2027 Best Divinity/Ministry Schools in the Southwest Region
Divinity/Ministry is a field worth a close look when choosing where to study. The schools below stand out for the quality of their divinity/ministry programs.
College Factual analyzed 10 schools to build this 2027 ranking of the best divinity/ministry schools.
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Best Schools for Divinity/Ministry in the Southwest Region
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest overall divinity/ministry education in the Southwest Region.
Top Schools in Divinity/Ministry
No school ranked higher than Southern Methodist University this year for divinity/ministry. Set in the suburb of Dallas, Southern Methodist University is a large private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 84%. About 47 divinity/ministry degrees were awarded at Southern Methodist University in the most recent year. Divinity/ministry graduates of Southern Methodist University earn a median of $54,351 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $20,712 to complete this degree.
See the full divinity/ministry program report for Southern Methodist University
Abilene Christian University came in at #2 on our 2027 list of the best divinity/ministry schools. Abilene Christian University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Abilene. Roughly 59% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 15 divinity/ministry students who graduated with this degree at Abilene Christian University in the most recent data year. Graduates of the divinity/ministry program make about $56,463 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $23,772.
Read more about the divinity/ministry program at Abilene Christian University
University Of St Thomas Texas came in at #3 on our 2027 list of the best divinity/ministry schools. Set in the city of Houston, University Of St Thomas Texas is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. University Of St Thomas Texas graduates 69% of students within six years. About 12 divinity/ministry degrees were awarded at University Of St Thomas Texas in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, divinity/ministry degree recipients from University Of St Thomas Texas generally make around $58,265. University Of St Thomas Texas graduates carry a median of $23,628 in student loans.
Read more about the divinity/ministry program at University Of St Thomas Texas
Baylor University is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in divinity/ministry, landing the #4 spot this year. Located in the city of Waco, Baylor University is a very large private not-for-profit university. The six-year graduation rate is 80%. Baylor University awarded about 49 divinity/ministry degrees in the most recent data year. Divinity/ministry graduates of Baylor University earn a median of $44,601 early in their careers. Baylor University graduates carry a median of $23,928 in student loans.
See the full divinity/ministry program report for Baylor University
Oklahoma Baptist University is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in divinity/ministry, ranking #5. This mid-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the town of Shawnee. The six-year graduation rate is 52%. There were roughly 33 divinity/ministry students who graduated with this degree at Oklahoma Baptist University in the most recent data year. Students who receive their divinity/ministry degree from Oklahoma Baptist University earn around $47,100 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $23,425 to complete this degree.
Read more about the divinity/ministry program at Oklahoma Baptist University
Houston Baptist University ranked #6 on our 2027 list of the best divinity/ministry schools. Houston Baptist University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Houston. Roughly 49% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 11 divinity/ministry students who graduated with this degree at Houston Baptist University in the most recent data year. Graduates of the divinity/ministry program make about $51,968 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $25,601 to complete this degree.
Read more about the divinity/ministry program at Houston Baptist University
Grand Canyon University placed #7 among the best divinity/ministry schools. Located in the city of Phoenix, Grand Canyon University is a very large private not-for-profit university. Roughly 44% of students complete a degree within six years here. Grand Canyon University awarded about 57 divinity/ministry degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the divinity/ministry program make about $56,285 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $30,027.
See the full divinity/ministry program report for Grand Canyon University
Oral Roberts University earned the #8 position for divinity/ministry this year. This moderately-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Tulsa. About 57% of students finish within six years. Oral Roberts University awarded about 91 divinity/ministry degrees in the most recent data year. Divinity/ministry graduates of Oral Roberts University earn a median of $34,577 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $30,750 to complete this degree.
See the full divinity/ministry program report for Oral Roberts University
Austin Presbyterian Theological Seminary landed the #9 spot for divinity/ministry this year. Set in the city of Austin, Austin Presbyterian Theological Seminary is a small private not-for-profit institution. Austin Presbyterian Theological Seminary awarded about 19 divinity/ministry degrees in the most recent data year. Divinity/ministry graduates of Austin Presbyterian Theological Seminary earn a median of $56,922 early in their careers.
Get the full divinity/ministry details for Austin Presbyterian Theological Seminary
Kings University ranked #10 on our 2027 list of the best divinity/ministry schools. Kings University is a small private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Southlake. Kings University graduates 33% of students within six years. There were roughly 17 divinity/ministry students who graduated with this degree at Kings University in the most recent data year. Students who receive their divinity/ministry degree from Kings University earn around $41,066 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $48,998 to complete this degree.
More information about a degree in divinity/ministry from Kings University
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Notes and References
This list is compiled by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 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 · 10 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.
