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. The schools below stand out for the salaries their theological ministerial studies graduates go on to command.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 7 schools on the early-career earnings of their theological ministerial studies graduates.
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If you want to know which schools send theological ministerial studies graduates into the highest-paying careers, see the list below.
Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary earned the #1 spot for highest-paid theological ministerial studies graduates in North Carolina. 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.
Students chasing top earnings in theological ministerial studies will find them at Hood Theological Seminary, which ranked #2. Set in the suburb of Salisbury, Hood 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 $52,207.
A rank of #3 makes Duke University one of the highest-paying schools for theological ministerial studies. Duke University is a private not-for-profit school located in the city of Durham. Theological Ministerial Studies graduates of Duke University earn a median of about $65,647 a year early in their careers.
Students chasing top earnings in theological ministerial studies will find them at Piedmont International University, which ranked #4. Located in the city of Winston-Salem, Piedmont International University is a private not-for-profit institution. After graduating, theological ministerial studies degree recipients from Piedmont International University typically earn about $48,372 annually.
Students chasing top earnings in theological ministerial studies will find them at Shaw University, which ranked #5. Located in the city of Raleigh, Shaw University is a private not-for-profit institution. Theological Ministerial Studies graduates of Shaw University earn a median of about $44,627 a year early in their careers.
Wake Forest University came in at #6 for theological ministerial studies graduate earnings this year. Set in the city of Winston-Salem, Wake Forest University is a private not-for-profit institution. After graduating, theological ministerial studies degree recipients from Wake Forest University typically earn about $45,177 annually.
Campbell University landed the #7 spot for theological ministerial studies salaries this year. Campbell University is a private not-for-profit school located in the town of Buies Creek. After graduating, theological ministerial studies degree recipients from Campbell University typically earn about $40,858 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 · 7 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.