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2026 Best Theological & Ministerial Studies Schools in the Far Western Region

9 Colleges in the United States
1,066 Theological & Ministerial Studies Degrees Awarded
$50,688 Avg Early-Career Salary

Theological & Ministerial Studies programs are offered at a focused set of schools across the country. While the number of schools offering the program varies, there are still top-quality ones to be found.

For its 2026 ranking, College Factual looked at 64 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 Far Western Region

Below are the schools that deliver the strongest overall theological & ministerial studies education in the Far Western Region.

Top Schools in Theological & Ministerial Studies

1
Santa Clara University crest
Santa Clara University
Santa Clara, CA

Santa Clara University tops our 2026 ranking of the best theological & ministerial studies schools. This large private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Santa Clara. Roughly 88% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 54 theological & ministerial studies students who graduated with this degree at Santa Clara University in the most recent data year. Theological & Ministerial Studies graduates of Santa Clara University earn a median of $79,380 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $20,144. See the full theological & ministerial studies program report for Santa Clara University

2

Students looking for a strong theological & ministerial studies program will find one at Loyola Marymount University, which ranked #2. Loyola Marymount University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Los Angeles. About 79% of students finish within six years. Loyola Marymount University awarded about 11 theological & ministerial studies degrees in the most recent data year. Theological & Ministerial Studies graduates of Loyola Marymount University earn a median of $52,935 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $22,248 to complete this degree. Get the full theological & ministerial studies details for Loyola Marymount University

3

Vanguard University Of Southern California is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in theological & ministerial studies, landing the #3 spot this year. This mid-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Costa Mesa. Vanguard University Of Southern California graduates 57% of students within six years. There were roughly 14 theological & ministerial studies students who graduated with this degree at Vanguard University Of Southern California in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, theological & ministerial studies degree recipients from Vanguard University Of Southern California generally make around $80,727. Typical student debt for the program is $21,111. Read more about the theological & ministerial studies program at Vanguard University Of Southern California

4

The Masters College And Seminary came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best theological & ministerial studies schools. This mid-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the suburb of Santa Clarita. Roughly 67% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 106 theological & ministerial studies degrees were awarded at The Masters College And Seminary in the most recent year. Graduates of the theological & ministerial studies program make about $55,300 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $23,774 to complete this degree. Get the full theological & ministerial studies details for The Masters College And Seminary

5

Concordia University Irvine is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in theological & ministerial studies, ranking #5. Concordia University Irvine is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Irvine. About 58% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 25 theological & ministerial studies students who graduated with this degree at Concordia University Irvine in the most recent data year. Theological & Ministerial Studies graduates of Concordia University Irvine earn a median of $58,590 early in their careers. Concordia University Irvine graduates carry a median of $26,085 in student loans. More information about a degree in theological & ministerial studies from Concordia University Irvine

6

Seattle Pacific University landed the #6 spot for theological & ministerial studies this year. This mid-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Seattle. The six-year graduation rate is 62%. There were roughly 15 theological & ministerial studies students who graduated with this degree at Seattle Pacific University in the most recent data year. Theological & Ministerial Studies graduates of Seattle Pacific University earn a median of $44,499 early in their careers. Seattle Pacific University graduates carry a median of $25,188 in student loans. More information about a degree in theological & ministerial studies from Seattle Pacific University

7
Biola University crest
Biola University
La Mirada, CA

Biola University landed the #7 spot for theological & ministerial studies this year. Set in the suburb of La Mirada, Biola University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 68%. There were roughly 119 theological & ministerial studies students who graduated with this degree at Biola University in the most recent data year. Graduates of the theological & ministerial studies program make about $42,625 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $25,308. See the full theological & ministerial studies program report for Biola University

8

Fuller Theological Seminary In California placed #8 among the best theological & ministerial studies schools. This mid-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Pasadena. There were roughly 283 theological & ministerial studies students who graduated with this degree at Fuller Theological Seminary In California in the most recent data year. Graduates of the theological & ministerial studies program make about $60,609 in their early career. Get the full theological & ministerial studies details for Fuller Theological Seminary In California

9

George Fox University landed the #9 spot for theological & ministerial studies this year. George Fox University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the town of Newberg. The six-year graduation rate is 72%. About 34 theological & ministerial studies degrees were awarded at George Fox University in the most recent year. Graduates of the theological & ministerial studies program make about $39,270 in their early career. George Fox University graduates carry a median of $25,324 in student loans. More information about a degree in theological & ministerial studies from George Fox University

10

Corban University came in at #10 for theological & ministerial studies this year. Located in the city of Salem, Corban University is a small private not-for-profit university. About 61% of students finish within six years. About 24 theological & ministerial studies degrees were awarded at Corban University in the most recent year. Graduates of the theological & ministerial studies program make about $41,194 in their early career. Corban University graduates carry a median of $24,318 in student loans. More information about a degree in theological & ministerial studies from Corban University

11
Western Seminary crest
Western Seminary
Portland, OR

Western Seminary placed #11 among the best theological & ministerial studies schools. Set in the city of Portland, Western Seminary is a small private not-for-profit institution. There were roughly 127 theological & ministerial studies students who graduated with this degree at Western Seminary in the most recent data year. Students who receive their theological & ministerial studies degree from Western Seminary earn around $48,539 in the first couple years of their career. Read more about the theological & ministerial studies program at Western Seminary

12
Life Pacific College crest
Life Pacific College
San Dimas, CA

Life Pacific College ranked #12 on our 2026 list of the best theological & ministerial studies schools. This small private not-for-profit university is located in the suburb of San Dimas. About 38% of students finish within six years. About 10 theological & ministerial studies degrees were awarded at Life Pacific College in the most recent year. Graduates of the theological & ministerial studies program make about $39,411 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $22,521. See the full theological & ministerial studies program report for Life Pacific College

13

Northwest University College Of Adult And Professional Studies landed the #13 spot for theological & ministerial studies this year. Set in the suburb of Kirkland, Northwest University College Of Adult And Professional Studies is a small private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 41%. There were roughly 58 theological & ministerial studies students who graduated with this degree at Northwest University College Of Adult And Professional Studies 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 $22,696 to complete this degree. Get the full theological & ministerial studies details for Northwest University College Of Adult And Professional Studies

14

Azusa Pacific University came in at #14 for theological & ministerial studies this year. This moderately-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the suburb of Azusa. Roughly 62% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 26 theological & ministerial studies students who graduated with this degree at Azusa Pacific University in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, theological & ministerial studies degree recipients from Azusa Pacific University generally make around $58,302. Students borrow a median of $23,709 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in theological & ministerial studies from Azusa Pacific University

15

Sum Bible College And Theological Seminary came in at #15 for theological & ministerial studies this year. This small private not-for-profit university is located in the suburb of El Dorado Hills. About 14% of students finish within six years. About 93 theological & ministerial studies degrees were awarded at Sum Bible College And Theological Seminary in the most recent year. Graduates of the theological & ministerial studies program make about $26,407 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $29,299. Read more about the theological & ministerial studies program at Sum Bible College And Theological Seminary

16

Hope International University earned the #16 position for theological & ministerial studies this year. Hope International University is a small private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Fullerton. Hope International University graduates 49% of students within six years. There were roughly 23 theological & ministerial studies students who graduated with this degree at Hope International University in the most recent data year. Students who receive their theological & ministerial studies degree from Hope International University earn around $50,661 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $18,054 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in theological & ministerial studies from Hope International University

17

Faith Evangelical College And Seminary ranked #17 on our 2026 list of the best theological & ministerial studies schools. Set in the city of Tacoma, Faith Evangelical College And Seminary is a small private not-for-profit institution. Faith Evangelical College And Seminary graduates 25% of students within six years. Faith Evangelical College And Seminary awarded about 24 theological & ministerial studies degrees in the most recent data year. Theological & Ministerial Studies graduates of Faith Evangelical College And Seminary earn a median of $42,103 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $17,813 to complete this degree. Read more about the theological & ministerial studies program at Faith Evangelical College And Seminary

18
World Mission University crest
World Mission University
Los Angeles, CA

World Mission University ranked #18 on our 2026 list of the best theological & ministerial studies schools. World Mission University is a small private not-for-profit school located in the city of Los Angeles. World Mission University graduates 100% of students within six years. There were roughly 20 theological & ministerial studies students who graduated with this degree at World Mission University in the most recent data year. More information about a degree in theological & ministerial studies from World Mission University

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Notes and References

This list is compiled 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 · 64 schools evaluated.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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