by our College Data Analytics Team
[Theological Ministerial Studies](/majors/theology-and-religious-vocations/theological-ministerial-studies/) is a field where your choice of school can shape what you earn after graduation. A top-earning program sends graduates into careers with strong starting pay.
For its 2026 highest-paid-graduates ranking, College Factual looked at 27 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 Lutheran School Of Theology At Chicago, our #1 for theological ministerial studies graduate salaries in the Great Lakes Region. Lutheran School Of Theology At Chicago is a private not-for-profit school located in the city of Chicago. Students who complete the theological ministerial studies program here go on to a median salary of roughly $91,221.
A rank of #2 makes Capital University one of the highest-paying schools for theological ministerial studies. Set in the suburb of Columbus, Capital University is a private not-for-profit institution. Theological Ministerial Studies graduates of Capital University earn a median of about $85,317 a year early in their careers.
Students chasing top earnings in theological ministerial studies will find them at Concordia Theological Seminary, which ranked #3. Set in the city of Fort Wayne, Concordia Theological Seminary is a private not-for-profit institution. Students who complete the theological ministerial studies program here go on to a median salary of roughly $83,000.
Nashotah House came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying theological ministerial studies schools. Nashotah House is a private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Nashotah. Early-career theological ministerial studies graduates from Nashotah House make a median of around $76,818 per year.
Concordia University Ann Arbor came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying theological ministerial studies schools. Set in the city of Ann Arbor, Concordia University Ann Arbor is a private not-for-profit institution. Early-career theological ministerial studies graduates from Concordia University Ann Arbor make a median of around $69,831 per year.
Concordia University Wisconsin ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying theological ministerial studies schools. Located in the suburb of Mequon, Concordia University Wisconsin is a private not-for-profit institution. After graduating, theological ministerial studies degree recipients from Concordia University Wisconsin typically earn about $69,831 annually.
Methodist Theological School In Ohio ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying theological ministerial studies schools. Set in the suburb of Delaware, Methodist Theological School In Ohio is a private not-for-profit institution. Theological Ministerial Studies graduates of Methodist Theological School In Ohio earn a median of about $63,663 a year early in their careers.
Pontifical College Josephinum ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying theological ministerial studies schools. Set in the city of Columbus, Pontifical College Josephinum is a private not-for-profit institution. Early-career theological ministerial studies graduates from Pontifical College Josephinum make a median of around $62,646 per year.
Meadville Lombard Theological School came in at #9 for theological ministerial studies graduate earnings this year. Set in the city of Chicago, Meadville Lombard Theological School is a private not-for-profit institution. Early-career theological ministerial studies graduates from Meadville Lombard Theological School make a median of around $62,074 per year.
Ashland University ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying theological ministerial studies schools. Located in the town of Ashland, Ashland University is a private not-for-profit institution. After graduating, theological ministerial studies degree recipients from Ashland University typically earn about $67,517 annually.
Indiana Wesleyan University National And Global placed #11 among the highest-paying schools for theological ministerial studies. Set in the rural area of Marion, Indiana Wesleyan University National And Global is a private not-for-profit institution. Students who complete the theological ministerial studies program here go on to a median salary of roughly $60,534.
Andrews University earned the #12 position for theological ministerial studies graduate earnings this year. Andrews University is a private not-for-profit school located in the town of Berrien Springs. After graduating, theological ministerial studies degree recipients from Andrews University typically earn about $82,478 annually.
Moody Bible Institute landed the #13 spot for theological ministerial studies salaries this year. Moody Bible Institute is a private not-for-profit school located in the city of Chicago. Early-career theological ministerial studies graduates from Moody Bible Institute make a median of around $52,048 per year.
Western Theological Seminary landed the #14 spot for theological ministerial studies salaries this year. Set in the city of Holland, Western Theological Seminary is a private not-for-profit institution. Early-career theological ministerial studies graduates from Western Theological Seminary make a median of around $59,095 per year.
Wheaton College Illinois placed #15 among the highest-paying schools for theological ministerial studies. Located in the suburb of Wheaton, Wheaton College Illinois is a private not-for-profit institution. After graduating, theological ministerial studies degree recipients from Wheaton College Illinois typically earn about $58,390 annually.
Calvin Theological Seminary landed the #16 spot for theological ministerial studies salaries this year. Calvin Theological Seminary is a private not-for-profit school located in the city of Grand Rapids. Theological Ministerial Studies graduates of Calvin Theological Seminary earn a median of about $56,696 a year early in their careers.
Mccormick Theological Seminary placed #17 among the highest-paying schools for theological ministerial studies. Mccormick Theological Seminary is a private not-for-profit school located in the city of Chicago. After graduating, theological ministerial studies degree recipients from Mccormick Theological Seminary typically earn about $55,231 annually.
Cornerstone University landed the #18 spot for theological ministerial studies salaries this year. Set in the city of Grand Rapids, Cornerstone University is a private not-for-profit institution. Early-career theological ministerial studies graduates from Cornerstone University make a median of around $48,317 per year.
Garrett Evangelical Theological Seminary landed the #19 spot for theological ministerial studies salaries this year. Garrett Evangelical Theological Seminary is a private not-for-profit school located in the city of Evanston. Early-career theological ministerial studies graduates from Garrett Evangelical Theological Seminary make a median of around $55,024 per year.
Trinity International University Illinois earned the #20 position for theological ministerial studies graduate earnings this year. Set in the suburb of Deerfield, Trinity International University Illinois is a private not-for-profit institution. Early-career theological ministerial studies graduates from Trinity International University Illinois make a median of around $50,178 per year.
Christian Theological Seminary came in at #21 for theological ministerial studies graduate earnings this year. Located in the city of Indianapolis, Christian Theological Seminary is a private not-for-profit institution. Early-career theological ministerial studies graduates from Christian Theological Seminary make a median of around $49,818 per year.
Payne Theological Seminary earned the #22 position for theological ministerial studies graduate earnings this year. Located in the rural area of Wilberforce, Payne Theological Seminary is a private not-for-profit institution. Theological Ministerial Studies graduates of Payne Theological Seminary earn a median of about $51,087 a year early in their careers.
Bethel College Mishawaka placed #23 among the highest-paying schools for theological ministerial studies. Bethel College Mishawaka is a private not-for-profit school located in the city of Mishawaka. Students who complete the theological ministerial studies program here go on to a median salary of roughly $47,373.
Franciscan University Of Steubenville ranked #24 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying theological ministerial studies schools. Located in the city of Steubenville, Franciscan University Of Steubenville is a private not-for-profit institution. After graduating, theological ministerial studies degree recipients from Franciscan University Of Steubenville typically earn about $41,490 annually.
University Of Chicago landed the #25 spot for theological ministerial studies salaries this year. University Of Chicago is a private not-for-profit school located in the city of Chicago. Students who complete the theological ministerial studies program here go on to a median salary of roughly $68,039.
These schools also send theological ministerial studies graduates into strong-paying careers this year:
This list is compiled by College Factual, 2026 edition. Schools are ranked on the median early-career earnings of their theological ministerial studies graduates, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (College Scorecard field-of-study earnings and IPEDS).
Ranking method: College Major Earnings · 27 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.