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2023 Schools for a Master’s Highly Focused on Theology Major in California

37 Ranked Colleges
926 Degrees Awarded
$42,250 Avg Salary
Schools for a Master's Highly Focused on Theology Major in California

When it comes to choosing a college, students have a lot of options - but not all of them are good. At College Factual, we’re committed to helping you make that decision by providing information such as that found in our “Schools for a Master’s Highly Focused on Theology Major in California” ranking.

Theological & Ministerial Studies is the 63rd most popular major in the country with 15,832 degrees awarded in 2020-2021. In 2019-2020, theological and ministerial studies graduates who were awarded their degree in 2017-2019, earned an average of $40,590 and had an average of $26,272 in loans still to pay off.

Across California, there were 1,302 theological and ministerial studies graduates with average earnings and debt of $39,427 and $24,354 respectively. At the master’s degree level specifically, there were 926 theological and ministerial studies graduates with average earnings and debt of $62,974 and $0 respectively.

This year’s “Schools for a Master’s Highly Focused on Theology Major in California” ranking analyzed 37 colleges that offered a degree in theological and ministerial studies. That schools that top this list have a program in theological and ministerial studies in which the largest percentage of students at the school are enrolled.

See our ranking methodology to learn more.

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The theology school you choose to invest your time and money in matters. To help you make the decision that is right for you, we’ve developed a number of major-specific rankings, including this list of “Schools for a Master’s Highly Focused on Theology Major in California”.

In addition to our rankings, you can take two colleges and compare them based on the criteria that matters most to you in our unique tool, College Combat. Go ahead and give it a try, or bookmark the link so you can check it out later.

Schools for a Master’s Highly Focused on Theology Major in California

The following schools top our list of the Best “Schools for a Master’s Highly Focused on Theology Major in California”.

Top 25 Most Focused Master’s Degree Colleges for Theological & Ministerial Studies in California

1
FST crest
Franciscan School of Theology
Oceanside, California

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Franciscan School of Theology. It ranked #1 on our 2023 Schools for a Master’s Highly Focused on Theology Major in California list. FST is a small school located in Oceanside, California that handed out 9 masters’s theology degrees in 2020-2021.

The undergraduate student-to-faculty ratio of to 1 is a sign that students will have more opportunities to engage with their professors one-on-one.

Read full report on Theological & Ministerial Studies at FST

2
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Starr King School for Ministry
Berkeley, California

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Starr King School for Ministry. It ranked #2 on our 2023 Schools for a Master’s Highly Focused on Theology Major in California list. Located in Berkeley, California, this small private not-for-profit school awarded 23 diplomas to qualified masters’s theology students in 2020-2021.

With a undergrad student-to-faculty ratio of to 1, it’s easy to see that the school is committed to helping their undergraduates succeed.

Full Starr King School for Ministry Theological & Ministerial Studies Report

3

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Church Divinity School of the Pacific. The school came in at #3 for the Schools for a Master’s Highly Focused on Theology Major in California. CDSP is located in Berkeley, California and, has a small student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 16 masters’s theology degrees to qualified students.

Since the school has a undergrad student-to-faculty ratio of to 1, those pursuing a degree will have more opportunities to interact with their professors.

Read more about Theological & Ministerial Studies at Church Divinity School of the Pacific

4

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Westminster Theological Seminary in California. The school came in at #4 for the Schools for a Master’s Highly Focused on Theology Major in California. Westminster Theological Seminary in California is a small school located in Escondido, California that handed out 28 masters’s theology degrees in 2020-2021.

The impressive undergraduate student-to-faculty ratio of to 1 means that students may have more opportunities to work more closely with their professors than they would at other schools.

Read more about Theological & Ministerial Studies at Westminster Seminary California

5

Out of the 37 schools in the Schools for a Master’s Highly Focused on Theology Major in California that were part of this year’s ranking, American Baptist Seminary of the West landed the #5 spot on the list. Located in Berkeley, California, this small private not-for-profit school handed out 18 degrees to qualified masters’s theology students in 2020-2021.

The undergraduate student-to-faculty ratio of to 1 is a sign that students will have more opportunities to engage with their professors one-on-one.

Full American Baptist Seminary of the West Theological & Ministerial Studies Report

6
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Grace Mission University
Fullerton, California

Grace Mission University landed the #6 spot on the 2023 Schools for a Master’s Highly Focused on Theology Major in California ranking. This small school is located in Fullerton, California, and it awarded 12 masters’s theology degrees in 2020-2021.

Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 86%.

Read more about Theological & Ministerial Studies at Grace Mission University

7
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Pacific School of Religion
Berkeley, California

Pacific School of Religion landed the #7 spot on the 2023 Schools for a Master’s Highly Focused on Theology Major in California ranking. Pacific School of Religion is a private not-for-profit institution located in Berkeley, California. The school has a small population, and it awarded 25 masters’s degrees in 2020-2021.

The impressive undergraduate student-to-faculty ratio of to 1 means that students may have more opportunities to work more closely with their professors than they would at other schools. The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 3.2%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Theological & Ministerial Studies at Pacific School of Religion

8
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Fuller Theological Seminary
Pasadena, California

Fuller Theological Seminary did quite well in the 2023 Schools for a Master’s Highly Focused on Theology Major in California ranking, coming in at #8. Located in Pasadena, California, this small private not-for-profit school handed out 282 diplomas to qualified masters’s theology students in 2020-2021.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 1.0%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%. Since the school has a undergrad student-to-faculty ratio of to 1, those pursuing a degree will have more opportunities to interact with their professors.

Read full report on Theological & Ministerial Studies at Fuller Theological Seminary

9
GTU Berkeley crest
Graduate Theological Union
Berkeley, California

With a ranking of #9, Graduate Theological Union did quite well on the 2023 Schools for a Master’s Highly Focused on Theology Major in California list. Berkeley, California is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out masters’s theology degrees to 16 students in 2020-2021.

Since the school has a undergrad student-to-faculty ratio of to 1, those pursuing a degree will have more opportunities to interact with their professors. The low undergrad student loan default rate of 3.0% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.

Full GTU Berkeley Theological & Ministerial Studies Report

10

With a ranking of #10, Academy for Jewish Religion - California did quite well on the 2023 Schools for a Master’s Highly Focused on Theology Major in California list. Academy for Jewish Religion - California is a small school located in Los Angeles, California that handed out 4 masters’s theology degrees in 2020-2021.

The impressive undergraduate student-to-faculty ratio of to 1 means that students may have more opportunities to work more closely with their professors than they would at other schools. The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 4.7%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on Theological & Ministerial Studies at Academy for Jewish Religion - California

11
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SUM Bible College and Theological Seminary
El Dorado Hills, California

SUM Bible College and Theological Seminary did quite well in the 2023 Schools for a Master’s Highly Focused on Theology Major in California ranking, coming in at #11. School of Urban Missions is a small school located in El Dorado Hills, California that handed out 40 masters’s theology degrees in 2020-2021.

The impressive undergraduate student-to-faculty ratio of 10 to 1 means that students may have more opportunities to work more closely with their professors than they would at other schools.

Read more about Theological & Ministerial Studies at SUM Bible College and Theological Seminary

12

Dominican School of Philosophy & Theology came in at #12 in this year’s edition of the Schools for a Master’s Highly Focused on Theology Major in California ranking. Berkeley, California is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out masters’s theology degrees to 9 students in 2020-2021.

With a undergrad student-to-faculty ratio of to 1, it’s easy to see that the school is committed to helping their undergraduates succeed.

Full Dominican School of Philosophy & Theology Theological & Ministerial Studies Report

13
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Institute of Buddhist Studies
Berkeley, California

Institute of Buddhist Studies landed the #13 spot on the 2023 Schools for a Master’s Highly Focused on Theology Major in California ranking. This small school is located in Berkeley, California, and it awarded 2 masters’s theology degrees in 2020-2021.

The undergraduate student-to-faculty ratio of to 1 is a sign that students will have more opportunities to engage with their professors one-on-one.

Full Institute of Buddhist Studies Theological & Ministerial Studies Report

14
Claremont School of Theology crest
Claremont School of Theology
Claremont, California

Claremont School of Theology did quite well in the 2023 Schools for a Master’s Highly Focused on Theology Major in California ranking, coming in at #14. Claremont School of Theology is located in Claremont, California and, has a small student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 28 masters’s theology degrees to qualified students.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 4.6%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%. The undergraduate student-to-faculty ratio of to 1 is a sign that students will have more opportunities to engage with their professors one-on-one.

Read full report on Theological & Ministerial Studies at Claremont School of Theology

15
The Master's University crest
The Master's University and Seminary
Santa Clarita, California

The Master’s University and Seminary landed the #15 spot on the 2023 Schools for a Master’s Highly Focused on Theology Major in California ranking. The Master’s University is located in Santa Clarita, California and, has a small student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 93 masters’s theology degrees to qualified students.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 1.5%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on Theological & Ministerial Studies at The Master’s University and Seminary

16
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America Evangelical University
Los Angeles, California

America Evangelical University did quite well in the 2023 Schools for a Master’s Highly Focused on Theology Major in California ranking, coming in at #16. America Evangelical University is a small school located in Los Angeles, California that handed out 3 masters’s theology degrees in 2020-2021.

Full America Evangelical University Theological & Ministerial Studies Report

17
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World Mission University
Los Angeles, California

World Mission University did quite well in the 2023 Schools for a Master’s Highly Focused on Theology Major in California ranking, coming in at #17. This small school is located in Los Angeles, California, and it awarded 18 masters’s theology degrees in 2020-2021.

The impressive undergraduate student-to-faculty ratio of 7 to 1 means that students may have more opportunities to work more closely with their professors than they would at other schools.

Read more about Theological & Ministerial Studies at World Mission University

18
Hope crest
Hope International University
Fullerton, California

Hope International University landed the #18 spot on the 2023 Schools for a Master’s Highly Focused on Theology Major in California ranking. Hope International University is a small private not-for-profit school situated in Fullerton, California. It awarded 29 masters’s theology degrees in 2020-2021.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 4.5% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%. With a freshman retention rate of 85%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.

Full Hope International University Theological & Ministerial Studies Report

19
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Bethesda University
Anaheim, California

With a ranking of #19, Bethesda University did quite well on the 2023 Schools for a Master’s Highly Focused on Theology Major in California list. Bethesda is a small private not-for-profit school situated in Anaheim, California. It awarded 7 masters’s theology degrees in 2020-2021.

The impressive undergraduate student-to-faculty ratio of 10 to 1 means that students may have more opportunities to work more closely with their professors than they would at other schools.

Full Bethesda Theological & Ministerial Studies Report

20
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Biola University
La Mirada, California

With a ranking of #20, Biola University did quite well on the 2023 Schools for a Master’s Highly Focused on Theology Major in California list. Biola University is a medium-sized private not-for-profit school situated in La Mirada, California. It awarded 92 masters’s theology degrees in 2020-2021.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 2.7%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Full Biola University Theological & Ministerial Studies Report

21
Southern California Seminary crest
Southern California Seminary
El Cajon, California

Southern California Seminary came in at #21 in this year’s edition of the Schools for a Master’s Highly Focused on Theology Major in California ranking. Southern California Seminary is a small private not-for-profit school situated in El Cajon, California. It awarded 2 masters’s theology degrees in 2020-2021.

With a undergrad student-to-faculty ratio of 9 to 1, it’s easy to see that the school is committed to helping their undergraduates succeed.

Read more about Theological & Ministerial Studies at Southern California Seminary

22
AJU crest
American Jewish University
Los Angeles, California

With a ranking of #22, American Jewish University did quite well on the 2023 Schools for a Master’s Highly Focused on Theology Major in California list. AJU is a small private not-for-profit school situated in Los Angeles, California. It awarded 2 masters’s theology degrees in 2020-2021.

Since the school has a undergrad student-to-faculty ratio of 4 to 1, those pursuing a degree will have more opportunities to interact with their professors. The low undergrad student loan default rate of 2.2% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.

Read more about Theological & Ministerial Studies at AJU

23
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Epic Bible College
Sacramento, California

Epic Bible College did quite well in the 2023 Schools for a Master’s Highly Focused on Theology Major in California ranking, coming in at #23. Epic Bible College is located in Sacramento, California and, has a small student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 1 masters’s theology degrees to qualified students.

With a undergrad student-to-faculty ratio of 9 to 1, it’s easy to see that the school is committed to helping their undergraduates succeed.

Read more about Theological & Ministerial Studies at Epic Bible College

24
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Simpson University
Redding, California

Simpson University ranked #24 on this year’s Schools for a Master’s Highly Focused on Theology Major in California list. Simpson U is a small private not-for-profit school situated in Redding, California. It awarded 7 masters’s theology degrees in 2020-2021.

Full Simpson U Theological & Ministerial Studies Report

25
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La Sierra University
Riverside, California

La Sierra University came in at #25 in this year’s edition of the Schools for a Master’s Highly Focused on Theology Major in California ranking. La Sierra is a small private not-for-profit school situated in Riverside, California. It awarded 10 masters’s theology degrees in 2020-2021.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 3.5%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Theological & Ministerial Studies at La Sierra University

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