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2023 Most Popular Colleges for Theological & Ministerial Studies in California

43 Ranked Colleges
1,302 Degrees Awarded
$35,300 Avg Cost*
Most Well Attended Theology Major in California

It’s not easy to decide which college to attend when there so many options available for students. At College Factual, we’re committed to helping you make that decision by providing information such as that found in our “Most Well Attended Theology Major in California” ranking.

Theological & Ministerial Studies is the 63rd most popular major in the country with 15,832 degrees awarded in 2020-2021. In 2019-2020, theological and ministerial studies graduates who were awarded their degree in 2017-2019, earned an average of $40,590 and had an average of $26,272 in loans still to pay off.

Across California, there were 1,302 theological and ministerial studies graduates with average earnings and debt of $39,427 and $24,354 respectively.

This year’s “Most Well Attended Theology Major in California” ranking looked at 43 colleges that offer degrees in a bachelor’s in theological and ministerial studies. This ranking identifies schools that graduate the most students in theological and ministerial studies.

See our ranking methodology to learn more.

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Since picking the right college can be one of the most important decisions of your life, we’ve developed the “Most Well Attended Theology Major in California” ranking, along with many other major-related rankings, to help you make that decision.

One of our other unique offerings is College Combat. This tool lets you build your own customized comparisons utilizing the factors that are most important to you. We encourage you to try it out and pit your favorite colleges and universities head to head! If you don’t have time right now, you can bookmark it for later.

Most Well Attended Theology Major in California

The following schools top our list of the Best “Most Well Attended Theology Major in California”.

1
Fuller crest
Fuller Theological Seminary
Pasadena, California

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Fuller Theological Seminary. It ranked #1 on our 2023 Most Well Attended Theology Major in California list. Fuller Theological Seminary is a small private not-for-profit school situated in Pasadena, California. It awarded 378 ’s theology degrees in 2020-2021.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 1.0%, which is quite low when compared to the national default 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.

Full Fuller Theological & Ministerial Studies Report

2
The Master's University crest
The Master's University and Seminary
Santa Clarita, California

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend The Master’s University and Seminary. It ranked #2 on our 2023 Most Well Attended Theology Major in California list. The Master’s University is a private not-for-profit institution located in Santa Clarita, California. The school has a small population, and it awarded 150 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 1.5%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

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

3
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Biola University
La Mirada, California

Out of the 43 schools in the Most Well Attended Theology Major in California that were part of this year’s ranking, Biola University landed the #3 spot on the list. Biola is a private not-for-profit institution located in La Mirada, California. The school has a medium-sized population, and it awarded 93 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 2.7% 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 Biola University

4
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Santa Clara University
Santa Clara, California

Out of the 43 schools in the Most Well Attended Theology Major in California that were part of this year’s ranking, Santa Clara University landed the #4 spot on the list. Santa Clara University is located in Santa Clara, California and, has a medium-sized student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 50 ’s theology degrees to qualified students.

With a freshman retention rate of 93%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. The low undergrad student loan default rate of 0.7% 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 SCU

5
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Hope International University
Fullerton, California

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Hope International University. It ranked #5 on our 2023 Most Well Attended Theology Major in California list. Hope is located in Fullerton, California and, has a small student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 69 ’s theology degrees to qualified students.

The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 85%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. The low undergrad student loan default rate of 4.5% 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 Hope

6
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Azusa Pacific University
Azusa, California

With a ranking of #6, Azusa Pacific University did quite well on the 2023 Most Well Attended Theology Major in California list. Azusa Pacific University is a medium-sized school located in Azusa, California that handed out 45 ’s theology degrees in 2020-2021.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 3.3%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%. 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.

Read more about Theological & Ministerial Studies at Azusa Pacific University

7
School of Urban Missions crest
SUM Bible College and Theological Seminary
El Dorado Hills, California

SUM Bible College and Theological Seminary landed the #7 spot on the 2023 Most Well Attended Theology Major in California ranking. El Dorado Hills, California is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out ’s theology degrees to 40 students in 2020-2021.

Since the school has a undergrad student-to-faculty ratio of 10 to 1, those pursuing a degree will have more opportunities to interact with their professors.

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

8
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Graduate Theological Union
Berkeley, California

Graduate Theological Union did quite well in the 2023 Most Well Attended Theology Major in California ranking, coming in at #8. GTU Berkeley is a private not-for-profit institution located in Berkeley, California. The school has a small population, and it awarded 36 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 3.0%, which is quite low when compared to the national default 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 full report on Theological & Ministerial Studies at GTU Berkeley

9
Claremont School of Theology crest
Claremont School of Theology
Claremont, California

Claremont School of Theology came in at #9 in this year’s edition of the Most Well Attended Theology Major in California ranking. Claremont School of Theology is a small school located in Claremont, California that handed out 30 ’s theology degrees in 2020-2021.

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. The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 4.6%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Full Claremont School of Theology Theological & Ministerial Studies Report

9
Pacific School of Religion crest
Pacific School of Religion
Berkeley, California

Pacific School of Religion landed the #9 spot on the 2023 Most Well Attended Theology Major in California ranking. Located in Berkeley, California, this small private not-for-profit school awarded 44 diplomas to qualified ’s theology students in 2020-2021.

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. The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 3.2%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on Theological & Ministerial Studies at Pacific School of Religion

11

Westminster Theological Seminary in California did quite well in the 2023 Most Well Attended Theology Major in California ranking, coming in at #11. Located in Escondido, California, this small private not-for-profit school handed out 28 degrees to qualified ’s theology students in 2020-2021.

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 Westminster Theological Seminary in California Theological & Ministerial Studies Report

11
Loyola Marymount crest
Loyola Marymount University
Los Angeles, California

Loyola Marymount University came in at #11 in this year’s edition of the Most Well Attended Theology Major in California ranking. Loyola Marymount University is a fairly large private not-for-profit school situated in Los Angeles, California. It awarded 28 ’s theology degrees in 2020-2021.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 1.8%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%. 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 Loyola Marymount University Theological & Ministerial Studies Report

13
World Mission University crest
World Mission University
Los Angeles, California

World Mission University ranked #13 on this year’s Most Well Attended Theology Major in California list. Los Angeles, California is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out ’s theology degrees to 26 students in 2020-2021.

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.

Read more about Theological & Ministerial Studies at World Mission University

14

American Baptist Seminary of the West ranked #14 on this year’s Most Well Attended Theology Major in California list. ABSW Berkeley is located in Berkeley, California and, has a small student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 27 ’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 ABSW Berkeley Theological & Ministerial Studies Report

15
Starr King School for Ministry crest
Starr King School for Ministry
Berkeley, California

Starr King School for Ministry came in at #15 in this year’s edition of the Most Well Attended Theology Major in California ranking. Starr King School for Ministry is a small school located in Berkeley, California that handed out 23 ’s theology degrees in 2020-2021.

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 Starr King School for Ministry Theological & Ministerial Studies Report

16
Epic Bible College crest
Epic Bible College
Sacramento, California

With a ranking of #16, Epic Bible College did quite well on the 2023 Most Well Attended Theology Major in California list. Epic Bible College is located in Sacramento, California and, has a small student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 21 ’s theology degrees to qualified students.

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.

Read more about Theological & Ministerial Studies at Epic Bible College

17
Grace Mission University crest
Grace Mission University
Fullerton, California

Grace Mission University came in at #17 in this year’s edition of the Most Well Attended Theology Major in California ranking. Fullerton, California is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out ’s theology degrees to 20 students in 2020-2021.

The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 86%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.

Full Grace Mission University Theological & Ministerial Studies Report

18
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Point Loma Nazarene University
San Diego, California

With a ranking of #18, Point Loma Nazarene University did quite well on the 2023 Most Well Attended Theology Major in California list. Located in San Diego, California, this small private not-for-profit school awarded 19 diplomas to qualified ’s theology students in 2020-2021.

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 Point Loma Nazarene University Theological & Ministerial Studies Report

19
Concordia University, Irvine crest
Concordia University, Irvine
Irvine, California

With a ranking of #19, Concordia University, Irvine did quite well on the 2023 Most Well Attended Theology Major in California list. Concordia University, Irvine is a private not-for-profit institution located in Irvine, California. The school has a small population, and it awarded 17 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 2.9%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Full Concordia University, Irvine Theological & Ministerial Studies Report

20
CLU crest
California Lutheran University
Thousand Oaks, California

California Lutheran University did quite well in the 2023 Most Well Attended Theology Major in California ranking, coming in at #20. CLU is a small private not-for-profit school situated in Thousand Oaks, California. It awarded 16 ’s theology degrees in 2020-2021.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 2.7% 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%.

Full California Lutheran University Theological & Ministerial Studies Report

20

Church Divinity School of the Pacific ranked #20 on this year’s Most Well Attended Theology Major in California list. CDSP is a small school located in Berkeley, California that handed out 19 ’s theology degrees in 2020-2021.

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 full report on Theological & Ministerial Studies at CDSP

22
Fresno Pacific crest
Fresno Pacific University
Fresno, California

Fresno Pacific University did quite well in the 2023 Most Well Attended Theology Major in California ranking, coming in at #22. This small school is located in Fresno, California, and it awarded 13 ’s theology degrees in 2020-2021.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 4.5% 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%.

Full Fresno Pacific University Theological & Ministerial Studies Report

23
La Sierra crest
La Sierra University
Riverside, California

La Sierra University did quite well in the 2023 Most Well Attended Theology Major in California ranking, coming in at #23. La Sierra University is a private not-for-profit institution located in Riverside, California. The school has a small population, and it awarded 10 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 3.5% 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%.

Full La Sierra University Theological & Ministerial Studies Report

23
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University of Redlands
Redlands, California

With a ranking of #23, University of Redlands did quite well on the 2023 Most Well Attended Theology Major in California list. University of Redlands is a private not-for-profit institution located in Redlands, California. The school has a small population, and it awarded 10 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 1.6% 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%.

Read more about Theological & Ministerial Studies at University of Redlands

25
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Franciscan School of Theology
Oceanside, California

Franciscan School of Theology ranked #25 on this year’s Most Well Attended Theology Major in California list. Located in Oceanside, California, this small private not-for-profit school awarded 9 diplomas to qualified ’s theology students in 2020-2021.

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 Franciscan School of Theology

25

Dominican School of Philosophy & Theology came in at #25 in this year’s edition of the Most Well Attended Theology Major in California ranking. Berkeley, California is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out ’s theology degrees to 11 students in 2020-2021.

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 The Domincan School Berkeley

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