Theological & Ministerial Studies degree programs prepare students for a range of careers in the field. The schools below stand out for the quality of their theological & ministerial studies programs.
To produce this 2027 ranking, College Factual evaluated 163 schools to find the best for theological & ministerial studies students.
Choosing a Great Theological & Ministerial Studies School
The theological & ministerial studies program you select can have a big impact on your future. That is why we built our Best Theological & Ministerial Studies Schools rankings. Our overall ranking combines our degree-level rankings, weighted by degrees awarded at each level.
In order to find the schools that are the best fit for you, you may want to filter to one of the degree levels below.
Theological & Ministerial Studies Rankings by Degree Level
Since the program you select can have a significant impact on your future, we have developed a number of rankings, including this Best Theological & Ministerial Studies Schools list, to help you choose. Want schools in a particular part of the country? Narrow the list by region or state.
To further help you make the college decision, we have developed a unique tool called College Combat that lets you compare schools on the factors that matter most to you.
Our analysis ranked Santa Clara University the best school in the country for a degree in theological & ministerial studies. Set in the city of Santa Clara, Santa Clara University is a large private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 88% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 57 theological & ministerial studies degrees were awarded at Santa Clara University in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, theological & ministerial studies degree recipients from Santa Clara University generally make around $79,380. Santa Clara University graduates carry a median of $20,144 in student loans.
More information about a degree in theological & ministerial studies from Santa Clara University
University Of St Thomas Minnesota is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in theological & ministerial studies, ranking #2. Located in the city of Saint Paul, University Of St Thomas Minnesota is a large private not-for-profit university. University Of St Thomas Minnesota graduates 77% of students within six years. About 17 theological & ministerial studies degrees were awarded at University Of St Thomas Minnesota in the most recent year. Students who receive their theological & ministerial studies degree from University Of St Thomas Minnesota earn around $71,681 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $23,923 to complete this degree.
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A rank of #3 makes Villanova University one of the top schools for theological & ministerial studies. This large private not-for-profit university is located in the suburb of Villanova. The six-year graduation rate is 92%. There were roughly 22 theological & ministerial studies students who graduated with this degree at Villanova University in the most recent data year. Graduates of the theological & ministerial studies program make about $72,601 in their early career. Villanova University graduates carry a median of $26,184 in student loans.
See the full theological & ministerial studies program report for Villanova University
A rank of #4 makes Boston University one of the top schools for theological & ministerial studies. This very large private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Boston. About 89% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 93 theological & ministerial studies students who graduated with this degree at Boston University in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, theological & ministerial studies degree recipients from Boston University generally make around $51,172. Typical student debt for the program is $25,232.
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Students looking for a strong theological & ministerial studies program will find one at Creighton University, which ranked #5. Set in the city of Omaha, Creighton University is a large private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 83%. Creighton University awarded about 33 theological & ministerial studies degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their theological & ministerial studies degree from Creighton University earn around $64,369 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $25,831 to complete this degree.
See the full theological & ministerial studies program report for Creighton University
Duke University placed #6 among the best theological & ministerial studies schools. Located in the city of Durham, Duke University is a large private not-for-profit university. The six-year graduation rate is 97%. About 212 theological & ministerial studies degrees were awarded at Duke University in the most recent year. Students who receive their theological & ministerial studies degree from Duke University earn around $70,809 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $13,296 to complete this degree.
See the full theological & ministerial studies program report for Duke University
Yale University ranked #7 on our 2027 list of the best theological & ministerial studies schools. Yale University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of New Haven. About 96% of students finish within six years. About 79 theological & ministerial studies degrees were awarded at Yale University in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, theological & ministerial studies degree recipients from Yale University generally make around $45,451. Students borrow a median of $14,357 to complete this degree.
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Wesley Theological Seminary ranked #8 on our 2027 list of the best theological & ministerial studies schools. Located in the city of Washington, Wesley Theological Seminary is a small private not-for-profit university. About 26 theological & ministerial studies degrees were awarded at Wesley Theological Seminary in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, theological & ministerial studies degree recipients from Wesley Theological Seminary generally make around $53,160.
Read more about the theological & ministerial studies program at Wesley Theological Seminary
Wheaton College Illinois earned the #9 position for theological & ministerial studies this year. Set in the suburb of Wheaton, Wheaton College Illinois is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. About 85% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 36 theological & ministerial studies students who graduated with this degree at Wheaton College Illinois in the most recent data year. Graduates of the theological & ministerial studies program make about $56,069 in their early career. Wheaton College Illinois graduates carry a median of $23,292 in student loans.
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Emory University landed the #10 spot for theological & ministerial studies this year. Located in the city of Atlanta, Emory University is a large private not-for-profit university. Roughly 91% of students complete a degree within six years here. Emory University awarded about 123 theological & ministerial studies degrees in the most recent data year. Theological & Ministerial Studies graduates of Emory University earn a median of $74,348 early in their careers. Emory University graduates carry a median of $19,431 in student loans.
Read more about the theological & ministerial studies program at Emory University
California Lutheran University earned the #11 position for theological & ministerial studies this year. This mid-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Thousand Oaks. The six-year graduation rate is 70%. There were roughly 20 theological & ministerial studies students who graduated with this degree at California Lutheran University in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, theological & ministerial studies degree recipients from California Lutheran University generally make around $53,271. California Lutheran University graduates carry a median of $22,727 in student loans.
See the full theological & ministerial studies program report for California Lutheran University
Saint Johns University came in at #12 for theological & ministerial studies this year. This small private not-for-profit university is located in the rural area of Collegeville. Roughly 75% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 21 theological & ministerial studies students who graduated with this degree at Saint Johns University in the most recent data year. Graduates of the theological & ministerial studies program make about $47,238 in their early career. Saint Johns University graduates carry a median of $26,646 in student loans.
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Vanderbilt University landed the #13 spot for theological & ministerial studies this year. Set in the city of Nashville, Vanderbilt University is a large private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 94% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 51 theological & ministerial studies degrees were awarded at Vanderbilt University in the most recent year. Theological & Ministerial Studies graduates of Vanderbilt University earn a median of $42,583 early in their careers. Vanderbilt University graduates carry a median of $13,975 in student loans.
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Southern Methodist University landed the #14 spot for theological & ministerial studies this year. Located in the suburb of Dallas, Southern Methodist University is a large private not-for-profit university. Southern Methodist University graduates 84% of students within six years. About 95 theological & ministerial studies degrees were awarded at Southern Methodist University in the most recent year. Theological & Ministerial Studies graduates of Southern Methodist University earn a median of $54,351 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $20,712 to complete this degree.
More information about a degree in theological & ministerial studies from Southern Methodist University
Seton Hall University landed the #15 spot for theological & ministerial studies this year. Seton Hall University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of South Orange. Seton Hall University graduates 70% of students within six years. There were roughly 28 theological & ministerial studies students who graduated with this degree at Seton Hall University in the most recent data year. Graduates of the theological & ministerial studies program make about $63,871 in their early career. Seton Hall University graduates carry a median of $23,422 in student loans.
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Sewanee The University Of The South came in at #16 for theological & ministerial studies this year. Sewanee The University Of The South is a small private not-for-profit school located in the rural area of Sewanee. About 80% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 31 theological & ministerial studies students who graduated with this degree at Sewanee The University Of The South in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, theological & ministerial studies degree recipients from Sewanee The University Of The South generally make around $36,927. Typical student debt for the program is $22,091.
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Saint Charles Borromeo Seminary Overbrook placed #17 among the best theological & ministerial studies schools. This small private not-for-profit university is located in the suburb of Ambler. Saint Charles Borromeo Seminary Overbrook graduates 42% of students within six years. Saint Charles Borromeo Seminary Overbrook awarded about 41 theological & ministerial studies degrees in the most recent data year.
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Xavier University earned the #18 position for theological & ministerial studies this year. This moderately-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Cincinnati. About 68% of students finish within six years. About 14 theological & ministerial studies degrees were awarded at Xavier University in the most recent year. Theological & Ministerial Studies graduates of Xavier University earn a median of $55,045 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $26,614.
More information about a degree in theological & ministerial studies from Xavier University
Hebrew Union College Jewish Institute Of Religion earned the #19 position for theological & ministerial studies this year. Located in the city of New York, Hebrew Union College Jewish Institute Of Religion is a small private not-for-profit university. About 15 theological & ministerial studies degrees were awarded at Hebrew Union College Jewish Institute Of Religion in the most recent year. Theological & Ministerial Studies graduates of Hebrew Union College Jewish Institute Of Religion earn a median of $114,729 early in their careers.
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North Park University earned the #20 position for theological & ministerial studies this year. Set in the city of Chicago, North Park University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 58% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 33 theological & ministerial studies degrees were awarded at North Park University in the most recent year. Theological & Ministerial Studies graduates of North Park University earn a median of $51,611 early in their careers. North Park University graduates carry a median of $27,360 in student loans.
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Moody Bible Institute earned the #21 position for theological & ministerial studies this year. Moody Bible Institute is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Chicago. The six-year graduation rate is 62%. Moody Bible Institute awarded about 200 theological & ministerial studies degrees in the most recent data year. Theological & Ministerial Studies graduates of Moody Bible Institute earn a median of $47,689 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $14,000 to complete this degree.
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Andrews University ranked #22 on our 2027 list of the best theological & ministerial studies schools. This mid-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the town of Berrien Springs. About 72% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 116 theological & ministerial studies students who graduated with this degree at Andrews University in the most recent data year. Theological & Ministerial Studies graduates of Andrews University earn a median of $68,117 early in their careers. Andrews University graduates carry a median of $26,314 in student loans.
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Providence College placed #23 among the best theological & ministerial studies schools. Providence College is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Providence. About 86% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 16 theological & ministerial studies students who graduated with this degree at Providence College in the most recent data year. Students who receive their theological & ministerial studies degree from Providence College earn around $53,208 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $26,833 to complete this degree.
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Boston College landed the #24 spot for theological & ministerial studies this year. Boston College is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Chestnut Hill. The six-year graduation rate is 91%. There were roughly 108 theological & ministerial studies students who graduated with this degree at Boston College in the most recent data year. Graduates of the theological & ministerial studies program make about $49,117 in their early career. Boston College graduates carry a median of $18,101 in student loans.
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University Of Mary earned the #25 position for theological & ministerial studies this year. Set in the rural area of Bismarck, University Of Mary is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 67% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 14 theological & ministerial studies degrees were awarded at University Of Mary in the most recent year. Graduates of the theological & ministerial studies program make about $65,565 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $26,983.
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Rest of the Top 50 Theological & Ministerial Studies Schools
These schools also placed among the best for theological & ministerial studies this year:
The ranking above is published by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 edition. The methodology weighs graduation rate, post-graduation earnings, cost, and program quality, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Top Ranked · 163 schools evaluated.
The Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), a branch of the U.S. Department of Education (DOE), serves as the core of our data about colleges.
Some other college data, including much of the graduate earnings data, comes from the U.S. Department of Education’s (College Scorecard).
