# Theological and Ministerial Studies

> Theological and Ministerial Studies is a field of study in the Theology and Religious Vocations area.

- Edition: Data verified Nov 2026 · CollegesRef 2026–27 edition
- Page: https://www.collegesref.com/programs/theological-and-ministerial-studies
- CIP code: 39.06 (Theology and Religious Vocations)
- Colleges offering it: 244 at its most common degree level

## Outcomes by degree level (College Scorecard, 2025)

| Degree level | Colleges | Median earnings 1 yr | Median earnings 4 yrs | Median federal debt |
| --- | ---: | ---: | ---: | ---: |
| Certificate | 56 | not reported | $37,081 | $10,275 |
| Associate's | 57 | $31,253 | $45,166 | $12,500 |
| Bachelor's | 244 | $36,777 | $47,403 | $23,000 |
| Master's | 236 | $53,683 | $60,095 | $38,958 |
| Post-baccalaureate certificate | 7 | not reported | not reported | not reported |
| Doctoral | 86 | $67,733 | $79,053 | $55,802 |
| First professional | 46 | $57,979 | $60,872 | $47,875 |
| Graduate/professional certificate | 69 | not reported | not reported | $26,562 |

## Colleges whose graduates earn the most (Bachelor's)

Only programs with at least 10 graduates are listed.

| College | Location | Median earnings 4 yrs | Median debt |
| --- | --- | ---: | ---: |
| [Colorado Christian University](https://www.collegesref.com/college/colorado-christian-university-637) | Lakewood, CO | $58,775 | not reported |
| [Concordia University-Nebraska](https://www.collegesref.com/college/concordia-university-nebraska-696) | Seward, NE | $58,162 | not reported |
| [Nazarene Bible College](https://www.collegesref.com/college/nazarene-bible-college-1831) | Colorado Springs, CO | $56,855 | not reported |
| [University of Notre Dame-South Bend](https://www.collegesref.com/college/university-of-notre-dame-south-bend-in-3005) | Notre Dame, IN | $54,758 | $19,000 |
| [Palm Beach Atlantic University](https://www.collegesref.com/college/palm-beach-atlantic-university-2066) | West Palm Beach, FL | $53,398 | not reported |
| [Northwest University-Center for Online and Extended Education](https://www.collegesref.com/college/northwest-university-center-for-online-and-extended-education-1956) | Kirkland, WA | $52,385 | $23,000 |
| [University of Dallas](https://www.collegesref.com/college/university-of-dallas-2903) | Irving, TX | $49,564 | not reported |
| [University of Northwestern-St Paul](https://www.collegesref.com/college/university-of-northwestern-st-paul-3004) | Saint Paul, MN | $47,802 | $19,625 |
| [The Master's University and Seminary](https://www.collegesref.com/college/the-master-s-university-and-seminary-2746) | Santa Clarita, CA | $47,403 | $18,703 |
| [University of Valley Forge](https://www.collegesref.com/college/university-of-valley-forge-3070) | Phoenixville, PA | $46,072 | $27,000 |

## Related careers (NCES CIP–SOC crosswalk)

- [Philosophy and Religion Teachers, Postsecondary](https://www.collegesref.com/careers/philosophy-and-religion-teachers-postsecondary): $80,260 median pay
- [Clergy](https://www.collegesref.com/careers/clergy): $60,810 median pay
- [Religious Workers, All Other](https://www.collegesref.com/careers/religious-workers-all-other): $45,280 median pay

## More in Theology and Religious Vocations

- [Bible/Biblical Studies](https://www.collegesref.com/programs/bible-biblical-studies): 184 colleges
- [Pastoral Counseling and Specialized Ministries](https://www.collegesref.com/programs/pastoral-counseling-and-specialized-ministries): 158 colleges
- [Religious Music and Worship](https://www.collegesref.com/programs/religious-music-and-worship): 134 colleges
- [Missions/Missionary Studies and Missiology](https://www.collegesref.com/programs/missions-missionary-studies-and-missiology): 98 colleges
- [Religious Education](https://www.collegesref.com/programs/religious-education): 79 colleges
- [Theology and Religious Vocations, Other](https://www.collegesref.com/programs/theology-and-religious-vocations-other): 56 colleges
- Religious Institution Administration and Law: 3 colleges

## Sources

- U.S. Department of Education, College Scorecard field-of-study data, 2025: https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/data/
- NCES Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP) 2020: https://nces.ed.gov/ipeds/cipcode/