2026 Best Pastoral Counseling Specialized Ministries Schools
Looking for the best Pastoral Counseling Specialized Ministries programs programs in the United States? We have ranked 278 schools by overall quality and student outcomes, using our 2026 methodology. Each school below is scored on factors such as graduation rate, post-graduation earnings, cost, and admissions selectivity.
To help you make your decision, Course Advisor evaluated 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 Pastoral Counseling Specialized Ministries Schools in the United States
Explore the leading schools below:
Hebrew Union College Jewish Institute Of Religion tops our 2026 ranking of the best Pastoral Counseling Specialized Ministries programs schools in the United States. Located in New York, NY, Hebrew Union College Jewish Institute Of Religion is a private not-for-profit institution. Get the full Hebrew Union College Jewish Institute Of Religion report
You'll be in good company at Indiana Wesleyan University National And Global, which ranked #3 this year. Located in Marion, IN, Indiana Wesleyan University National And Global is a private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,648. Typical Pastoral Counseling Specialized Ministries student debt is $26,338. See the full Indiana Wesleyan University National And Global profile
You'll be in good company at Olivet Nazarene University, which ranked #4 this year. Olivet Nazarene University is a private not-for-profit school based in Bourbonnais, IL. About 61% of students finish within six years. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $38,900. Typical Pastoral Counseling Specialized Ministries student debt is $26,797. See the full Olivet Nazarene University profile
The strong Pastoral Counseling Specialized Ministries programs at Moody Bible Institute earned it the #5 place in the United States. Located in Chicago, IL, Moody Bible Institute is a private not-for-profit institution. Moody Bible Institute posts a six-year graduation rate of 62%. Students from in state pay about $15,786 in tuition and fees. The median Pastoral Counseling Specialized Ministries program debt is $12,000. Read more about Moody Bible Institute
The Masters College And Seminary placed #6 among Pastoral Counseling Specialized Ministries schools in the United States. This private not-for-profit school is set in Santa Clarita, CA. About 67% of students finish within six years. In-state tuition and fees run about $39,020. The median Pastoral Counseling Specialized Ministries program debt is $22,089. Get the full The Masters College And Seminary report
Crown College ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best Pastoral Counseling Specialized Ministries schools. This private not-for-profit school is set in Saint Bonifacius, MN. Roughly 44% of students complete a degree within six years here. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $31,410. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete their Pastoral Counseling Specialized Ministries program here. Read the full report on Crown College
Bethel University Minnesota came in at #8 in this year's ranking. Based in Saint Paul, MN, Bethel University Minnesota is a private not-for-profit institution. Bethel University Minnesota graduates 71% of students within six years. In-state tuition and fees run about $44,226. Graduates carry a median of $25,639 in student loans. Read more about Bethel University Minnesota
Southeastern University landed the #9 spot in the United States this year. Set in Lakeland, FL, Southeastern University is a private not-for-profit institution. Southeastern University posts a six-year graduation rate of 44%. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $32,950. Students borrow a median of $26,000 to complete their Pastoral Counseling Specialized Ministries program here. Read more about Southeastern University
Nazarene Bible College did well this year, earning the #10 position. Located in Colorado Springs, CO, Nazarene Bible College is a private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $10,482. The median Pastoral Counseling Specialized Ministries program debt is $40,332. See the full Nazarene Bible College profile
Colorado Christian University landed the #11 spot in the United States this year. Located in Lakewood, CO, Colorado Christian University is a private not-for-profit institution. About 63% of students finish within six years. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $28,846. Students borrow a median of $36,092 to complete their Pastoral Counseling Specialized Ministries program here. See the full Colorado Christian University profile
Johnson University landed the #12 spot in the United States this year. Based in Knoxville, TN, Johnson University is a private not-for-profit institution. Johnson University graduates 54% of students within six years. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $21,122. The median Pastoral Counseling Specialized Ministries program debt is $26,750. More on Johnson University
Ohio Christian University ranked #13 on our 2026 list of the best Pastoral Counseling Specialized Ministries schools. Located in Circleville, OH, Ohio Christian University is a private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 50% of students complete a degree within six years here. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $19,190. Graduates carry a median of $30,947 in student loans. Get the full Ohio Christian University report
Westminster Theological Seminary placed #14 among Pastoral Counseling Specialized Ministries schools in the United States. This private not-for-profit school is set in Glenside, PA. See the full Westminster Theological Seminary profile
Concordia University Ann Arbor ranked #15 on our 2026 list of the best Pastoral Counseling Specialized Ministries schools. This private not-for-profit school is set in Ann Arbor, MI. The six-year graduation rate is 49%. In-state tuition and fees run about $35,410. Graduates carry a median of $27,584 in student loans. Get the full Concordia University Ann Arbor report
Loyola University Chicago placed #16 among Pastoral Counseling Specialized Ministries schools in the United States. Based in Chicago, IL, Loyola University Chicago is a private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 75% of students complete a degree within six years here. Students from in state pay about $53,710 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $23,521 to complete their Pastoral Counseling Specialized Ministries program here. Read the full report on Loyola University Chicago
Meadville Lombard Theological School placed #17 among Pastoral Counseling Specialized Ministries schools in the United States. Set in Chicago, IL, Meadville Lombard Theological School is a private not-for-profit institution. Get the full Meadville Lombard Theological School report
Valor Christian College ranked #18 on our 2026 list of the best Pastoral Counseling Specialized Ministries schools. Valor Christian College is a private not-for-profit school based in Canal Winchester, OH. Students from in state pay about $10,612 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $17,635 to complete their Pastoral Counseling Specialized Ministries program here. Read the full report on Valor Christian College
Gordon College placed #19 among Pastoral Counseling Specialized Ministries schools in the United States. Set in Wenham, MA, Gordon College is a private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 68%. In-state tuition and fees run about $30,700. Graduates carry a median of $26,372 in student loans. See the full Gordon College profile
Northwestern College Minnesota landed the #20 spot in the United States this year. Set in Saint Paul, MN, Northwestern College Minnesota is a private not-for-profit institution. About 68% of students finish within six years. Students from in state pay about $37,920 in tuition and fees. Graduates carry a median of $23,505 in student loans. See the full Northwestern College Minnesota profile
Lipscomb University did well this year, earning the #22 position. Located in Nashville, TN, Lipscomb University is a private not-for-profit institution. Lipscomb University graduates 72% of students within six years. Students from in state pay about $40,572 in tuition and fees. Typical Pastoral Counseling Specialized Ministries student debt is $23,529. More on Lipscomb University
Kings University landed the #23 spot in the United States this year. Kings University is a private not-for-profit school based in Southlake, TX. Kings University posts a six-year graduation rate of 33%. In-state tuition and fees run about $12,480. Typical Pastoral Counseling Specialized Ministries student debt is $48,998. See the full Kings University profile
Lenoir Rhyne University placed #24 among Pastoral Counseling Specialized Ministries schools in the United States. Located in Hickory, NC, Lenoir Rhyne University is a private not-for-profit institution. About 48% of students finish within six years. In-state tuition and fees run about $31,900. Lenoir Rhyne University Pastoral Counseling Specialized Ministries students take on a median of $26,900 in debt. Get the full Lenoir Rhyne University report
Harding University did well this year, earning the #25 position. This private not-for-profit school is set in Searcy, AR. Harding University graduates 69% of students within six years. Students from in state pay about $25,962 in tuition and fees. Typical Pastoral Counseling Specialized Ministries student debt is $26,715. See the full Harding University profile
Lee University came in at #26 in this year's ranking. Lee University is a private not-for-profit school based in Cleveland, TN. Lee University posts a six-year graduation rate of 63%. Students from in state pay about $23,790 in tuition and fees. The median Pastoral Counseling Specialized Ministries program debt is $28,750. Get the full Lee University report
North Central University came in at #27 in this year's ranking. Based in Minneapolis, MN, North Central University is a private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 65%. In-state tuition and fees run about $32,220. Typical Pastoral Counseling Specialized Ministries student debt is $26,750. See the full North Central University profile
Rest of the Top 50 Best Pastoral Counseling Specialized Ministries Schools in the United States
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s ranking:
Northern Baptist Theological Seminary placed #28 among Pastoral Counseling Specialized Ministries schools in the United States. Set in Lisle, IL, Northern Baptist Theological Seminary is a private not-for-profit institution. Read the full report on Northern Baptist Theological Seminary
Ozark Christian College did well this year, earning the #29 position. Located in Joplin, MO, Ozark Christian College is a private not-for-profit institution. Ozark Christian College posts a six-year graduation rate of 58%. In-state tuition and fees average $16,000. Graduates carry a median of $23,500 in student loans. Read more about Ozark Christian College
Gordon Conwell Theological Seminary landed the #30 spot in the United States this year. Gordon Conwell Theological Seminary is a private not-for-profit school based in South Hamilton, MA. Read the full report on Gordon Conwell Theological Seminary
Emory University ranked #31 on our 2026 list of the best Pastoral Counseling Specialized Ministries schools. This private not-for-profit school is set in Atlanta, GA. About 91% of students finish within six years. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $64,280. The median Pastoral Counseling Specialized Ministries program debt is $19,431. More on Emory University
Valley Forge Christian College ranked #32 on our 2026 list of the best Pastoral Counseling Specialized Ministries schools. This private not-for-profit school is set in Phoenixville, PA. Valley Forge Christian College graduates 49% of students within six years. In-state tuition and fees run about $25,240. Valley Forge Christian College Pastoral Counseling Specialized Ministries students take on a median of $27,634 in debt. See the full Valley Forge Christian College profile
Seattle University did well this year, earning the #33 position. This private not-for-profit school is set in Seattle, WA. Seattle University graduates 76% of students within six years. In-state tuition and fees run about $56,721. Graduates carry a median of $22,289 in student loans. See the full Seattle University profile
Northwest Nazarene University ranked #34 on our 2026 list of the best Pastoral Counseling Specialized Ministries schools. Northwest Nazarene University is a private not-for-profit school based in Nampa, ID. The six-year graduation rate is 71%. Students from in state pay about $40,824 in tuition and fees. The median Pastoral Counseling Specialized Ministries program debt is $27,562. See the full Northwest Nazarene University profile
Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary came in at #35 in this year's ranking. Located in Kansas City, MO, Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary is a private not-for-profit institution. Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary posts a six-year graduation rate of 64%. In-state tuition and fees average $11,530. Graduates carry a median of $15,559 in student loans. See the full Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary profile
Brite Divinity School came in at #36 in this year's ranking. Located in Fort Worth, TX, Brite Divinity School is a private not-for-profit institution. See the full Brite Divinity School profile
Northwest University came in at #38 in this year's ranking. This private not-for-profit school is set in Kirkland, WA. The six-year graduation rate is 68%. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $36,035. Northwest University Pastoral Counseling Specialized Ministries students take on a median of $22,439 in debt. See the full Northwest University profile
Eastern University placed #39 among Pastoral Counseling Specialized Ministries schools in the United States. This private not-for-profit school is set in Saint Davids, PA. Eastern University posts a six-year graduation rate of 60%. Students from in state pay about $38,400 in tuition and fees. Graduates carry a median of $28,584 in student loans. Read more about Eastern University
Southwestern Assemblies Of God University placed #40 among Pastoral Counseling Specialized Ministries schools in the United States. Set in Waxahachie, TX, Southwestern Assemblies Of God University is a private not-for-profit institution. Southwestern Assemblies Of God University posts a six-year graduation rate of 36%. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $25,064. Typical Pastoral Counseling Specialized Ministries student debt is $26,750. Read more about Southwestern Assemblies Of God University
George Fox University placed #41 among Pastoral Counseling Specialized Ministries schools in the United States. Based in Newberg, OR, George Fox University is a private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 72%. In-state tuition and fees run about $41,320. George Fox University Pastoral Counseling Specialized Ministries students take on a median of $25,324 in debt. Read more about George Fox University
Mccormick Theological Seminary placed #42 among Pastoral Counseling Specialized Ministries schools in the United States. Mccormick Theological Seminary is a private not-for-profit school based in Chicago, IL. Get the full Mccormick Theological Seminary report
Lancaster Bible College came in at #44 in this year's ranking. Lancaster Bible College is a private not-for-profit school based in Lancaster, PA. Roughly 68% of students complete a degree within six years here. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $29,990. The median Pastoral Counseling Specialized Ministries program debt is $22,584. Read the full report on Lancaster Bible College
Martin Luther College did well this year, earning the #45 position. Set in New Ulm, MN, Martin Luther College is a private not-for-profit institution. Martin Luther College graduates 72% of students within six years. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $18,120. Martin Luther College Pastoral Counseling Specialized Ministries students take on a median of $20,224 in debt. More on Martin Luther College
Lutheran School Of Theology At Chicago came in at #46 in this year's ranking. Located in Chicago, IL, Lutheran School Of Theology At Chicago is a private not-for-profit institution. Read more about Lutheran School Of Theology At Chicago
Boston College came in at #47 in this year's ranking. Set in Chestnut Hill, MA, Boston College is a private not-for-profit institution. About 91% of students finish within six years. Students from in state pay about $70,702 in tuition and fees. Boston College Pastoral Counseling Specialized Ministries students take on a median of $18,101 in debt. Read more about Boston College
Covenant Theological Seminary came in at #48 in this year's ranking. Located in Saint Louis, MO, Covenant Theological Seminary is a private not-for-profit institution. Read the full report on Covenant Theological Seminary
Grace College And Theological Seminary placed #49 among Pastoral Counseling Specialized Ministries schools in the United States. Grace College And Theological Seminary is a private not-for-profit school based in Winona Lake, IN. The six-year graduation rate is 69%. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $29,645. Students borrow a median of $25,500 to complete their Pastoral Counseling Specialized Ministries program here. See the full Grace College And Theological Seminary profile
Life Pacific College did well this year, earning the #50 position. Life Pacific College is a private not-for-profit school based in San Dimas, CA. The six-year graduation rate is 38%. In-state tuition and fees run about $22,118. Students borrow a median of $24,083 to complete their Pastoral Counseling Specialized Ministries program here. Get the full Life Pacific College report
Columbia International University landed the #51 spot in the United States this year. Set in Columbia, SC, Columbia International University is a private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 46%. In-state tuition and fees average $27,900. Students borrow a median of $21,667 to complete their Pastoral Counseling Specialized Ministries program here. Read more about Columbia International University
Nazarene Theological Seminary came in at #52 in this year's ranking. Based in Kansas City, MO, Nazarene Theological Seminary is a private not-for-profit institution. Read more about Nazarene Theological Seminary
Saint Josephs College Of Maine landed the #53 spot in the United States this year. Based in Standish, ME, Saint Josephs College Of Maine is a private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 66%. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $44,420. The median Pastoral Counseling Specialized Ministries program debt is $26,625. See the full Saint Josephs College Of Maine profile
Liberty University ranked #54 on our 2026 list of the best Pastoral Counseling Specialized Ministries schools. Liberty University is a private not-for-profit school based in Lynchburg, VA. Liberty University posts a six-year graduation rate of 67%. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $16,173. Liberty University Pastoral Counseling Specialized Ministries students take on a median of $23,750 in debt. More on Liberty University
Best Pastoral Counseling Specialized Ministries Schools by Degree Level
Compare rankings by degree level:
- Best Pastoral Counseling Specialized Ministries Certificate Degree Schools
- Best Pastoral Counseling Specialized Ministries Undergraduate Certificate Degree Schools
- Best Pastoral Counseling Specialized Ministries Associate’s Degree Schools
- Best Pastoral Counseling Specialized Ministries Bachelor’s Degree Schools
- Best Pastoral Counseling Specialized Ministries Graduate Certificate Degree Schools
- Best Pastoral Counseling Specialized Ministries Master’s Degree Schools
- Best Pastoral Counseling Specialized Ministries Doctoral Degree Schools
Ranking Methodology & Notes
The ranking above is published by Course Advisor (DMS_RANKING_2023), 2026 edition. Schools are scored on 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 278 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).
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