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2025 Best Theological & Ministerial Studies Master's Degree Schools in California

6 Colleges in California
799 Master's Degrees
$52,318 Avg Early-Career Salary
Ranked #21 in popularity, theological & ministerial studies is one of the most sought-after master's degree programs in the nation. This means there are lots of options to choose from when you decide to get your degree.

In 2025, College Factual analyzed 6 schools in order to identify the top ones for its Best Theological & Ministerial Studies Master's Degree Schools in California ranking. When you put them all together, these colleges and universities awarded 799 master's degrees in theological & ministerial studies during the 2022-2023 academic year.

What's on this page: * Our Methodology

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

Best Theological & Ministerial Studies Master's Degree Schools in California The theology master'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

The overall quality of a master's degree school is important to ensure a good education, not just how well they do in a particular major. To account for this we include a college's overall Best Colleges for a Master's Degree ranking which itself looks at a collection 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 master's graduates during the early years of their career. That is, everyone wants their master's degree to be worth something, and salaries are one measure of determining that.

Other Factors We Consider

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

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

More Ways to Rank Theological & Ministerial Studies Schools

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More Theology Rankings Other Ranking Categories

Since the program you select can have a significant impact on your future, we've developed a number of rankings, including this Best Theological & Ministerial Studies Master's Degree Schools in California list, to help you choose the best school for you.

Best Schools for Master’s Students to Study Theological & Ministerial Studies in California

The following list ranks the best colleges and universities for pursuing a master's degree in theological & ministerial studies.

Top California Schools for a Master's in Theology

1

Any student who is interested in a master's degree in theological & ministerial studies needs to check out The Master's University and Seminary. Located in the large suburb of Santa Clarita, The Master's University is a private not-for-profit university with a small student population.

Those theological & ministerial studies students who get their master's degree from The Master's University and Seminary earn $14,605 more than the standard theology student.

More information about a master’s in theological & ministerial studies from The Master’s University and Seminary

2
Biola crest
Biola University
La Mirada, CA

It's hard to beat Biola University if you want to pursue a master's degree in theological & ministerial studies. Biola is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university located in the suburb of La Mirada.

Soon after graduating, theology master's recipients generally make around $42,625 in their early careers.

More information about a master’s in theological & ministerial studies from Biola University

3
28 Annual Graduates

Azusa Pacific University is one of the finest schools in the country for getting a master's degree in theological & ministerial studies. Located in the large suburb of Azusa, Azusa Pacific is a private not-for-profit university with a medium-sized student population.More information about a master’s in theological & ministerial studies from Azusa Pacific University

4
27 Annual Graduates

SUM Bible College and Theological Seminary is one of the best schools in the country for getting a master's degree in theological & ministerial studies. School of Urban Missions is a small private not-for-profit college located in the suburb of El Dorado Hills.More information about a master’s in theological & ministerial studies from SUM Bible College and Theological Seminary

5
LIFE Bible College crest
Life Pacific College
San Dimas, CA
14 Annual Graduates

Located in the large suburb of San Dimas, LIFE Bible College is a private not-for-profit college with a small student population.More information about a master’s in theological & ministerial studies from Life Pacific College

6

Located in the suburb of Fullerton, Hope is a private not-for-profit university with a small student population.

Master's graduates who receive their degree from the theology program make around $50,661 in their early career salary.

More information about a master’s in theological & ministerial studies from Hope International University

Best Theological & Ministerial Studies Colleges in the Far Western US Region

Explore all the Best Theological & Ministerial Studies Schools in the Far Western US Area or other specific states within that region.

State Colleges Degrees Awarded
Washington 183 98
Oregon 158 164
Hawaii 85 9

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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
Divinity/Ministry 409
Theology 281
Other Theological & Ministerial Studies 96
Rabbinical Studies 13

Related Major Annual Graduates
Pastoral Counseling & Specialized Ministries 185
Missionary Studies 64
Theology & Religious Vocations (Other) 59
Biblical Studies 41
Sacred Music 25
Religious Education 6

Notes and References

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