2026 Best Missionary Studies Doctoral Degree Schools
Looking for the best Missionary Studies doctoral degree programs in the United States? We have ranked 126 institutions by overall quality and student outcomes, using our 2026 methodology. The rankings below weigh factors such as graduation rate, post-graduation earnings, cost, and admissions selectivity.
To arm you with the information you need, Course Advisor analyzed schools to compile this 2026 ranking, drawing primarily on U.S. Department of Education data (IPEDS and College Scorecard). View our full ranking methodology.
Top 25 Missionary Studies Doctoral Degree Schools in the United States
Learn more about these excellent schools below:
Fuller Theological Seminary In California earned the #1 spot in this year's ranking in the United States. Fuller Theological Seminary In California is a private not-for-profit school based in Pasadena, CA. Read the full report on Fuller Theological Seminary In California
The strong Missionary Studies programs at Western Seminary earned it the #2 place in the United States. Western Seminary is a private not-for-profit school based in Portland, OR. Read more about Western Seminary
Out of the 126 schools in the United States in this year's ranking, Grace College And Theological Seminary landed the #3 spot. This private not-for-profit school is set in Winona Lake, IN. Grace College And Theological Seminary graduates 69% of students within six years. In-state tuition and fees average $29,645. Grace College And Theological Seminary Missionary Studies students take on a median of $21,211 in debt. Read the full report on Grace College And Theological Seminary
Out of the 126 schools in the United States in this year's ranking, Columbia International University landed the #4 spot. Located in Columbia, SC, Columbia International University is a private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 46% of students complete a degree within six years here. In-state tuition and fees run about $27,900. Columbia International University Missionary Studies students take on a median of $21,667 in debt. See the full Columbia International University profile
You'll be in good company at Asbury Theological Seminary, which ranked #5 this year. Asbury Theological Seminary is a private not-for-profit school based in Wilmore, KY. Get the full Asbury Theological Seminary report
Evangel University placed #6 among Missionary Studies schools in the United States. Set in Springfield, MO, Evangel University is a private not-for-profit institution. Evangel University posts a six-year graduation rate of 65%. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $28,548. Evangel University Missionary Studies students take on a median of $24,876 in debt. See the full Evangel University profile
Trinity International University Illinois came in at #7 in this year's ranking. Located in Deerfield, IL, Trinity International University Illinois is a private not-for-profit institution. About 46% of students finish within six years. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,320. Typical Missionary Studies student debt is $26,892. Get the full Trinity International University Illinois report
Union Bible College came in at #8 in this year's ranking. Read the full report on Union Bible College
Catholic Theological Union At Chicago placed #9 among Missionary Studies schools in the United States. Get the full Catholic Theological Union At Chicago report
Moody Bible Institute placed #10 among Missionary Studies schools in the United States. Read the full report on Moody Bible Institute
Nazarene Theological Seminary landed the #11 spot in the United States this year. Get the full Nazarene Theological Seminary report
Wayland Baptist University came in at #12 in this year's ranking. More on Wayland Baptist University
Union University
Union University came in at #13 in this year's ranking. More on Union University
Oak Hills Christian College landed the #14 spot in the United States this year. Get the full Oak Hills Christian College report
Colorado Christian University ranked #15 on our 2026 list of the best Missionary Studies schools. Read more about Colorado Christian University
Truett Mcconnell College ranked #16 on our 2026 list of the best Missionary Studies schools. See the full Truett Mcconnell College profile
Cornerstone University did well this year, earning the #17 position. More on Cornerstone University
Bethlehem College And Seminary placed #18 among Missionary Studies schools in the United States. More on Bethlehem College And Seminary
Lee University
Lee University placed #19 among Missionary Studies schools in the United States. More on Lee University
The Baptist College Of Florida landed the #20 spot in the United States this year. See the full The Baptist College Of Florida profile
Loyola University Chicago did well this year, earning the #21 position. Get the full Loyola University Chicago report
Gods Bible School And College came in at #22 in this year's ranking. More on Gods Bible School And College
Campbellsville University came in at #23 in this year's ranking. Read more about Campbellsville University
Seattle University did well this year, earning the #24 position. See the full Seattle University profile
Grace Mission University did well this year, earning the #25 position. See the full Grace Mission University profile
Rest of the Top 50 Best Missionary Studies Doctoral Degree Schools in the United States
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s ranking:
Biola University
Biola University did well this year, earning the #26 position. Read more about Biola University
The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary did well this year, earning the #27 position. Read the full report on The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary
Milligan College
Milligan College placed #28 among Missionary Studies schools in the United States. Read more about Milligan College
Mount Vernon Nazarene University did well this year, earning the #29 position. More on Mount Vernon Nazarene University
Southwestern Christian University did well this year, earning the #30 position. More on Southwestern Christian University
Universidad Pentecostal Mizpa placed #31 among Missionary Studies schools in the United States. Get the full Universidad Pentecostal Mizpa report
Faith Baptist Bible College And Theological Seminary came in at #32 in this year's ranking. Get the full Faith Baptist Bible College And Theological Seminary report
Northwest Nazarene University placed #33 among Missionary Studies schools in the United States. Get the full Northwest Nazarene University report
Olivet Nazarene University came in at #34 in this year's ranking. More on Olivet Nazarene University
Bethany Global University did well this year, earning the #35 position. Get the full Bethany Global University report
Maranatha Baptist Bible College came in at #36 in this year's ranking. See the full Maranatha Baptist Bible College profile
Northwest Christian University came in at #37 in this year's ranking. Read the full report on Northwest Christian University
Southwestern Assemblies Of God University came in at #38 in this year's ranking. More on Southwestern Assemblies Of God University
Free Will Baptist Bible College landed the #39 spot in the United States this year. Read more about Free Will Baptist Bible College
Central Christian College Of The Bible landed the #40 spot in the United States this year. Read more about Central Christian College Of The Bible
Universidad Teologica Del Caribe came in at #41 in this year's ranking. Get the full Universidad Teologica Del Caribe report
Barclay College
Barclay College ranked #42 on our 2026 list of the best Missionary Studies schools. Read the full report on Barclay College
Andrews University placed #43 among Missionary Studies schools in the United States. Get the full Andrews University report
Asbury University came in at #44 in this year's ranking. See the full Asbury University profile
Crown College
Crown College came in at #45 in this year's ranking. Read more about Crown College
Palm Beach Atlantic University West Palm Beach ranked #46 on our 2026 list of the best Missionary Studies schools. Read the full report on Palm Beach Atlantic University West Palm Beach
Mid Atlantic Christian University placed #47 among Missionary Studies schools in the United States. More on Mid Atlantic Christian University
University Of St Thomas Texas ranked #48 on our 2026 list of the best Missionary Studies schools. Read the full report on University Of St Thomas Texas
Eastern University ranked #49 on our 2026 list of the best Missionary Studies schools. Read the full report on Eastern University
New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary ranked #50 on our 2026 list of the best Missionary Studies schools. See the full New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary profile
Related Missionary Studies Rankings
Compare rankings at other degree levels:
- Best Missionary Studies Schools (All Levels)
- Best Missionary Studies Certificate Degree Schools
- Best Missionary Studies Undergraduate Certificate Degree Schools
- Best Missionary Studies Associate’s Degree Schools
- Best Missionary Studies Bachelor’s Degree Schools
- Best Missionary Studies Graduate Certificate Degree Schools
- Best Missionary Studies Master’s Degree Schools
Ranking Methodology & Notes
These rankings are produced by Course Advisor (DMS_RANKING_2023), 2026 edition. Rankings consider a blend of student outcomes (graduation rate, post-graduation earnings), affordability, and admissions data drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: Dms College Quality · Scope: Nation. *Averages shown above reflect the top 126 ranked schools only.
References
- Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) — National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Department of Education (core institutional data).
- College Scorecard — U.S. Department of Education (graduate earnings and outcomes data).
Course Advisor provides higher-education, college and university, degree, program, career, salary, and other helpful information to students, faculty, institutions, and other internet audiences. Presented information and data are subject to change. Inclusion on this website does not imply or represent a direct relationship with the company, school, or brand. Information, though believed correct at time of publication, may not be correct, and no warranty is provided. Contact the schools to verify any information before relying on it. Financial aid may be available for those who qualify. The displayed options may include sponsored or recommended results, not necessarily based on your preferences.
© Course Advisor – All Rights Reserved.