2027 Best Theological & Ministerial Studies Schools in the Southeast Region
Theological & Ministerial Studies is a field worth a close look when choosing where to study. A focused field like this rewards careful comparison of the schools that offer it.
To produce this 2027 ranking, College Factual evaluated 43 schools to find the best for theological & ministerial studies students.
What’s on this page:
Best Schools for Theological & Ministerial Studies in the Southeast Region
If you are not interested in a particular degree level and want to know which schools are the overall best at delivering an education for the theological & ministerial studies degrees they offer, see the list below.
Top Schools in Theological & Ministerial Studies
No school ranked higher than Duke University this year for theological & ministerial studies. Set in the city of Durham, Duke University is a large private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 97% of students complete a degree within six years here. Duke University awarded about 212 theological & ministerial studies degrees in the most recent data 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.
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Students looking for a strong theological & ministerial studies program will find one at Emory University, which ranked #2. Set in the city of Atlanta, Emory University is a large private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 91% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 123 theological & ministerial studies degrees were awarded at Emory University in the most recent year. Students who receive their theological & ministerial studies degree from Emory University earn around $74,348 in the first couple years of their career. Emory University graduates carry a median of $19,431 in student loans.
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Vanderbilt University came in at #3 on our 2027 list of the best theological & ministerial studies schools. Located in the city of Nashville, Vanderbilt University is a large private not-for-profit university. The six-year graduation rate is 94%. Vanderbilt University awarded about 51 theological & ministerial studies degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their theological & ministerial studies degree from Vanderbilt University earn around $42,583 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $13,975 to complete this degree.
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Sewanee The University Of The South is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in theological & ministerial studies, ranking #4. Set in the rural area of Sewanee, Sewanee The University Of The South is a small private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 80% of students complete a degree within six years here. 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. Graduates of the theological & ministerial studies program make about $36,927 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $22,091 to complete this degree.
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Students looking for a strong theological & ministerial studies program will find one at Lipscomb University, which ranked #5. Set in the city of Nashville, Lipscomb University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 72%. There were roughly 30 theological & ministerial studies students who graduated with this degree at Lipscomb University in the most recent data year. Theological & Ministerial Studies graduates of Lipscomb University earn a median of $48,949 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $23,529.
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Harding University landed the #6 spot for theological & ministerial studies this year. This moderately-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the town of Searcy. The six-year graduation rate is 69%. About 15 theological & ministerial studies degrees were awarded at Harding University in the most recent year. Graduates of the theological & ministerial studies program make about $53,629 in their early career. Harding University graduates carry a median of $26,715 in student loans.
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The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary came in at #7 for theological & ministerial studies this year. This moderately-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Louisville. The six-year graduation rate is 35%. There were roughly 806 theological & ministerial studies students who graduated with this degree at The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary in the most recent data year. Graduates of the theological & ministerial studies program make about $74,388 in their early career.
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Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary landed the #8 spot for theological & ministerial studies this year. Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Wake Forest. Roughly 17% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 277 theological & ministerial studies degrees were awarded at Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, theological & ministerial studies degree recipients from Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary generally make around $54,863.
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Lenoir Rhyne University ranked #9 on our 2027 list of the best theological & ministerial studies schools. This mid-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Hickory. Lenoir Rhyne University graduates 48% of students within six years. Lenoir Rhyne University awarded about 10 theological & ministerial studies degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, theological & ministerial studies degree recipients from Lenoir Rhyne University generally make around $49,985. Lenoir Rhyne University graduates carry a median of $26,900 in student loans.
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Anderson University Sc came in at #10 for theological & ministerial studies this year. Anderson University Sc is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Anderson. The six-year graduation rate is 66%. There were roughly 18 theological & ministerial studies students who graduated with this degree at Anderson University Sc in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, theological & ministerial studies degree recipients from Anderson University Sc generally make around $49,036. Students borrow a median of $28,034 to complete this degree.
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New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary ranked #11 on our 2027 list of the best theological & ministerial studies schools. Set in the city of New Orleans, New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary graduates 70% of students within six years. About 263 theological & ministerial studies degrees were awarded at New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary in the most recent year.
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Columbia International University placed #12 among the best theological & ministerial studies schools. Located in the city of Columbia, Columbia International University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Roughly 46% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 73 theological & ministerial studies students who graduated with this degree at Columbia International University in the most recent data year. Graduates of the theological & ministerial studies program make about $32,296 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $21,667 to complete this degree.
More information about a degree in theological & ministerial studies from Columbia International University
Loyola University New Orleans earned the #13 position for theological & ministerial studies this year. Set in the city of New Orleans, Loyola University New Orleans is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Loyola University New Orleans graduates 59% of students within six years. Loyola University New Orleans awarded about 33 theological & ministerial studies degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, theological & ministerial studies degree recipients from Loyola University New Orleans generally make around $48,040. Loyola University New Orleans graduates carry a median of $26,606 in student loans.
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Wake Forest University earned the #14 position for theological & ministerial studies this year. Set in the city of Winston-Salem, Wake Forest University is a large private not-for-profit institution. About 89% of students finish within six years. Wake Forest University awarded about 20 theological & ministerial studies degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the theological & ministerial studies program make about $40,732 in their early career. Wake Forest University graduates carry a median of $21,577 in student loans.
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Johnson University came in at #15 for theological & ministerial studies this year. This small private not-for-profit university is located in the rural area of Knoxville. The six-year graduation rate is 54%. Johnson University awarded about 31 theological & ministerial studies degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, theological & ministerial studies degree recipients from Johnson University generally make around $37,989. Students borrow a median of $23,250 to complete this degree.
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Samford University ranked #16 on our 2027 list of the best theological & ministerial studies schools. Located in the suburb of Birmingham, Samford University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. The six-year graduation rate is 77%. Samford University awarded about 35 theological & ministerial studies degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the theological & ministerial studies program make about $37,532 in their early career. Samford University graduates carry a median of $21,039 in student loans.
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Erskine College And Seminary came in at #17 for theological & ministerial studies this year. Located in the rural area of Due West, Erskine College And Seminary is a small private not-for-profit university. Erskine College And Seminary graduates 45% of students within six years. There were roughly 25 theological & ministerial studies students who graduated with this degree at Erskine College And Seminary in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, theological & ministerial studies degree recipients from Erskine College And Seminary generally make around $35,695. Erskine College And Seminary graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans.
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Campbellsville University earned the #18 position for theological & ministerial studies this year. Set in the town of Campbellsville, Campbellsville University is a large private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 42% of students complete a degree within six years here. Campbellsville University awarded about 12 theological & ministerial studies degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their theological & ministerial studies degree from Campbellsville University earn around $54,029 in the first couple years of their career. Campbellsville University graduates carry a median of $24,148 in student loans.
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Southeastern University ranked #19 on our 2027 list of the best theological & ministerial studies schools. Southeastern University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Lakeland. Roughly 44% of students complete a degree within six years here. Southeastern University awarded about 386 theological & ministerial studies degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, theological & ministerial studies degree recipients from Southeastern University generally make around $33,030. Southeastern University graduates carry a median of $19,609 in student loans.
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Ave Maria University landed the #20 spot for theological & ministerial studies this year. Set in the rural area of Ave Maria, Ave Maria University is a small private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 47%. There were roughly 45 theological & ministerial studies students who graduated with this degree at Ave Maria University in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, theological & ministerial studies degree recipients from Ave Maria University generally make around $26,924. Typical student debt for the program is $21,102.
More information about a degree in theological & ministerial studies from Ave Maria University
Palm Beach Atlantic University West Palm Beach placed #21 among the best theological & ministerial studies schools. Palm Beach Atlantic University West Palm Beach is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of West Palm Beach. Roughly 55% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 27 theological & ministerial studies students who graduated with this degree at Palm Beach Atlantic University West Palm Beach in the most recent data year. Theological & Ministerial Studies graduates of Palm Beach Atlantic University West Palm Beach earn a median of $28,383 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $25,750 to complete this degree.
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Milligan College earned the #22 position for theological & ministerial studies this year. Milligan College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Milligan. The six-year graduation rate is 63%. Milligan College awarded about 15 theological & ministerial studies degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the theological & ministerial studies program make about $64,327 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $26,150.
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Columbia Theological Seminary ranked #23 on our 2027 list of the best theological & ministerial studies schools. This small private not-for-profit university is located in the suburb of Decatur. There were roughly 51 theological & ministerial studies students who graduated with this degree at Columbia Theological Seminary in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, theological & ministerial studies degree recipients from Columbia Theological Seminary generally make around $44,694.
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Amridge University placed #24 among the best theological & ministerial studies schools. This small private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Montgomery. The six-year graduation rate is 100%. There were roughly 24 theological & ministerial studies students who graduated with this degree at Amridge University in the most recent data year. Students who receive their theological & ministerial studies degree from Amridge University earn around $46,125 in the first couple years of their career.
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Liberty University placed #25 among the best theological & ministerial studies schools. Located in the city of Lynchburg, Liberty University is a very large private not-for-profit university. Roughly 67% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 1,825 theological & ministerial studies students who graduated with this degree at Liberty University in the most recent data year. Graduates of the theological & ministerial studies program make about $53,626 in their early career. Liberty University graduates carry a median of $27,414 in student loans.
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Rest of the Top 43 Theological & Ministerial Studies Schools
These schools also placed among the best for theological & ministerial studies this year:
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Notes and References
This ranking is produced by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 edition. Schools are scored on a blend of student outcomes (graduation rate, post-graduation earnings), affordability, and program focus, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Top Ranked · 43 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.
