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Most Popular Pastoral Specialized Ministries Schools

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2023 Most Popular Pastoral Specialized Ministries Schools

276 Colleges
$31,592 Avg Salary
$26,577 Avg Student Debt

Finding the Best Pastoral Counseling & Specialized Ministries School for You

Pastoral Counseling & Specialized Ministries is the #168 most popular major in the country with 3,116 degrees and certificates awarded in 2020-2021.

Today's students have lots of options to pick from when considering higher education opportunities. You're no longer limited to schools in your local area, either, since online programs are becoming more prevalent. Or you may find the programs at a trade school to be a better alternative for you.

To help you arm yourself with the information you need to make your decision, Course Advisor has developed this Most Popular Pastoral Specialized Ministries Schools ranking. Our analysis looked at 276 schools in the United States to see which programs were the most popular for students. To create this ranking we looked at how many students graduated from the Pastoral Counseling & Specialized Ministries program at each school on the list.

Check out the pastoral counseling programs at these schools if you want to attend one of the most popular in the United States.

Our analysis found New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary to be the most popular school for pastoral counseling and specialized ministries students who want to pursue a degree in the United States. NOBTS is a small private not-for-profit school located in the city of New Orleans.

Full Pastoral Counseling & Specialized Ministries at New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary Report

#2

Liberty University

Lynchburg, VA

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around you if you attend Liberty University. The school came in at #2 on this year’s Most Popular Pastoral Specialized Ministries Schools list. Located in the small city of Lynchburg, Liberty University is a private not-for-profit college with a very large student population.

After completing their degree, pastoral counseling graduates from Liberty University carry an average student debt load of $26,000. Assuming that a graduate chooses a 10-year repayment plan, the average monthly loan payment is $521.

Full Pastoral Counseling & Specialized Ministries at Liberty University Report

#3

Moody Bible Institute

Chicago, IL

A rank of #3 on this year’s list means Moody Bible Institute is a great place for pastoral counseling and specialized ministries students. Located in the city of Chicago, Moody Theological Seminary and Graduate School is a private not-for-profit school with a small student population.

Pastoral Counseling majors at Moody Theological Seminary and Graduate School take out an average of $7,500 in student loans while working on their egree.

Read full report on Pastoral Counseling & Specialized Ministries at Moody Bible Institute

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Ozark Christian College. It ranked #4 on our 2023 Most Popular Pastoral Specialized Ministries Schools list. Ozark Christian College is a fairly small private not-for-profit school located in the small city of Joplin.

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You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Gordon - Conwell Theological Seminary. It ranked #5 on our 2023 Most Popular Pastoral Specialized Ministries Schools list. Gordon - Conwell Seminary is a small private not-for-profit school located in the large suburb of South Hamilton.

Read full report on Pastoral Counseling & Specialized Ministries at Gordon - Conwell Theological Seminary

#5

Andrews University

Berrien Springs, MI

Out of the 276 schools in the United States that were part of this year’s ranking, Andrews University landed the # 5 spot on the list. Andrews is a small private not-for-profit school located in the town of Berrien Springs.

Read full report on Pastoral Counseling & Specialized Ministries at Andrews University

#7

Lee University

Cleveland, TN

Lee University did quite well in this year’s ranking of the most popular schools for pastoral counseling and specialized ministries students. It came in at #7 on the list. Located in the small city of Cleveland, Lee University is a private not-for-profit school with a small student population.

After completing their degree, pastoral counseling graduates from Lee University carry an average student debt load of $30,001. The average monthly payment of a loan this size is about $215, assuming that the borrower is on a 10-year repayment plan.

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Southwestern Assemblies of God University did quite well in this year’s ranking of the most popular schools for pastoral counseling and specialized ministries students. It came in at #8 on the list. Southwestern Assemblies of God University is a small private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Waxahachie.

Pastoral Counseling majors at Southwestern Assemblies of God University take out an average of $27,000 in student loans while working on their egree. For students who choose a 10-year repayment plan, the average monthly student loan payment is $269.

Full Pastoral Counseling & Specialized Ministries at Southwestern Assemblies of God University Report

The Master’s University and Seminary ranked #9 on this year’s Most Popular Pastoral Specialized Ministries Schools list. The Master's University is a small private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Santa Clarita.

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With a ranking of #10, The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary did quite well on this year’s most popular schools for pastoral counseling and specialized ministries students. Located in the city of Louisville, SBTS is a private not-for-profit school with a small student population.

Read full report on Pastoral Counseling & Specialized Ministries at The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary

Westminster Theological Seminary came in at #10 in this year’s edition of the Most Popular Pastoral Specialized Ministries Schools ranking. Westminster Theological Seminary is a fairly small private not-for-profit school located in the large suburb of Glenside.

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With a ranking of #12, Grace Christian University did quite well on this year’s most popular schools for pastoral counseling and specialized ministries students. Located in the large suburb of Wyoming, Grace is a private not-for-profit school with a small student population.

While working on their degree, pastoral counseling majors at Grace accumulate an average of around $29,157 in student debt.

Read full report on Pastoral Counseling & Specialized Ministries at Grace Christian University

Dallas Theological Seminary did quite well in this year’s ranking of the most popular schools for pastoral counseling and specialized ministries students. It came in at #13 on the list. Located in the city of Dallas, DTS Dallas is a private not-for-profit college with a small student population.

Read full report on Pastoral Counseling & Specialized Ministries at Dallas Theological Seminary

#14

Lancaster Bible College

Lancaster, PA

Lancaster Bible College came in at #14 in this year’s edition of the Most Popular Pastoral Specialized Ministries Schools ranking. Lancaster Bible College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Lancaster.

While working on their degree, pastoral counseling majors at Lancaster Bible College accumulate an average of around $23,250 in student debt.

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#15

George Fox University

Newberg, OR

George Fox University ranked #15 on this year’s Most Popular Pastoral Specialized Ministries Schools list. GFU is a small private not-for-profit school located in the town of Newberg.

While working on their degree, pastoral counseling majors at GFU accumulate an average of around $27,000 in student debt.

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With a ranking of #15, Indiana Wesleyan University did quite well on this year’s most popular schools for pastoral counseling and specialized ministries students. IWU is a small private not-for-profit school located in the distant town of Marion.

On average, pastoral counseling graduates from IWU take out $22,532 in student loans while working on their degree. Assuming that a graduate chooses a 10-year repayment plan, the average monthly loan payment is $247.

Read full report on Pastoral Counseling & Specialized Ministries at Indiana Wesleyan University

Dallas Baptist University came in at #17 in this year’s edition of the Most Popular Pastoral Specialized Ministries Schools ranking. DBU is a small private not-for-profit school located in the large city of Dallas.

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#18

Valor Christian College

Canal Winchester, OH

Valor Christian College did quite well in this year’s ranking of the most popular schools for pastoral counseling and specialized ministries students. It came in at #18 on the list. Valor Christian College is a fairly small private not-for-profit school located in the large city of Canal Winchester.

After completing their degree, pastoral counseling graduates from Valor Christian College carry an average student debt load of $17,500.

Read full report on Pastoral Counseling & Specialized Ministries at Valor Christian College

#19

Regent University

Virginia Beach, VA

Regent University did quite well in this year’s ranking of the most popular schools for pastoral counseling and specialized ministries students. It came in at #19 on the list. Regent is a fairly large private not-for-profit school located in the large city of Virginia Beach.

On average, pastoral counseling graduates from Regent take out $31,094 in student loans while working on their degree.

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Loyola University Chicago landed the #20 spot in the 2023 rankings for the most popular pastoral counseling and specialized ministries programs. Loyola Chicago is a fairly large private not-for-profit school located in the large city of Chicago.

Full Pastoral Counseling & Specialized Ministries at Loyola University Chicago Report

#21

Olivet Nazarene University

Bourbonnais, IL

Olivet Nazarene University did quite well in this year’s ranking of the most popular schools for pastoral counseling and specialized ministries students. It came in at #21 on the list. Olivet Nazarene is a small private not-for-profit school located in the small suburb of Bourbonnais.

Read full report on Pastoral Counseling & Specialized Ministries at Olivet Nazarene University

#21

University of St. Thomas

Houston, TX

University of St. Thomas ranked #21 on this year’s Most Popular Pastoral Specialized Ministries Schools list. UST is a small private not-for-profit school located in the large city of Houston.

Full Pastoral Counseling & Specialized Ministries at University of St. Thomas Report

Indiana Wesleyan University - National & Global ranked #23 on this year’s Most Popular Pastoral Specialized Ministries Schools list. IWU is a large private not-for-profit school located in the rural area of Marion.

After completing their degree, pastoral counseling graduates from IWU carry an average student debt load of $25,563.

Full Pastoral Counseling & Specialized Ministries at Indiana Wesleyan University - National & Global Report

#23

Bethel University Minnesota

Saint Paul, MN

Bethel University Minnesota landed the #23 spot in the 2023 rankings for the most popular pastoral counseling and specialized ministries programs. Located in the large suburb of Saint Paul, Bethel University Minnesota is a private not-for-profit college with a small student population.

Read full report on Pastoral Counseling & Specialized Ministries at Bethel University Minnesota

#23

Calvin University

Grand Rapids, MI

Calvin University ranked #23 on this year’s Most Popular Pastoral Specialized Ministries Schools list. Located in the city of Grand Rapids, Calvin is a private not-for-profit school with a small student population.

Read full report on Pastoral Counseling & Specialized Ministries at Calvin University

#26

Crown College

Saint Bonifacius, MN
#28

Fordham University

Bronx, NY
#29

World Mission University

Los Angeles, CA
#30

Universidad Pentecostal Mizpa

Rio Piedras, PR
#31

Life Pacific College

San Dimas, CA
#33

Seattle University

Seattle, WA
#34

North Central University

Minneapolis, MN
#36

Southeastern University

Lakeland, FL
#39

Visible Music College

Memphis, TN

Honorable Mentions

Here are some additional popular schools for Pastoral Specialized Ministries students that almost earned our Most Popular Pastoral Specialized Ministries Schools award.

Rank College Location
43 Northern Baptist Theological Seminary Lisle, IL
44 Bethel Seminary - San Diego San Diego, CA
45 Cairn University Langhorne, PA
45 Bakke Graduate University Dallas, TX
45 Northwest Nazarene University Nampa, ID
48 Oral Roberts University Tulsa, OK
48 Geneva College Beaver Falls, PA
48 Gordon College Wenham, MA
48 Oakwood University Huntsville, AL
48 Garrett - Evangelical Theological Seminary Evanston, IL
48 Cornerstone University Grand Rapids, MI
48 Taylor University Upland, IN
55 Universidad Teologica del Caribe Trujillo Alto, PR
55 Trevecca Nazarene University Nashville, TN
55 Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary Kansas City, MO
55 Columbia International University Columbia, SC

Pastoral Counseling & Specialized Ministries by Region

View the Most Popular Pastoral Specialized Ministries Schools for a specific region near you.

Region
Southeast
New England
Rocky Mountains
Plains States
Middle Atlantic
Far Western US
Southwest
Great Lakes

One of 7 majors within the area of study, pastoral counseling and specialized ministries has other similar majors worth exploring.

Related Major Annual Graduates
Theological & Ministerial Studies 15,832
Biblical Studies 4,119
Religious Education 1,417
Missionary Studies 1,220
Theology & Religious Vocations (Other) 1,166

Notes and References

*These averages are for the top 25 schools only.

  • The Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), a branch of the U.S. Department of Education (DOE) serves as the core of the rest of our data about colleges.
  • Some other college data, including much of the graduate earnings data, comes from the U.S. Department of Education’s (College Scorecard).

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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