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.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 100 schools on the early-career earnings of their theological ministerial studies graduates.
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.
Our analysis ranked Hebrew Union College Jewish Institute Of Religion the top school for theological ministerial studies graduate earnings in the United States. Hebrew Union College Jewish Institute Of Religion is a private not-for-profit school located in the city of New York. Students who complete the theological ministerial studies program here go on to a median salary of roughly $127,636.
Concordia Seminary came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying theological ministerial studies schools. Set in the suburb of Saint Louis, Concordia Seminary is a private not-for-profit institution. Theological Ministerial Studies graduates of Concordia Seminary earn a median of about $100,159 a year early in their careers.
Lutheran School Of Theology At Chicago produces some of the highest-paid graduates in theological ministerial studies, landing the #3 spot this year. Located in the city of Chicago, Lutheran School Of Theology At Chicago is a private not-for-profit institution. Theological Ministerial Studies graduates of Lutheran School Of Theology At Chicago earn a median of about $91,221 a year early in their careers.
A rank of #4 makes Capital University one of the highest-paying schools for theological ministerial studies. Capital University is a private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Columbus. 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 Episcopal Theological Seminary Of The Southwest, which ranked #5. Located in the city of Austin, Episcopal Theological Seminary Of The Southwest is a private not-for-profit institution. Theological Ministerial Studies graduates of Episcopal Theological Seminary Of The Southwest earn a median of about $84,654 a year early in their careers.
Concordia Theological Seminary came in at #6 for theological ministerial studies graduate earnings this year. 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.
Church Divinity School Of The Pacific came in at #7 for theological ministerial studies graduate earnings this year. Church Divinity School Of The Pacific is a private not-for-profit school located in the city of Berkeley. Early-career theological ministerial studies graduates from Church Divinity School Of The Pacific make a median of around $77,641 per year.
Nashotah House ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying theological ministerial studies schools. Set in the suburb of Nashotah, Nashotah House is a private not-for-profit institution. Theological Ministerial Studies graduates of Nashotah House earn a median of about $76,818 a year early in their careers.
Saint Johns Seminary landed the #9 spot for theological ministerial studies salaries this year. Set in the city of Brighton, Saint Johns 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 $76,360.
The Masters College And Seminary placed #10 among the highest-paying schools for theological ministerial studies. Set in the suburb of Santa Clarita, The Masters College And Seminary is a private not-for-profit institution. After graduating, theological ministerial studies degree recipients from The Masters College And Seminary typically earn about $88,400 annually.
Wartburg Theological Seminary came in at #11 for theological ministerial studies graduate earnings this year. Wartburg Theological Seminary is a private not-for-profit school located in the city of Dubuque. After graduating, theological ministerial studies degree recipients from Wartburg Theological Seminary typically earn about $81,629 annually.
Hellenic College Holy Cross Greek Orthodox School Of Theology landed the #12 spot for theological ministerial studies salaries this year. Hellenic College Holy Cross Greek Orthodox School Of Theology is a private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Brookline. After graduating, theological ministerial studies degree recipients from Hellenic College Holy Cross Greek Orthodox School Of Theology typically earn about $71,192 annually.
Lutheran Theological Seminary At Gettysburg came in at #13 for theological ministerial studies graduate earnings this year. Lutheran Theological Seminary At Gettysburg is a private not-for-profit school located in the town of Gettysburg. Students who complete the theological ministerial studies program here go on to a median salary of roughly $87,083.
Phillips Theological Seminary landed the #14 spot for theological ministerial studies salaries this year. Located in the city of Tulsa, Phillips Theological Seminary is a private not-for-profit institution. After graduating, theological ministerial studies degree recipients from Phillips Theological Seminary typically earn about $69,212 annually.
Saint Charles Borromeo Seminary Overbrook placed #15 among the highest-paying schools for theological ministerial studies. Saint Charles Borromeo Seminary Overbrook is a private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Ambler. Early-career theological ministerial studies graduates from Saint Charles Borromeo Seminary Overbrook make a median of around $68,006 per year.
Luther Seminary placed #16 among the highest-paying schools for theological ministerial studies. Luther Seminary is a private not-for-profit school located in the city of Saint Paul. Early-career theological ministerial studies graduates from Luther Seminary make a median of around $76,004 per year.
Howard University came in at #17 for theological ministerial studies graduate earnings this year. Set in the city of Washington, Howard University is a private not-for-profit institution. Students who complete the theological ministerial studies program here go on to a median salary of roughly $65,972.
Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary earned the #18 position for theological ministerial studies graduate earnings this year. Located in the suburb of Wake Forest, Southeastern Baptist 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 $81,989.
Catholic University Of America ranked #19 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying theological ministerial studies schools. Catholic University Of America is a private not-for-profit school located in the city of Washington. Students who complete the theological ministerial studies program here go on to a median salary of roughly $65,661.
Boston University earned the #20 position for theological ministerial studies graduate earnings this year. Located in the city of Boston, Boston University is a private not-for-profit institution. Students who complete the theological ministerial studies program here go on to a median salary of roughly $64,531.
The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary landed the #21 spot for theological ministerial studies salaries this year. Set in the city of Louisville, The Southern Baptist 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 $76,075.
Methodist Theological School In Ohio ranked #22 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying theological ministerial studies schools. Methodist Theological School In Ohio is a private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Delaware. After graduating, theological ministerial studies degree recipients from Methodist Theological School In Ohio typically earn about $63,663 annually.
New Brunswick Theological Seminary placed #23 among the highest-paying schools for theological ministerial studies. Set in the city of New Brunswick, New Brunswick Theological Seminary is a private not-for-profit institution. Theological Ministerial Studies graduates of New Brunswick Theological Seminary earn a median of about $62,869 a year early in their careers.
Covenant Theological Seminary ranked #24 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying theological ministerial studies schools. Located in the suburb of Saint Louis, Covenant 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 $92,798.
Pontifical College Josephinum came in at #25 for theological ministerial studies graduate earnings this year. Pontifical College Josephinum is a private not-for-profit school located in the city of Columbus. Theological Ministerial Studies graduates of Pontifical College Josephinum earn a median of about $62,646 a year early in their careers.
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s highest-paid theological ministerial studies ranking:
Looking for a different degree level? Compare highest-paid Theological Ministerial Studies rankings across degree levels:
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 · 100 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.
