Master’s Degrees in Theological & Ministerial Studies
Education Levels of Theology Majors
During the most recent year for which data is available, 9,872 people earned their master's degree in theology. This earns it the #21 spot on the list of the most popular master'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 | 9,872 |
| Bachelor’s Degree | 2,151 |
| Doctor’s Degree | 1,871 |
| Graduate Certificate | 547 |
| Associate Degree | 214 |
| Basic Certificate | 188 |
| Undergraduate Certificate | 85 |
Earnings of Theology Majors With Master’s Degrees
The median salary for graduates holding a master's degree in theology is $48,372. This number may vary for a lot of reasons. For instance, you may decide to move to a location where people with your degree are rare and make more money. A better approximation of salary is to look at the typical range of salaries. In this case the low is $42,970 and the high is $56,274.
Student Debt
We do not have the data to estimate the median debt for this class of people.
Student Diversity
More men than women pursue master's degrees in theology. About 64.4% of graduates in this field are male.
| Gender | Number of Grads |
|---|---|
| Men | 6,355 |
| Women | 3,517 |
The racial-ethnic distribution of theology master’s degree students is as follows:
| Race/Ethnicity | Number of Grads |
|---|---|
| Asian | 546 |
| Black or African American | 1,314 |
| Hispanic or Latino | 697 |
| White | 5,538 |
| International Students | 772 |
| Other Races/Ethnicities | 1,005 |
Most Popular Theology Programs for Master’s Degrees
There are 339 colleges that offer a master’s degree in theology. Learn more about the most popular 20 below:
Liberty University tops the list of the most popular school in the U.S. for theology majors who are seeking their master's degree. Each year, around 93,300 students seeking various degrees attend the university. The average in-state tuition for full-time undergraduates is $15,015 per year, while in-state graduate students, on average, pay $7,740 per year. During the most recent year for which we have data, 1,449 people received their master's degree in theology from Liberty University. About 35% of this group were women, and 29% were students from an underrepresented racial-ethnic group. Data shows that Liberty University graduates that hold this degree go on to make a median salary of $48,372.
The 2nd most popular school in the country for theology majors who are seeking their master's degree is The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary. Roughly 4,300 attend the school each year. The average in-state tuition for full-time undergraduates is $12,336 per year, while in-state graduate students, on average, pay $9,252 per year. During the most recent year for which we have data, 295 people received their master's degree in theology from SBTS. Around 9% of these students were from an underrepresented racial-ethnic group, and 9% were women. Those who complete their master's degree in theology at The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary make a median salary of 48,372.
Fuller Theological Seminary is the 3rd most popular school in the nation for students seeking a master's degree in theology. Roughly 2,200 attend the school each year. During the most recent year for which we have data, 282 people received their master's degree in theology from Fuller. Around 32% of these students were from an underrepresented racial-ethnic group, and 48% were women. Data shows that Fuller graduates that hold this degree go on to make a median salary of $48,372.
The 4th most popular school in the country for theology majors who are seeking their master's degree is Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary. Each year, around 3,400 students seeking various degrees attend the university. The average in-state tuition for full-time undergraduates is $10,020 per year, while in-state graduate students, on average, pay $7,020 per year. During the most recent year for which we have data, 273 people received their master's degree in theology from MBTS. Of these students, 16% were women and 14% were members of underrepresented racial-ethnic groups. Those who complete their master's degree in theology at Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary make a median salary of 48,372.
Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary is the 5th most popular school in the nation for students seeking a master's degree in theology. Roughly 3,300 attend the school each year. The average in-state tuition for full-time undergraduates is $9,816 per year, while in-state graduate students, on average, pay $5,688 per year. During the most recent year for which we have data, 267 people received their master's degree in theology from SEBTS. About 15% of this group were women, and 15% were students from an underrepresented racial-ethnic group. Data shows that SEBTS graduates that hold this degree go on to make a median salary of $48,372.
The 6th most popular school in the country for theology majors who are seeking their master's degree is Gordon - Conwell Theological Seminary. Roughly 1,400 attend the school each year. During the most recent year for which we have data, 181 people received their master's degree in theology from Gordon - Conwell Seminary. Of these students, 32% were women and 40% were members of underrepresented racial-ethnic groups. Those who complete their master's degree in theology at Gordon - Conwell Theological Seminary make a median salary of 48,372.
Asbury Theological Seminary comes in at #7 on our list of the most popular colleges offering master's degrees in theology. Roughly 1,700 attend the school each year. During the most recent year for which we have data, 175 people received their master's degree in theology from Asbury Seminary. Around 21% of these students were from an underrepresented racial-ethnic group, and 43% were women. Those who complete their master's degree in theology at Asbury Theological Seminary make a median salary of 48,372.
The 8th most popular school in the country for theology majors who are seeking their master's degree is Duke University. Roughly 16,100 attend the school each year. The average in-state tuition for full-time undergraduates is $63,450 per year, while in-state graduate students, on average, pay $62,620 per year. During the most recent year for which we have data, 154 people received their master's degree in theology from Duke. Around 24% of these students were from an underrepresented racial-ethnic group, and 45% were women. Data shows that Duke graduates that hold this degree go on to make a median salary of $48,372.
Dallas Theological Seminary comes in at #9 on our list of the most popular colleges offering master's degrees in theology. Each year, around 2,400 students seeking various degrees attend the university. During the most recent year for which we have data, 148 people received their master's degree in theology from DTS Dallas. Around 23% of these students were from an underrepresented racial-ethnic group, and 34% were women. Dallas Theological Seminary theology graduates who receive their master's degree go on to jobs earning a median salary of $48,372.
The 10th most popular school in the country for theology majors who are seeking their master's degree is New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary. Roughly 2,200 attend the school each year. The average in-state tuition for full-time undergraduates is $10,500 per year, while in-state graduate students, on average, pay $7,695 per year. During the most recent year for which we have data, 144 people received their master's degree in theology from NOBTS. Around 19% of these students were from an underrepresented racial-ethnic group, and 16% were women. New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary theology graduates who receive their master's degree go on to jobs earning a median salary of $48,372.
The 11th most popular school in the country for theology majors who are seeking their master's degree is Yale University. Each year, around 12,000 students seeking various degrees attend the university. The average in-state tuition for full-time undergraduates is $64,700 per year, while in-state graduate students, on average, pay $48,300 per year. During the most recent year for which we have data, 124 people received their master's degree in theology from Yale. Of these students, 54% were women and 25% were members of underrepresented racial-ethnic groups. Data shows that Yale graduates that hold this degree go on to make a median salary of $48,372.
Andrews University is the 12th most popular school in the nation for students seeking a master's degree in theology. Each year, around 3,100 students seeking various degrees attend the university. The average in-state tuition for full-time undergraduates is $32,400 per year, while in-state graduate students, on average, pay $27,380 per year. During the most recent year for which we have data, 118 people received their master's degree in theology from Andrews. Around 74% of these students were from an underrepresented racial-ethnic group, and 13% were women. Andrews University theology graduates who receive their master's degree go on to jobs earning a median salary of $48,372.
The 13th most popular school in the country for theology majors who are seeking their master's degree is Emory University. Each year, around 13,900 students seeking various degrees attend the university. The average in-state tuition for full-time undergraduates is $59,920 per year, while in-state graduate students, on average, pay $46,800 per year. During the most recent year for which we have data, 115 people received their master's degree in theology from Emory. Around 43% of these students were from an underrepresented racial-ethnic group, and 54% were women. Data shows that Emory graduates that hold this degree go on to make a median salary of $48,372.
The 14th most popular school in the country for theology majors who are seeking their master's degree is Luther Seminary. Roughly 500 attend the school each year. During the most recent year for which we have data, 111 people received their master's degree in theology from Luther Seminary. Around 11% of these students were from an underrepresented racial-ethnic group, and 58% were women. Data shows that Luther Seminary graduates that hold this degree go on to make a median salary of $48,372.
Princeton Theological Seminary is the 15th most popular school in the nation for students seeking a master's degree in theology. Each year, around 300 students seeking various degrees attend the university. During the most recent year for which we have data, 99 people received their master's degree in theology from Princeton Seminary. Around 38% of these students were from an underrepresented racial-ethnic group, and 55% were women. Data shows that Princeton Seminary graduates that hold this degree go on to make a median salary of $48,372.
The 16th most popular school in the country for theology majors who are seeking their master's degree is Boston College. Roughly 14,900 attend the school each year. The average in-state tuition for full-time undergraduates is $66,410 per year, while in-state graduate students, on average, pay $35,784 per year. During the most recent year for which we have data, 96 people received their master's degree in theology from Boston College. Around 23% of these students were from an underrepresented racial-ethnic group, and 40% were women. Boston College theology graduates who receive their master's degree go on to jobs earning a median salary of $48,372.
The 17th most popular school in the country for theology majors who are seeking their master's degree is Harvard University. Roughly 30,300 attend the school each year. The average in-state tuition for full-time undergraduates is $54,269 per year, while in-state graduate students, on average, pay $54,032 per year. During the most recent year for which we have data, 94 people received their master's degree in theology from Harvard. Around 27% of these students were from an underrepresented racial-ethnic group, and 56% were women. Harvard University theology graduates who receive their master's degree go on to jobs earning a median salary of $48,372.
The Master's University and Seminary is the 18th most popular school in the nation for students seeking a master's degree in theology. Each year, around 2,400 students seeking various degrees attend the university. The average in-state tuition for full-time undergraduates is $35,950 per year, while in-state graduate students, on average, pay $8,400 per year. During the most recent year for which we have data, 93 people received their master's degree in theology from The Master's University. About 1% of this group were women, and 39% were students from an underrepresented racial-ethnic group. The Master's University and Seminary theology graduates who receive their master's degree go on to jobs earning a median salary of $48,372.
Biola University comes in at #19 on our list of the most popular colleges offering master's degrees in theology. Roughly 5,800 attend the school each year. The average in-state tuition for full-time undergraduates is $46,704 per year, while in-state graduate students, on average, pay $12,420 per year. During the most recent year for which we have data, 92 people received their master's degree in theology from Biola. About 27% of this group were women, and 63% were students from an underrepresented racial-ethnic group. Data shows that Biola graduates that hold this degree go on to make a median salary of $48,372.
Western Seminary comes in at #20 on our list of the most popular colleges offering master's degrees in theology. Roughly 800 attend the school each year. During the most recent year for which we have data, 91 people received their master's degree in theology from Western Seminary-San Jose. About 23% of this group were women, and 21% were students from an underrepresented racial-ethnic group. Data shows that Western Seminary-San Jose graduates that hold this degree go on to make a median salary of $48,372.
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Related Majors
Below are some popular majors that are similar to theology that offer master’s degrees.
| Major | Annual Degrees Awarded |
|---|---|
| Pastoral Specialized Ministries | 1,227 |
| Biblical Studies | 781 |
| Other Theology & Religion | 518 |
| Religious Education | 425 |
| Missionary Studies | 312 |
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.
- College Factual
- National Center for Education Statistics
- O*NET Online
- Bureau of Labor Statistics
- Image Credit: By Jonund under License
More about our data sources and methodologies.
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