2026 Best Theological & Ministerial Studies Associate’s Degree Schools
Theological & Ministerial Studies degree programs prepare students for a range of careers in the field. A focused field like this rewards careful comparison of the schools that offer it.
For its 2026 ranking, College Factual looked at 464 schools in the United States to determine which ones were the best for theological & ministerial studies students pursuing a degree.
What’s on this page:
Best Schools for Theological & Ministerial Studies in the United States
See the highest-ranked theological & ministerial studies schools offering a associate’s degree below.
Top Schools in Theological & Ministerial Studies
No school ranked higher than Southeastern University this year for theological & ministerial studies. Set in the city of Lakeland, Southeastern University is a large private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 44% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 95 theological & ministerial studies students who graduated with this degree at Southeastern University in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, theological & ministerial studies degree recipients from Southeastern University generally make around $27,591. Southeastern University graduates carry a median of $16,000 in student loans.
See the full theological & ministerial studies program report for Southeastern University
New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in theological & ministerial studies, ranking #2. This mid-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the city of New Orleans. New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary graduates 70% of students within six years. About 184 theological & ministerial studies degrees were awarded at New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary in the most recent year.
See the full theological & ministerial studies program report for New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary
Northwest University College Of Adult And Professional Studies came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best theological & ministerial studies schools. Northwest University College Of Adult And Professional Studies is a small private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Kirkland. Roughly 41% of students complete a degree within six years here. Northwest University College Of Adult And Professional Studies awarded about 11 theological & ministerial studies degrees in the most recent data year. Theological & Ministerial Studies graduates of Northwest University College Of Adult And Professional Studies earn a median of $41,139 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $18,938 to complete this degree.
See the full theological & ministerial studies program report for Northwest University College Of Adult And Professional Studies
A rank of #4 makes Franciscan University Of Steubenville one of the top schools for theological & ministerial studies. Located in the city of Steubenville, Franciscan University Of Steubenville is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. The six-year graduation rate is 75%. Franciscan University Of Steubenville awarded about 24 theological & ministerial studies degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, theological & ministerial studies degree recipients from Franciscan University Of Steubenville generally make around $37,089. Typical student debt for the program is $25,000.
Read more about the theological & ministerial studies program at Franciscan University Of Steubenville
Central Christian College Of The Bible is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in theological & ministerial studies, ranking #5. Set in the town of Moberly, Central Christian College Of The Bible is a small private not-for-profit institution. Central Christian College Of The Bible graduates 23% of students within six years. Central Christian College Of The Bible awarded about 12 theological & ministerial studies degrees in the most recent data year. Students borrow a median of $26,000 to complete this degree.
More information about a degree in theological & ministerial studies from Central Christian College Of The Bible
City Vision University came in at #6 for theological & ministerial studies this year. City Vision University is a small private not-for-profit school located in the city of Kansas City. City Vision University awarded about 10 theological & ministerial studies degrees in the most recent data year.
See the full theological & ministerial studies program report for City Vision University
Other Theological & Ministerial Studies Degree Levels
Explore the best theological & ministerial studies schools at other degree levels:
View All Theological & Ministerial Studies Rankings >
Notes and References
The ranking above is published by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 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 · 464 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).
More about our data sources and methodologies.
