College Factual  by our College Data Analytics Team
       Unbiased Factual Guarantee

2023 Most Focused Doctor’s Degree Colleges for Pastoral Studies/Counseling

26 Ranked Colleges
132 Degrees Awarded
$27,000 Avg Cost*
Schools for a Doctorate Highly Focused on Pastoral Studies/Counseling Major

When it comes to choosing a college, students have a lot of options - but not all of them are good. One of our goals at College Factual is to give you as much information as we can - such as our “Schools for a Doctorate Highly Focused on Pastoral Studies/Counseling Major” ranking - to help you make that decision.

In 2021-2022, 1,380 people earned their degree in pastoral studies/counseling, making the major the 364th most popular in the United States.

At the doctor’s degree level specifically, there were 132 pastoral studies/counseling graduates with average earnings and debt of $75,735 and $124,256 respectively.

This year’s “Schools for a Doctorate Highly Focused on Pastoral Studies/Counseling Major” ranking analyzed 26 colleges that offered a degree in pastoral studies/counseling. The colleges and universities that top this list are recognized because their pastoral studies/counseling program is one of the largest majors offered at the school.

For more information, check out our ranking methodology.

One Size Does Not Fit All

Rankings by Degree Other Award Levels
Rankings by Location Check Out Other Locales
More Pastoral Studies/Counseling Rankings Other Ranking Categories

The pastoral studies/counseling school you choose to invest your time and money in matters. To help you make the decision that is right for you, we’ve developed a number of major-specific rankings, including this list of “Schools for a Doctorate Highly Focused on Pastoral Studies/Counseling Major”.

In addition to our rankings, you can take two colleges and compare them based on the criteria that matters most to you in our unique tool, College Combat. Test it out when you get a chance! You may also want to bookmark the link and share it with others who are trying to make the college decision.

Schools for a Doctorate Highly Focused on Pastoral Studies/Counseling Major

The colleges and universities below are the best for doctor’s degree pastoral studies/counseling students.

Top 26 Most Focused Doctor’s Degree Colleges for Pastoral Studies/Counseling

1

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend McCormick Theological Seminary. It ranked #1 on our 2023 Schools for a Doctorate Highly Focused on Pastoral Studies/Counseling Major list. McCormick Theological Seminary is a small school located in Chicago, Illinois that handed out 18 doctorate’s pastoral studies/counseling degrees in 2021-2022.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 4.8% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%. Since the school has a undergrad student-to-faculty ratio of to 1, those pursuing a degree will have more opportunities to interact with their professors.

Read full report on Pastoral Studies/Counseling at McCormick Theological Seminary

2

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Northern Baptist Theological Seminary. It ranked #2 on our 2023 Schools for a Doctorate Highly Focused on Pastoral Studies/Counseling Major list. Northern Baptist Theological Seminary is located in Lisle, Illinois and, has a small student population. In 2021-2022, this school awarded 0 doctorate’s pastoral studies/counseling degrees to qualified students.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 1.9%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%. The undergraduate student-to-faculty ratio of to 1 is a sign that students will have more opportunities to engage with their professors one-on-one.

Read more about Pastoral Studies/Counseling at Northern Baptist Theological Seminary

3

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Charlotte Christian College and Theological Seminary. It ranked #3 on our 2023 Schools for a Doctorate Highly Focused on Pastoral Studies/Counseling Major list. Charlotte Christian College and Theological Seminary is located in Charlotte, North Carolina and, has a small student population. In 2021-2022, this school awarded 4 doctorate’s pastoral studies/counseling degrees to qualified students.

The impressive undergraduate student-to-faculty ratio of 5 to 1 means that students may have more opportunities to work more closely with their professors than they would at other schools. The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 5.0%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Full CCCTS Pastoral Studies/Counseling Report

4

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Catholic Theological Union at Chicago. The school came in at #4 for the Schools for a Doctorate Highly Focused on Pastoral Studies/Counseling Major. Located in Chicago, Illinois, this small private not-for-profit school awarded 4 diplomas to qualified doctorate’s pastoral studies/counseling students in 2021-2022.

Since the school has a undergrad student-to-faculty ratio of to 1, those pursuing a degree will have more opportunities to interact with their professors.

Read more about Pastoral Studies/Counseling at Catholic Theological Union at Chicago

5

Out of the 26 schools in the Schools for a Doctorate Highly Focused on Pastoral Studies/Counseling Major that were part of this year’s ranking, Chicago Theological Seminary landed the #5 spot on the list. This small school is located in Chicago, Illinois, and it awarded 9 doctorate’s pastoral studies/counseling degrees in 2021-2022.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 1.8% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%. With a undergrad student-to-faculty ratio of to 1, it’s easy to see that the school is committed to helping their undergraduates succeed.

Full Chicago Theological Seminary Pastoral Studies/Counseling Report

6
The Master's University crest
The Master's University and Seminary
Santa Clarita, California

The Master’s University and Seminary came in at #6 in this year’s edition of the Schools for a Doctorate Highly Focused on Pastoral Studies/Counseling Major ranking. This small school is located in Santa Clarita, California, and it awarded 18 doctorate’s pastoral studies/counseling degrees in 2021-2022.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 0.6%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on Pastoral Studies/Counseling at The Master’s University

7

Trinity International University - Illinois ranked #7 on this year’s Schools for a Doctorate Highly Focused on Pastoral Studies/Counseling Major list. Located in Deerfield, Illinois, this small private not-for-profit school awarded 13 diplomas to qualified doctorate’s pastoral studies/counseling students in 2021-2022.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 2.6%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on Pastoral Studies/Counseling at Trinity International University - Illinois

8

University of Saint Mary of the Lake ranked #8 on this year’s Schools for a Doctorate Highly Focused on Pastoral Studies/Counseling Major list. This small school is located in Mundelein, Illinois, and it awarded 3 doctorate’s pastoral studies/counseling degrees in 2021-2022.

With a undergrad student-to-faculty ratio of to 1, it’s easy to see that the school is committed to helping their undergraduates succeed.

Read full report on Pastoral Studies/Counseling at University of Saint Mary of the Lake

9
GFU crest
George Fox University
Newberg, Oregon

George Fox University came in at #9 in this year’s edition of the Schools for a Doctorate Highly Focused on Pastoral Studies/Counseling Major ranking. Newberg, Oregon is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out doctorate’s pastoral studies/counseling degrees to 28 students in 2021-2022.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 0.4% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.

Full George Fox University Pastoral Studies/Counseling Report

10

With a ranking of #10, The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary did quite well on the 2023 Schools for a Doctorate Highly Focused on Pastoral Studies/Counseling Major list. The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary is a small school located in Louisville, Kentucky that handed out 14 doctorate’s pastoral studies/counseling degrees in 2021-2022.

Read more about Pastoral Studies/Counseling at SBTS

11

Hebrew Union College - Jewish Institute of Religion came in at #11 in this year’s edition of the Schools for a Doctorate Highly Focused on Pastoral Studies/Counseling Major ranking. HUC - JIR is a private not-for-profit institution located in New York, New York. The school has a small population, and it awarded 3 doctorate’s degrees in 2021-2022.

With a undergrad student-to-faculty ratio of to 1, it’s easy to see that the school is committed to helping their undergraduates succeed. The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 2.1%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Full Hebrew Union College - Jewish Institute of Religion Pastoral Studies/Counseling Report

12
Neumann crest
Neumann University
Aston, Pennsylvania

Neumann University came in at #12 in this year’s edition of the Schools for a Doctorate Highly Focused on Pastoral Studies/Counseling Major ranking. This small school is located in Aston, Pennsylvania, and it awarded 1 doctorate’s pastoral studies/counseling degrees in 2021-2022.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 2.2%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Full Neumann Pastoral Studies/Counseling Report

13
Amridge crest
Amridge University
Montgomery, Alabama

Amridge University did quite well in the 2023 Schools for a Doctorate Highly Focused on Pastoral Studies/Counseling Major ranking, coming in at #13. Montgomery, Alabama is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out doctorate’s pastoral studies/counseling degrees to 5 students in 2021-2022.

Read full report on Pastoral Studies/Counseling at Amridge University

14
Ashland crest
Ashland University
Ashland, Ohio

Ashland University ranked #14 on this year’s Schools for a Doctorate Highly Focused on Pastoral Studies/Counseling Major list. Located in Ashland, Ohio, this small private not-for-profit school handed out 0 diplomas to qualified doctorate’s pastoral studies/counseling students in 2021-2022.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 1.2%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Full Ashland Pastoral Studies/Counseling Report

15
EU crest
Eastern University
Saint Davids, Pennsylvania

With a ranking of #15, Eastern University did quite well on the 2023 Schools for a Doctorate Highly Focused on Pastoral Studies/Counseling Major list. EU is located in Saint Davids, Pennsylvania and, has a medium-sized student population. In 2021-2022, this school awarded 6 doctorate’s pastoral studies/counseling degrees to qualified students.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 1.3% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.

Read full report on Pastoral Studies/Counseling at EU

16
Gardner - Webb crest
Gardner - Webb University
Boiling Springs, North Carolina

With a ranking of #16, Gardner - Webb University did quite well on the 2023 Schools for a Doctorate Highly Focused on Pastoral Studies/Counseling Major list. Gardner - Webb is located in Boiling Springs, North Carolina and, has a small student population. In 2021-2022, this school awarded 1 doctorate’s pastoral studies/counseling degrees to qualified students.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 1.8% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.

Read full report on Pastoral Studies/Counseling at Gardner - Webb

17

Inter American University of Puerto Rico - Metro landed the #17 spot on the 2023 Schools for a Doctorate Highly Focused on Pastoral Studies/Counseling Major ranking. Inter American University of Puerto Rico - Metro is a medium-sized private not-for-profit school situated in San Juan, Puerto Rico. It awarded 0 doctorate’s pastoral studies/counseling degrees in 2021-2022.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 1.2% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.

Read full report on Pastoral Studies/Counseling at Inter American University of Puerto Rico - Metro

18

America Evangelical University landed the #18 spot on the 2023 Schools for a Doctorate Highly Focused on Pastoral Studies/Counseling Major ranking. America Evangelical University is a small school located in Gardena, California that handed out 0 doctorate’s pastoral studies/counseling degrees in 2021-2022.

The impressive undergraduate student-to-faculty ratio of 6 to 1 means that students may have more opportunities to work more closely with their professors than they would at other schools. With a freshman retention rate of 100%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.

Full America Evangelical University Pastoral Studies/Counseling Report

18
TKU crest
The King's University
Southlake, Texas

The King’s University came in at #18 in this year’s edition of the Schools for a Doctorate Highly Focused on Pastoral Studies/Counseling Major ranking. Located in Southlake, Texas, this small private not-for-profit school handed out 8 degrees to qualified doctorate’s pastoral studies/counseling students in 2021-2022.

Since the school has a undergrad student-to-faculty ratio of 10 to 1, those pursuing a degree will have more opportunities to interact with their professors. The low undergrad student loan default rate of 1.0% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.

Read full report on Pastoral Studies/Counseling at TKU

18
Emory crest
Emory University
Atlanta, Georgia

Emory University came in at #18 in this year’s edition of the Schools for a Doctorate Highly Focused on Pastoral Studies/Counseling Major ranking. Emory University is a fairly large private not-for-profit school situated in Atlanta, Georgia. It awarded 1 doctorate’s pastoral studies/counseling degrees in 2021-2022.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 0.4%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%. Since the school has a undergrad student-to-faculty ratio of 9 to 1, those pursuing a degree will have more opportunities to interact with their professors. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 95%.

Read full report on Pastoral Studies/Counseling at Emory University

18

Grace College and Theological Seminary ranked #18 on this year’s Schools for a Doctorate Highly Focused on Pastoral Studies/Counseling Major list. Grace College and Theological Seminary is a private not-for-profit institution located in Winona Lake, Indiana. The school has a small population, and it awarded 8 doctorate’s degrees in 2021-2022.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 0.9%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Full Grace College and Theological Seminary Pastoral Studies/Counseling Report

18

Oral Roberts University ranked #18 on this year’s Schools for a Doctorate Highly Focused on Pastoral Studies/Counseling Major list. Oral Roberts University is located in Tulsa, Oklahoma and, has a medium-sized student population. In 2021-2022, this school awarded 13 doctorate’s pastoral studies/counseling degrees to qualified students.

With a freshman retention rate of 85%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 1.5%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Full Oral Roberts University Pastoral Studies/Counseling Report

18

Faith Baptist Bible College and Theological Seminary landed the #18 spot on the 2023 Schools for a Doctorate Highly Focused on Pastoral Studies/Counseling Major ranking. This small school is located in Ankeny, Iowa, and it awarded 2 doctorate’s pastoral studies/counseling degrees in 2021-2022.

Read more about Pastoral Studies/Counseling at Faith Baptist Bible College and Theological Seminary

18
Virginia Beach Theological Seminary crest
Virginia Beach Theological Seminary
Virginia Beach, Virginia

Virginia Beach Theological Seminary ranked #18 on this year’s Schools for a Doctorate Highly Focused on Pastoral Studies/Counseling Major list. Virginia Beach Theological Seminary is a small school located in Virginia Beach, Virginia that handed out 0 doctorate’s pastoral studies/counseling degrees in 2021-2022.

With a undergrad student-to-faculty ratio of 1 to 1, it’s easy to see that the school is committed to helping their undergraduates succeed.

Full Virginia Beach Theological Seminary Pastoral Studies/Counseling Report

18

Columbia Theological Seminary ranked #18 on this year’s Schools for a Doctorate Highly Focused on Pastoral Studies/Counseling Major list. Columbia Theological Seminary is a small school located in Decatur, Georgia that handed out 3 doctorate’s pastoral studies/counseling degrees in 2021-2022.

The impressive undergraduate student-to-faculty ratio of to 1 means that students may have more opportunities to work more closely with their professors than they would at other schools.

Read more about Pastoral Studies/Counseling at Columbia Theological Seminary

18

University of the Southwest landed the #18 spot on the 2023 Schools for a Doctorate Highly Focused on Pastoral Studies/Counseling Major ranking. Hobbs, New Mexico is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out doctorate’s pastoral studies/counseling degrees to 0 students in 2021-2022.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 4.5%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Full USW Pastoral Studies/Counseling Report

Notes and References

References

Read more about our data sources and methodologies

Footnotes

Popular Reports

College Rankings
Best by Location
Degree Guides by Major
Graduate Programs

Compare Your School Options