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2022 Most Popular Master's Degree Colleges for Lay Ministry

25 Colleges in the United States
166 Master's Degrees
When it comes to popularity, a master's degree in lay ministry sits in the middle of the road, ranking #440 out of 1095 majors in the country. As such, the degree program isn't offered at every college in the United States, but there are schools that do have a program in the field that are top-notch when it comes to quality.

College Factual looked at 25 colleges and universities when compiling its 2022 Most Popular Master's Degree Colleges for Lay Ministry ranking. When you put them all together, these colleges and universities awarded 166 master's degrees in lay ministry during the 2019-2020 academic year.

What's on this page: * Other Rankings

Choosing a Great Lay Ministry School for Your Master's Degree

Most Popular Master's Degree Colleges for Lay Ministry The lay ministry master's degree program you select can have a big impact on your future. One of the reasons we created our Most Popular Master's Degree Colleges for Lay Ministry ranking is to help you make that choice.

While being high in popularity does not always mean a school has a quality lay ministry program, it is a sign that a large number of students choose the school. This may be due to it being a great value, it offering a stellar educational experience, or the subject is a major focus of the school.

One Size Does Not Fit All

Associate Degrees in Lay Ministry
Bachelor's Degrees in Lay Ministry
Doctor's Degrees in Lay Ministry
Overall Popularity in Lay Ministry

This is not our only ranking, nor the only degree level we have ranked. In addition to this ranking, you may want to take at the rankings for different degree levels as called out above. You can also narrow your search by location by filtering for a certain area of the country. Plus, you can view our other rankings for lay ministry.

The following list ranks the most popular colleges and universities for pursuing a master's degree in lay ministry.

10 Most Well Attended Schools for Lay Ministry Students Working on Their Master's

1
54 Annual Master's Degrees
#1 Most Popular In PA
#1 Best Quality In PA

Westminster Theological Seminary is one of the most popular schools in the country for getting a master's degree in lay ministry. Westminster Theological Seminary is a fairly small private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Glenside. Potential students might also be interested to know that the school ranks #1 in quality for master's degrees in lay ministry in Pennsylvania.

There were about 54 lay ministry individuals who graduated with this degree at Westminster Theological Seminary in the most recent year we have data available.

More information about a master’s in lay ministry from Westminster Theological Seminary

2
26 Annual Master's Degrees
#1 Most Popular In MA
#1 Best Quality In MA

Every student who is interested in a master's degree in lay ministry has to check out Gordon - Conwell Theological Seminary. Gordon - Conwell Seminary is a small private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of South Hamilton. Potential students might also be interested to know that the school ranks #1 in quality for master's degrees in lay ministry in Massachusetts.

There were about 26 lay ministry students who graduated with this degree at Gordon - Conwell Seminary in the most recent year we have data available.

More information about a master’s in lay ministry from Gordon - Conwell Theological Seminary

3
17 Annual Master's Degrees
#1 Most Popular In NY
Doctor's Degree Highest Degree Type

You'll be surrounded by many like-minded peers at Fordham University if you want to pursue a master's degree in lay ministry. Fordham U is a large private not-for-profit university located in the large city of Bronx.

There were approximately 17 lay ministry individuals who graduated with this degree at Fordham U in the most recent data year.

More information about a master’s in lay ministry from Fordham University

4
9 Annual Master's Degrees
#1 Most Popular In OH
Master's Degree Highest Degree Type

United Theological Seminary is a popular option for individuals pursuing a master's degree in lay ministry. United Theological Seminary is a fairly small private not-for-profit school located in the large suburb of Dayton.

There were about 9 lay ministry students who graduated with this degree at United Theological Seminary in the most recent data year.

More information about a master’s in lay ministry from United Theological Seminary

5
North American Baptist Seminary crest
Sioux Falls Seminary
Sioux Falls, SD
8 Annual Master's Degrees
#1 Most Popular In SD
#1 Best Quality In SD

North American Baptist Seminary is a small private not-for-profit school located in the midsize city of Sioux Falls. You also may be intersted to know that the school ranks #1 in quality for master's degrees in lay ministry in South Dakota.

There were about 8 lay ministry individuals who graduated with this degree at North American Baptist Seminary in the most recent year we have data available.

More information about a master’s in lay ministry from Sioux Falls Seminary

6
6 Annual Master's Degrees
#2 Most Popular In MA
Master's Degree Highest Degree Type

Located in the city of Brighton, Saint John's Seminary is a private not-for-profit school with a fairly small student population.

There were roughly 6 lay ministry students who graduated with this degree at Saint John's Seminary in the most recent year we have data available.

More information about a master’s in lay ministry from Saint John’s Seminary

6
6 Annual Master's Degrees
#1 Most Popular In MN
Master's Degree Highest Degree Type

UST MN is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university located in the city of Saint Paul.

There were about 6 lay ministry individuals who graduated with this degree at UST MN in the most recent data year.

More information about a master’s in lay ministry from University of St Thomas Minnesota

6
Mount St. Mary's Seminary crest
Athenaeum of Ohio
Cincinnati, OH
6 Annual Master's Degrees
#2 Most Popular In OH
Master's Degree Highest Degree Type

Located in the city of Cincinnati, Mount St. Mary's Seminary is a private not-for-profit school with a small student population.

There were approximately 6 lay ministry individuals who graduated with this degree at Mount St. Mary's Seminary in the most recent year we have data available.

More information about a master’s in lay ministry from Athenaeum of Ohio

9
5 Annual Master's Degrees
#1 Most Popular In IL
Master's Degree Highest Degree Type

Located in the city of Chicago, Meadville Lombard Theological School is a private not-for-profit school with a fairly small student population. More information about a master’s in lay ministry from Meadville Lombard Theological School

9
5 Annual Master's Degrees
#1 Most Popular In MO
Master's Degree Highest Degree Type

Urshan Graduate School of Theology is a small private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Florissant.

There were roughly 5 lay ministry students who graduated with this degree at Urshan Graduate School of Theology in the most recent data year.

More information about a master’s in lay ministry from Urshan Graduate School of Theology

Lay Ministry by Region

View the Most Popular Master's Degree Colleges for Lay Ministry for a specific region near you.

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

View All Rankings >

One of 6 majors within the Pastoral Counseling & Specialized Ministries area of study, Lay Ministry has other similar majors worth exploring.

Related Major Annual Graduates
Pastoral Studies/Counseling 650
Other Pastoral Counseling & Specialized Ministries 163
Youth Ministry 38
Chaplain/Chaplaincy Studies 27
Urban Ministry 22

Notes and References

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