by our College Data Analytics Team
[Theological Ministerial Studies](/majors/theology-and-religious-vocations/theological-ministerial-studies/) graduates earn very different salaries depending on where they study. The schools below stand out for the salaries their theological ministerial studies graduates go on to command.
College Factual analyzed 5 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the highest-paying theological ministerial studies schools.
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.
For graduate earnings in theological ministerial studies, no school beat Luther Rice University And Seminary this year. Luther Rice University And Seminary is a private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Lithonia. Theological Ministerial Studies graduates of Luther Rice University And Seminary earn a median of about $58,016 a year early in their careers.
Emory University produces some of the highest-paid graduates in theological ministerial studies, landing the #2 spot this year. Set in the city of Atlanta, Emory University is a private not-for-profit institution. After graduating, theological ministerial studies degree recipients from Emory University typically earn about $60,697 annually.
Students chasing top earnings in theological ministerial studies will find them at Mercer University, which ranked #3. Mercer University is a private not-for-profit school located in the city of Macon. After graduating, theological ministerial studies degree recipients from Mercer University typically earn about $52,057 annually.
Strong graduate earnings at Columbia Theological Seminary earned it the #4 place for theological ministerial studies. Columbia Theological Seminary is a private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Decatur. Students who complete the theological ministerial studies program here go on to a median salary of roughly $44,694.
Interdenominational Theological Center came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying theological ministerial studies schools. Located in the city of Atlanta, Interdenominational Theological Center is a private not-for-profit institution. After graduating, theological ministerial studies degree recipients from Interdenominational Theological Center typically earn about $41,598 annually.
The ranking above is published 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 · 5 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.