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2025 Best Theological & Ministerial Studies Bachelor's Degree Schools

31 Colleges in the United States
2,539 Bachelor's Degrees
$32,814 Avg Early-Career Salary
a bachelor's degree in theological & ministerial studies is more popular than many other degrees. In fact, it ranks #124 out of 363 on popularity of all such degrees in the nation. This means you won't have too much trouble finding schools that offer the degree.

For its 2025 ranking, College Factual looked at 31 schools in the United States to determine which ones were the best for theological & ministerial studies students pursuing a bachelor's degree. When you put them all together, these colleges and universities awarded 2,539 bachelor's degrees in theological & ministerial studies during the 2021-2022 academic year.

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

Best Theological & Ministerial Studies Bachelor's Degree Schools Your choice of theological & ministerial studies for getting your bachelor's degree school matters. Important measures of a quality theology program can vary widely even among the top schools. When choosing a school we recommend considering some of the following factors:

Quality Overall Is Important

A school that excels in educating for a particular major and degree level must be a great school overall as well. To make it into this list a school must rank well in our overall Best Colleges ranking. This ranking considered factors such as graduation rates, overall graduate earnings and other educational resources to identify great colleges and universities.

Average Earnings

To determine the overall quality of a graduate school, one factor we look at is the average early-career salary of those receiving their bachelor's degree from the school. This is because one of the main reasons people pursue their bachelor's degree is to enable themselves to find better-paying positions.

Other Factors We Consider

In addition to the above, you should consider some of the following factors:

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 bachelor's degree.

One Size Does Not Fit All

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

Since picking the right college can be one of the most important decisions of your life, we've developed the Best Theological & Ministerial Studies Bachelor's Degree Schools ranking, along with many other major-related rankings, to help you make that decision.

In addition to College Factual's rankings, you may want to take a look at College Combat, our unique tool that lets you pit your favorite schools head-to-head and compare how they rate on factors that most interest you. When you have some time, check it out - you may want to bookmark the link so you don't forget it.

Best Schools for Bachelor’s Students to Study Theological & Ministerial Studies in the United States

Below you'll see a list of the best colleges and universities for pursuing a bachelor's degree in theological & ministerial studies.

10 Top Schools for a Bachelor's in Theology

1

University of Notre Dame is one of the best schools in the United States for getting a bachelor's degree in theological & ministerial studies. Located in the large suburb of Notre Dame, Notre Dame is a private not-for-profit university with a fairly large student population.

Those theological & ministerial studies students who get their bachelor's degree from University of Notre Dame make $13,060 more than the average theology graduate.

More information about a bachelor’s in theological & ministerial studies from University of Notre Dame

2
Liberty University crest
Liberty University
Lynchburg, VA
9 Annual Graduates

Any student who is interested in a bachelor's degree in theological & ministerial studies has to take a look at Liberty University. Located in the city of Lynchburg, Liberty University is a private not-for-profit university with a very large student population.More information about a bachelor’s in theological & ministerial studies from Liberty University

3
23 Annual Graduates

It's hard to beat Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary if you wish to pursue a bachelor's degree in theological & ministerial studies. MBTS is a small private not-for-profit school located in the city of Kansas City.More information about a bachelor’s in theological & ministerial studies from Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary

4
Biola crest
Biola University
La Mirada, CA
8 Annual Graduates

Biola University is a wonderful option for individuals interested in a bachelor's degree in theological & ministerial studies. Located in the suburb of La Mirada, Biola is a private not-for-profit university with a moderately-sized student population.More information about a bachelor’s in theological & ministerial studies from Biola University

5
230 Annual Graduates
$29,809 Median Starting Salary
$17,870 Median Student Debt

SEU is a large private not-for-profit university located in the city of Lakeland.

Bachelor's graduates who receive their degree from the theology program earn about $29,809 in the first couple years of working.

More information about a bachelor’s in theological & ministerial studies from Southeastern University

6

The Master's University is a small private not-for-profit university located in the large suburb of Santa Clarita.

Bachelor's recipients from the theological & ministerial studies major at The Master's University and Seminary earn $10,863 more than the standard college grad in this field when they enter the workforce.

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

7
5 Annual Graduates

Located in the midsize city of Columbia, CIU is a private not-for-profit university with a small student population.More information about a bachelor’s in theological & ministerial studies from Columbia International University

8

Moody Theological Seminary and Graduate School is a small private not-for-profit school located in the large city of Chicago.

Students who graduate with their bachelor's from the theology program report average early career earnings of $33,488.

More information about a bachelor’s in theological & ministerial studies from Moody Bible Institute

9
98 Annual Graduates
$29,656 Median Starting Salary
$46,594 Median Student Debt

Franciscan U is a small private not-for-profit university located in the small city of Steubenville.

Bachelor's students who receive their degree from the theology program earn about $29,656 in the first couple years of their career.

More information about a bachelor’s in theological & ministerial studies from Franciscan University of Steubenville

10
6 Annual Graduates

Located in the town of Marion, IWU is a private not-for-profit university with a small student population.More information about a bachelor’s in theological & ministerial studies from Indiana Wesleyan University

Theological & Ministerial Studies by Region

View the Best Theological & Ministerial Studies Bachelor'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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Theological & Ministerial Studies is one of 7 different types of Theology & Religious Vocations programs to choose from.

Theology Focus Areas

Major Annual Graduates
Theology 1,382
Divinity/Ministry 584
Other Theological & Ministerial Studies 424
Pre-Theology/Pre-Ministerial Studies 148
Rabbinical Studies 1

Related Major Annual Graduates
Biblical Studies 2,286
Pastoral Counseling & Specialized Ministries 1,115
Religious Education 686
Missionary Studies 411
Sacred Music 305
Theology & Religious Vocations (Other) 253
Religious Institution Administration and Law 5

Notes and References

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