by our College Data Analytics TeamDivinity/Ministry was the 113th most popular major in the 2020-2021 school year. Colleges in the United States reported awarding 7,238 degrees in this year alone. This represents a 4.6% increase in divinity studies degrees awarded over the prior year's total of 6,905.
This year's Best Divinity/Ministry Schools ranking compares 104 of them to identify the best overall programs in the country. Explore this or one of our many other custom divinity studies rankings further below.
A major in divinity studies prepares you for careers in which talking to others to convey information effectively is crucial. Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times and understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work related documents are all required skills for careers related to this major.
New students will need to have completed high school or a GED program and each school will have their own minimum GPA and SAT/ACT test requirements. Specific divinity studies careers may require a certain level of degree attainment or additional certifications beyond that.
Divinity Studies degree levels vary. You can get anything from a in divinity/ministry to the highest divinity studies degree, a . The time it takes to complete a divinity studies degree varies depending on the program.
| Degree | Credit Requirements | Typical Program Length |
|---|---|---|
| Associate Degree | 60-70 credits | 2 years |
| Bachelor’s Degree | 120 credits | 4 years |
| Master’s Degree | 50-70 credits | 1-3 years |
| Doctorate | Program required coursework including thesis or dissertation | At least 4 years |
A master's degree is the most common level of education achieved by those in careers related to divinity studies, with approximately 39.9% of workers getting one. See the the most common levels of education for divinity studies workers below.
| Level of Education | Percentage of Workers |
|---|---|
| Master’s Degree | 40.5% |
| Doctoral Degree | 36.8% |
| Bachelor’s Degree | 12.0% |
| Post-Doctoral Training | 6.2% |
| Post-Baccalaureate Certificate | 4.0% |
83.7% of divinity studies workers have at least a master's. See the chart below for the most common degree level workers in divinity/ministry have received.
This of course varies depending on which divinity studies career you choose.
Want a job when you graduate with your divinity studies degree? Divinity/Ministry careers are expected to grow 8.6% between 2016 and 2026.
The following options are some of the most in-demand careers related to divinity/ministry.
| Occupation Name | Projected Jobs | Expected Growth |
|---|---|---|
| Clergy | 263,800 | 8.2% |
| Philosophy and Religion Professors | 35,700 | 12.3% |
As you might expect, salaries for divinity studies graduates vary depending on the level of education that was acquired.
Salaries for divinity/ministry graduates can vary widely by the occupation you choose as well. The following table shows the top highest paying careers divinity studies grads often go into.
| Occupation Name | Median Average Salary |
|---|---|
| Philosophy and Religion Professors | $82,420 |
| Clergy | $53,290 |
With over 424 different divinity studies degree programs to choose from, finding the best fit for you can be a challenge. Fortunately you have come to the right place. We have analyzed all of these schools to come up with hundreds of unbiased divinity studies school rankings to help you with this.
One of 4 majors within the Theological & Ministerial Studies area of study, Divinity/Ministry has other similar majors worth exploring.
| Related Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| Theology | 6,253 |
| Other Theological & Ministerial Studies | 1,925 |
| Pre-Theology/Pre-Ministerial Studies | 251 |
| Rabbinical Studies | 165 |
