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2025 Best Theology & Religious Vocations Schools

67 Colleges in the United States
27,311 Theology & Religious Vocations Degrees Awarded
$43,078 Avg Early-Career Salary
You'll be studying one of the lesser sought-after majors if you pursue a degree in theology & religious vocations. It is ranked #26 out of 38 major degree programs in terms of popularity. While this may limit the number of schools that offer the degree program, there are still top-quality ones to be found.

In 2025, College Factual analyzed 67 schools in order to identify the top ones for its Best Theology & Religious Vocations Schools ranking. Combined, these schools handed out 27,311 degrees in theology & religious vocations to qualified students.

What's on this page: * Degree-Level Rankings

Choosing a Great Theology & Religious Vocations School

Best Theology & Religious Vocations Schools Your choice of theology & religious vocations school matters, so we have put together these rankings to help you make your decision. We derive our Best Overall Theology & Religious Vocations School rankings by rolling up our degree-level rankings after weighting them by the number of degrees awarded at each school.

In order to find the schools that are the best fit for you, you may want to filter to one of the degree levels below.

Pick Your Theology & Religious Vocations Degree Level

Associate Degrees in Theology & Religious Vocations
Bachelor's Degrees in Theology & Religious Vocations
Master's Degrees in Theology & Religious Vocations
Doctor's Degrees in Theology & Religious Vocations

Since the program you select can have a significant impact on your future, we've developed a number of rankings, including this Best Theology & Religious Vocations Schools list, to help you choose the best school for you. More interested in schools in a specific area of the country? Filter this list by region or state.

To further help you make the college decision, we've developed a unique tool called College Combat that allows you to compare schools based on the factors that matter the most to you. Go ahead and give it a try, or bookmark the link so you can check it out later.

Read more about College Factual's methodology.

Best Schools for Theology & Religious Vocations in the United States

If you aren't interested in a particular degree level and want to know which schools are the overall best at delivering an education for the theology & religious vocations degrees they offer, see the list below. Only those schools that rank in the top 20% of all the schools we analyze get awarded with a place on this list.

13 Top Schools in Theology & Religious Vocations

1
Doctor's Degree Highest Degree Type
569 Theology & Religious Vocations Degrees Awarded
$51,897 Median Starting Salary

It is hard to beat Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary if you want to pursue a degree in theology & religious vocations. Located in the city of Kansas City, MBTS is a private not-for-profit school with a small student population.

There were roughly 569 theology & religious vocations students who graduated with this degree at MBTS in the most recent year we have data available. Theology & Religious Vocations degree recipients from Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary earn a boost of around $8,819 above the typical earnings of theology & religious vocations majors.

More information about a degree in theology & religious vocations from Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary

2
Doctor's Degree Highest Degree Type
141 Theology & Religious Vocations Degrees Awarded
$44,214 Median Starting Salary

University of Notre Dame is a wonderful decision for students interested in a degree in theology & religious vocations. Notre Dame is a large private not-for-profit university located in the large suburb of Notre Dame. A Best Colleges rank of #29 out of 2,152 colleges nationwide means Notre Dame is a great university overall.

There were about 141 theology & religious vocations students who graduated with this degree at Notre Dame in the most recent year we have data available. Students who graduate with their degree from the theology & religious vocations program report average early career income of $44,214.

More information about a degree in theology & religious vocations from University of Notre Dame

3
Liberty University crest
Liberty University
Lynchburg, VA
Doctor's Degree Highest Degree Type
2,369 Theology & Religious Vocations Degrees Awarded
5.7% Growth in Graduates

Liberty University is one of the finest schools in the United States for getting a degree in theology & religious vocations. Liberty University is a very large private not-for-profit university located in the small city of Lynchburg. A Best Colleges rank of #265 out of 2,152 colleges nationwide means Liberty University is a great university overall.

There were about 2369 theology & religious vocations students who graduated with this degree at Liberty University in the most recent year we have data available. Degree recipients from the theology & religious vocations degree program at Liberty University earn $5,951 more than the typical college graduate with the same degree when they enter the workforce.

More information about a degree in theology & religious vocations from Liberty University

4
Master's Degree Highest Degree Type
252 Theology & Religious Vocations Degrees Awarded
8.3% Growth in Graduates

University of Northwestern - St Paul is one of the best schools in the country for getting a degree in theology & religious vocations. Located in the large suburb of Saint Paul, Northwestern is a private not-for-profit university with a small student population. A Best Colleges rank of #441 out of 2,152 colleges nationwide means Northwestern is a great university overall.

There were about 252 theology & religious vocations students who graduated with this degree at Northwestern in the most recent data year. Students who graduate with their degree from the theology & religious vocations program state that they receive average early career wages of $41,446.

More information about a degree in theology & religious vocations from University of Northwestern - St Paul

5
Johnson University crest
Johnson University
Knoxville, TN
Master's Degree Highest Degree Type
261 Theology & Religious Vocations Degrees Awarded
$32,470 Median Starting Salary

Johnson University is a small private not-for-profit university located in the rural area of Knoxville.

There were roughly 261 theology & religious vocations students who graduated with this degree at Johnson University in the most recent year we have data available. Students who graduate with their degree from the theology & religious vocations program state that they receive average early career income of $32,470.

More information about a degree in theology & religious vocations from Johnson University

6
Doctor's Degree Highest Degree Type
213 Theology & Religious Vocations Degrees Awarded
$52,870 Median Starting Salary

Located in the large suburb of Santa Clarita, The Master's University is a private not-for-profit university with a small student population. A Best Colleges rank of #383 out of 2,152 colleges nationwide means The Master's University is a great university overall.

There were about 213 theology & religious vocations students who graduated with this degree at The Master's University in the most recent data year. Those theology & religious vocations students who get their degree from The Master's University and Seminary receive $9,792 more than the standard theology & religious vocations grad.

More information about a degree in theology & religious vocations from The Master’s University and Seminary

7
Doctor's Degree Highest Degree Type
272 Theology & Religious Vocations Degrees Awarded
$41,550 Median Starting Salary

Lancaster Bible College is a small private not-for-profit college located in the large suburb of Lancaster. A Best Colleges rank of #353 out of 2,152 colleges nationwide means Lancaster Bible College is a great college overall.

There were about 272 theology & religious vocations students who graduated with this degree at Lancaster Bible College in the most recent year we have data available. Graduates who receive their degree from the theology & religious vocations program make around $41,550 for their early career.

More information about a degree in theology & religious vocations from Lancaster Bible College

8
Doctor's Degree Highest Degree Type
210 Theology & Religious Vocations Degrees Awarded
9.5% Growth in Graduates

CIU is a small private not-for-profit university located in the midsize city of Columbia. A Best Colleges rank of #329 out of 2,152 colleges nationwide means CIU is a great university overall.

There were roughly 210 theology & religious vocations students who graduated with this degree at CIU in the most recent year we have data available. After graduation, theology & religious vocations degree recipients typically make around $23,737 in the first five years of their career.

More information about a degree in theology & religious vocations from Columbia International University

9
North Central University crest
North Central University
Minneapolis, MN
Bachelor's Degree Highest Degree Type
55 Theology & Religious Vocations Degrees Awarded
21.8% Growth in Graduates

North Central University is a fairly small private not-for-profit university located in the city of Minneapolis. This university ranks 953rd out of 2,152 colleges for overall quality nationwide.

There were approximately 55 theology & religious vocations students who graduated with this degree at North Central University in the most recent data year. Students who receive their degree from the theology & religious vocations program make around $28,309 in their early career salary.

More information about a degree in theology & religious vocations from North Central University

10
Bachelor's Degree Highest Degree Type
138 Theology & Religious Vocations Degrees Awarded
$29,948 Median Starting Salary

Ozark Christian College is a small private not-for-profit college located in the small city of Joplin.

There were about 138 theology & religious vocations students who graduated with this degree at Ozark Christian College in the most recent year we have data available. Students who graduate with their degree from the theology & religious vocations program state that they receive average early career income of $29,948.

More information about a degree in theology & religious vocations from Ozark Christian College

11
Master's Degree Highest Degree Type
601 Theology & Religious Vocations Degrees Awarded
$34,859 Median Starting Salary

Located in the city of Chicago, Moody Theological Seminary and Graduate School is a private not-for-profit school with a small student population.

There were roughly 601 theology & religious vocations students who graduated with this degree at Moody Theological Seminary and Graduate School in the most recent data year. Students who receive their degree from the theology & religious vocations program earn an average of $34,859 for their early career.

More information about a degree in theology & religious vocations from Moody Bible Institute

12
Biola crest
Biola University
La Mirada, CA
Doctor's Degree Highest Degree Type
213 Theology & Religious Vocations Degrees Awarded
$39,581 Median Starting Salary

Biola is a medium-sized private not-for-profit university located in the suburb of La Mirada. This university ranks 86th out of 161 colleges for overall quality in the state of California.

There were approximately 213 theology & religious vocations students who graduated with this degree at Biola in the most recent data year. After graduation, theology & religious vocations degree recipients usually earn around $39,581 at the beginning of their careers.

More information about a degree in theology & religious vocations from Biola University

13
Doctor's Degree Highest Degree Type
512 Theology & Religious Vocations Degrees Awarded
$32,941 Median Starting Salary

Located in the medium-sized city of Lakeland, SEU is a private not-for-profit university with a fairly large student population. This university ranks 28th out of 70 schools for overall quality in the state of Florida.

There were approximately 512 theology & religious vocations students who graduated with this degree at SEU in the most recent data year. Graduates who receive their degree from the theology & religious vocations program earn an average of $32,941 in their early career salary.

More information about a degree in theology & religious vocations from Southeastern University

Honorable Mentions

These are some additional schools worth mentioning that are also great but just didn't quite make the cut to earn our top Best Theology & Religious Vocations Schools award.

Rank College Location
14 Indiana Wesleyan University Marion, IN
15 Martin Luther College New Ulm, MN
16 Freed-Hardeman University Henderson, TN
17 Bethel University Minnesota Saint Paul, MN
18 Lee University Cleveland, TN
19 Franciscan University of Steubenville Steubenville, OH
20 Wheaton College Illinois Wheaton, IL
21 Johnson University Florida Kissimmee, FL
22 Clarks Summit University Clarks Summit, PA

Theology & Religious Vocations by Region

View the Best Theology & Religious Vocations Schools for a specific region near you.

Region
Southeast
New England
Rocky Mountains
Plains States
Middle Atlantic
Far Western US
Southwest
Other U.S. Territories
Great Lakes

View All Rankings >

Theology & Religious Vocations Majors to Study

Major Annual Graduates
Theological & Ministerial Studies 15,527
Biblical Studies 4,021
Pastoral Counseling & Specialized Ministries 3,465
Religious Education 1,292
Missionary Studies 1,282
Theology & Religious Vocations (Other) 1,192
Sacred Music 487
Religious Institution Administration and Law 45

View All Theology & Religious Vocations Related Majors >

Notes and References

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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