2023 Most Popular Theological & Ministerial Studies Schools
Finding the Best Theological & Ministerial Studies School for You
In 2020-2021, 15,832 people earned a degree or certificate in theological and ministerial studies, making the major the #62 most popular in the United States.
Today's students have lots of options to pick from when considering higher education opportunities. 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 Theological & Ministerial Studies Schools ranking. This report analyzed 480 schools in the United States to see which ones were the most popular programs for students. To create this ranking we looked at how many students graduated from the Theological & Ministerial Studies program at each school on the list.
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2023 Most Popular Theological & Ministerial Studies Schools in the United States
Check out the theology programs at these schools if you want to attend one of the most popular in the United States.
Top 25 Most Popular Schools in Theological & Ministerial Studies
Our analysis found Liberty University to be the most popular school for theological and ministerial studies students who want to pursue a degree in the United States. Located in the city of Lynchburg, Liberty University is a private not-for-profit school with a very large student population.
Read full report on Theological & Ministerial Studies at Liberty University
The excellent programs at The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary helped the school earn the #2 place on this year’s ranking of the best theological and ministerial studies schools in the United States. Located in the large city of Louisville, SBTS is a private not-for-profit school with a small student population.
Out of the 480 schools in the United States that were part of this year’s ranking, Southeastern University landed the # 3 spot on the list. SEU is a medium-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Lakeland.
After completing their degree, theology graduates from SEU carry an average student debt load of $18,563.
Out of the 480 schools in the United States that were part of this year’s ranking, Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary landed the # 4 spot on the list. MBTS is a small private not-for-profit school located in the large city of Kansas City.
Read full report on Theological & Ministerial Studies at Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary
You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around you if you attend Fuller Theological Seminary. The school came in at #5 on this year’s Most Popular Theological & Ministerial Studies Schools list. Located in the medium-sized city of Pasadena, Fuller is a private not-for-profit college with a small student population.
Read full report on Theological & Ministerial Studies at Fuller Theological Seminary
New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary landed the #6 spot in the 2023 rankings for the most popular theological and ministerial studies programs. NOBTS is a small private not-for-profit school located in the large city of New Orleans.
Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary ranked #7 on this year’s Most Popular Theological & Ministerial Studies Schools list. SEBTS is a small private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Wake Forest.
Full Theological & Ministerial Studies at Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary Report
Asbury Theological Seminary landed the #8 spot in the 2023 rankings for the most popular theological and ministerial studies programs. Located in the town of Wilmore, Asbury Seminary is a private not-for-profit college with a small student population.
Full Theological & Ministerial Studies at Asbury Theological Seminary Report
With a ranking of #9, Gordon - Conwell Theological Seminary did quite well on this year’s most popular schools for theological and ministerial studies students. Gordon - Conwell Seminary is a small private not-for-profit school located in the large suburb of South Hamilton.
Full Theological & Ministerial Studies at Gordon - Conwell Theological Seminary Report
With a ranking of #10, Franciscan University of Steubenville did quite well on this year’s most popular schools for theological and ministerial studies students. Located in the small city of Steubenville, Franciscan U is a private not-for-profit college with a small student population.
The average amount in student loans that theology majors at Franciscan U take out is $26,000. For students who choose a 10-year repayment plan, the average monthly student loan payment is $543.
Moody Bible Institute did quite well in this year’s ranking of the most popular schools for theological and ministerial studies students. It came in at #11 on the list. Located in the large city of Chicago, Moody Theological Seminary and Graduate School is a private not-for-profit college with a small student population.
After completing their degree, theology graduates from Moody Theological Seminary and Graduate School carry an average student debt load of $9,750.
Full Theological & Ministerial Studies at Moody Bible Institute Report
With a ranking of #12, Regent University did quite well on this year’s most popular schools for theological and ministerial studies students. Regent is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Virginia Beach.
Full Theological & Ministerial Studies at Regent University Report
Yeshivath Viznitz did quite well in this year’s ranking of the most popular schools for theological and ministerial studies students. It came in at #13 on the list. Located in the large suburb of Monsey, Yeshivath Viznitz is a private not-for-profit college with a small student population.
Full Theological & Ministerial Studies at Yeshivath Viznitz Report
Duke University did quite well in this year’s ranking of the most popular schools for theological and ministerial studies students. It came in at #14 on the list. Duke is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Durham.
Full Theological & Ministerial Studies at Duke University Report
Dallas Theological Seminary came in at #15 in this year’s edition of the Most Popular Theological & Ministerial Studies Schools ranking. Located in the city of Dallas, DTS Dallas is a private not-for-profit college with a small student population.
Read full report on Theological & Ministerial Studies at Dallas Theological Seminary
Ohio Christian University landed the #16 spot in the 2023 rankings for the most popular theological and ministerial studies programs. Located in the town of Circleville, OCU is a private not-for-profit school with a small student population.
Read full report on Theological & Ministerial Studies at Ohio Christian University
Andrews University came in at #17 in this year’s edition of the Most Popular Theological & Ministerial Studies Schools ranking. Andrews is a small private not-for-profit school located in the town of Berrien Springs.
Read full report on Theological & Ministerial Studies at Andrews University
The Master’s University and Seminary did quite well in this year’s ranking of the most popular schools for theological and ministerial studies students. It came in at #18 on the list. The Master's University is a small private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Santa Clarita.
After completing their degree, theology graduates from The Master's University carry an average student debt load of $21,500.
Emory University landed the #19 spot in the 2023 rankings for the most popular theological and ministerial studies programs. Emory is a large private not-for-profit school located in the large city of Atlanta.
Read full report on Theological & Ministerial Studies at Emory University
University of Notre Dame did quite well in this year’s ranking of the most popular schools for theological and ministerial studies students. It came in at #20 on the list. Notre Dame is a large private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Notre Dame.
After completing their degree, theology graduates from Notre Dame carry an average student debt load of $19,000.
Full Theological & Ministerial Studies at University of Notre Dame Report
Oral Roberts University did quite well in this year’s ranking of the most popular schools for theological and ministerial studies students. It came in at #21 on the list. ORU is a small private not-for-profit school located in the large city of Tulsa.
Theology majors at ORU take out an average of $29,086 in student loans while working on their egree. Assuming that a graduate chooses a 10-year repayment plan, the average monthly loan payment is $372.
Full Theological & Ministerial Studies at Oral Roberts University Report
Luther Seminary landed the #22 spot in the 2023 rankings for the most popular theological and ministerial studies programs. Luther Seminary is a small private not-for-profit school located in the large city of Saint Paul.
Full Theological & Ministerial Studies at Luther Seminary Report
Concordia Seminary came in at #23 in this year’s edition of the Most Popular Theological & Ministerial Studies Schools ranking. Concordia Seminary is a fairly small private not-for-profit school located in the large suburb of Saint Louis.
Yale University ranked #24 on this year’s Most Popular Theological & Ministerial Studies Schools list. Yale is a large private not-for-profit school located in the medium-sized city of New Haven.
Full Theological & Ministerial Studies at Yale University Report
Boston College came in at #25 in this year’s edition of the Most Popular Theological & Ministerial Studies Schools ranking. Located in the city of Chestnut Hill, Boston College is a private not-for-profit school with a fairly large student population.
Theology majors at Boston College take out an average of $17,500 in student loans while working on their egree.
Full Theological & Ministerial Studies at Boston College Report
Rest of the Top Most Popular Theological & Ministerial Studies Schools
Additional Award Winners
This list represents the remainder of the schools awarded a Most Popular Theological & Ministerial Studies Schools badge. Showing in this list means the college was ranked in the top 15% of the 480 different United States theological and ministerial studies schools we analyzed.
| Rank | College | Location |
|---|---|---|
| 51 | Pentecostal Theological Seminary | Cleveland, TN |
| 52 | Nazarene Theological Seminary | Kansas City, MO |
| 53 | Pittsburgh Theological Seminary | Pittsburgh, PA |
| 54 | Calvin Theological Seminary | Grand Rapids, MI |
| 55 | Lincoln Christian University | Lincoln, IL |
| 56 | New York Theological Seminary | New York, NY |
| 56 | Wesley Theological Seminary | Washington, DC |
| 58 | Johnson University | Knoxville, TN |
| 59 | Vanderbilt University | Nashville, TN |
| 59 | Covenant Theological Seminary | Saint Louis, MO |
| 61 | Eastern University | Saint Davids, PA |
| 62 | University of Dallas | Irving, TX |
| 63 | United Theological Seminary | Dayton, OH |
| 64 | The King’s University | Southlake, TX |
| 64 | Santa Clara University | Santa Clara, CA |
| 64 | Catholic University of America | Washington, DC |
| 67 | Saint Joseph’s College of Maine | Standish, ME |
| 68 | Grace School of Theology | Conroe, TX |
| 69 | Columbia International University | Columbia, SC |
| 69 | Saint Meinrad School of Theology | St. Meinrad, IN |
| 69 | Grand Canyon University | Phoenix, AZ |
| 69 | Mount St Mary’s University | Emmitsburg, MD |
Honorable Mentions
Here are some additional popular schools for Theological & Ministerial Studies students that almost earned our Most Popular Theological & Ministerial Studies Schools award.
Theological & Ministerial Studies by Region
View the Most Popular Theological & Ministerial Studies Schools for a specific region near you.
| Region |
|---|
| Southeast |
| New England |
| Rocky Mountains |
| Plains States |
| Middle Atlantic |
| Far Western US |
| Southwest |
| Great Lakes |
Majors Related to Theology
One of 7 majors within the area of study, theological and ministerial studies has other similar majors worth exploring.
Most Popular Majors Related to Theology
| Related Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| Biblical Studies | 4,119 |
| Pastoral Counseling & Specialized Ministries | 3,116 |
| 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).
- Credit for the banner image above goes to Jonund.
More about our data sources and methodologies.
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