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2025 Best Theological & Ministerial Studies Doctor's Degree Schools

9 Colleges in the United States
1,871 Doctor's Degrees
$73,597 Avg Early-Career Salary
Ranked #18 in popularity, theological & ministerial studies is one of the most sought-after doctor's degree programs in the nation. This means there are lots of options to choose from when you decide to get your degree.

For its 2025 ranking, College Factual looked at 9 schools in the United States to determine which ones were the best for theological & ministerial studies students pursuing a doctor's degree. Combined, these schools handed out 1,871 doctor's degrees in theological & ministerial studies to qualified students.

What's on this page: * Our Methodology

Choosing a Great Theological & Ministerial Studies School for Your Doctor's Degree

Best Theological & Ministerial Studies Doctor's Degree Schools The theology doctor's degree program you select can have a big impact on your future. This section explores some of the factors we include in our ranking and how much they vary depending on the school you select. To make it into this list, a school must excel in the following areas.

A Great Overall School

A school that excels in educating for a particular major and degree level must be a great school overall as well. To account for this we consider a school's overall Best Colleges for a Doctor's Degree ranking which itself looks at a combination of various factors like degree completion, educational resources, student body caliber and post-graduation earnings for the school as a whole.

Early-Career Earnings

One measure we use to determine the quality of a school is to look at the average salary of doctorate graduates during the early years of their career. This is because one of the main reasons people pursue their doctor's degree is to enable themselves to find better-paying positions.

Other Factors We Consider

The metrics below are just some of the other metrics that we use to determine our rankings.

Our full ranking methodology documents in more detail how we consider these factors to identify the best schools for theological & ministerial studies students working on their doctor's degree.

More Ways to Rank Theological & Ministerial Studies Schools

Rankings by Location Check Out Other Locales
More Theology Rankings Other Ranking Categories

The theology 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 the Best Theological & Ministerial Studies Doctor's Degree Schools.

Best Schools for Doctorate Students to Study Theological & Ministerial Studies in the United States

Learn about the top ranked colleges and universities for theological & ministerial studies students seeking a a doctor's degree.

Top Schools for a Doctorate in Theology

1

Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary is one of the finest schools in the country for getting a doctor's degree in theological & ministerial studies. Located in the city of Kansas City, MBTS is a private not-for-profit school with a small student population.

Those theological & ministerial studies students who get their doctor's degree from Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary receive $17,956 more than the average theology student.

More information about a doctorate in theological & ministerial studies from Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary

2
17 Annual Graduates

University of Notre Dame is one of the best schools in the country for getting a doctor's degree in theological & ministerial studies. Notre Dame is a large private not-for-profit university located in the large suburb of Notre Dame.More information about a doctorate in theological & ministerial studies from University of Notre Dame

3
Biola crest
Biola University
La Mirada, CA
21 Annual Graduates

It is difficult to beat Biola University if you want to pursue a doctor's degree in theological & ministerial studies. Biola is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university located in the suburb of La Mirada.More information about a doctorate in theological & ministerial studies from Biola University

4
13 Annual Graduates

It's difficult to beat Bethel University Minnesota if you wish to pursue a doctor's degree in theological & ministerial studies. Bethel University Minnesota is a small private not-for-profit university located in the large suburb of Saint Paul.More information about a doctorate in theological & ministerial studies from Bethel University Minnesota

5
Liberty University crest
Liberty University
Lynchburg, VA

Liberty University is a fairly large private not-for-profit university located in the city of Lynchburg.

Doctorate students who receive their degree from the theology program make an average of $56,551 in their early career salary.

More information about a doctorate in theological & ministerial studies from Liberty University

6
Regent crest
Regent University
Virginia Beach, VA
125 Annual Graduates

Located in the city of Virginia Beach, Regent is a private not-for-profit university with a large student population.More information about a doctorate in theological & ministerial studies from Regent University

7
10 Annual Graduates

TIU Illinois is a small private not-for-profit university located in the suburb of Deerfield.More information about a doctorate in theological & ministerial studies from Trinity International University - Illinois

8
TKU crest
The King's University
Southlake, TX
10 Annual Graduates

Located in the suburb of Southlake, TKU is a private not-for-profit university with a small student population.More information about a doctorate in theological & ministerial studies from The King’s University

9
10 Annual Graduates

Luther Rice is a small private not-for-profit college located in the large suburb of Lithonia.More information about a doctorate in theological & ministerial studies from Luther Rice College & Seminary

Theological & Ministerial Studies by Region

View the Best Theological & Ministerial Studies Doctor's Degree 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

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One of 7 majors within the Theology & Religious Vocations area of study, Theological & Ministerial Studies has other similar majors worth exploring.

Theology Concentrations

Major Annual Graduates
Theology 942
Divinity/Ministry 720
Other Theological & Ministerial Studies 206
Rabbinical Studies 3

Related Major Annual Graduates
Theology & Religious Vocations (Other) 273
Pastoral Counseling & Specialized Ministries 245
Religious Education 114
Biblical Studies 97
Missionary Studies 85
Sacred Music 33

Notes and References

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