by our College Data Analytics TeamIn 2024, College Factual analyzed 65 schools in order to identify the top ones for its Best Theological & Ministerial Studies Doctor's Degree Schools ranking. When you put them all together, these colleges and universities awarded 1,586 doctor's degrees in theological & ministerial studies during the 2020-2021 academic year.
What's on this page: * Our Methodology
The theology doctor's degree program you select can have a big impact on your future. This section explores some of the factors we include in our ranking and how much they vary depending on the school you select. To make it into this list, a school must excel in the following areas.
A school that excels in educating for a particular major and degree level must be a great school overall as well. To take this into account we consider a college's overall Best Colleges for a Doctor's Degree ranking which itself looks at a host of different factors like degree completion, educational resources, student body caliber and post-graduation earnings for the school as a whole.
One measure we use to determine the quality of a school is to look at the average salary of doctorate graduates during the early years of their career. This is because one of the main reasons people pursue their doctor's degree is to enable themselves to find better-paying positions.
The metrics below are just some of the other metrics that we use to determine our rankings.
Our full ranking methodology documents in more detail how we consider these factors to identify the best colleges for theological & ministerial studies students working on their doctor's degree.
The theology school you choose to invest your time and money in matters. To help you make the decision that is right for you, we've developed a number of major-specific rankings, including this list of the Best Theological & Ministerial Studies Doctor's Degree Schools.
Learn about the top ranked colleges and universities for theological & ministerial studies students seeking a a doctor's degree.
Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary is one of the finest schools in the United States for getting a doctor's degree in theological & ministerial studies. Located in the city of Kansas City, MBTS is a private not-for-profit school with a small student population.More information about a doctorate in theological & ministerial studies from Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary
Fuller Theological Seminary is a wonderful choice for individuals pursuing a doctor's degree in theological & ministerial studies. Fuller is a small private not-for-profit school located in the city of Pasadena.More information about a doctorate in theological & ministerial studies from Fuller Theological Seminary
Any student pursuing a degree in a doctor's degree in theological & ministerial studies needs to take a look at Duke University. Duke is a fairly large private not-for-profit university located in the city of Durham.
Doctorate recipients from the theological & ministerial studies program at Duke University earn $13,735 above the typical college graduate in this field when they enter the workforce.
More information about a doctorate in theological & ministerial studies from Duke University
University of Notre Dame is one of the finest schools in the United States for getting a doctor's degree in theological & ministerial studies. Notre Dame is a fairly large private not-for-profit university located in the suburb of Notre Dame.More information about a doctorate in theological & ministerial studies from University of Notre Dame
Emory is a large private not-for-profit university located in the city of Atlanta.More information about a doctorate in theological & ministerial studies from Emory University
Located in the city of Dallas, DTS Dallas is a private not-for-profit school with a small student population.More information about a doctorate in theological & ministerial studies from Dallas Theological Seminary
Located in the suburb of Madison, Drew is a private not-for-profit university with a small student population.More information about a doctorate in theological & ministerial studies from Drew University
Biola is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university located in the large suburb of La Mirada.More information about a doctorate in theological & ministerial studies from Biola University
UChicago is a large private not-for-profit university located in the large city of Chicago.
Doctorate graduates who receive their degree from the theology program make about $47,950 in the first couple years of their career.
More information about a doctorate in theological & ministerial studies from University of Chicago
Located in the suburb of Saint Louis, Concordia Seminary is a private not-for-profit school with a fairly small student population.More information about a doctorate in theological & ministerial studies from Concordia Seminary
Here are some additional great schools for Theological & Ministerial Studies students that almost earned our Best Theological & Ministerial Studies Doctor's Degree Schools award.
| Rank | College | Location |
|---|---|---|
| 11 | Liberty University | Lynchburg, VA |
| 12 | Gordon - Conwell Theological Seminary | South Hamilton, MA |
| 13 | Asbury Theological Seminary | Wilmore, KY |
| 14 | Sewanee - The University of the South | Sewanee, TN |
| 15 | Regent University | Virginia Beach, VA |
| 16 | Loyola University Chicago | Chicago, IL |
View the Best Theological & Ministerial Studies Doctor's Degree Schools for a specific region near you.
One of 7 majors within the Theology & Religious Vocations area of study, Theological & Ministerial Studies has other similar majors worth exploring.
| Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| Theology | 695 |
| Divinity/Ministry | 638 |
| Other Theological & Ministerial Studies | 247 |
| Rabbinical Studies | 6 |
| Related Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| Pastoral Counseling & Specialized Ministries | 254 |
| Theology & Religious Vocations (Other) | 230 |
| Missionary Studies | 104 |
| Religious Education | 81 |
| Biblical Studies | 73 |
| Sacred Music | 28 |
