Best Schools for Theological and Ministerial Studies

Theological and Ministerial Studies graduates earn a median of $30,246 within two years of graduation, ranking #218 out of 292 tracked majors — 15% below the median across all fields. There are 35 colleges nationwide with tracked earnings for this major, producing 736 recent graduates.

Where you study matters: Hope International University graduates earn $47,846 while Martin Luther College graduates earn $15,472 — a $32,374 difference. Factors like location, employer networks, co-op programs, and curriculum focus drive this gap.

Early career salary growth is modest: Theological and Ministerial Studies graduates see an average 5% increase between year 1 and year 2 post-graduation, reflecting career advancement and skill development in the first years after college.

35
Schools
$30,246
Avg. 2yr Earnings
#218
of 292 Majors
736
Graduates

Theological and Ministerial Studies by State

Top Theological and Ministerial Studies Schools by Graduate Earnings

#1
H

Hope International University

Fullerton, CA · Private

$47,846
2yr Earnings
1yr: $35,221
Grads: 30
Acceptance: 35.4%
#2
N

Nazarene Bible College

Colorado Springs, CO ·

$46,478
2yr Earnings
1yr: $39,270
Grads: 30
Acceptance: N/A
#3
C

Clarks Summit University

Clarks Summit, PA · Private

$42,682
2yr Earnings
Acceptance: 90.1%
#4
S

Saint Mary-of-the-Woods College

Saint Mary of the Woods, IN · Private

$38,829
2yr Earnings
Acceptance: 76.1%
#5
U

University of Northwestern-St Paul

Saint Paul, MN · Private

$37,208
2yr Earnings
1yr: $29,273
Grads: 17
Acceptance: 91.9%
#6
T

The King's University

Southlake, TX · Private

$37,208
2yr Earnings
Acceptance: 100.0%
#7
U

University of Notre Dame

Notre Dame, IN · Private

$35,594
2yr Earnings
1yr: $20,151
Grads: 26
Acceptance: 12.4%
#8
A

Alliance University

New York, NY · Private

$35,594
2yr Earnings
Acceptance: N/A
#9
A

Azusa Pacific University

Azusa, CA · Private

$32,925
2yr Earnings
Acceptance: 79.5%
#10
S

Southern Adventist University

Collegedale, TN · Private

$32,925
2yr Earnings
Acceptance: 66.6%
#11
M

Mount St. Mary's University

Emmitsburg, MD · Private

$32,563
2yr Earnings
Acceptance: 71.9%
#12
P

Palm Beach Atlantic University

West Palm Beach, FL · Private

$32,382
2yr Earnings
1yr: $26,858
Grads: 22
Acceptance: 88.3%
#13
N

Northwest University

Kirkland, WA · Private

$31,853
2yr Earnings
1yr: $33,021
Grads: 49
Acceptance: 88.0%
#14
N

Northwest University-Center for Online and Extended Education

Kirkland, WA ·

$31,853
2yr Earnings
1yr: $33,021
Grads: 49
Acceptance: N/A
#15
F

Franciscan University of Steubenville

Steubenville, OH · Private

$31,133
2yr Earnings
1yr: $25,562
Grads: 107
Acceptance: 72.2%
#16
T

The Master's University and Seminary

Santa Clarita, CA · Private

$31,127
2yr Earnings
1yr: $23,877
Grads: 32
Acceptance: 75.9%
#17
K

Kuyper College

Grand Rapids, MI · Private

$29,685
2yr Earnings
Acceptance: 33.9%
#18
C

Concordia University-Saint Paul

Saint Paul, MN · Private

$29,685
2yr Earnings
Acceptance: 74.9%
#19
U

University of Valley Forge

Phoenixville, PA · Private

$29,685
2yr Earnings
1yr: $31,099
Grads: 18
Acceptance: 78.2%
#20
B

Bob Jones University

Greenville, SC · Private

$28,598
2yr Earnings
Acceptance: N/A
#21
U

University of Dallas

Irving, TX · Private

$28,598
2yr Earnings
Acceptance: 54.2%
#22
A

Ave Maria University

Ave Maria, FL · Private

$28,598
2yr Earnings
1yr: $31,775
Grads: 17
Acceptance: 44.8%
#23
C

College of Biblical Studies-Houston

Houston, TX ·

$28,309
2yr Earnings
1yr: $28,060
Grads: 21
Acceptance: N/A
#24
B

Baptist University of Florida

Graceville, FL · Private

$27,765
2yr Earnings
1yr: $26,124
Grads: 39
Acceptance: 64.1%
#25
O

Oral Roberts University

Tulsa, OK · Private

$25,774
2yr Earnings
1yr: $26,042
Grads: 44
Acceptance: 98.6%
#26
C

Corban University

Salem, OR · Private

$25,774
2yr Earnings
Acceptance: 89.7%
#27
J

Johnson University Florida

Kissimmee, FL · Private

$25,194
2yr Earnings
1yr: $27,374
Grads: 31
Acceptance: 23.3%
#28
T

Trinity Bible College and Graduate School

Ellendale, ND · Private

$25,194
2yr Earnings
Acceptance: 36.2%
#29
J

Johnson University

Knoxville, TN · Private

$25,194
2yr Earnings
1yr: $27,374
Grads: 31
Acceptance: 53.8%
#30
M

Moody Bible Institute

Chicago, IL · Private

$23,649
2yr Earnings
1yr: $29,411
Grads: 61
Acceptance: 97.5%
#31
U

Universidad Adventista de las Antillas

Mayaguez, PR · Private

$23,649
2yr Earnings
Acceptance: 100.0%
#32
S

Seattle Pacific University

Seattle, WA · Private

$21,508
2yr Earnings
1yr: $24,946
Grads: 24
Acceptance: 91.1%
#33
C

Concordia University Ann Arbor

Ann Arbor, MI · Private

$19,045
2yr Earnings
1yr: $34,321
Grads: 17
Acceptance: 72.1%
#34
C

Concordia University-Wisconsin

Mequon, WI · Private

$19,045
2yr Earnings
1yr: $34,321
Grads: 17
Acceptance: 67.5%
#35
M

Martin Luther College

New Ulm, MN · Private

$15,472
2yr Earnings
1yr: $11,849
Grads: 54
Acceptance: 82.6%

Majors with Similar Earnings

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the best school for Theological and Ministerial Studies?
Hope International University ranks #1 for Theological and Ministerial Studies with median graduate earnings of $47,846 within two years. There are 35 schools nationwide offering this major with tracked earnings data.
How much do Theological and Ministerial Studies graduates earn?
Theological and Ministerial Studies graduates earn an average of $30,246 within two years of graduation. This is 15% below the median across all majors. Earnings range from $15,472 to $47,846 depending on the school.
How hard is it to get into a top Theological and Ministerial Studies program?
The average acceptance rate across Theological and Ministerial Studies programs is 70.4%. The most selective program is at University of Notre Dame with a 12.4% acceptance rate. Competitive programs value strong math/analytical skills and relevant coursework.

Data updated June 2026. Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. Earnings are median 2 years after graduation for bachelor's degree holders.

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