2023 Most Focused Doctor’s Degree Colleges for Pastoral Counseling & Specialized Ministries
39
Ranked Colleges
214
Degrees Awarded
$66,736
Avg Salary
With all of the options students have for higher education today, it can be tough to choose which direction to take. College Factual was founded, in part, to help students make the decision as to what would be the best school for them. Our “Schools for a Doctorate Highly Focused on Pastoral Counseling Major” ranking is part of that endeavor.
Pastoral Counseling & Specialized Ministries is the 171st most popular major in the country with 3,465 degrees awarded in 2021-2022. In , pastoral counseling & specialized ministries graduates who were awarded their degree in , earned an average of $31,317 and had an average of $29,032 in loans still to pay off.
At the doctor’s degree level specifically, there were 214 pastoral counseling & specialized ministries graduates with average earnings and debt of $75,735 and $124,256 respectively.
For this year’s “Schools for a Doctorate Highly Focused on Pastoral Counseling Major” ranking, we looked at 39 colleges that offer a degree in pastoral counseling & specialized ministries. The colleges and universities that top this list are recognized because their pastoral counseling & specialized ministries program is one of the largest majors offered at the school.
See our ranking methodology to learn more.
More Ways to Rank Pastoral Counseling & Specialized Ministries Schools
The pastoral 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 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. If you’re torn between two schools, you can use it to help you see how they stack up against one another. Bookmark it so you can compare any new schools that might interest you.
Schools for a Doctorate Highly Focused on Pastoral Counseling Major
The colleges and universities below are the best for doctor’s degree pastoral counseling students.
Top 25 Most Focused Doctor’s Degree Colleges for Pastoral Counseling & Specialized Ministries
You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Bakke Graduate University. The school came in at #1 for the Schools for a Doctorate Highly Focused on Pastoral Counseling Major. Dallas, Texas is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out doctorate’s pastoral counseling degrees to 18 students in 2021-2022.
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 Counseling & Specialized Ministries at BGU
Out of the 39 schools in the Schools for a Doctorate Highly Focused on Pastoral Counseling Major that were part of this year’s ranking, McCormick Theological Seminary landed the #2 spot on the list. Chicago, Illinois is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out doctorate’s pastoral counseling degrees to 18 students in 2021-2022.
The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 4.8%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 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 more about Pastoral Counseling & Specialized Ministries at McCormick Theological Seminary
Out of the 39 schools in the Schools for a Doctorate Highly Focused on Pastoral Counseling Major that were part of this year’s ranking, Northern Baptist Theological Seminary landed the #3 spot on the list. Northern Seminary is a small private not-for-profit school situated in Lisle, Illinois. It awarded 0 doctorate’s pastoral counseling degrees in 2021-2022.
The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 1.9%, which is much lower than the national rate of 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 Northern Seminary Pastoral Counseling & Specialized Ministries Report
You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Garrett - Evangelical Theological Seminary. It ranked #4 on our 2023 Schools for a Doctorate Highly Focused on Pastoral Counseling Major list. This small school is located in Evanston, Illinois, and it awarded 7 doctorate’s pastoral counseling degrees in 2021-2022.
The low undergrad student loan default rate of 4.1% 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%. 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 full report on Pastoral Counseling & Specialized Ministries at Garrett - Evangelical Theological Seminary
You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Charlotte Christian College and Theological Seminary. The school came in at #5 for the Schools for a Doctorate Highly Focused on Pastoral Counseling Major. This small school is located in Charlotte, North Carolina, and it awarded 4 doctorate’s pastoral counseling degrees in 2021-2022.
The undergraduate student-to-faculty ratio of 5 to 1 is a sign that students will have more opportunities to engage with their professors one-on-one. 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%.
Read full report on Pastoral Counseling & Specialized Ministries at Charlotte Christian College and Theological Seminary
Carolina Christian College did quite well in the 2023 Schools for a Doctorate Highly Focused on Pastoral Counseling Major ranking, coming in at #6. Winston Salem, North Carolina is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out doctorate’s pastoral counseling degrees to 0 students in 2021-2022.
The low undergrad student loan default rate of 2.4% 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%. With a undergrad student-to-faculty ratio of 5 to 1, it’s easy to see that the school is committed to helping their undergraduates succeed.
Read more about Pastoral Counseling & Specialized Ministries at Carolina Christian College
Catholic Theological Union at Chicago came in at #7 in this year’s edition of the Schools for a Doctorate Highly Focused on Pastoral Counseling Major ranking. Catholic Theological Union is a small private not-for-profit school situated in Chicago, Illinois. It awarded 4 doctorate’s pastoral counseling degrees in 2021-2022.
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 Counseling & Specialized Ministries at Catholic Theological Union at Chicago
With a ranking of #8, Chicago Theological Seminary did quite well on the 2023 Schools for a Doctorate Highly Focused on Pastoral Counseling Major list. Located in Chicago, Illinois, this small private not-for-profit school handed out 9 degrees to qualified doctorate’s pastoral counseling students 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%. 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 Counseling & Specialized Ministries at Chicago Theological Seminary
The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary ranked #9 on this year’s Schools for a Doctorate Highly Focused on Pastoral Counseling Major list. Louisville, Kentucky is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out doctorate’s pastoral counseling degrees to 28 students in 2021-2022.
Read full report on Pastoral Counseling & Specialized Ministries at SBTS
Westminster Theological Seminary came in at #10 in this year’s edition of the Schools for a Doctorate Highly Focused on Pastoral Counseling Major ranking. Located in Glenside, Pennsylvania, this small private not-for-profit school handed out 12 diplomas to qualified doctorate’s pastoral counseling students 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 Counseling & Specialized Ministries at Westminster Theological Seminary
The Master’s University and Seminary ranked #11 on this year’s Schools for a Doctorate Highly Focused on Pastoral Counseling Major list. The Master’s University and Seminary is a small school located in Santa Clarita, California that handed out 18 doctorate’s pastoral 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 more about Pastoral Counseling & Specialized Ministries at The Master’s University
Trinity International University - Illinois ranked #12 on this year’s Schools for a Doctorate Highly Focused on Pastoral Counseling Major list. Trinity International University - Illinois is a small school located in Deerfield, Illinois that handed out 13 doctorate’s pastoral counseling degrees in 2021-2022.
The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 2.6%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.
Read full report on Pastoral Counseling & Specialized Ministries at TIU Illinois
Lutheran School of Theology at Chicago landed the #13 spot on the 2023 Schools for a Doctorate Highly Focused on Pastoral Counseling Major ranking. Located in Chicago, Illinois, this small private not-for-profit school handed out 4 diplomas to qualified doctorate’s pastoral counseling students in 2021-2022.
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 Counseling & Specialized Ministries at LSTC
Brite Divinity School came in at #14 in this year’s edition of the Schools for a Doctorate Highly Focused on Pastoral Counseling Major ranking. Brite Divinity School is a small private not-for-profit school situated in Fort Worth, Texas. It awarded 1 doctorate’s pastoral counseling degrees in 2021-2022.
The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 1.5%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 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.
Read full report on Pastoral Counseling & Specialized Ministries at Brite Divinity School
University of Saint Mary of the Lake came in at #15 in this year’s edition of the Schools for a Doctorate Highly Focused on Pastoral Counseling Major ranking. Mundelein, Illinois is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out doctorate’s pastoral counseling degrees to 3 students 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.
Full University of St. Mary of the Lake Pastoral Counseling & Specialized Ministries Report
George Fox University came in at #16 in this year’s edition of the Schools for a Doctorate Highly Focused on Pastoral Counseling Major ranking. GFU is a small school located in Newberg, Oregon that handed out 28 doctorate’s pastoral counseling degrees 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 GFU Pastoral Counseling & Specialized Ministries Report
Hebrew Union College - Jewish Institute of Religion landed the #17 spot on the 2023 Schools for a Doctorate Highly Focused on Pastoral Counseling Major ranking. Hebrew Union College - Jewish Institute of Religion is a small private not-for-profit school situated in New York, New York. It awarded 3 doctorate’s pastoral counseling degrees in 2021-2022.
The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 2.1%, which is much lower than the national 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 full report on Pastoral Counseling & Specialized Ministries at HUC - JIR
Neumann University did quite well in the 2023 Schools for a Doctorate Highly Focused on Pastoral Counseling Major ranking, coming in at #18. This small school is located in Aston, Pennsylvania, and it awarded 1 doctorate’s pastoral 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 University Pastoral Counseling & Specialized Ministries Report
Amridge University came in at #19 in this year’s edition of the Schools for a Doctorate Highly Focused on Pastoral Counseling Major ranking. Amridge University is a small private not-for-profit school situated in Montgomery, Alabama. It awarded 5 doctorate’s pastoral counseling degrees in 2021-2022.
Read more about Pastoral Counseling & Specialized Ministries at Amridge University
Ashland University landed the #20 spot on the 2023 Schools for a Doctorate Highly Focused on Pastoral Counseling Major ranking. This small school is located in Ashland, Ohio, and it awarded 0 doctorate’s pastoral counseling degrees 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 University Pastoral Counseling & Specialized Ministries Report
Eastern University came in at #21 in this year’s edition of the Schools for a Doctorate Highly Focused on Pastoral Counseling Major ranking. This medium-sized school is located in Saint Davids, Pennsylvania, and it awarded 12 doctorate’s pastoral counseling degrees in 2021-2022.
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 Counseling & Specialized Ministries at EU
With a ranking of #22, Abilene Christian University did quite well on the 2023 Schools for a Doctorate Highly Focused on Pastoral Counseling Major list. Abilene Christian University is a private not-for-profit institution located in Abilene, Texas. The school has a medium-sized population, and it awarded 7 doctorate’s degrees in 2021-2022.
The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 1.7%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.
Full Abilene Christian University Pastoral Counseling & Specialized Ministries Report
Gardner - Webb University came in at #23 in this year’s edition of the Schools for a Doctorate Highly Focused on Pastoral Counseling Major ranking. This small school is located in Boiling Springs, North Carolina, and it awarded 1 doctorate’s pastoral counseling degrees in 2021-2022.
The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 1.8%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.
Full Gardner - Webb Pastoral Counseling & Specialized Ministries Report
New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary came in at #24 in this year’s edition of the Schools for a Doctorate Highly Focused on Pastoral Counseling Major ranking. New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary is a private not-for-profit institution located in New Orleans, Louisiana. The school has a small population, and it awarded 3 doctorate’s degrees in 2021-2022.
Full NOBTS Pastoral Counseling & Specialized Ministries Report
With a ranking of #25, Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary did quite well on the 2023 Schools for a Doctorate Highly Focused on Pastoral Counseling Major list. SEBTS is located in Wake Forest, North Carolina and, has a small student population. In 2021-2022, this school awarded 6 doctorate’s pastoral counseling degrees to qualified students.
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 86%.
Full SEBTS Pastoral Counseling & Specialized Ministries Report
