Theological & Ministerial Studies is a field worth a close look when choosing where to study. The schools below stand out for the quality of their theological & ministerial studies programs.
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.
Our analysis ranked Santa Clara University the best school in the country for a degree in theological & ministerial studies. This large private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Santa Clara. About 88% of students finish within six years. About 29 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. Students borrow a median of $20,144 to complete this degree.
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Students looking for a strong theological & ministerial studies program will find one at University Of St Thomas Minnesota, which ranked #2. University Of St Thomas Minnesota is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Saint Paul. The six-year graduation rate is 77%. About 16 theological & ministerial studies degrees were awarded at University Of St Thomas Minnesota in the most recent year. Theological & Ministerial Studies graduates of University Of St Thomas Minnesota earn a median of $71,681 early in their careers. University Of St Thomas Minnesota graduates carry a median of $23,923 in student loans.
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A rank of #3 makes Villanova University one of the top schools for theological & ministerial studies. Villanova University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Villanova. The six-year graduation rate is 92%. Villanova University awarded about 17 theological & ministerial studies degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the theological & ministerial studies program make about $72,601 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $26,184 to complete this degree.
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A rank of #4 makes Duke University one of the top schools for theological & ministerial studies. Located in the city of Durham, Duke University is a large private not-for-profit university. About 97% of students finish within six years. About 127 theological & ministerial studies degrees were awarded at Duke University in the most recent year. Theological & Ministerial Studies graduates of Duke University earn a median of $44,015 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $13,296.
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Jewish Theological Seminary Of America is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in theological & ministerial studies, ranking #5. This small private not-for-profit university is located in the city of New York. Jewish Theological Seminary Of America graduates 90% of students within six years. There were roughly 10 theological & ministerial studies students who graduated with this degree at Jewish Theological Seminary Of America in the most recent data year. Graduates of the theological & ministerial studies program make about $78,469 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $16,750.
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Yale University placed #6 among the best theological & ministerial studies schools. Located in the city of New Haven, Yale University is a large private not-for-profit university. The six-year graduation rate is 96%. There were roughly 81 theological & ministerial studies students who graduated with this degree at Yale University in the most recent data year. Students who receive their theological & ministerial studies degree from Yale University earn around $45,451 in the first couple years of their career. Yale University graduates carry a median of $14,357 in student loans.
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Loyola Marymount University ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best theological & ministerial studies schools. Set in the city of Los Angeles, Loyola Marymount University is a large private not-for-profit institution. About 79% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 10 theological & ministerial studies students who graduated with this degree at Loyola Marymount University in the most recent data year. Students who receive their theological & ministerial studies degree from Loyola Marymount University earn around $52,935 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $22,248.
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Wesley Theological Seminary landed the #8 spot for theological & ministerial studies this year. Set in the city of Washington, Wesley Theological Seminary is a small private not-for-profit institution. There were roughly 37 theological & ministerial studies students who graduated with this degree at Wesley Theological Seminary in the most recent data year. Graduates of the theological & ministerial studies program make about $53,160 in their early career.
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Creighton University came in at #9 for theological & ministerial studies this year. Located in the city of Omaha, Creighton University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. Creighton University graduates 83% of students within six years. Creighton University awarded about 10 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. Typical student debt for the program is $25,831.
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Moody Bible Institute ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best theological & ministerial studies schools. Set in the city of Chicago, Moody Bible Institute is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 62%. There were roughly 112 theological & ministerial studies students who graduated with this degree at Moody Bible Institute in the most recent data year. Students who receive their theological & ministerial studies degree from Moody Bible Institute earn around $61,890 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $14,000 to complete this degree.
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Seton Hall University earned the #11 position for theological & ministerial studies this year. Seton Hall University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of South Orange. The six-year graduation rate is 70%. About 27 theological & ministerial studies degrees were awarded at Seton Hall University in the most recent year. Students who receive their theological & ministerial studies degree from Seton Hall University earn around $63,871 in the first couple years of their career. Seton Hall University graduates carry a median of $23,422 in student loans.
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Southern Methodist University came in at #12 for theological & ministerial studies this year. Located in the suburb of Dallas, Southern Methodist University is a large private not-for-profit university. Roughly 84% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 62 theological & ministerial studies students who graduated with this degree at Southern Methodist University in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, theological & ministerial studies degree recipients from Southern Methodist University generally make around $54,351. Typical student debt for the program is $20,712.
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Sewanee The University Of The South landed the #13 spot for theological & ministerial studies this year. This small private not-for-profit university is located in the rural area of Sewanee. The six-year graduation rate is 80%. There were roughly 22 theological & ministerial studies students who graduated with this degree at Sewanee The University Of The South in the most recent data year. Theological & Ministerial Studies graduates of Sewanee The University Of The South earn a median of $36,927 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $22,091 to complete this degree.
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Wheaton College Illinois came in at #14 for theological & ministerial studies this year. Set in the suburb of Wheaton, Wheaton College Illinois is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 85%. About 26 theological & ministerial studies degrees were awarded at Wheaton College Illinois in the most recent year. Students who receive their theological & ministerial studies degree from Wheaton College Illinois earn around $56,069 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $23,292.
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Emory University came in at #15 for theological & ministerial studies this year. Emory University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Atlanta. Roughly 91% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 112 theological & ministerial studies students who graduated with this degree at Emory University in the most recent data year. Theological & Ministerial Studies graduates of Emory University earn a median of $46,547 early in their careers. Emory University graduates carry a median of $19,431 in student loans.
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The Masters College And Seminary ranked #16 on our 2026 list of the best theological & ministerial studies schools. Set in the suburb of Santa Clarita, The Masters College And Seminary is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. The Masters College And Seminary graduates 67% of students within six years. The Masters College And Seminary awarded about 57 theological & ministerial studies degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, theological & ministerial studies degree recipients from The Masters College And Seminary generally make around $66,923. Students borrow a median of $23,774 to complete this degree.
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Hebrew Union College Jewish Institute Of Religion placed #17 among the best theological & ministerial studies schools. Located in the city of New York, Hebrew Union College Jewish Institute Of Religion is a small private not-for-profit university. There were roughly 18 theological & ministerial studies students who graduated with this degree at Hebrew Union College Jewish Institute Of Religion in the most recent data year. Students who receive their theological & ministerial studies degree from Hebrew Union College Jewish Institute Of Religion earn around $114,729 in the first couple years of their career.
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Saint Charles Borromeo Seminary Overbrook earned the #18 position for theological & ministerial studies this year. This small private not-for-profit university is located in the suburb of Ambler. Roughly 42% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 38 theological & ministerial studies degrees were awarded at Saint Charles Borromeo Seminary Overbrook in the most recent year.
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Andrews University placed #19 among the best theological & ministerial studies schools. Located in the town of Berrien Springs, Andrews University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. The six-year graduation rate is 72%. There were roughly 86 theological & ministerial studies students who graduated with this degree at Andrews University in the most recent data year. Graduates of the theological & ministerial studies program make about $68,117 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $26,314 to complete this degree.
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Boston University ranked #20 on our 2026 list of the best theological & ministerial studies schools. Boston University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Boston. Roughly 89% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 35 theological & ministerial studies degrees were awarded at Boston University in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, theological & ministerial studies degree recipients from Boston University generally make around $51,172. Students borrow a median of $25,232 to complete this degree.
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Vanguard University Of Southern California came in at #21 for theological & ministerial studies this year. This mid-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Costa Mesa. The six-year graduation rate is 57%. Vanguard University Of Southern California awarded about 14 theological & ministerial studies degrees in the most recent data year. Theological & Ministerial Studies graduates of Vanguard University Of Southern California earn a median of $80,727 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $21,111.
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Abilene Christian University landed the #22 spot for theological & ministerial studies this year. Located in the city of Abilene, Abilene Christian University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. Roughly 59% of students complete a degree within six years here. Abilene Christian University awarded about 29 theological & ministerial studies degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, theological & ministerial studies degree recipients from Abilene Christian University generally make around $56,463. Typical student debt for the program is $23,772.
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Harvard University landed the #23 spot for theological & ministerial studies this year. Set in the city of Cambridge, Harvard University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 98%. Harvard University awarded about 129 theological & ministerial studies degrees in the most recent data year. Theological & Ministerial Studies graduates of Harvard University earn a median of $37,385 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $16,616.
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Lipscomb University earned the #24 position for theological & ministerial studies this year. This moderately-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Nashville. Roughly 72% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 16 theological & ministerial studies degrees were awarded at Lipscomb University in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, theological & ministerial studies degree recipients from Lipscomb University generally make around $48,949. Typical student debt for the program is $23,529.
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Vanderbilt University earned the #25 position for theological & ministerial studies this year. This large private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Nashville. The six-year graduation rate is 94%. About 24 theological & ministerial studies degrees were awarded at Vanderbilt University in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, theological & ministerial studies degree recipients from Vanderbilt University generally make around $42,583. Typical student debt for the program is $13,975.
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Rest of the Top 50 Theological & Ministerial Studies Schools
Not far behind, these schools also delivered a strong theological & ministerial studies education:
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 · 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).
