Theology ยท bachelor's degree
Pastoral ministry major: colleges and pay
117 colleges in our data award bachelor's degrees in pastoral ministry, 989 of them in 2023-24. Graduates of the typical program earned $33,735 a year after graduating and $44,603 four years after.
Colleges offering it117
Graduates in 2023-24989
Typical median debt$23,500
Typical earnings 1 yr after$33,735
Typical earnings 4 yrs after$44,603
Earnings to debt1.4x
Official field name: Pastoral Counseling and Specialized Ministries.
Colleges where pastoral ministry graduates earn the most
Programs with at least 10 graduates in 2023-24, ranked by median earnings four years after graduation.
| College | Graduates (2023-24) | Earnings 1 yr after | Earnings 4 yrs after | Median debt |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Life Pacific UniversitySan Dimas, CA | 24 | $38,841 | $52,477 | $25,000 |
| Gordon CollegeWenham, MA | 15 | $36,127 | $52,173 | n/a |
| Regent UniversityVirginia Beach, VA | 24 | $46,270 | $49,799 | $34,326 |
| Liberty UniversityLynchburg, VA | 87 | $33,373 | $46,531 | $20,500 |
| Lee UniversityCleveland, TN | 67 | $38,222 | $45,844 | $27,000 |
| Indiana Wesleyan University-MarionMarion, IN | 23 | $33,735 | $45,693 | $23,555 |
| Grace Christian UniversityWyoming, MI | 20 | $45,616 | $45,288 | $29,653 |
| Grace College and Theological SeminaryWinona Lake, IN | 18 | n/a | $44,733 | $22,125 |
| Moody Bible InstituteChicago, IL | 52 | $39,557 | $44,522 | $19,490 |
| North Central UniversityMinneapolis, MN | 34 | $34,202 | $41,979 | $22,843 |
| Nelson UniversityWaxahachie, TX | 48 | $32,680 | $39,707 | $25,375 |
| Lancaster Bible CollegeLancaster, PA | 19 | $27,683 | $38,779 | $20,500 |
| Cornerstone UniversityGrand Rapids, MI | 10 | n/a | $38,298 | n/a |
| Bethel UniversityMishawaka, IN | 23 | $28,479 | $37,149 | $19,500 |
| Maranatha Baptist UniversityWatertown, WI | 13 | n/a | $36,728 | n/a |
| Oral Roberts UniversityTulsa, OK | 12 | $26,347 | $36,493 | $29,182 |
| Crown CollegeSaint Bonifacius, MN | 11 | n/a | $32,718 | n/a |
Largest pastoral ministry programs
| College | Graduates (2023-24) | Earnings 1 yr after | Earnings 4 yrs after | Median debt |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Liberty UniversityLynchburg, VA | 87 | $33,373 | $46,531 | $20,500 |
| Ozark Christian CollegeJoplin, MO | 80 | $32,959 | n/a | $23,225 |
| Lee UniversityCleveland, TN | 67 | $38,222 | $45,844 | $27,000 |
| Moody Bible InstituteChicago, IL | 52 | $39,557 | $44,522 | $19,490 |
| Nelson UniversityWaxahachie, TX | 48 | $32,680 | $39,707 | $25,375 |
| North Central UniversityMinneapolis, MN | 34 | $34,202 | $41,979 | $22,843 |
| Colorado Christian UniversityLakewood, CO | 25 | n/a | n/a | $32,495 |
| Life Pacific UniversitySan Dimas, CA | 24 | $38,841 | $52,477 | $25,000 |
| Regent UniversityVirginia Beach, VA | 24 | $46,270 | $49,799 | $34,326 |
| Indiana Wesleyan University-MarionMarion, IN | 23 | $33,735 | $45,693 | $23,555 |
| Bethel UniversityMishawaka, IN | 23 | $28,479 | $37,149 | $19,500 |
| Grace Christian UniversityWyoming, MI | 20 | $45,616 | $45,288 | $29,653 |
| Lancaster Bible CollegeLancaster, PA | 19 | $27,683 | $38,779 | $20,500 |
| Grace College and Theological SeminaryWinona Lake, IN | 18 | n/a | $44,733 | $22,125 |
| World Mission UniversityLos Angeles, CA | 18 | n/a | n/a | n/a |
Graduate degrees in pastoral ministry
Master's: 79 programs, $45,624 first-year earnings; Doctoral: 13 programs, $79,483 first-year earnings; Professional doctorate: 3 programs. Compare graduate programs.
Every college with a pastoral ministry major
| College | Graduates (2023-24) | Earnings 1 yr after | Earnings 4 yrs after | Median debt |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Life Pacific UniversitySan Dimas, CA | 24 | $38,841 | $52,477 | $25,000 |
| Gordon CollegeWenham, MA | 15 | $36,127 | $52,173 | n/a |
| Nazarene Bible CollegeColorado Springs, CO | 6 | n/a | $49,899 | n/a |
| Regent UniversityVirginia Beach, VA | 24 | $46,270 | $49,799 | $34,326 |
| Dallas Baptist UniversityDallas, TX | 8 | n/a | $49,408 | n/a |
| Cairn University-LanghorneLanghorne, PA | 5 | n/a | $47,805 | n/a |
| Liberty UniversityLynchburg, VA | 87 | $33,373 | $46,531 | $20,500 |
| Lee UniversityCleveland, TN | 67 | $38,222 | $45,844 | $27,000 |
| Indiana Wesleyan University-MarionMarion, IN | 23 | $33,735 | $45,693 | $23,555 |
| Indiana Wesleyan University-National & GlobalMarion, IN | 4 | $33,735 | $45,693 | $23,555 |
| Grace Christian UniversityWyoming, MI | 20 | $45,616 | $45,288 | $29,653 |
| Evangel UniversitySpringfield, MO | 5 | $34,904 | $44,988 | $21,014 |
| Grace College and Theological SeminaryWinona Lake, IN | 18 | n/a | $44,733 | $22,125 |
| George Fox UniversityNewberg, OR | 0 | n/a | $44,603 | n/a |
| Moody Bible InstituteChicago, IL | 52 | $39,557 | $44,522 | $19,490 |
| Central Christian College of the BibleMoberly, MO | 6 | n/a | $42,051 | n/a |
| North Central UniversityMinneapolis, MN | 34 | $34,202 | $41,979 | $22,843 |
| Nelson UniversityWaxahachie, TX | 48 | $32,680 | $39,707 | $25,375 |
| Lancaster Bible CollegeLancaster, PA | 19 | $27,683 | $38,779 | $20,500 |
| Cornerstone UniversityGrand Rapids, MI | 10 | n/a | $38,298 | n/a |
| Bethel UniversityMishawaka, IN | 23 | $28,479 | $37,149 | $19,500 |
| Spring Arbor UniversitySpring Arbor, MI | 1 | n/a | $36,814 | n/a |
| Maranatha Baptist UniversityWatertown, WI | 13 | n/a | $36,728 | n/a |
| Oral Roberts UniversityTulsa, OK | 12 | $26,347 | $36,493 | $29,182 |
| John Brown UniversitySiloam Springs, AR | 3 | n/a | $35,601 | n/a |
| Crown CollegeSaint Bonifacius, MN | 11 | n/a | $32,718 | n/a |
| Southeastern UniversityLakeland, FL | 2 | n/a | $30,430 | n/a |
| Ozark Christian CollegeJoplin, MO | 80 | $32,959 | n/a | $23,225 |
| Toccoa Falls CollegeToccoa Falls, GA | 5 | $28,302 | n/a | n/a |
| Abilene Christian University-Undergraduate OnlineAddison, TX | 2 | n/a | n/a | n/a |
| Anderson UniversityAnderson, IN | 0 | n/a | n/a | n/a |
| Arizona Christian UniversityGlendale, AZ | 3 | n/a | n/a | n/a |
| Arlington Baptist UniversityArlington, TX | 4 | n/a | n/a | n/a |
| Asbury UniversityWilmore, KY | 1 | n/a | n/a | n/a |
| Azusa Pacific UniversityAzusa, CA | 0 | n/a | n/a | n/a |
| Bethel UniversitySaint Paul, MN | 9 | n/a | n/a | n/a |
| Bushnell UniversityEugene, OR | 2 | n/a | n/a | n/a |
| Calvary UniversityKansas City, MO | 7 | n/a | n/a | n/a |
| Calvin UniversityGrand Rapids, MI | 11 | n/a | n/a | n/a |
| Campbellsville UniversityCampbellsville, KY | 7 | n/a | n/a | n/a |
| Cedarville UniversityCedarville, OH | 7 | n/a | n/a | n/a |
| Charleston Southern UniversityCharleston, SC | 2 | n/a | n/a | n/a |
| Colorado Christian UniversityLakewood, CO | 25 | n/a | n/a | $32,495 |
| Columbia International UniversityColumbia, SC | 4 | n/a | n/a | n/a |
| Concordia University Ann ArborAnn Arbor, MI | 4 | n/a | n/a | n/a |
| Dallas Christian CollegeDallas, TX | 2 | n/a | n/a | n/a |
| Dordt UniversitySioux Center, IA | 1 | n/a | n/a | n/a |
| Drury UniversitySpringfield, MO | 1 | n/a | n/a | n/a |
| East Texas Baptist UniversityMarshall, TX | 1 | n/a | n/a | n/a |
| Eastern UniversitySaint Davids, PA | 9 | n/a | n/a | n/a |
| Emmanuel UniversityFranklin Springs, GA | 5 | n/a | n/a | n/a |
| Faulkner UniversityMontgomery, AL | 3 | n/a | n/a | n/a |
| Freed-Hardeman UniversityHenderson, TN | 6 | n/a | n/a | n/a |
| Geneva CollegeBeaver Falls, PA | 6 | n/a | n/a | n/a |
| Gods Bible School and CollegeCincinnati, OH | 5 | n/a | n/a | n/a |
| Great Lakes Christian CollegeLansing, MI | 0 | n/a | n/a | n/a |
| Harding UniversitySearcy, AR | 4 | n/a | n/a | n/a |
| Hope International UniversityFullerton, CA | 0 | n/a | n/a | n/a |
| Howard Payne UniversityBrownwood, TX | 3 | n/a | n/a | n/a |
| Huntington UniversityHuntington, IN | 3 | n/a | n/a | n/a |
| Johnson UniversityKnoxville, TN | 7 | n/a | n/a | n/a |
| Judson UniversityElgin, IL | 1 | n/a | n/a | n/a |
| Lenoir-Rhyne UniversityHickory, NC | 2 | n/a | n/a | n/a |
| Lipscomb UniversityNashville, TN | 1 | n/a | n/a | n/a |
| Loyola University ChicagoChicago, IL | 1 | n/a | n/a | n/a |
| Lubbock Christian UniversityLubbock, TX | 10 | n/a | n/a | n/a |
| Malone UniversityCanton, OH | 1 | n/a | n/a | n/a |
| Manhattan Christian CollegeManhattan, KS | 4 | n/a | n/a | n/a |
| Marian UniversityIndianapolis, IN | 4 | n/a | n/a | n/a |
| Mid-Atlantic Christian UniversityElizabeth City, NC | 3 | n/a | n/a | n/a |
| MidAmerica Nazarene UniversityOlathe, KS | 5 | n/a | n/a | n/a |
| Midland UniversityFremont, NE | 2 | n/a | n/a | n/a |
| Midwestern Baptist Theological SeminaryKansas City, MO | 9 | n/a | n/a | n/a |
| Milligan UniversityMilligan, TN | 2 | n/a | n/a | n/a |
| Mission UniversitySpringfield, MO | 7 | n/a | n/a | $23,500 |
| North Greenville UniversityTigerville, SC | 1 | n/a | n/a | n/a |
| North Park UniversityChicago, IL | 1 | n/a | n/a | n/a |
| Northwest Nazarene UniversityNampa, ID | 2 | n/a | n/a | n/a |
| Northwest UniversityKirkland, WA | 1 | n/a | n/a | n/a |
| Oakwood UniversityHuntsville, AL | 0 | n/a | n/a | n/a |
| Ohio Christian UniversityCircleville, OH | 0 | n/a | n/a | n/a |
| Oklahoma Baptist UniversityShawnee, OK | 5 | n/a | n/a | n/a |
| Olivet Nazarene UniversityBourbonnais, IL | 5 | n/a | n/a | n/a |
| Ouachita Baptist UniversityArkadelphia, AR | 4 | n/a | n/a | n/a |
| Pacific Rim Christian UniversityHonolulu, HI | 2 | n/a | n/a | n/a |
| Point UniversityWest Point, GA | 2 | n/a | n/a | n/a |
| Randall UniversityMoore, OK | 3 | n/a | n/a | n/a |
| Rochester Christian UniversityRochester Hills, MI | 0 | n/a | n/a | n/a |
| Saint Joseph's College of MaineStandish, ME | 1 | n/a | n/a | n/a |
| Samford UniversityBirmingham, AL | 3 | n/a | n/a | n/a |
| South Florida Bible College and Theological SeminaryDeerfield Beach, FL | 3 | n/a | n/a | n/a |
| Southeastern Baptist Theological SeminaryWake Forest, NC | 8 | n/a | n/a | n/a |
| Southern Nazarene UniversityBethany, OK | 5 | n/a | n/a | $22,000 |
| Southwestern CollegeWinfield, KS | 1 | n/a | n/a | n/a |
| Sterling CollegeSterling, KS | 1 | n/a | n/a | n/a |
| Tabor CollegeHillsboro, KS | 3 | n/a | n/a | n/a |
| Taylor UniversityUpland, IN | 13 | n/a | n/a | n/a |
| The King's UniversitySouthlake, TX | 14 | n/a | n/a | n/a |
| The Master's University and SeminarySanta Clarita, CA | 14 | n/a | n/a | n/a |
| The Southern Baptist Theological SeminaryLouisville, KY | 0 | n/a | n/a | n/a |
| Trevecca Nazarene UniversityNashville, TN | 4 | n/a | n/a | n/a |
| Trinity Christian CollegePalos Heights, IL | 0 | n/a | n/a | n/a |
| Trinity College of FloridaTrinity, FL | 1 | n/a | n/a | n/a |
| Union UniversityJackson, TN | 6 | n/a | n/a | n/a |
| Universidad Pentecostal MizpaRio Piedras, PR | 8 | n/a | n/a | n/a |
| Universidad Teologica del CaribeTrujillo Alto, PR | 11 | n/a | n/a | n/a |
| University of DallasIrving, TX | 1 | n/a | n/a | n/a |
| University of Mary Hardin-BaylorBelton, TX | 4 | n/a | n/a | n/a |
| University of Northwestern-St PaulSaint Paul, MN | 5 | n/a | n/a | n/a |
| University of Sioux FallsSioux Falls, SD | 3 | n/a | n/a | n/a |
| University of the Incarnate WordSan Antonio, TX | 3 | n/a | n/a | n/a |
| Vanguard University of Southern CaliforniaCosta Mesa, CA | 5 | n/a | n/a | n/a |
| Walla Walla UniversityCollege Place, WA | 2 | n/a | n/a | n/a |
| Warner Pacific UniversityPortland, OR | 0 | n/a | n/a | n/a |
| Welch CollegeGallatin, TN | 1 | n/a | n/a | n/a |
| William Jessup UniversityRocklin, CA | 4 | n/a | n/a | n/a |
| World Mission UniversityLos Angeles, CA | 18 | n/a | n/a | n/a |
Frequently asked questions
How much do pastoral ministry majors make?
Graduates of the typical pastoral ministry program earned a median of $33,735 one year after graduation and $44,603 four years after, in 2024 dollars.
Which college has the highest-paid pastoral ministry graduates?
Life Pacific University, where graduates earned a median of $52,477 four years after graduation (programs with at least 10 graduates).
How many colleges offer a pastoral ministry major?
117 colleges on the College Scorecard awarded bachelor's degrees in pastoral ministry in 2022-23 or 2023-24.
Source: U.S. Department of Education, College Scorecard field of study file, data release of October 15, 2026. Earnings are medians for graduates who received federal aid and were working, not enrolled. One-year figures: graduates of 2020-21 and 2021-22, measured in 2022 and 2023, in 2024 dollars. Four-year figures: graduates of 2017-18 and 2018-19, measured in 2022 and 2023, in 2024 dollars. More on the data.