College Factual  by our College Data Analytics Team
       Unbiased Factual Guarantee

2024 Best Theological & Ministerial Studies Schools in California

9 Colleges in California
1,302 Theology Degrees Awarded
$39,427 Avg Early-Career Salary
If you plan on majoring in theological & ministerial studies, you won't be alone since the degree program is ranked #63 in the country in terms of popularity. This means you won't have too much trouble finding schools that offer the degree.

College Factual looked at 9 colleges and universities when compiling its 2024 Best Theological & Ministerial Studies Schools in California ranking. When you put them all together, these colleges and universities awarded 1,302 degrees in theological & ministerial studies during the 2020-2021 academic year.

What's on this page: * Degree-Level Rankings

Choosing a Great Theological & Ministerial Studies School

Best Theological & Ministerial Studies Schools in California The theology program you select can have a big impact on your future. That's why we developed our collection of Best Schools for Theological & Ministerial Studies rankings. We derive our Best Overall Theological & Ministerial Studies School rankings by rolling up our degree-level rankings after weighting them by the number of degrees awarded at each school.

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

Bachelor's Degrees in Theology
Master's Degrees in Theology
Doctor's Degrees in Theology

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 the Best Theological & Ministerial Studies Schools in California. You can also filter this list by location to find schools closer to you.

In addition to College Factual's rankings, you may want to take a look at College Combat, our unique tool that lets you pit your favorite schools head-to-head and compare how they rate on factors that most interest you. When you have some time, check it out - you may want to bookmark the link so you don't forget it.

More information on how we come up with our rankings can be found here: College Factual's Data Methodology.

Best Schools for Theological & Ministerial Studies in California

The schools below may not offer all types of theology degrees so you may want to filter by degree level first. However, they are great for the degree levels they do offer.

Top California Schools in Theology

1
Doctor's Degree Highest Degree Type
378 Theology Degrees Awarded
$46,934 Median Starting Salary

Every student who is interested in theological & ministerial studies needs to look into Fuller Theological Seminary. Fuller is a small private not-for-profit school located in the city of Pasadena.

There were approximately 378 theological & ministerial studies students who graduated with this degree at Fuller in the most recent year we have data available. Theological & Ministerial Studies degree recipients from Fuller Theological Seminary earn a boost of approximately $7,507 over the average income of theological & ministerial studies graduates.

More information about a degree in theological & ministerial studies from Fuller Theological Seminary

2
Biola crest
Biola University
La Mirada, CA
Master's Degree Highest Degree Type
93 Theology Degrees Awarded
37.6% Growth in Graduates

Biola University is one of the finest schools in the United States for getting a degree in theological & ministerial studies. Biola is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university located in the suburb of La Mirada. A Best Colleges rank of #358 out of 2,217 schools nationwide means Biola is a great university overall.

There were about 93 theological & ministerial studies students who graduated with this degree at Biola in the most recent data year. Students who graduate with their degree from the theology program report average early career income of $40,448.

More information about a degree in theological & ministerial studies from Biola University

3
Master's Degree Highest Degree Type
150 Theology Degrees Awarded
1.3% Growth in Graduates

It is difficult to beat The Master's University and Seminary if you wish to pursue a degree in theological & ministerial studies. Located in the suburb of Santa Clarita, The Master's University is a private not-for-profit university with a small student population. A Best Colleges rank of #258 out of 2,217 colleges nationwide means The Master's University is a great university overall.

There were approximately 150 theological & ministerial studies students who graduated with this degree at The Master's University in the most recent data year. Students who graduate with their degree from the theology program state that they receive average early career wages of $41,409.

More information about a degree in theological & ministerial studies from The Master’s University and Seminary

4
Master's Degree Highest Degree Type
45 Theology Degrees Awarded
$39,190 Median Starting Salary

It is difficult to beat Azusa Pacific University if you wish to pursue a degree in theological & ministerial studies. Located in the large suburb of Azusa, Azusa Pacific is a private not-for-profit university with a moderately-sized student population. A Best Colleges rank of #259 out of 2,217 schools nationwide means Azusa Pacific is a great university overall.

There were approximately 45 theological & ministerial studies students who graduated with this degree at Azusa Pacific in the most recent year we have data available. Soon after graduation, theology degree recipients generally earn an average of $39,190 in the first five years of their career.

More information about a degree in theological & ministerial studies from Azusa Pacific University

5
Master's Degree Highest Degree Type
7th Most Popular In CA
40 Theology Degrees Awarded

School of Urban Missions is a fairly small private not-for-profit college located in the rural area of El Dorado Hills.

There were approximately 40 theological & ministerial studies students who graduated with this degree at School of Urban Missions in the most recent year we have data available.

More information about a degree in theological & ministerial studies from SUM Bible College and Theological Seminary

6
Master's Degree Highest Degree Type
69 Theology Degrees Awarded
$33,149 Median Starting Salary

Located in the suburb of Fullerton, Hope is a private not-for-profit university with a small student population. This university ranks 152nd out of 168 schools for overall quality in the state of California.

There were approximately 69 theological & ministerial studies students who graduated with this degree at Hope in the most recent year we have data available. Soon after graduating, theology degree recipients typically make around $33,149 in their early careers.

More information about a degree in theological & ministerial studies from Hope International University

7
LIFE Bible College crest
Life Pacific College
San Dimas, CA

Located in the suburb of San Dimas, LIFE Bible College is a private not-for-profit college with a small student population. This college ranks 72nd out of 168 schools for overall quality in the state of California.More information about a degree in theological & ministerial studies from Life Pacific College

8
Master's Degree Highest Degree Type
22nd Most Popular In CA
30.8% Growth in Graduates

Fresno Pacific is a small private not-for-profit university located in the large city of Fresno. This university ranks 59th out of 168 colleges for overall quality in the state of California.

There were approximately 13 theological & ministerial studies students who graduated with this degree at Fresno Pacific in the most recent data year.

More information about a degree in theological & ministerial studies from Fresno Pacific University

9
Master's Degree Highest Degree Type
$34,984 Median Starting Salary

Located in the large suburb of Escondido, Westminster Seminary California is a private not-for-profit school with a fairly small student population.

There were approximately 28 theological & ministerial studies students who graduated with this degree at Westminster Seminary California in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, theology degree recipients typically earn an average of $34,984 at the beginning of their careers.

More information about a degree in theological & ministerial studies from Westminster Theological Seminary in California

Best Theological & Ministerial Studies Colleges in the Far Western US Region

Explore all the Best Theological & Ministerial Studies Colleges in the Far Western US Area or other specific states within that region.

State Colleges Degrees Awarded
Washington 300 197
Oregon 266 196
Hawaii 164 11
Alaska 119 4

View All Rankings >

One of 7 majors within the Theology & Religious Vocations area of study, Theological & Ministerial Studies has other similar majors worth exploring.

Theology Concentrations

Major Annual Graduates
Theology 497
Divinity/Ministry 470
Other Theological & Ministerial Studies 317
Pre-Theology/Pre-Ministerial Studies 12
Rabbinical Studies 6

View All Theology Focus Areas >

Related Major Annual Graduates
Biblical Studies 275
Pastoral Counseling & Specialized Ministries 213
Missionary Studies 131
Theology & Religious Vocations (Other) 111
Religious Education 53
Sacred Music 43

View All Theology Related Majors >

Notes and References

More about our data sources and methodologies.

Popular Reports

College Rankings
Best by Location
Degree Guides by Major
Graduate Programs

Compare Your School Options