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. A top-earning program sends graduates into careers with strong starting pay.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 13 schools on the early-career earnings of their theological ministerial studies graduates.
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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 Episcopal Theological Seminary Of The Southwest this year. Set in the city of Austin, Episcopal Theological Seminary Of The Southwest is a private not-for-profit institution. Students who complete the theological ministerial studies program here go on to a median salary of roughly $84,654.
Students chasing top earnings in theological ministerial studies will find them at University Of Dallas, which ranked #2. Located in the city of Irving, University Of Dallas is a private not-for-profit institution. Students who complete the theological ministerial studies program here go on to a median salary of roughly $50,461.
Phillips Theological Seminary came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying theological ministerial studies schools. 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.
Austin Presbyterian Theological Seminary produces some of the highest-paid graduates in theological ministerial studies, landing the #4 spot this year. Austin Presbyterian Theological Seminary is a private not-for-profit school located in the city of Austin. After graduating, theological ministerial studies degree recipients from Austin Presbyterian Theological Seminary typically earn about $67,335 annually.
Students chasing top earnings in theological ministerial studies will find them at Southern Methodist University, which ranked #5. Located in the suburb of Dallas, Southern Methodist University is a private not-for-profit institution. Early-career theological ministerial studies graduates from Southern Methodist University make a median of around $59,381 per year.
Dallas Theological Seminary ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying theological ministerial studies schools. Located in the city of Dallas, Dallas 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 $58,384.
Kings University came in at #7 for theological ministerial studies graduate earnings this year. Located in the suburb of Southlake, Kings University is a private not-for-profit institution. Theological Ministerial Studies graduates of Kings University earn a median of about $55,832 a year early in their careers.
Houston Baptist University came in at #8 for theological ministerial studies graduate earnings this year. Set in the city of Houston, Houston Baptist University is a private not-for-profit institution. Theological Ministerial Studies graduates of Houston Baptist University earn a median of about $51,968 a year early in their careers.
Southwestern Assemblies Of God University earned the #9 position for theological ministerial studies graduate earnings this year. Southwestern Assemblies Of God University is a private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Waxahachie. Theological Ministerial Studies graduates of Southwestern Assemblies Of God University earn a median of about $47,762 a year early in their careers.
Brite Divinity School ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying theological ministerial studies schools. Brite Divinity School is a private not-for-profit school located in the city of Fort Worth. Early-career theological ministerial studies graduates from Brite Divinity School make a median of around $54,132 per year.
Baylor University ranked #11 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying theological ministerial studies schools. Located in the city of Waco, Baylor University is a private not-for-profit institution. Theological Ministerial Studies graduates of Baylor University earn a median of about $47,424 a year early in their careers.
Oral Roberts University earned the #12 position for theological ministerial studies graduate earnings this year. Oral Roberts University is a private not-for-profit school located in the city of Tulsa. Theological Ministerial Studies graduates of Oral Roberts University earn a median of about $41,482 a year early in their careers.
Mid America Christian University came in at #13 for theological ministerial studies graduate earnings this year. Set in the city of Oklahoma City, Mid America Christian University is a private not-for-profit institution. Early-career theological ministerial studies graduates from Mid America Christian University make a median of around $27,391 per year.
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 · 13 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.