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2023 Most Focused Master’s Degree Colleges for Theological & Ministerial Studies in California

37 Ranked Colleges
758 Degrees Awarded
$42,250 Avg Salary
Schools for a Master's Highly Focused on Theology Major in California

When it comes to choosing a college, students have a lot of options - but not all of them are good. One of our goals at College Factual is to give you as much information as we can - such as our “Schools for a Master’s Highly Focused on Theology Major in California” ranking - to help you make that decision.

In 2021-2022, 15,527 people earned their degree in theological & ministerial studies, making the major the 63rd most popular in the United States. In , theological & ministerial studies graduates who were awarded their degree in , earned an average of $40,765 and had an average of $39,579 in loans still to pay off.

Across California, there were 1,107 theological & ministerial studies graduates with average earnings and debt of $39,427 and $36,547 respectively. At the master’s degree level specifically, there were 758 theological & ministerial studies graduates with average earnings and debt of $63,735 and $51,649 respectively.

For this year’s “Schools for a Master’s Highly Focused on Theology Major in California” ranking, we looked at 37 colleges that offer a degree in theological & ministerial studies. This a ranking of the schools where the largest percentage of students has enrolled in theological & ministerial studies.

For more information, check out our ranking methodology.

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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 “Schools for a Master’s Highly Focused on Theology Major in California”.

We’ve created a tool called College Combat that lets you create your own customized comparisons based on the factors that matter the most to you. Test it out by comparing your favorite schools against others you are considering, or bookmark the tool so you can experiment with it later.

Schools for a Master’s Highly Focused on Theology Major in California

The following schools top our list of the Best “Schools for a Master’s Highly Focused on Theology Major in California”.

Top 25 Most Focused Master’s Degree Colleges for Theological & Ministerial Studies in California

1
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Franciscan School of Theology
San Diego, California

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Franciscan School of Theology. It ranked #1 on our 2023 Schools for a Master’s Highly Focused on Theology Major in California list. Franciscan School of Theology is a small school located in San Diego, California that handed out 10 masters’s theology degrees in 2021-2022.

The undergraduate student-to-faculty ratio of to 1 is a sign that students will have more opportunities to engage with their professors one-on-one.

Full Franciscan School of Theology Theological & Ministerial Studies Report

2

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Starr King School for Ministry. The school came in at #2 for the Schools for a Master’s Highly Focused on Theology Major in California. Starr King School for Ministry is a small school located in Oakland, California that handed out 17 masters’s theology degrees in 2021-2022.

With a undergrad student-to-faculty ratio of to 1, it’s easy to see that the school is committed to helping their undergraduates succeed. The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 3.1%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Full Starr King School for Ministry Theological & Ministerial Studies Report

3

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Church Divinity School of the Pacific. The school came in at #3 for the Schools for a Master’s Highly Focused on Theology Major in California. CDSP is located in Berkeley, California and, has a small student population. In 2021-2022, this school awarded 15 masters’s theology degrees to qualified students.

The undergraduate student-to-faculty ratio of to 1 is a sign that students will have more opportunities to engage with their professors one-on-one.

Read full report on Theological & Ministerial Studies at CDSP

4

Out of the 37 schools in the Schools for a Master’s Highly Focused on Theology Major in California that were part of this year’s ranking, Westminster Theological Seminary in California landed the #4 spot on the list. Westminster Seminary California is a private not-for-profit institution located in Escondido, California. The school has a small population, and it awarded 29 masters’s degrees in 2021-2022.

The undergraduate student-to-faculty ratio of to 1 is a sign that students will have more opportunities to engage with their professors one-on-one.

Read more about Theological & Ministerial Studies at Westminster Theological Seminary in California

5

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend American Baptist Seminary of the West. The school came in at #5 for the Schools for a Master’s Highly Focused on Theology Major in California. American Baptist Seminary of the West is a small private not-for-profit school situated in Berkeley, California. It awarded 18 masters’s theology degrees in 2021-2022.

Since the school has a undergrad student-to-faculty ratio of to 1, those pursuing a degree will have more opportunities to interact with their professors.

Read more about Theological & Ministerial Studies at ABSW Berkeley

6
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Grace Mission University
Fullerton, California

Grace Mission University landed the #6 spot on the 2023 Schools for a Master’s Highly Focused on Theology Major in California ranking. Located in Fullerton, California, this small private not-for-profit school handed out 9 degrees to qualified masters’s theology students in 2021-2022.

Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 100%.

Full Grace Mission University Theological & Ministerial Studies Report

7
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Pacific School of Religion
Berkeley, California

With a ranking of #7, Pacific School of Religion did quite well on the 2023 Schools for a Master’s Highly Focused on Theology Major in California list. Pacific School of Religion is located in Berkeley, California and, has a small student population. In 2021-2022, this school awarded 9 masters’s theology degrees to qualified students.

Since the school has a undergrad student-to-faculty ratio of to 1, those pursuing a degree will have more opportunities to interact with their professors.

Full Pacific School of Religion Theological & Ministerial Studies Report

8
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Fuller Theological Seminary
Pasadena, California

With a ranking of #8, Fuller Theological Seminary did quite well on the 2023 Schools for a Master’s Highly Focused on Theology Major in California list. Fuller is a small school located in Pasadena, California that handed out 227 masters’s theology degrees in 2021-2022.

Since the school has a undergrad student-to-faculty ratio of to 1, those pursuing a degree will have more opportunities to interact with their professors.

Read full report on Theological & Ministerial Studies at Fuller Theological Seminary

9
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Graduate Theological Union
Berkeley, California

Graduate Theological Union did quite well in the 2023 Schools for a Master’s Highly Focused on Theology Major in California ranking, coming in at #9. GTU Berkeley is a small school located in Berkeley, California that handed out 14 masters’s theology degrees in 2021-2022.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 1.2%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%. The impressive undergraduate student-to-faculty ratio of to 1 means that students may have more opportunities to work more closely with their professors than they would at other schools.

Read more about Theological & Ministerial Studies at Graduate Theological Union

10

With a ranking of #10, Academy for Jewish Religion - California did quite well on the 2023 Schools for a Master’s Highly Focused on Theology Major in California list. Academy for Jewish Religion - California is located in Los Angeles, California and, has a small student population. In 2021-2022, this school awarded 4 masters’s theology degrees to qualified students.

The impressive undergraduate student-to-faculty ratio of to 1 means that students may have more opportunities to work more closely with their professors than they would at other schools.

Full Academy for Jewish Religion - California Theological & Ministerial Studies Report

11

SUM Bible College and Theological Seminary ranked #11 on this year’s Schools for a Master’s Highly Focused on Theology Major in California list. School of Urban Missions is a small private not-for-profit school situated in El Dorado Hills, California. It awarded 19 masters’s theology degrees in 2021-2022.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 0.6% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%. With a freshman retention rate of 94%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.

Read more about Theological & Ministerial Studies at School of Urban Missions

12

Dominican School of Philosophy & Theology came in at #12 in this year’s edition of the Schools for a Master’s Highly Focused on Theology Major in California ranking. Located in Berkeley, California, this small private not-for-profit school awarded 8 diplomas to qualified masters’s theology students in 2021-2022.

The undergraduate student-to-faculty ratio of to 1 is a sign that students will have more opportunities to engage with their professors one-on-one.

Read full report on Theological & Ministerial Studies at Dominican School of Philosophy & Theology

13
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Institute of Buddhist Studies
Berkeley, California

Institute of Buddhist Studies ranked #13 on this year’s Schools for a Master’s Highly Focused on Theology Major in California list. Institute of Buddhist Studies is a small school located in Berkeley, California that handed out 6 masters’s theology degrees in 2021-2022.

With a undergrad student-to-faculty ratio of to 1, it’s easy to see that the school is committed to helping their undergraduates succeed.

Read full report on Theological & Ministerial Studies at Institute of Buddhist Studies

14
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Claremont School of Theology
Claremont, California

Claremont School of Theology ranked #14 on this year’s Schools for a Master’s Highly Focused on Theology Major in California list. Located in Claremont, California, this small private not-for-profit school awarded 38 diplomas to qualified masters’s theology students in 2021-2022.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 1.5%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%. Since the school has a undergrad student-to-faculty ratio of to 1, those pursuing a degree will have more opportunities to interact with their professors.

Read full report on Theological & Ministerial Studies at Claremont School of Theology

15
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The Master's University and Seminary
Santa Clarita, California

The Master’s University and Seminary landed the #15 spot on the 2023 Schools for a Master’s Highly Focused on Theology Major in California ranking. The Master’s University is a small school located in Santa Clarita, California that handed out 64 masters’s theology degrees in 2021-2022.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 0.6%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on Theological & Ministerial Studies at The Master’s University and Seminary

16

America Evangelical University came in at #16 in this year’s edition of the Schools for a Master’s Highly Focused on Theology Major in California ranking. America Evangelical University is located in Gardena, California and, has a small student population. In 2021-2022, this school awarded 1 masters’s theology degrees to qualified students.

With a freshman retention rate of 100%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. Since the school has a undergrad student-to-faculty ratio of 6 to 1, those pursuing a degree will have more opportunities to interact with their professors.

Read more about Theological & Ministerial Studies at America Evangelical University

17
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World Mission University
Los Angeles, California

World Mission University came in at #17 in this year’s edition of the Schools for a Master’s Highly Focused on Theology Major in California ranking. World Mission University is a small school located in Los Angeles, California that handed out 19 masters’s theology degrees in 2021-2022.

Since the school has a undergrad student-to-faculty ratio of 7 to 1, those pursuing a degree will have more opportunities to interact with their professors.

Full World Mission University Theological & Ministerial Studies Report

18
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Hope International University
Fullerton, California

Hope International University did quite well in the 2023 Schools for a Master’s Highly Focused on Theology Major in California ranking, coming in at #18. Hope International University is a private not-for-profit institution located in Fullerton, California. The school has a small population, and it awarded 18 masters’s degrees in 2021-2022.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 2.3% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.

Read more about Theological & Ministerial Studies at Hope International University

19
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Bethesda University
Anaheim, California

Bethesda University came in at #19 in this year’s edition of the Schools for a Master’s Highly Focused on Theology Major in California ranking. This small school is located in Anaheim, California, and it awarded 6 masters’s theology degrees in 2021-2022.

The impressive undergraduate student-to-faculty ratio of 10 to 1 means that students may have more opportunities to work more closely with their professors than they would at other schools.

Full Bethesda University Theological & Ministerial Studies Report

20
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Biola University
La Mirada, California

Biola University ranked #20 on this year’s Schools for a Master’s Highly Focused on Theology Major in California list. Biola is a private not-for-profit institution located in La Mirada, California. The school has a medium-sized population, and it awarded 78 masters’s degrees in 2021-2022.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 0.7%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%. With a freshman retention rate of 88%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.

Full Biola University Theological & Ministerial Studies Report

21
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Southern California Seminary
El Cajon, California

Southern California Seminary landed the #21 spot on the 2023 Schools for a Master’s Highly Focused on Theology Major in California ranking. El Cajon, California is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out masters’s theology degrees to 2 students in 2021-2022.

With a undergrad student-to-faculty ratio of 9 to 1, it’s easy to see that the school is committed to helping their undergraduates succeed. The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 2.1%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Full Southern California Seminary Theological & Ministerial Studies Report

22
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American Jewish University
Los Angeles, California

American Jewish University did quite well in the 2023 Schools for a Master’s Highly Focused on Theology Major in California ranking, coming in at #22. American Jewish University is a small school located in Los Angeles, California that handed out 7 masters’s theology degrees in 2021-2022.

The impressive undergraduate student-to-faculty ratio of 2 to 1 means that students may have more opportunities to work more closely with their professors than they would at other schools. The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 2.0%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Full AJU Theological & Ministerial Studies Report

23
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Epic Bible College
Sacramento, California

Epic Bible College did quite well in the 2023 Schools for a Master’s Highly Focused on Theology Major in California ranking, coming in at #23. Epic Bible College is a private not-for-profit institution located in Sacramento, California. The school has a small population, and it awarded 5 masters’s degrees in 2021-2022.

With a undergrad student-to-faculty ratio of 10 to 1, it’s easy to see that the school is committed to helping their undergraduates succeed.

Full Epic Bible College Theological & Ministerial Studies Report

24
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Simpson University
Redding, California

Simpson University ranked #24 on this year’s Schools for a Master’s Highly Focused on Theology Major in California list. This small school is located in Redding, California, and it awarded 1 masters’s theology degrees in 2021-2022.

Read more about Theological & Ministerial Studies at Simpson U

25
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La Sierra University
Riverside, California

With a ranking of #25, La Sierra University did quite well on the 2023 Schools for a Master’s Highly Focused on Theology Major in California list. Riverside, California is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out masters’s theology degrees to 4 students in 2021-2022.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 1.3% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.

Read full report on Theological & Ministerial Studies at La Sierra University

Notes and References

References

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