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 9 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.
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. Theological Ministerial Studies graduates of Episcopal Theological Seminary Of The Southwest earn a median of about $84,654 a year early in their careers.
A rank of #2 makes Austin Presbyterian Theological Seminary one of the highest-paying schools for theological ministerial studies. Set in the city of Austin, Austin Presbyterian Theological Seminary is a private not-for-profit institution. After graduating, theological ministerial studies degree recipients from Austin Presbyterian Theological Seminary typically earn about $67,335 annually.
Strong graduate earnings at Southern Methodist University earned it the #3 place for theological ministerial studies. Located in the suburb of Dallas, Southern Methodist University is a private not-for-profit institution. Theological Ministerial Studies graduates of Southern Methodist University earn a median of about $59,381 a year early in their careers.
Students chasing top earnings in theological ministerial studies will find them at Dallas Theological Seminary, which ranked #4. Located in the city of Dallas, Dallas Theological Seminary is a private not-for-profit institution. After graduating, theological ministerial studies degree recipients from Dallas Theological Seminary typically earn about $58,384 annually.
Students chasing top earnings in theological ministerial studies will find them at Kings University, which ranked #5. Set in the suburb of Southlake, Kings 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 $55,832.
Houston Baptist University earned the #6 position for theological ministerial studies graduate earnings this year. Located in the city of Houston, Houston Baptist 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 $51,968.
Southwestern Assemblies Of God University came in at #7 for theological ministerial studies graduate earnings this year. Located in the suburb of Waxahachie, Southwestern Assemblies Of God 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 $47,762.
Brite Divinity School earned the #8 position for theological ministerial studies graduate earnings this year. Located in the city of Fort Worth, Brite Divinity School is a private not-for-profit institution. Students who complete the theological ministerial studies program here go on to a median salary of roughly $54,132.
Baylor University ranked #9 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. After graduating, theological ministerial studies degree recipients from Baylor University typically earn about $47,424 annually.
The ranking above is published 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.