2026 Best Pastoral Counseling Specialized Ministries Master’s Degree Schools
Looking for the best Pastoral Counseling Specialized Ministries master’s degree programs in the United States? We have ranked 278 colleges by overall quality and student outcomes, using our 2026 methodology. Our scores reflect 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 produce 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 Master’s Degree Schools in the United States
Learn more about these excellent schools below:
The strong Pastoral Counseling Specialized Ministries programs at Olivet Nazarene University earned it the #2 place in the United States. Olivet Nazarene University is a private not-for-profit school based in Bourbonnais, IL. Olivet Nazarene University posts a six-year graduation rate of 61%. Students from in state pay about $38,900 in tuition and fees. Olivet Nazarene University Pastoral Counseling Specialized Ministries students take on a median of $26,797 in debt. Read the full report on Olivet Nazarene University
The strong Pastoral Counseling Specialized Ministries programs at The Masters College And Seminary earned it the #3 place in the United States. The Masters College And Seminary is a private not-for-profit school based in Santa Clarita, CA. About 67% of students finish within six years. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $39,020. The Masters College And Seminary Pastoral Counseling Specialized Ministries students take on a median of $22,089 in debt. More on The Masters College And Seminary
You'll be in good company at Bethel University Minnesota, which ranked #4 this year. This private not-for-profit school is set in Saint Paul, MN. About 71% of students finish within six years. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $44,226. The median Pastoral Counseling Specialized Ministries program debt is $25,639. Read the full report on Bethel University Minnesota
Out of the 278 schools in the United States in this year's ranking, Southeastern University landed the #5 spot. Southeastern University is a private not-for-profit school based in Lakeland, FL. About 44% of students finish within six years. Students from in state pay about $32,950 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $26,000 to complete their Pastoral Counseling Specialized Ministries program here. Read more about Southeastern University
Crown College landed the #6 spot in the United States this year. Set in Saint Bonifacius, MN, Crown College is a private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 44% of students complete a degree within six years here. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $31,410. The median Pastoral Counseling Specialized Ministries program debt is $27,000. Read more about Crown College
Westminster Theological Seminary landed the #7 spot in the United States this year. Located in Glenside, PA, Westminster Theological Seminary is a private not-for-profit institution. Get the full Westminster Theological Seminary report
Moody Bible Institute placed #8 among Pastoral Counseling Specialized Ministries schools in the United States. Located in Chicago, IL, Moody Bible Institute is a private not-for-profit institution. About 62% of students finish within six years. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,786. Students borrow a median of $12,000 to complete their Pastoral Counseling Specialized Ministries program here. Get the full Moody Bible Institute report
Loyola University Chicago ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the best Pastoral Counseling Specialized Ministries schools. This private not-for-profit school is set in Chicago, IL. About 75% of students finish within six years. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $53,710. 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 did well this year, earning the #10 position. Set in Chicago, IL, Meadville Lombard Theological School is a private not-for-profit institution. Read more about Meadville Lombard Theological School
Lenoir Rhyne University landed the #11 spot in the United States this year. This private not-for-profit school is set in Hickory, NC. Lenoir Rhyne University graduates 48% of students within six years. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $31,900. Students borrow a median of $26,900 to complete their Pastoral Counseling Specialized Ministries program here. Read more about Lenoir Rhyne University
Harding University did well this year, earning the #12 position. Based in Searcy, AR, Harding University is a private not-for-profit institution. Harding University posts a six-year graduation rate of 69%. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $25,962. Students borrow a median of $26,715 to complete their Pastoral Counseling Specialized Ministries program here. More on Harding University
Northwestern College Minnesota placed #13 among Pastoral Counseling Specialized Ministries schools in the United States. Northwestern College Minnesota is a private not-for-profit school based in Saint Paul, MN. About 68% of students finish within six years. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $37,920. Graduates carry a median of $23,505 in student loans. See the full Northwestern College Minnesota profile
Emory University ranked #14 on our 2026 list of the best Pastoral Counseling Specialized Ministries schools. This private not-for-profit school is set in Atlanta, GA. Emory University posts a six-year graduation rate of 91%. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $64,280. Students borrow a median of $19,431 to complete their Pastoral Counseling Specialized Ministries program here. Read the full report on Emory University
Northwest Nazarene University did well this year, earning the #15 position. Located in Nampa, ID, Northwest Nazarene University is a private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 71% of students complete a degree within six years here. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $40,824. Students borrow a median of $27,562 to complete their Pastoral Counseling Specialized Ministries program here. Read more about Northwest Nazarene University
Seattle University placed #16 among Pastoral Counseling Specialized Ministries schools in the United States. Located in Seattle, WA, Seattle University is a private not-for-profit institution. About 76% of students finish within six years. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $56,721. Seattle University Pastoral Counseling Specialized Ministries students take on a median of $22,289 in debt. Read more about Seattle University
Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary came in at #17 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 graduates 64% of students within six years. In-state tuition and fees run about $11,530. Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary Pastoral Counseling Specialized Ministries students take on a median of $15,559 in debt. Read more about Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary
Gordon Conwell Theological Seminary placed #18 among Pastoral Counseling Specialized Ministries schools in the United States. Set in South Hamilton, MA, Gordon Conwell Theological Seminary is a private not-for-profit institution. See the full Gordon Conwell Theological Seminary profile
Lancaster Bible College did well this year, earning the #19 position. This private not-for-profit school is set in Lancaster, PA. Lancaster Bible College graduates 68% of students within six years. In-state tuition and fees average $29,990. Graduates carry a median of $22,584 in student loans. See the full Lancaster Bible College profile
Boston College placed #20 among Pastoral Counseling Specialized Ministries schools in the United States. Based in Chestnut Hill, MA, Boston College is a private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 91%. In-state tuition and fees run about $70,702. The median Pastoral Counseling Specialized Ministries program debt is $18,101. Read more about Boston College
Covenant Theological Seminary came in at #21 in this year's ranking. Covenant Theological Seminary is a private not-for-profit school based in Saint Louis, MO. See the full Covenant Theological Seminary profile
Grace College And Theological Seminary landed the #22 spot in the United States this year. Based in Winona Lake, IN, Grace College And Theological Seminary is a private not-for-profit institution. Grace College And Theological Seminary posts a six-year graduation rate of 69%. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $29,645. Grace College And Theological Seminary Pastoral Counseling Specialized Ministries students take on a median of $25,500 in debt. Read the full report on Grace College And Theological Seminary
George Fox University did well this year, earning the #23 position. Based in Newberg, OR, George Fox University is a private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 72% of students complete a degree within six years here. Students from in state pay about $41,320 in tuition and fees. Typical Pastoral Counseling Specialized Ministries student debt is $25,324. See the full George Fox University profile
Indiana Wesleyan University National And Global did well this year, earning the #24 position. Indiana Wesleyan University National And Global is a private not-for-profit school based in Marion, IN. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,648. The median Pastoral Counseling Specialized Ministries program debt is $26,338. Get the full Indiana Wesleyan University National And Global report
Columbia International University placed #25 among Pastoral Counseling Specialized Ministries schools in the United States. This private not-for-profit school is set in Columbia, SC. Roughly 46% of students complete a degree within six years here. In-state tuition and fees run about $27,900. Graduates carry a median of $21,667 in student loans. Read more about Columbia International University
Luther Rice University And Seminary placed #26 among Pastoral Counseling Specialized Ministries schools in the United States. Luther Rice University And Seminary is a private not-for-profit school based in Lithonia, GA. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,320. Students borrow a median of $36,730 to complete their Pastoral Counseling Specialized Ministries program here. Get the full Luther Rice University And Seminary report
Rest of the Top 50 Best Pastoral Counseling Specialized Ministries Master’s Degree Schools in the United States
These schools also placed among the very best this year:
Dallas Theological Seminary came in at #27 in this year's ranking. Located in Dallas, TX, Dallas Theological Seminary is a private not-for-profit institution. More on Dallas Theological Seminary
Truett Mcconnell College did well this year, earning the #28 position. Based in Cleveland, GA, Truett Mcconnell College is a private not-for-profit institution. Truett Mcconnell College graduates 38% of students within six years. In-state tuition and fees average $26,792. The median Pastoral Counseling Specialized Ministries program debt is $24,936. Get the full Truett Mcconnell College report
Dallas Baptist University came in at #29 in this year's ranking. Set in Dallas, TX, Dallas Baptist University is a private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 58%. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $40,190. The median Pastoral Counseling Specialized Ministries program debt is $22,819. More on Dallas Baptist University
Ashland University ranked #30 on our 2026 list of the best Pastoral Counseling Specialized Ministries schools. Based in Ashland, OH, Ashland University is a private not-for-profit institution. About 60% of students finish within six years. In-state tuition and fees run about $31,210. Students borrow a median of $24,536 to complete their Pastoral Counseling Specialized Ministries program here. Get the full Ashland University report
Biola University did well this year, earning the #31 position. Set in La Mirada, CA, Biola University is a private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 68%. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $48,984. Graduates carry a median of $25,308 in student loans. Read the full report on Biola University
Cornerstone University did well this year, earning the #32 position. Located in Grand Rapids, MI, Cornerstone University is a private not-for-profit institution. Cornerstone University graduates 63% of students within six years. Students from in state pay about $23,000 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $29,243 to complete their Pastoral Counseling Specialized Ministries program here. Get the full Cornerstone University report
Eden Theological Seminary ranked #33 on our 2026 list of the best Pastoral Counseling Specialized Ministries schools. Based in Webster Groves, MO, Eden Theological Seminary is a private not-for-profit institution. Read the full report on Eden Theological Seminary
Asbury Theological Seminary ranked #34 on our 2026 list of the best Pastoral Counseling Specialized Ministries schools. This private not-for-profit school is set in Wilmore, KY. Read the full report on Asbury Theological Seminary
Louisville Presbyterian Theological Seminary came in at #35 in this year's ranking. Set in Louisville, KY, Louisville Presbyterian Theological Seminary is a private not-for-profit institution. See the full Louisville Presbyterian Theological Seminary profile
Southwestern Assemblies Of God University placed #37 among Pastoral Counseling Specialized Ministries schools in the United States. This private not-for-profit school is set in Waxahachie, TX. The six-year graduation rate is 36%. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $25,064. Students borrow a median of $26,750 to complete their Pastoral Counseling Specialized Ministries program here. Get the full Southwestern Assemblies Of God University report
Andrews University did well this year, earning the #38 position. Set in Berrien Springs, MI, Andrews University is a private not-for-profit institution. About 72% of students finish within six years. In-state tuition and fees run about $35,056. The median Pastoral Counseling Specialized Ministries program debt is $26,314. Get the full Andrews University report
Lee University came in at #39 in this year's ranking. This private not-for-profit school is set in Cleveland, TN. The six-year graduation rate is 63%. In-state tuition and fees run about $23,790. Students borrow a median of $28,750 to complete their Pastoral Counseling Specialized Ministries program here. Get the full Lee University report
Trinity International University Illinois did well this year, earning the #40 position. Based in Deerfield, IL, Trinity International University Illinois is a private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 46% of students complete a degree within six years here. Students from in state pay about $12,320 in tuition and fees. Trinity International University Illinois Pastoral Counseling Specialized Ministries students take on a median of $26,892 in debt. Get the full Trinity International University Illinois report
Indiana Wesleyan University did well this year, earning the #41 position. Set in Marion, IN, Indiana Wesleyan University is a private not-for-profit institution. About 66% of students finish within six years. Students from in state pay about $32,352 in tuition and fees. Typical Pastoral Counseling Specialized Ministries student debt is $24,221. Read the full report on Indiana Wesleyan University
Denver Seminary ranked #42 on our 2026 list of the best Pastoral Counseling Specialized Ministries schools. This private not-for-profit school is set in Littleton, CO. Get the full Denver Seminary report
Oral Roberts University came in at #44 in this year's ranking. Based in Tulsa, OK, Oral Roberts University is a private not-for-profit institution. About 57% of students finish within six years. In-state tuition and fees run about $35,470. The median Pastoral Counseling Specialized Ministries program debt is $37,000. Get the full Oral Roberts University report
Capital University landed the #42 spot in the United States this year. Read the full report on Capital University
Lubbock Christian University came in at #43 in this year's ranking. Get the full Lubbock Christian University report
Trinity Christian College came in at #44 in this year's ranking. Read more about Trinity Christian College
Martin University came in at #45 in this year's ranking. Read the full report on Martin University
Urshan Graduate School Of Theology ranked #46 on our 2026 list of the best Pastoral Counseling Specialized Ministries schools. Read more about Urshan Graduate School Of Theology
Creighton University did well this year, earning the #47 position. Read the full report on Creighton University
Grace Bible College did well this year, earning the #48 position. Read the full report on Grace Bible College
Brite Divinity School landed the #49 spot in the United States this year. See the full Brite Divinity School profile
Southeastern Free Will Baptist Bible College placed #50 among Pastoral Counseling Specialized Ministries schools in the United States. Get the full Southeastern Free Will Baptist Bible College report
Related Pastoral Counseling Specialized Ministries Rankings
Explore other degree levels:
- Best Pastoral Counseling Specialized Ministries Schools (All Levels)
- 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 Doctoral Degree Schools
Ranking Methodology & Notes
This list is compiled by Course Advisor (DMS_RANKING_2023), 2026 edition. The methodology weighs 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).