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2023 Most Popular Theology & Religious Vocations Schools

623 Colleges
$36,020 Avg Salary
$26,322 Avg Student Debt

Finding the Best Theology & Religious Vocations School for You

Theology & Religious Vocations is the #26 most popular major in the country with 27,459 degrees and certificates awarded in 2020-2021.

With all the programs available today, it can be tough to choose which one is the best for you. Along with traditional schools that require in-person attendence, you can attend one of many reputable online schools. Some programs even offer a hybrid experience. Alternatively, you may choose a trade school that prepares you to enter the workforce with knowledge in a specific field.

To assist you in seeing some of the education options that are available to you, Course Advisor has created its Most Popular Theology & Religious Vocations Schools ranking. Our analysis looked at 623 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 Theology & Religious Vocations program at each school on the list.

Check out the theology and religious vocations programs at these schools if you want to attend one of the most popular in the United States.

#1

Liberty University

Lynchburg, VA

Our analysis found Liberty University to be the most popular school for theology and religious vocations students who want to pursue a degree in the United States. Liberty University is a fairly large private not-for-profit school located in the small city of Lynchburg.

While working on their degree, theology and religious vocations majors at Liberty University accumulate an average of around $25,696 in student debt. When it comes time to repay the loan, graduates who are on a 10-year repayment plan pay an average monthly payment of $521.

Read full report on Theology & Religious Vocations at Liberty University

#2

Moody Bible Institute

Chicago, IL

Out of the 623 schools in the United States that were part of this year’s ranking, Moody Bible Institute landed the # 2 spot on the list. Moody Theological Seminary and Graduate School is a small private not-for-profit school located in the large city of Chicago.

On average, theology and religious vocations graduates from Moody Theological Seminary and Graduate School take out $8,572 in student loans while working on their degree.

Read full report on Theology & Religious Vocations at Moody Bible Institute

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary. It ranked #3 on our 2023 Most Popular Theology & Religious Vocations Schools list. SBTS is a small private not-for-profit school located in the city of Louisville.

Full Theology & Religious Vocations at The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary Report

A rank of #4 on this year’s list means New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary is a great place for theology and religious vocations students. Located in the city of New Orleans, NOBTS is a private not-for-profit school with a small student population.

Full Theology & Religious Vocations at New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary Report

A rank of #5 on this year’s list means Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary is a great place for theology and religious vocations students. Located in the city of Kansas City, MBTS is a private not-for-profit school with a small student population.

Theology & Religious Vocations majors at MBTS take out an average of $24,210 in student loans while working on their egree.

Read More…

#6

Southeastern University

Lakeland, FL

Southeastern University landed the #6 spot in the 2023 rankings for the most popular theology and religious vocations programs. Located in the medium-sized city of Lakeland, SEU is a private not-for-profit college with a medium-sized student population.

The average amount in student loans that theology and religious vocations majors at SEU take out is $20,189. The average monthly payment of a loan this size is about $144, assuming that the borrower is on a 10-year repayment plan.

Read More…

Fuller Theological Seminary did quite well in this year’s ranking of the most popular schools for theology and religious vocations students. It came in at #7 on the list. Fuller is a small private not-for-profit school located in the medium-sized city of Pasadena.

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#8

Grand Canyon University

Phoenix, AZ

Grand Canyon University came in at #8 in this year’s edition of the Most Popular Theology & Religious Vocations Schools ranking. Grand Canyon University is a fairly large private for-profit school located in the city of Phoenix.

Theology & Religious Vocations majors at Grand Canyon University take out an average of $38,555 in student loans while working on their egree. The average monthly payment of a loan this size is about $193, assuming that the borrower is on a 10-year repayment plan.

Read More…

Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary came in at #9 in this year’s edition of the Most Popular Theology & Religious Vocations Schools ranking. Located in the suburb of Wake Forest, SEBTS is a private not-for-profit college with a small student population.

Full Theology & Religious Vocations at Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary Report

Dallas Theological Seminary came in at #10 in this year’s edition of the Most Popular Theology & Religious Vocations Schools ranking. DTS Dallas is a small private not-for-profit school located in the large city of Dallas.

Read full report on Theology & Religious Vocations at Dallas Theological Seminary

Gordon - Conwell Theological Seminary did quite well in this year’s ranking of the most popular schools for theology and religious vocations students. It came in at #11 on the list. Located in the large suburb of South Hamilton, Gordon - Conwell Seminary is a private not-for-profit college with a small student population.

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With a ranking of #12, Asbury Theological Seminary did quite well on this year’s most popular schools for theology and religious vocations students. Asbury Seminary is a small private not-for-profit school located in the fringe town of Wilmore.

Read full report on Theology & Religious Vocations at Asbury Theological Seminary

#13

Regent University

Virginia Beach, VA

Regent University came in at #13 in this year’s edition of the Most Popular Theology & Religious Vocations Schools ranking. Located in the city of Virginia Beach, Regent is a private not-for-profit school with a fairly large student population.

Theology & Religious Vocations majors at Regent take out an average of $30,601 in student loans while working on their egree.

Read full report on Theology & Religious Vocations at Regent University

#14

Lancaster Bible College

Lancaster, PA

Lancaster Bible College did quite well in this year’s ranking of the most popular schools for theology and religious vocations students. It came in at #14 on the list. Located in the large suburb of Lancaster, Lancaster Bible College is a private not-for-profit school with a small student population.

The average amount in student loans that theology and religious vocations majors at Lancaster Bible College take out is $25,417.

Full Theology & Religious Vocations at Lancaster Bible College Report

#15

Word of Life Bible Institute

Pottersville, NY

Word of Life Bible Institute ranked #15 on this year’s Most Popular Theology & Religious Vocations Schools list. Located in the rural area of Pottersville, Word of Life Bible Institute is a private not-for-profit college with a small student population.

While working on their degree, theology and religious vocations majors at Word of Life Bible Institute accumulate an average of around $12,000 in student debt. Assuming that a graduate chooses a 10-year repayment plan, the average monthly loan payment is $96.

Full Theology & Religious Vocations at Word of Life Bible Institute Report

With a ranking of #16, Franciscan University of Steubenville did quite well on this year’s most popular schools for theology and religious vocations students. Franciscan U is a small private not-for-profit school located in the city of Steubenville.

While working on their degree, theology and religious vocations majors at Franciscan U accumulate an average of around $25,692 in student debt. For students who choose a 10-year repayment plan, the average monthly student loan payment is $543.

Read full report on Theology & Religious Vocations at Franciscan University of Steubenville

#17

Johnson University

Knoxville, TN

Johnson University ranked #17 on this year’s Most Popular Theology & Religious Vocations Schools list. Located in the rural area of Knoxville, Johnson University is a private not-for-profit college with a fairly small student population.

While working on their degree, theology and religious vocations majors at Johnson University accumulate an average of around $23,813 in student debt. For students who choose a 10-year repayment plan, the average monthly student loan payment is $294.

Full Theology & Religious Vocations at Johnson University Report

#18

Biola University

La Mirada, CA

Biola University ranked #18 on this year’s Most Popular Theology & Religious Vocations Schools list. Biola is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of La Mirada.

After completing their degree, theology and religious vocations graduates from Biola carry an average student debt load of $26,307. When it comes time to repay the loan, graduates who are on a 10-year repayment plan pay an average monthly payment of $654.

Full Theology & Religious Vocations at Biola University Report

#19

Andrews University

Berrien Springs, MI

Andrews University landed the #19 spot in the 2023 rankings for the most popular theology and religious vocations programs. Located in the fringe town of Berrien Springs, Andrews is a private not-for-profit college with a small student population.

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Indiana Wesleyan University - National & Global ranked #20 on this year’s Most Popular Theology & Religious Vocations Schools list. Located in the rural area of Marion, IWU is a private not-for-profit school with a fairly large student population.

The average amount in student loans that theology and religious vocations majors at IWU take out is $29,322.

Read full report on Theology & Religious Vocations at Indiana Wesleyan University - National & Global

The Master’s University and Seminary did quite well in this year’s ranking of the most popular schools for theology and religious vocations students. It came in at #21 on the list. Located in the suburb of Santa Clarita, The Master's University is a private not-for-profit school with a small student population.

On average, theology and religious vocations graduates from The Master's University take out $21,500 in student loans while working on their degree.

Read full report on Theology & Religious Vocations at The Master’s University and Seminary

University of Northwestern - St Paul did quite well in this year’s ranking of the most popular schools for theology and religious vocations students. It came in at #22 on the list. Located in the suburb of Saint Paul, Northwestern is a private not-for-profit college with a small student population.

The average amount in student loans that theology and religious vocations majors at Northwestern take out is $22,120. The average monthly payment of a loan this size is about $353, assuming that the borrower is on a 10-year repayment plan.

Read More…

With a ranking of #23, Trinity International University - Illinois did quite well on this year’s most popular schools for theology and religious vocations students. Located in the large suburb of Deerfield, TIU Illinois is a private not-for-profit school with a small student population.

After completing their degree, theology and religious vocations graduates from TIU Illinois carry an average student debt load of $35,312.

Read full report on Theology & Religious Vocations at Trinity International University - Illinois

#24

Yeshivath Viznitz

Monsey, NY

Yeshivath Viznitz landed the #24 spot in the 2023 rankings for the most popular theology and religious vocations programs. Yeshivath Viznitz is a small private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Monsey.

Read full report on Theology & Religious Vocations at Yeshivath Viznitz

#25

Duke University

Durham, NC

Duke University came in at #25 in this year’s edition of the Most Popular Theology & Religious Vocations Schools ranking. Located in the city of Durham, Duke is a private not-for-profit school with a fairly large student population.

On average, theology and religious vocations graduates from Duke take out $19,000 in student loans while working on their degree.

Read More…

#31

Ohio Christian University

Circleville, OH
#32

Bethany Global University

Bloomington, MN
#34

Crown College

Saint Bonifacius, MN
#35

Lee University

Cleveland, TN
#36

Emory University

Atlanta, GA
#37

University of Notre Dame

Notre Dame, IN
#39

Bethel University Minnesota

Saint Paul, MN
#39

Ozark Christian College

Joplin, MO
#41

Wesley Theological Seminary

Washington, DC
#42

Yale University

New Haven, CT
#43

Luther Seminary

Saint Paul, MN
#45

Concordia Seminary

Saint Louis, MO
#46

Nyack College

Nyack, NY
#47

Clarks Summit University

South Abington Township, PA
#48

Evangel University

Springfield, MO
#49

Boston College

Chestnut Hill, MA
#50

Western Seminary

Portland, OR

Remaining Award Winners

This list represents the remainder of the schools awarded a Most Popular Theology & Religious Vocations Schools badge. Showing in this list means the college was ranked in the top 15% of the 623 different United States theology and religious vocations schools we analyzed.

Rank College Location
51 Princeton Theological Seminary Princeton, NJ
51 Holy Apostles College and Seminary Cromwell, CT
53 United Theological Seminary Dayton, OH
54 Lincoln Christian University Lincoln, IL
54 George Fox University Newberg, OR
56 Hebrew Union College - Jewish Institute of Religion New York, NY
57 SUM Bible College and Theological Seminary El Dorado Hills, CA
58 Sacred Heart Major Seminary Detroit, MI
59 Boston University Boston, MA
60 University of Chicago Chicago, IL
61 Harvard University Cambridge, MA
61 Wheaton College Illinois Wheaton, IL
63 Valor Christian College Canal Winchester, OH
63 Union Theological Seminary New York, NY
65 Grace School of Theology Conroe, TX
65 Grace Christian University Wyoming, MI
67 Calvin Theological Seminary Grand Rapids, MI
67 Denver Seminary Littleton, CO
69 Martin Luther College New Ulm, MN
70 Rabbinical Seminary of America Flushing, NY
70 Drew University Madison, NJ
70 Emmaus Bible College Dubuque, IA
70 Grace College and Theological Seminary Winona Lake, IN
74 Virginia Union University Richmond, VA
75 Nazarene Theological Seminary Kansas City, MO
76 Southern Methodist University Dallas, TX
76 Olivet Nazarene University Bourbonnais, IL
76 Abilene Christian University Abilene, TX
79 Multnomah University Portland, OR
80 The King’s University Southlake, TX
81 Piedmont International University Winston-Salem, NC
81 Northwest University - College of Adult and Professional Studies Kirkland, WA
83 Cornerstone University Grand Rapids, MI
83 Azusa Pacific University Azusa, CA
83 Hope International University Fullerton, CA
86 Life Pacific College San Dimas, CA
86 Covenant Theological Seminary Saint Louis, MO
88 Indiana Wesleyan University Marion, IN
88 Concordia Theological Seminary Fort Wayne, IN
90 University of St. Thomas Houston, TX
91 Baylor University Waco, TX
92 Columbia Theological Seminary Decatur, GA
93 Trevecca Nazarene University Nashville, TN
93 Pentecostal Theological Seminary Cleveland, TN
93 Eastern University Saint Davids, PA

Additional Noteworthy Schools

These are some additional schools worth mentioning that are also popular but just didn't quite make the cut to earn our top Most Popular Theology & Religious Vocations Schools award.

Rank College Location
96 Catholic Theological Union at Chicago Chicago, IL
96 Rabbinical College of Ohr Shimon Yisroel Brooklyn, NY
98 Nazarene Bible College Colorado Springs, CO
99 Harding University Searcy, AR
100 Trinity Bible College and Graduate School Ellendale, ND
101 Loyola University Chicago Chicago, IL
102 Cedarville University Cedarville, OH
102 Pittsburgh Theological Seminary Pittsburgh, PA
104 Claremont School of Theology Claremont, CA
105 Garrett - Evangelical Theological Seminary Evanston, IL
105 Universidad Teologica del Caribe Trujillo Alto, PR
107 Bob Jones University Greenville, SC
107 Western Theological Seminary Holland, MI
107 New York Theological Seminary New York, NY
107 University of Dallas Irving, TX
107 World Mission University Los Angeles, CA
112 Vanderbilt University Nashville, TN
113 Veritas Baptist College Fredericksburg, VA
113 Maranatha Baptist University Watertown, WI
113 Toccoa Falls College Toccoa Falls, GA
113 Appalachian Bible College Mount Hope, WV
117 Northpoint Bible College Haverhill, MA
118 Interdenominational Theological Center Atlanta, GA
118 Fordham University Bronx, NY
118 Cairn University Langhorne, PA
121 United Lutheran Seminary Gettysburg, PA
121 Sioux Falls Seminary Sioux Falls, SD
123 Amridge University Montgomery, AL
123 Anderson University South Carolina Anderson, SC

Theology & Religious Vocations by Region

View the Most Popular Theology & Religious Vocations Schools for a specific region near you.

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

Theology & Religious Vocations Majors to Study

Major Annual Graduates
Theological & Ministerial Studies 15,832
Biblical Studies 4,119
Pastoral Counseling & Specialized Ministries 3,116
Religious Education 1,417
Missionary Studies 1,220
Theology & Religious Vocations (Other) 1,166
Sacred Music 554
Religious Institution Administration and Law 35

Majors Similar to Theology & Religious Vocations

Related Major Annual Graduates
Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities 556,813
Visual & Performing Arts 149,215
English Language & Literature 54,635
Foreign Languages & Linguistics 33,333
Philosophy & Religious Studies 19,993

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).
  • Credit for the banner image above goes to Daderot.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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