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2027 Best Divinity/Ministry Schools in the Southeast Region

34 Colleges in the United States
2,904 Divinity/Ministry Degrees Awarded
$47,228 Avg Early-Career Salary

Divinity/Ministry programs are offered at a focused set of schools across the country. 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 34 schools to find the best for divinity/ministry students.

What’s on this page:

Best Schools for Divinity/Ministry in the Southeast Region

If you are not interested in a particular degree level and want to know which schools are the overall best at delivering an education for the divinity/ministry degrees they offer, see the list below.

Top Schools in Divinity/Ministry

1
Duke University crest
Duke University
Durham, NC

Leading the list is Duke University, our #1 school for divinity/ministry. Duke University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Durham. The six-year graduation rate is 97%. There were roughly 26 divinity/ministry students who graduated with this degree at Duke University in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, divinity/ministry degree recipients from Duke University generally make around $70,809. Duke University graduates carry a median of $13,296 in student loans. See the full divinity/ministry program report for Duke University

2
Emory University crest
Emory University
Atlanta, GA

Emory University came in at #2 on our 2027 list of the best divinity/ministry schools. Set in the city of Atlanta, Emory University is a large private not-for-profit institution. About 91% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 106 divinity/ministry students who graduated with this degree at Emory University in the most recent data year. Divinity/ministry graduates of Emory University earn a median of $74,348 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $19,431 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in divinity/ministry from Emory University

3
Vanderbilt University crest
Vanderbilt University
Nashville, TN

Vanderbilt University came in at #3 on our 2027 list of the best divinity/ministry schools. Set in the city of Nashville, Vanderbilt University is a large private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 94%. About 38 divinity/ministry degrees were awarded at Vanderbilt University in the most recent year. Divinity/ministry graduates of Vanderbilt University earn a median of $42,583 early in their careers. Vanderbilt University graduates carry a median of $13,975 in student loans. Read more about the divinity/ministry program at Vanderbilt University

4

Sewanee The University Of The South came in at #4 on our 2027 list of the best divinity/ministry schools. Located in the rural area of Sewanee, Sewanee The University Of The South is a small private not-for-profit university. Roughly 80% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 21 divinity/ministry students who graduated with this degree at Sewanee The University Of The South in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, divinity/ministry degree recipients from Sewanee The University Of The South generally make around $36,927. Sewanee The University Of The South graduates carry a median of $22,091 in student loans. More information about a degree in divinity/ministry from Sewanee The University Of The South

5

Harding University is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in divinity/ministry, landing the #5 spot this year. This moderately-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the town of Searcy. About 69% of students finish within six years. Harding University awarded about 13 divinity/ministry degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their divinity/ministry degree from Harding University earn around $53,629 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $26,715. Read more about the divinity/ministry program at Harding University

6

The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary landed the #6 spot for divinity/ministry this year. Set in the city of Louisville, The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. About 35% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 597 divinity/ministry students who graduated with this degree at The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary in the most recent data year. Graduates of the divinity/ministry program make about $74,388 in their early career. See the full divinity/ministry program report for The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary

7

Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary earned the #7 position for divinity/ministry this year. Located in the suburb of Wake Forest, Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. The six-year graduation rate is 17%. There were roughly 247 divinity/ministry students who graduated with this degree at Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary in the most recent data year. Graduates of the divinity/ministry program make about $54,863 in their early career. See the full divinity/ministry program report for Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary

8

Lenoir Rhyne University came in at #8 for divinity/ministry this year. Set in the city of Hickory, Lenoir Rhyne University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 48%. There were roughly 10 divinity/ministry students who graduated with this degree at Lenoir Rhyne University in the most recent data year. Graduates of the divinity/ministry program make about $49,985 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $26,900. More information about a degree in divinity/ministry from Lenoir Rhyne University

9

Anderson University Sc landed the #9 spot for divinity/ministry this year. Anderson University Sc is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Anderson. About 66% of students finish within six years. About 18 divinity/ministry degrees were awarded at Anderson University Sc in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, divinity/ministry degree recipients from Anderson University Sc generally make around $49,036. Anderson University Sc graduates carry a median of $28,034 in student loans. See the full divinity/ministry program report for Anderson University Sc

10

New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary came in at #10 for divinity/ministry this year. Located in the city of New Orleans, New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary graduates 70% of students within six years. New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary awarded about 122 divinity/ministry degrees in the most recent data year. Get the full divinity/ministry details for New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary

11

Columbia International University came in at #11 for divinity/ministry this year. Located in the city of Columbia, Columbia International University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. The six-year graduation rate is 46%. About 10 divinity/ministry degrees were awarded at Columbia International University in the most recent year. Divinity/ministry graduates of Columbia International University earn a median of $32,296 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $21,667. Get the full divinity/ministry details for Columbia International University

12
Wake Forest University crest
Wake Forest University
Winston-Salem, NC

Wake Forest University placed #12 among the best divinity/ministry schools. This large private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Winston-Salem. Wake Forest University graduates 89% of students within six years. Wake Forest University awarded about 20 divinity/ministry degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their divinity/ministry degree from Wake Forest University earn around $40,732 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $21,577 to complete this degree. See the full divinity/ministry program report for Wake Forest University

13
Johnson University crest
Johnson University
Knoxville, TN

Johnson University came in at #13 for divinity/ministry this year. Located in the rural area of Knoxville, Johnson University is a small private not-for-profit university. Johnson University graduates 54% of students within six years. About 29 divinity/ministry degrees were awarded at Johnson University in the most recent year. Graduates of the divinity/ministry program make about $37,989 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $23,250 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in divinity/ministry from Johnson University

14
Samford University crest
Samford University
Birmingham, AL

Samford University earned the #14 position for divinity/ministry this year. Samford University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Birmingham. Samford University graduates 77% of students within six years. Samford University awarded about 30 divinity/ministry degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the divinity/ministry program make about $37,532 in their early career. Samford University graduates carry a median of $21,039 in student loans. See the full divinity/ministry program report for Samford University

15

Erskine College And Seminary earned the #15 position for divinity/ministry this year. This small private not-for-profit university is located in the rural area of Due West. The six-year graduation rate is 45%. About 10 divinity/ministry degrees were awarded at Erskine College And Seminary in the most recent year. Divinity/ministry graduates of Erskine College And Seminary earn a median of $35,695 early in their careers. Erskine College And Seminary graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Read more about the divinity/ministry program at Erskine College And Seminary

16

Southeastern University placed #16 among the best divinity/ministry schools. This large private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Lakeland. About 44% of students finish within six years. Southeastern University awarded about 380 divinity/ministry degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the divinity/ministry program make about $33,030 in their early career. Southeastern University graduates carry a median of $19,609 in student loans. More information about a degree in divinity/ministry from Southeastern University

17
Milligan College crest
Milligan College
Milligan, TN

Milligan College came in at #17 for divinity/ministry this year. Milligan College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Milligan. The six-year graduation rate is 63%. Milligan College awarded about 14 divinity/ministry degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, divinity/ministry degree recipients from Milligan College generally make around $64,327. Milligan College graduates carry a median of $26,150 in student loans. Get the full divinity/ministry details for Milligan College

18

Columbia Theological Seminary came in at #18 for divinity/ministry this year. This small private not-for-profit university is located in the suburb of Decatur. About 41 divinity/ministry degrees were awarded at Columbia Theological Seminary in the most recent year. Students who receive their divinity/ministry degree from Columbia Theological Seminary earn around $44,694 in the first couple years of their career. More information about a degree in divinity/ministry from Columbia Theological Seminary

19
Amridge University crest
Amridge University
Montgomery, AL

Amridge University ranked #19 on our 2027 list of the best divinity/ministry schools. Set in the city of Montgomery, Amridge University is a small private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 100%. About 20 divinity/ministry degrees were awarded at Amridge University in the most recent year. Students who receive their divinity/ministry degree from Amridge University earn around $46,125 in the first couple years of their career. Read more about the divinity/ministry program at Amridge University

20
Liberty University crest
Liberty University
Lynchburg, VA

Liberty University landed the #20 spot for divinity/ministry this year. Liberty University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Lynchburg. Liberty University graduates 67% of students within six years. About 568 divinity/ministry degrees were awarded at Liberty University in the most recent year. Divinity/ministry graduates of Liberty University earn a median of $53,626 early in their careers. Liberty University graduates carry a median of $27,414 in student loans. Read more about the divinity/ministry program at Liberty University

21

Luther Rice University And Seminary landed the #21 spot for divinity/ministry this year. This small private not-for-profit university is located in the suburb of Lithonia. Luther Rice University And Seminary awarded about 25 divinity/ministry degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, divinity/ministry degree recipients from Luther Rice University And Seminary generally make around $58,008. Luther Rice University And Seminary graduates carry a median of $36,730 in student loans. Get the full divinity/ministry details for Luther Rice University And Seminary

22

Mercer University ranked #22 on our 2027 list of the best divinity/ministry schools. Set in the city of Macon, Mercer University is a large private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 70% of students complete a degree within six years here. Mercer University awarded about 18 divinity/ministry degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, divinity/ministry degree recipients from Mercer University generally make around $42,866. Typical student debt for the program is $32,463. Get the full divinity/ministry details for Mercer University

23
Regent University crest
Regent University
Virginia Beach, VA

Regent University landed the #23 spot for divinity/ministry this year. This large private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Virginia Beach. About 58% of students finish within six years. About 99 divinity/ministry degrees were awarded at Regent University in the most recent year. Divinity/ministry graduates of Regent University earn a median of $49,840 early in their careers. Regent University graduates carry a median of $29,451 in student loans. More information about a degree in divinity/ministry from Regent University

24
Brewton Parker College crest
Brewton Parker College
Mount Vernon, GA

Brewton Parker College landed the #24 spot for divinity/ministry this year. This small private not-for-profit university is located in the rural area of Mount Vernon. About 17% of students finish within six years. Brewton Parker College awarded about 20 divinity/ministry degrees in the most recent data year. Read more about the divinity/ministry program at Brewton Parker College

25

Virginia Union University came in at #25 for divinity/ministry this year. Set in the city of Richmond, Virginia Union University is a small private not-for-profit institution. Virginia Union University graduates 34% of students within six years. About 81 divinity/ministry degrees were awarded at Virginia Union University in the most recent year. Graduates of the divinity/ministry program make about $25,910 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $30,593 to complete this degree. Get the full divinity/ministry details for Virginia Union University

Rest of the Top 34 Divinity/Ministry Schools

These schools rounded out the top of this year’s divinity/ministry ranking:

26
27
Bob Jones University crest
Bob Jones University
Greenville, SC
28
29
30
31
Grace College Of Divinity crest
Grace College Of Divinity
Fayetteville, NC
32
33
Bethel College crest
Bethel College
Gainesville, VA
34

View All Divinity/Ministry Rankings >

Notes and References

This ranking is produced by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 edition. The methodology weighs graduation rate, post-graduation earnings, cost, and program quality, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).

Ranking method: College Major Top Ranked · 34 schools evaluated.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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