by our College Data Analytics Team
[Theological Ministerial Studies](/majors/theology-and-religious-vocations/theological-ministerial-studies/) programs reward a close look at where graduates go on to earn the most. The highest-paying schools turn a theological ministerial studies degree into the strongest early-career earnings.
For its 2026 highest-paid-graduates ranking, College Factual looked at 9 schools to find where theological ministerial studies graduates earn the most.
What’s on this page:
If you want to know which schools send theological ministerial studies graduates into the highest-paying careers, see the list below.
Leading the list is Church Divinity School Of The Pacific, our #1 for theological ministerial studies graduate salaries in California. Set in the city of Berkeley, Church Divinity School Of The Pacific is a private not-for-profit institution. Theological Ministerial Studies graduates of Church Divinity School Of The Pacific earn a median of about $77,641 a year early in their careers.
A rank of #2 makes The Masters College And Seminary one of the highest-paying schools for theological ministerial studies. Located in the suburb of Santa Clarita, The Masters College And Seminary is a private not-for-profit institution. Early-career theological ministerial studies graduates from The Masters College And Seminary make a median of around $88,400 per year.
Students chasing top earnings in theological ministerial studies will find them at Westminster Theological Seminary In California, which ranked #3. Westminster Theological Seminary In California is a private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Escondido. After graduating, theological ministerial studies degree recipients from Westminster Theological Seminary In California typically earn about $58,282 annually.
Students chasing top earnings in theological ministerial studies will find them at Pacific School Of Religion, which ranked #4. Pacific School Of Religion is a private not-for-profit school located in the city of Berkeley. Theological Ministerial Studies graduates of Pacific School Of Religion earn a median of about $57,616 a year early in their careers.
Fuller Theological Seminary In California produces some of the highest-paid graduates in theological ministerial studies, landing the #5 spot this year. Set in the city of Pasadena, Fuller Theological Seminary In California is a private not-for-profit institution. After graduating, theological ministerial studies degree recipients from Fuller Theological Seminary In California typically earn about $61,324 annually.
Hope International University landed the #6 spot for theological ministerial studies salaries this year. Hope International University is a private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Fullerton. Theological Ministerial Studies graduates of Hope International University earn a median of about $42,880 a year early in their careers.
Azusa Pacific University ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying theological ministerial studies schools. Located in the suburb of Azusa, Azusa Pacific University is a private not-for-profit institution. Theological Ministerial Studies graduates of Azusa Pacific University earn a median of about $46,443 a year early in their careers.
Biola University placed #8 among the highest-paying schools for theological ministerial studies. Set in the suburb of La Mirada, Biola University is a private not-for-profit institution. Early-career theological ministerial studies graduates from Biola University make a median of around $51,063 per year.
Starr King School For Ministry landed the #9 spot for theological ministerial studies salaries this year. Starr King School For Ministry is a private not-for-profit school located in the city of Oakland. Students who complete the theological ministerial studies program here go on to a median salary of roughly $26,746.
This list is compiled by College Factual, 2026 edition. The methodology measures the salaries theological ministerial studies graduates go on to earn early in their careers, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (College Scorecard field-of-study earnings and IPEDS).
Ranking method: College Major Earnings · 9 schools evaluated.
*Salary figures reflect median early-career earnings (about 5 years after graduation) and may vary by how long a person takes to complete their degree.
More about our data sources and methodologies.