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. A top-earning program sends graduates into careers with strong starting pay.
College Factual analyzed 9 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the highest-paying theological ministerial studies schools.
What’s on this page:
Below are the schools whose theological ministerial studies graduates go on to earn the most.
For graduate earnings in theological ministerial studies, no school beat Lutheran School Of Theology At Chicago this year. Set in the city of Chicago, Lutheran School Of Theology At Chicago is a private not-for-profit institution. Early-career theological ministerial studies graduates from Lutheran School Of Theology At Chicago make a median of around $91,221 per year.
Meadville Lombard Theological School came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying theological ministerial studies schools. 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.
Students chasing top earnings in theological ministerial studies will find them at Moody Bible Institute, which ranked #3. Set in the city of Chicago, Moody Bible Institute is a private not-for-profit institution. Theological Ministerial Studies graduates of Moody Bible Institute earn a median of about $52,048 a year early in their careers.
A rank of #4 makes Wheaton College Illinois one of the highest-paying schools for theological ministerial studies. Wheaton College Illinois is a private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Wheaton. Theological Ministerial Studies graduates of Wheaton College Illinois earn a median of about $58,390 a year early in their careers.
Students chasing top earnings in theological ministerial studies will find them at Mccormick Theological Seminary, which ranked #5. 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.
Garrett Evangelical Theological Seminary placed #6 among the highest-paying schools for theological ministerial studies. Garrett Evangelical Theological Seminary is a private not-for-profit school located in the city of Evanston. Students who complete the theological ministerial studies program here go on to a median salary of roughly $55,024.
Trinity International University Illinois earned the #7 position for theological ministerial studies graduate earnings this year. Located in the suburb of Deerfield, Trinity International University Illinois is a private not-for-profit institution. Students who complete the theological ministerial studies program here go on to a median salary of roughly $50,178.
University Of Chicago came in at #8 for theological ministerial studies graduate earnings this year. Set in the city of Chicago, University Of Chicago is a private not-for-profit institution. Theological Ministerial Studies graduates of University Of Chicago earn a median of about $68,039 a year early in their careers.
Chicago Theological Seminary placed #9 among the highest-paying schools for theological ministerial studies. Located in the city of Chicago, Chicago Theological Seminary is a private not-for-profit institution. After graduating, theological ministerial studies degree recipients from Chicago Theological Seminary typically earn about $32,795 annually.
This ranking is produced 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.