Pastoral Counseling and Specialized Ministries programs
CIP 3907 · Theology & Religious Vocations · ranked by median earnings four years after completion
39 institutions report graduate earnings for Pastoral Counseling and Specialized Ministries programs (College Scorecard, 2024-25). Across them the median is $44,988 four years after completion, with a typical debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.60× and 65% of graduates earning above the federal earnings threshold. Indicatively, 13 of the 45 programs with both earnings and a benchmark fall below the earnings-premium benchmark used by the 2025 federal test (effective July 1, 2026); the rest clear it.
| # | Institution | Earn 4yr | % > threshold | Median debt | Debt/earn | Earnings premium | 2 of 3 yrs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | George Fox UniversityOR · Doctoral | $84,791 n=48 | 93% 5yr | $30,750 | 0.36× | Above +36% | Clears 2/2 |
| 2 | Andrews UniversityMI · Master's | $71,857 n=23 | 74% 1yr | – | – | Above +14% | – |
| 3 | Dallas Theological SeminaryTX · Master's | $62,064 n=30 | 65% 1yr | $37,863 | 0.61× | Below -5% | – |
| 4 | Loyola University MarylandMD · Master's | $60,324 n=51 | 80% 1yr | $68,868 | 1.14× | Below -21% | – |
| 5 | Loyola University ChicagoIL · Master's | $59,226 n=27 | – | $54,917 | 0.93× | Below -14% | Below 2/2 |
| 6 | Boise Bible CollegeID · Bachelor's | $55,360 n=18 | – | $21,475 | 0.39× | Above +56% | Below 1/2 |
| 7 | Indiana Wesleyan University-MarionIN · Master's | $53,123 n=25 | 64% 1yr | – | – | Below -9% | – |
| 8 | Indiana Wesleyan University-National & GlobalIN · Master's | $53,123 n=25 | 64% 1yr | – | – | Below -9% | – |
| 9 | Life Pacific UniversityCA · Bachelor's | $52,477 n=51 | 47% | $21,012 | 0.40× | Above +36% | Below 1/2 |
| 10 | Gordon-Conwell Theological SeminaryMA · Master's | $52,471 n=24 | – | – | – | Below -31% | – |
| 11 | Gordon CollegeMA · Bachelor's | $52,173 n=16 | – | $27,000 | 0.52× | Above +20% | Below 1/2 |
| 12 | Christian Theological SeminaryIN · Master's | $49,979 n=20 | – | $59,453 | 1.19× | Below -14% | Below 2/2 |
| 13 | Nazarene Bible CollegeCO · Bachelor's | $49,899 n=16 | – | $35,327 | 0.71× | Above +20% | – |
| 14 | Regent UniversityVA · Bachelor's | $49,799 n=35 | 50% 1yr | $24,800 | 0.50× | Above +31% | Below 1/2 |
| 15 | Dallas Baptist UniversityTX · Bachelor's | $49,408 n=16 | – | $25,000 | 0.51× | Above +38% | Clears 2/2 |
| 16 | Cairn University-LanghornePA · Bachelor's | $47,805 n=16 | – | $27,000 | 0.56× | Above +27% | – |
| 17 | Trinity Baptist CollegeFL · Bachelor's | $46,933 n=18 | – | – | – | Above +39% | – |
| 18 | Liberty UniversityVA · Bachelor's | $46,531 n=66 | 60% 1yr | $22,827 | 0.49× | Above +22% | Clears 2/2 |
| 19 | Dallas Baptist UniversityTX · Master's | $46,406 n=21 | 81% 5yr | $51,250 | 1.10× | Below -29% | Below 2/2 |
| 20 | Lee UniversityTN · Bachelor's | $45,844 n=111 | 51% | $25,875 | 0.56× | Above +31% | Clears 2/2 |
| 21 | Indiana Wesleyan University-MarionIN · Bachelor's | $45,693 n=51 | 78% 5yr | $21,250 | 0.47× | Above +22% | Clears 2/2 |
| 22 | Grace Christian UniversityMI · Bachelor's | $45,288 n=42 | 77% 1yr | $30,956 | 0.68× | Above +29% | – |
| 23 | Evangel UniversityMO · Bachelor's | $44,988 n=29 | 61% 5yr | $25,000 | 0.56× | Above +26% | Below 1/2 |
| 24 | Grace College and Theological SeminaryIN · Bachelor's | $44,733 n=19 | 84% 5yr | $23,375 | 0.52× | Above +19% | Clears 2/2 |
| 25 | George Fox UniversityOR · Bachelor's | $44,603 n=18 | – | $27,000 | 0.60× | Above +21% | – |
| 26 | Moody Bible InstituteIL · Bachelor's | $44,522 n=102 | 77% 5yr | $12,180 | 0.27× | Above +18% | Below 1/2 |
| 27 | Indiana Wesleyan University-MarionIN · Associate | $42,908 n=38 | 65% 5yr | $24,250 | 0.56× | Above +15% | Below 1/2 |
| 28 | Indiana Wesleyan University-National & GlobalIN · Associate | $42,908 n=38 | 65% 5yr | $24,250 | 0.56× | Above +15% | Below 1/2 |
| 29 | Central Christian College of the BibleMO · Bachelor's | $42,051 n=17 | 61% 5yr | $25,002 | 0.59× | Above +18% | Below 1/2 |
| 30 | North Central UniversityMN · Bachelor's | $41,979 n=37 | 76% | $26,250 | 0.63× | Above +5% | Below 1/2 |
| 31 | Valor Christian CollegeOH · Associate | $40,520 n=50 | 51% 1yr | $15,250 | 0.38× | Above +10% | – |
| 32 | University of Valley ForgePA · Bachelor's | $40,407 n=18 | 55% 5yr | $31,000 | 0.77× | Above +7% | Clears 2/2 |
| 33 | Nelson UniversityTX · Bachelor's | $39,707 n=155 | 70% 5yr | $24,750 | 0.62× | Above +11% | Clears 2/2 |
| 34 | Lancaster Bible CollegePA · Bachelor's | $38,779 n=21 | 91% | $22,250 | 0.57× | Above +3% | Below 1/2 |
| 35 | Bethel UniversityMN · Master's | $38,749 n=37 | 73% 5yr | $44,884 | 1.16× | Below -43% | Below 2/2 |
| 36 | Cornerstone UniversityMI · Bachelor's | $38,298 n=18 | – | $23,250 | 0.61× | Above +9% | – |
| 37 | Bethel UniversityIN · Bachelor's | $37,149 n=16 | – | $23,125 | 0.62× | Below -1% | – |
| 38 | Spring Arbor UniversityMI · Bachelor's | $36,814 n=21 | – | $27,000 | 0.73× | Above +5% | – |
| 39 | Maranatha Baptist UniversityWI · Bachelor's | $36,728 n=16 | – | – | – | Below -6% | Below 1/2 |
| 40 | Oral Roberts UniversityOK · Bachelor's | $36,493 n=17 | – | $31,500 | 0.86× | Above +3% | – |
| 41 | John Brown UniversityAR · Bachelor's | $35,601 n=22 | – | $22,250 | 0.63× | Above +4% | – |
| 42 | Grace Christian UniversityMI · Associate | $35,492 n=59 | 58% 1yr | $19,089 | 0.54× | Above +1% | – |
| 43 | Crown CollegeMN · Bachelor's | $32,718 n=26 | – | $24,750 | 0.76× | Below -18% | Below 1/2 |
| 44 | Southeastern UniversityFL · Bachelor's | $30,430 n=17 | – | $25,000 | 0.82× | Below -10% | – |
| 45 | Universidad Pentecostal MizpaPR · Associate | $18,251 n=22 | – | – | – | Above +11% | – |
% > threshold is ED's own share of graduates earning above the federal earnings threshold, taken from the best available measurement window (4-, 5- or 1-year) pooled across all nine College Scorecard Field-of-Study releases; a chip marks any figure not on the 4-year window. Earnings premium compares median earnings four years out to the U.S. Census ACS median for a high-school graduate (undergraduate credentials) or bachelor's-degree holder (graduate credentials) in the institution's state. 2 of 3 yrs flags programs below that benchmark in two of the latest three reported cohort-years, the statutory trigger under the 2025 federal earnings-premium test (effective July 1, 2026). Indicative estimates; the Department of Education's official determination may differ. Figures lag the current year by 2–3 years.
| State | Median earn 4yr | Programs |
|---|---|---|
| Texas | $47,907 | 4 |
| Indiana | $45,213 | 8 |
| Pennsylvania | $40,407 | 3 |
| Minnesota | $38,749 | 3 |
| Michigan | $38,298 | 5 |
States with at least 3 reporting Pastoral Counseling and Specialized Ministries programs, by median graduate earnings.
Which colleges have the highest-paying Pastoral Counseling and Specialized Ministries programs?
By median earnings four years after completion, the highest-paying Pastoral Counseling and Specialized Ministries programs in this dataset are George Fox University ($84,791), Andrews University ($71,857), Dallas Theological Seminary ($62,064). Earnings reflect College Scorecard field-of-study data (2024-25) and vary by credential level and location.
Are Pastoral Counseling and Specialized Ministries programs at risk under the federal earnings-premium test?
Indicatively, 13 of the 45 Pastoral Counseling and Specialized Ministries programs with both earnings and a state/national benchmark have median graduate earnings below the earnings-premium benchmark used by the 2025 federal test (effective July 1, 2026), under which a program can lose Title IV eligibility if its graduates earn less than a typical worker without the credential for 2 of 3 years. This estimate uses College Scorecard earnings vs U.S. Census ACS medians; the Department of Education's official determination uses its own cohort definition and may differ.
Track Pastoral Counseling and Specialized Ministries programs across your peer set
We build tailored dashboards, the fields, institutions and risk signals your enrollment or program-review team cares about, kept current. Tell us what you'd want to watch.
Source: U.S. Department of Education, College Scorecard Field of Study, 2014–15 through 2022–23 cohorts plus the most-recent snapshot (2024-25); threshold pass-rates pooled across all nine releases. Earnings-premium benchmarks from the U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey (ACS). Compiled by Ibex Insights. See the methodology.