by our College Data Analytics TeamIn the latest year, 34 U.S. colleges awarded 180 degrees and certificates in Pre-Theology/Pre-Ministerial Studies. Bachelor’s degrees are the most popular award, at 57% of graduates. College Factual ranks 3 schools in its 2027 Best Pre-Theology/Pre-Ministerial Studies 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 degree in Pre-Theology/Pre-Ministerial Studies explores Pre-Theology/pre-Ministerial Studies. A Program That Prepares Individuals To Enter A Seminary Or Other Program Leading To Religious Ordination, Or A Related Religious Vocation.
Source: IPEDS 2025; College Scorecard July 2026; BLS; O*NET; College Factual rankings 2027. Data as of: July 2026.
In the U.S., pre-theology/pre-ministerial studies is a widely-pursued major, with 180 degrees awarded annually. 34 colleges award pre-theology/pre-ministerial studies degrees, an average of 5 graduates per school; the largest program awarded 30.
By level, the 180 awards include 24 certificates, 9 associate degrees, 102 bachelor’s degrees and 45 master’s degrees.
Women earned 23% of pre-theology/pre-ministerial studies degrees and certificates in the latest year (41 of 180). The largest groups of graduates by race and ethnicity are White (120) and Hispanic or Latino (34), and international students earned 7.
College Factual ranks 3 schools in its 2027 Best Pre-Theology/Pre-Ministerial Studies Schools ranking, including 3 for bachelor’s degrees. It also ranks pre-theology/pre-ministerial studies schools within 3 states. In all, 34 colleges offer pre-theology/pre-ministerial studies programs; compare them by degree level below or in the Best Value Pre-Theology/Pre-Ministerial Studies Colleges ranking, which weighs quality against cost.
The most common pre-theology/pre-ministerial studies credential is the bachelor’s degree: 102 of the 180 awarded in the latest year. Jobs related to pre-theology/pre-ministerial studies 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.
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How long a pre-theology/pre-ministerial studies degree takes:
| Degree | Typical Program Length | Graduates Annually |
|---|---|---|
| Certificate | Varies | 24 |
| Associate Degree | 2 years | 9 |
| Bachelor’s Degree | 4 years | 102 |
| Master’s Degree | 1-3 years | 45 |
Doctoral degree is the most common level of education among workers in jobs related to pre-theology/pre-ministerial studies, 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 Pre-Theology/Pre-Ministerial Studies, 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 Philosophy Professor, Adjunct Faculty Member, Philosophy Adjunct Instructor and Metaphysics Teacher.
That occupation also has the most projected jobs of any related to pre-theology/pre-ministerial studies, at 1,031,835.
| Occupation | Projected Jobs | Expected Growth |
|---|---|---|
| Philosophy and Religion Teachers, Postsecondary | 1,031,835 | 3.7% |
| Clergy | 33,072 | -3.3% |
Pre-Theology/Pre-Ministerial Studies 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 pre-theology/pre-ministerial studies, with a median salary of $71,584.
| Occupation | Median Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| Philosophy and Religion Teachers, Postsecondary | $71,584 |
| Clergy | $49,854 |
Pre-Theology/Pre-Ministerial Studies has 4 similar majors in the Theology & Religious Vocations field, which together award 14,704 degrees a year; the largest are Divinity/Ministry (6,513), Theology/Theological Studies (6,332) and Theological and Ministerial Studies, Other (1,706). Browse all Theology & Religious Vocations majors or the full list of college majors.
| Related Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| Divinity/Ministry | 6,513 |
| Theology/Theological Studies | 6,332 |
| Theological and Ministerial Studies, Other | 1,706 |
| Rabbinical Studies | 153 |
More about our data sources and methodologies.
