremont, California

With a ranking of #6, Claremont School of Theology did quite well on the 2023 Schools Highly Focused on Divinity Studies Major in California list. Located in Claremont, California, this small private not-for-profit school awarded 30 diplomas to qualified ’s divinity studies students in 2020-2021.

Since the school has a undergrad student-to-faculty ratio of to 1, those pursuing a degree will have more opportunities to interact with their professors. The low undergrad student loan default rate of 4.6% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.

Read full report on Divinity/Ministry at Claremont School of Theology

7
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Pacific School of Religion
Berkeley, California

Pacific School of Religion did quite well in the 2023 Schools Highly Focused on Divinity Studies Major in California ranking, coming in at #7. Pacific School of Religion is a small school located in Berkeley, California that handed out 14 ’s divinity studies degrees in 2020-2021.

The undergraduate student-to-faculty ratio of to 1 is a sign that students will have more opportunities to engage with their professors one-on-one. The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 3.2%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Full Pacific School of Religion Divinity/Ministry Report

8
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America Evangelical University
Los Angeles, California

America Evangelical University did quite well in the 2023 Schools Highly Focused on Divinity Studies Major in California ranking, coming in at #8. Los Angeles, California is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out ’s divinity studies degrees to 3 students in 2020-2021.

Read more about Divinity/Ministry at America Evangelical University

9

American Baptist Seminary of the West ranked #9 on this year’s Schools Highly Focused on Divinity Studies Major in California list. ABSW Berkeley is a small private not-for-profit school situated in Berkeley, California. It awarded 5 ’s divinity studies degrees in 2020-2021.

The impressive undergraduate student-to-faculty ratio of to 1 means that students may have more opportunities to work more closely with their professors than they would at other schools.

Read full report on Divinity/Ministry at American Baptist Seminary of the West

10
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The Master's University and Seminary
Santa Clarita, California

The Master’s University and Seminary did quite well in the 2023 Schools Highly Focused on Divinity Studies Major in California ranking, coming in at #10. The Master’s University and Seminary is a small private not-for-profit school situated in Santa Clarita, California. It awarded 86 ’s divinity studies degrees in 2020-2021.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 1.5%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Full The Master’s University Divinity/Ministry Report

11
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Fuller Theological Seminary
Pasadena, California

Fuller Theological Seminary came in at #11 in this year’s edition of the Schools Highly Focused on Divinity Studies Major in California ranking. Fuller Theological Seminary is a small school located in Pasadena, California that handed out 100 ’s divinity studies degrees in 2020-2021.

The undergraduate student-to-faculty ratio of to 1 is a sign that students will have more opportunities to engage with their professors one-on-one. The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 1.0%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on Divinity/Ministry at Fuller

12

Dominican School of Philosophy & Theology ranked #12 on this year’s Schools Highly Focused on Divinity Studies Major in California list. The Domincan School Berkeley is a private not-for-profit institution located in Berkeley, California. The school has a small population, and it awarded 4 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

With a undergrad student-to-faculty ratio of to 1, it’s easy to see that the school is committed to helping their undergraduates succeed.

Full The Domincan School Berkeley Divinity/Ministry Report

13
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SUM Bible College and Theological Seminary
El Dorado Hills, California

SUM Bible College and Theological Seminary did quite well in the 2023 Schools Highly Focused on Divinity Studies Major in California ranking, coming in at #13. SUM Bible College and Theological Seminary is located in El Dorado Hills, California and, has a small student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 16 ’s divinity studies degrees to qualified students.

With a undergrad student-to-faculty ratio of 10 to 1, it’s easy to see that the school is committed to helping their undergraduates succeed.

Read more about Divinity/Ministry at SUM Bible College and Theological Seminary

14
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World Mission University
Los Angeles, California

World Mission University came in at #14 in this year’s edition of the Schools Highly Focused on Divinity Studies Major in California ranking. World Mission University is a small private not-for-profit school situated in Los Angeles, California. It awarded 14 ’s divinity studies degrees in 2020-2021.

The impressive undergraduate student-to-faculty ratio of 7 to 1 means that students may have more opportunities to work more closely with their professors than they would at other schools.

Full World Mission University Divinity/Ministry Report

15
Southern California Seminary crest
Southern California Seminary
El Cajon, California

With a ranking of #15, Southern California Seminary did quite well on the 2023 Schools Highly Focused on Divinity Studies Major in California list. El Cajon, California is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out ’s divinity studies degrees to 4 students in 2020-2021.

Since the school has a undergrad student-to-faculty ratio of 9 to 1, those pursuing a degree will have more opportunities to interact with their professors.

Read more about Divinity/Ministry at Southern California Seminary

16
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Bethesda University
Anaheim, California

Bethesda University ranked #16 on this year’s Schools Highly Focused on Divinity Studies Major in California list. Bethesda is a small private not-for-profit school situated in Anaheim, California. It awarded 8 ’s divinity studies degrees in 2020-2021.

The impressive undergraduate student-to-faculty ratio of 10 to 1 means that students may have more opportunities to work more closely with their professors than they would at other schools.

Read full report on Divinity/Ministry at Bethesda

17
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Biola University
La Mirada, California

Biola University ranked #17 on this year’s Schools Highly Focused on Divinity Studies Major in California list. This medium-sized school is located in La Mirada, California, and it awarded 53 ’s divinity studies degrees in 2020-2021.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 2.7%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Full Biola University Divinity/Ministry Report

18
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Epic Bible College
Sacramento, California

With a ranking of #18, Epic Bible College did quite well on the 2023 Schools Highly Focused on Divinity Studies Major in California list. Epic Bible College is a private not-for-profit institution located in Sacramento, California. The school has a small population, and it awarded 1 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

The undergraduate student-to-faculty ratio of 9 to 1 is a sign that students will have more opportunities to engage with their professors one-on-one.

Read more about Divinity/Ministry at Epic Bible College

19
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Simpson University
Redding, California

With a ranking of #19, Simpson University did quite well on the 2023 Schools Highly Focused on Divinity Studies Major in California list. Located in Redding, California, this small private not-for-profit school awarded 7 degrees to qualified ’s divinity studies students in 2020-2021.

Read more about Divinity/Ministry at Simpson U

20
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Azusa Pacific University
Azusa, California

Azusa Pacific University ranked #20 on this year’s Schools Highly Focused on Divinity Studies Major in California list. Azusa Pacific is a private not-for-profit institution located in Azusa, California. The school has a medium-sized population, and it awarded 39 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

Since the school has a undergrad student-to-faculty ratio of 10 to 1, those pursuing a degree will have more opportunities to interact with their professors. The low undergrad student loan default rate of 3.3% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.

Read full report on Divinity/Ministry at Azusa Pacific

21
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California Lutheran University
Thousand Oaks, California

California Lutheran University came in at #21 in this year’s edition of the Schools Highly Focused on Divinity Studies Major in California ranking. This small school is located in Thousand Oaks, California, and it awarded 16 ’s divinity studies degrees in 2020-2021.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 2.7%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Full CLU Divinity/Ministry Report

22
Hope crest
Hope International University
Fullerton, California

Hope International University ranked #22 on this year’s Schools Highly Focused on Divinity Studies Major in California list. Hope International University is a small private not-for-profit school situated in Fullerton, California. It awarded 4 ’s divinity studies degrees in 2020-2021.

With a freshman retention rate of 85%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. The low undergrad student loan default rate of 4.5% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.

Read full report on Divinity/Ministry at Hope

23
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Santa Clara University
Santa Clara, California

Santa Clara University landed the #23 spot on the 2023 Schools Highly Focused on Divinity Studies Major in California ranking. Santa Clara, California is the setting for this medium-sized institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out ’s divinity studies degrees to 11 students in 2020-2021.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 0.7% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 93%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.

Read full report on Divinity/Ministry at SCU

24
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Fresno Pacific University
Fresno, California

Fresno Pacific University came in at #24 in this year’s edition of the Schools Highly Focused on Divinity Studies Major in California ranking. Fresno Pacific is located in Fresno, California and, has a small student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 5 ’s divinity studies degrees to qualified students.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 4.5%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Full Fresno Pacific Divinity/Ministry Report

25
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University of Redlands
Redlands, California

University of Redlands ranked #25 on this year’s Schools Highly Focused on Divinity Studies Major in California list. University of Redlands is a private not-for-profit institution located in Redlands, California. The school has a small population, and it awarded 3 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 1.6% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.

Read more about Divinity/Ministry at University of Redlands

Notes and References

References

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