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Doctor's Degree in Theological & Ministerial Studies

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Doctor’s Degrees in Theological & Ministerial Studies

1,586 Yearly Graduations
$48,747 Median Salary
23% Women
There are 150 colleges and univerities across the nation that offer a doctor's degree in theology. Among those who recently graduated from the schools offering this degree, the majority were men, and 35% were students from an underrepresented racial-ethnic group. Also, 10.3% of theology graduates were international students.

Education Levels of Theology Majors

In 2020-2021, 1,586 earned their doctor's degree in theology. This earns it the #18 spot on the list of the most popular doctor's degree programs in the nation.

The following table shows the number of diplomas awarded in theology at each degree level.

Education Level Number of Grads
Master’s Degree 10,469
Bachelor’s Degree 2,603
Doctor’s Degree 1,586
Graduate Certificate 479
Associate Degree 366
Basic Certificate 227
Undergraduate Certificate 102

Earnings of Theology Majors With Doctor’s Degrees

The median salary for graduates holding a doctor's degree in theology is $48,747. A lot of factors can contribute to this number, such as the location of your workplace and the availability of other perks and bonuses. To get a better picture, earnings for this category of people can range from a low of $37,229 to a high of $60,285.

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Student Debt

The data on debt ranges for theology majors who have their doctor's degree is not available.

Student Diversity

More men than women pursue doctor's degrees in theology. About 76.5% of graduates in this field are male.

Gender Number of Grads
Men 1,214
Women 372
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The racial-ethnic distribution of theology doctor’s degree students is as follows:

Race/Ethnicity Number of Grads
Asian 104
Black or African American 335
Hispanic or Latino 86
White 761
International Students 164
Other Races/Ethnicities 136
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There are 150 colleges that offer a doctor’s degree in theology. Learn more about the most popular 20 below:

#1

Liberty University

Lynchburg, Virginia
153 Yearly Graduations
20% Women
41% Racial-Ethnic Minorities*

The most popular school in the United States for theology students seekinga doctor's degree is Liberty University. Roughly 93,300 attend the school each year. The average in-state tuition for full-time undergraduates is $15,409 per year, while in-state graduate students, on average, pay $7,847 per year. The theology program at Liberty University awarded 153 doctor's degrees during the 2020-2021 school year. Of these students, 20% were women and 41% were members of underrepresented racial-ethnic groups.

#2

Regent University

Virginia Beach, Virginia
118 Yearly Graduations
35% Women
55% Racial-Ethnic Minorities*

The 2nd most popular school in the country for theology majors who are seeking their doctor's degree is Regent University. Roughly 10,400 attend the school each year. The average in-state tuition for full-time undergraduates is $17,220 per year, while in-state graduate students, on average, pay $15,590 per year. During the 2020-2021 academic year, 118 people received their doctor's degree in theology from Regent. Of these students, 35% were women and 55% were members of underrepresented racial-ethnic groups.

105 Yearly Graduations
1% Women
10% Racial-Ethnic Minorities*

The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary comes in at #3 on our list of the most popular colleges offering doctor's degrees in theology. Each year, around 4,300 students seeking various degrees attend the university. The average in-state tuition for full-time undergraduates is $11,400 per year, while in-state graduate students, on average, pay $8,550 per year. For the 2020-2021 academic year, 105 doctor's degrees were handed out to theology majors at SBTS. Of these students, 1% were women and 10% were members of underrepresented racial-ethnic groups.

100 Yearly Graduations
3% Women
32% Racial-Ethnic Minorities*

Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary comes in at #4 on our list of the most popular colleges offering doctor's degrees in theology. Roughly 3,400 attend the school each year. The average in-state tuition for full-time undergraduates is $8,170 per year, while in-state graduate students, on average, pay $6,100 per year. The theology program at Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary awarded 100 doctor's degrees during the 2020-2021 school year. About 3% of this group were women, and 32% were students from an underrepresented racial-ethnic group.

#5

Fuller Theological Seminary

Pasadena, California
74 Yearly Graduations
18% Women
22% Racial-Ethnic Minorities*

Fuller Theological Seminary is the 5th most popular school in the nation for students seeking a doctor's degree in theology. Each year, around 2,200 students seeking various degrees attend the university. The theology program at Fuller Theological Seminary awarded 74 doctor's degrees during the 2020-2021 school year. Around 22% of these students were from an underrepresented racial-ethnic group, and 18% were women.

57 Yearly Graduations
14% Women
7% Racial-Ethnic Minorities*

New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary comes in at #6 on our list of the most popular colleges offering doctor's degrees in theology. Each year, around 2,200 students seeking various degrees attend the university. The average in-state tuition for full-time undergraduates is $9,240 per year, while in-state graduate students, on average, pay $6,750 per year. For the 2020-2021 academic year, 57 doctor's degrees were handed out to theology majors at NOBTS. Around 7% of these students were from an underrepresented racial-ethnic group, and 14% were women.

#7

Asbury Theological Seminary

Wilmore, Kentucky
42 Yearly Graduations
14% Women
14% Racial-Ethnic Minorities*

The 7th most popular school in the country for theology majors who are seeking their doctor's degree is Asbury Theological Seminary. Each year, around 1,700 students seeking various degrees attend the university. During the 2020-2021 academic year, 42 people received their doctor's degree in theology from Asbury Seminary. Of these students, 14% were women and 14% were members of underrepresented racial-ethnic groups.

#8

Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary

Wake Forest, North Carolina
38 Yearly Graduations
3% Women
8% Racial-Ethnic Minorities*

Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary is the 8th most popular school in the nation for students seeking a doctor's degree in theology. Each year, around 3,300 students seeking various degrees attend the university. The average in-state tuition for full-time undergraduates is $9,432 per year, while in-state graduate students, on average, pay $5,472 per year. The theology program at Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary awarded 38 doctor's degrees during the 2020-2021 school year. Of these students, 3% were women and 8% were members of underrepresented racial-ethnic groups.

#9

New York Theological Seminary

New York, New York
37 Yearly Graduations
51% Women
95% Racial-Ethnic Minorities*

New York Theological Seminary comes in at #9 on our list of the most popular colleges offering doctor's degrees in theology. Roughly 200 attend the school each year. For the 2020-2021 academic year, 37 doctor's degrees were handed out to theology majors at NYTS. Of these students, 51% were women and 95% were members of underrepresented racial-ethnic groups.

#10

Gordon - Conwell Theological Seminary

South Hamilton, Massachusetts
33 Yearly Graduations
18% Women
18% Racial-Ethnic Minorities*

Gordon - Conwell Theological Seminary is the 10th most popular school in the nation for students seeking a doctor's degree in theology. Each year, around 1,400 students seeking various degrees attend the university. The theology program at Gordon - Conwell Theological Seminary awarded 33 doctor's degrees during the 2020-2021 school year. About 18% of this group were women, and 18% were students from an underrepresented racial-ethnic group.

#11

Drew University

Madison, New Jersey
32 Yearly Graduations
25% Women
53% Racial-Ethnic Minorities*

Drew University comes in at #11 on our list of the most popular colleges offering doctor's degrees in theology. Each year, around 2,200 students seeking various degrees attend the university. The average in-state tuition for full-time undergraduates is $41,820 per year, while in-state graduate students, on average, pay $19,440 per year. The theology program at Drew University awarded 32 doctor's degrees during the 2020-2021 school year. Of these students, 25% were women and 53% were members of underrepresented racial-ethnic groups.

#12

Andrews University

Berrien Springs, Michigan
31 Yearly Graduations
6% Women
71% Racial-Ethnic Minorities*

Andrews University is the 12th most popular school in the nation for students seeking a doctor's degree in theology. Roughly 3,100 attend the school each year. The average in-state tuition for full-time undergraduates is $30,552 per year, while in-state graduate students, on average, pay $28,656 per year. For the 2020-2021 academic year, 31 doctor's degrees were handed out to theology majors at Andrews. About 6% of this group were women, and 71% were students from an underrepresented racial-ethnic group.

#12

Duke University

Durham, North Carolina
31 Yearly Graduations
35% Women
45% Racial-Ethnic Minorities*

Duke University is the 12th most popular school in the nation for students seeking a doctor's degree in theology. Each year, around 16,100 students seeking various degrees attend the university. The average in-state tuition for full-time undergraduates is $58,085 per year, while in-state graduate students, on average, pay $57,900 per year. During the 2020-2021 academic year, 31 people received their doctor's degree in theology from Duke. Around 45% of these students were from an underrepresented racial-ethnic group, and 35% were women.

#14

Emory University

Atlanta, Georgia
30 Yearly Graduations
37% Women
47% Racial-Ethnic Minorities*

Emory University is the 14th most popular school in the nation for students seeking a doctor's degree in theology. Roughly 13,900 attend the school each year. The average in-state tuition for full-time undergraduates is $54,660 per year, while in-state graduate students, on average, pay $44,800 per year. For the 2020-2021 academic year, 30 doctor's degrees were handed out to theology majors at Emory. Around 47% of these students were from an underrepresented racial-ethnic group, and 37% were women.

#15

Dallas Theological Seminary

Dallas, Texas
24 Yearly Graduations
21% Women
46% Racial-Ethnic Minorities*

Dallas Theological Seminary is the 15th most popular school in the nation for students seeking a doctor's degree in theology. Roughly 2,400 attend the school each year. For the 2020-2021 academic year, 24 doctor's degrees were handed out to theology majors at DTS Dallas. About 21% of this group were women, and 46% were students from an underrepresented racial-ethnic group.

#16

Pentecostal Theological Seminary

Cleveland, Tennessee
22 Yearly Graduations
23% Women
27% Racial-Ethnic Minorities*

Pentecostal Theological Seminary is the 16th most popular school in the nation for students seeking a doctor's degree in theology. Each year, around 400 students seeking various degrees attend the university. The average in-state tuition for full-time undergraduates is $2,400 per year, while in-state graduate students, on average, pay $11,472 per year. During the 2020-2021 academic year, 22 people received their doctor's degree in theology from Pentecostal Theological Seminary. Of these students, 23% were women and 27% were members of underrepresented racial-ethnic groups.

22 Yearly Graduations
45% Women
73% Racial-Ethnic Minorities*

South University's online programs is the 16th most popular school in the nation for students seeking a doctor's degree in theology. Each year, around 5,400 students seeking various degrees attend the university. The average in-state tuition for full-time undergraduates is $14,400 per year, while in-state graduate students, on average, pay $15,000 per year. For the 2020-2021 academic year, 22 doctor's degrees were handed out to theology majors at South University's online programs. Of these students, 45% were women and 73% were members of underrepresented racial-ethnic groups.

#18

Graduate Theological Union

Berkeley, California
20 Yearly Graduations
40% Women
10% Racial-Ethnic Minorities*

The 18th most popular school in the country for theology majors who are seeking their doctor's degree is Graduate Theological Union. Roughly 200 attend the school each year. The theology program at Graduate Theological Union awarded 20 doctor's degrees during the 2020-2021 school year. Around 10% of these students were from an underrepresented racial-ethnic group, and 40% were women.

#18

Boston University

Boston, Massachusetts
20 Yearly Graduations
25% Women
20% Racial-Ethnic Minorities*

Boston University is the 18th most popular school in the nation for students seeking a doctor's degree in theology. Each year, around 32,700 students seeking various degrees attend the university. The average in-state tuition for full-time undergraduates is $58,560 per year, while in-state graduate students, on average, pay $58,560 per year. The theology program at Boston University awarded 20 doctor's degrees during the 2020-2021 school year. Of these students, 25% were women and 20% were members of underrepresented racial-ethnic groups.

#18

University of Notre Dame

Notre Dame, Indiana
20 Yearly Graduations
45% Women
10% Racial-Ethnic Minorities*

The 18th most popular school in the country for theology majors who are seeking their doctor's degree is University of Notre Dame. Roughly 12,800 attend the school each year. The average in-state tuition for full-time undergraduates is $58,336 per year, while in-state graduate students, on average, pay $58,190 per year. The theology program at University of Notre Dame awarded 20 doctor's degrees during the 2020-2021 school year. Around 10% of these students were from an underrepresented racial-ethnic group, and 45% were women.

Below are some popular majors that are similar to theology that offer doctor’s degrees.

Major Annual Degrees Awarded
Pastoral Specialized Ministries 254
Other Theology & Religion 230
Missionary Studies 104
Religious Education 81
Biblical Studies 73

References

*The racial-ethnic minority student count is calculated by taking the total number of students and subtracting white students, international students, and students whose race/ethnicity was unknown. This number is then divided by the total number of students at the school to obtain the percentage of racial-ethnic minorities.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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