2026 Best Divinity/Ministry Schools in California
Divinity/Ministry degree programs prepare students for a range of careers in the field. A focused field like this rewards careful comparison of the schools that offer it.
For its 2026 ranking, College Factual looked at 31 schools in the United States to determine which ones were the best for divinity/ministry students pursuing a degree.
What’s on this page:
Best Schools for Divinity/Ministry in California
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest overall divinity/ministry education in California.
Top Schools in Divinity/Ministry
Our analysis ranked Santa Clara University the best school in the country for a degree in divinity/ministry. Set in the city of Santa Clara, Santa Clara University is a large private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 88% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 11 divinity/ministry students who graduated with this degree at Santa Clara University in the most recent data year. Graduates of the divinity/ministry program make about $79,380 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $20,144 to complete this degree.
Read more about the divinity/ministry program at Santa Clara University
Students looking for a strong divinity/ministry program will find one at The Masters College And Seminary, which ranked #2. Located in the suburb of Santa Clarita, The Masters College And Seminary is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. About 67% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 43 divinity/ministry students who graduated with this degree at The Masters College And Seminary in the most recent data year. Graduates of the divinity/ministry program make about $55,300 in their early career. The Masters College And Seminary graduates carry a median of $23,774 in student loans.
Read more about the divinity/ministry program at The Masters College And Seminary
A rank of #3 makes Biola University one of the top schools for divinity/ministry. 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. About 51 divinity/ministry degrees were awarded at Biola University in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, divinity/ministry degree recipients from Biola University generally make around $42,625. Typical student debt for the program is $25,308.
More information about a degree in divinity/ministry from Biola University
Fuller Theological Seminary In California came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best divinity/ministry schools. Located in the city of Pasadena, Fuller Theological Seminary In California is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. There were roughly 99 divinity/ministry students who graduated with this degree at Fuller Theological Seminary In California in the most recent data year. Graduates of the divinity/ministry program make about $60,609 in their early career.
See the full divinity/ministry program report for Fuller Theological Seminary In California
Students looking for a strong divinity/ministry program will find one at Azusa Pacific University, which ranked #5. Azusa Pacific University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Azusa. About 62% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 23 divinity/ministry students who graduated with this degree at Azusa Pacific University in the most recent data year. Graduates of the divinity/ministry program make about $58,302 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $23,709 to complete this degree.
Read more about the divinity/ministry program at Azusa Pacific University
Sum Bible College And Theological Seminary earned the #6 position for divinity/ministry this year. Located in the suburb of El Dorado Hills, Sum Bible College And Theological Seminary is a small private not-for-profit university. About 14% of students finish within six years. About 36 divinity/ministry degrees were awarded at Sum Bible College And Theological Seminary in the most recent year. Students who receive their divinity/ministry degree from Sum Bible College And Theological Seminary earn around $26,407 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $29,299 to complete this degree.
See the full divinity/ministry program report for Sum Bible College And Theological Seminary
More Divinity/Ministry Rankings
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Notes and References
This ranking is produced 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 · 31 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).
More about our data sources and methodologies.
