Education
Philosophy and Religion Teachers, Postsecondary
- Median pay
- $80,260
- Outlook
- As fast as average
Doctoral or professional degree
- Reading Comprehension
- Active Listening
- Instructing
ProgramsTheology and Religious Vocations
Theological and Ministerial Studies
CIP39.06
244 colleges offer Theological and Ministerial Studies. See what it covers, which degree levels are available and what graduates earn and borrow.
Data verified Nov 2026 · CollegesRef 2026–27 edition
- Colleges offering it
- 244
- at its most common level
- Bachelor's earnings
- $47,403
- median, 4 years after
- Bachelor's debt
- $23,000
- median federal loans
Colleges offering it, by degree level
- Certificate
- 56
- Associate's
- 57
- Bachelor's
- 244
- Master's
- 236
- Post-baccalaureate certificate
- 7
- Doctoral
- 86
- First professional
- 46
- Graduate/professional certificate
- 69
What it covers
About Theological and Ministerial Studies
Theological and Ministerial Studies is part of Theology and Religious Vocations: instructional programs that focus on the intramural study of theology and that prepare individuals for the professional practice of religious vocations.
Definition: National Center for Education Statistics, Classification of Instructional Programs 2020, code 39.06.
Programs in this field
Colleges report these specific programs under CIP 39.06.
- Theology/Theological Studies
- Divinity/Ministry
- Pre-Theology/Pre-Ministerial Studies
- Rabbinical Studies
- Talmudic Studies
By degree level
Earnings and debt by degree level
Medians across colleges of each college's own program median. Earnings are for graduates who received federal aid and were working.
| Degree level | Colleges | Median earnings | Median debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Certificate | 56 | $37,0814 yrs after · 1 college | $10,2751 college |
| Associate's | 57 | $45,1664 yrs after · 3 colleges | $12,5001 college |
| Bachelor's | 244 | $47,4034 yrs after · 25 colleges | $23,00021 colleges |
| Master's | 236 | $60,0954 yrs after · 57 colleges | $38,95836 colleges |
| Post-baccalaureate certificate | 7 | Not reported | Not reported |
| Doctoral | 86 | $79,0534 yrs after · 12 colleges | $55,8023 colleges |
| First professional | 46 | $60,8724 yrs after · 8 colleges | $47,8756 colleges |
| Graduate/professional certificate | 69 | Not reported | $26,5622 colleges |
Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard field-of-study data, 2025. Colleges with too few graduates have their earnings and debt suppressed, so the number of colleges reporting is smaller than the number offering the program.
Bachelor's programs
Where Theological and Ministerial Studies graduates earn the most
Median earnings four years after finishing, among programs with at least 10 graduates in the latest year. Earnings are one measure; cost and graduation rate matter too.
- 1
Lakewood, CO · Private nonprofit · 11 graduates
$58,775
debt not reported
- 2
Seward, NE · Private nonprofit · 14 graduates
$58,162
debt not reported
- 3
Colorado Springs, CO · Private nonprofit · 14 graduates
$56,855
debt not reported
- 4
University of Notre Dame-South Bend
Notre Dame, IN · Private nonprofit · 64 graduates
$54,758
debt $19,000
- 5
Palm Beach Atlantic University
West Palm Beach, FL · Private nonprofit · 14 graduates
$53,398
debt not reported
- 6
Northwest University-Center for Online and Extended Education
Kirkland, WA · Private nonprofit · 36 graduates
$52,385
debt $23,000
- 7
Irving, TX · Private nonprofit · 16 graduates
$49,564
debt not reported
- 8
University of Northwestern-St Paul
Saint Paul, MN · Private nonprofit · 27 graduates
$47,802
debt $19,625
- 9
The Master's University and Seminary
Santa Clarita, CA · Private nonprofit · 59 graduates
$47,403
debt $18,703
- 10
Phoenixville, PA · Private nonprofit · 20 graduates
$46,072
debt $27,000
Careers
Careers this program leads to
Occupations linked to Theological and Ministerial Studies by the NCES CIP–SOC crosswalk, highest national median pay first. Pay and outlook are BLS figures for each occupation.
Community and social service
Clergy
- Median pay
- $60,810
- Outlook
- As fast as average
Bachelor's degree
- Speaking
- Active Listening
- Social Perceptiveness
Community and social service
Religious Workers, All Other
- Median pay
- $45,280
- Outlook
- Slower than average
Bachelor's degree
More in Theology and Religious Vocations
Other programs in the same area of study, by how many colleges offer them.
Every program in this area- Bible/Biblical Studies184 colleges
- Pastoral Counseling and Specialized Ministries158 colleges
- Religious Music and Worship134 colleges
- Missions/Missionary Studies and Missiology98 colleges
- Religious Education79 colleges
- Theology and Religious Vocations, Other56 colleges
- Religious Institution Administration and Law3 colleges
Questions about Theological and Ministerial Studies
How many colleges offer Theological and Ministerial Studies?
Published colleges on CollegesRef report Theological and Ministerial Studies at these degree levels: certificate (56 colleges), associate's (57 colleges), bachelor's (244 colleges), master's (236 colleges), post-baccalaureate certificate (7 colleges), doctoral (86 colleges), first professional (46 colleges), graduate/professional certificate (69 colleges). Counts are from College Scorecard field-of-study data (2025).
What do Theological and Ministerial Studies graduates earn?
At the median college, bachelor's graduates in Theological and Ministerial Studies earn $47,403 a year four years after finishing, across 25 colleges that report earnings. Figures cover graduates who received federal aid.
Where do Theological and Ministerial Studies graduates earn the most?
Colorado Christian University reports the highest median earnings for bachelor's graduates in Theological and Ministerial Studies: $58,775 four years after finishing, among programs with at least 10 graduates.