1,323
Graduates Per Year
$43K
Average Salary
#183
Most Popular Major
Degree Stats
Popular
1,323
13% NATIONAL AVG
Diplomas Received Last Year
163
5% NATIONAL AVG
Colleges Offering this Degree
Most Popular Degrees
182
Insurance
1,396
183
Pastoral Counseling
1,323
184
Informatics
1,308
Most Widely Offered Degrees
35
/
1.852
Worse
Better
Most Graduates
By Region
Southeast
Lee University
By State
Texas
Dallas Baptist University
By Conference
Crossroads League
Grace College and Theological Seminary
By School
Amridge University
If you think life as a religious therapist, marriage counselor, or bible camp counsellor sounds interesting, then a degree in pastoral counseling may just be for you. You could even become the Pastor of a small town church!
Pastoral counseling is the 183rd most popular degree in America, with 1,323 students receiving their bachelors degree last year. It just beat out #184 Informatics, and narrowly lost to #182 Insurance
The degree is offered at a total of 163 colleges across the nation, and is the 117th most widely offered degree. It is not offered at any of the Top 100 Best Collegesin America.
It is also worth noting that 0% of colleges offering pastoral counseling are public making it a quite inaccessible field.
The southeast produces the most pastoral counseling graduates, largely led by Lee University, while it’s the Crossroads League that leads conference totals. As far as states, Texas ranks highest, with particular help from Dallas Baptist Universityand East Texas Baptist University.
All that being said, no individual school produces more pastoral counseling graduates than Amridge University, which graduated 97 students last year alone. Although size is critical, another important factor to consider is the program’s density (the percent of all students that study pastoral counseling). More students studied pastoral counseling as a percentage of total students at Life Pacific Universitythan any other college.
We wish you luck on your college search and we hope you enjoy Authority's 2022 official Best Colleges for Pastoral Counseling list. Some of our picks may surprise you!
We wish you luck finding the right college for you. We hope you enjoy Authority's 2022 official Best Colleges for Pastoral Counseling list. Some of our picks may surprise you!
Refine Your Search
YEARS
TYPE
ONLINE/CAMPUS
CAMPUS SETTING
STUDENT BODY
SELECTIVITY
COST
$0 -
$60000
MAJOR
ADMISSIONS
LOCATION
RELIGIOUS AFFILIATION
#1 Best Colleges for Pastoral Counseling
Indiana Wesleyan University-Marion is a small private institution located in Marion, IN ranked 17thin Indiana. It has a total of 2,921 full-time undergraduate students and is not very competitive, accepting nearly 2/3 of applicants. Indiana Wesleyan University-Marion offers 96 different majors and is best known for its pastoral counseling, substance abuse and addiction counseling, and religious music programs (nationally ranked 1st, 3rd, and 3rd respectively). With a tuition cost of $27,296 per year, Indiana Wesleyan University-Marion is reasonably costly. 51.63% of students graduate ready to the next chapter of their lives, working. After graduation, alumni go on to earn about $49,900 per year, which is 20% greater than the national median.
Read More
Marion, IN
https://www.indwes.edu
C+
Rating
67%
Acceptance
3,321
Students
# 468
Ranking
$27,296
Tuition
#2 Best Colleges for Pastoral Counseling
Gordon College is a small private liberal arts college located in Wenham, MA ranked 38thin Massachusetts. It has a total of 1,771 full-time undergraduate students and is not very competitive, with a 74.05% acceptance rate. Gordon College offers 75 different majors and is best known for its christian studies, pastoral counseling, and linguistics programs (nationally ranked 1st, 2nd, and 21st respectively). With a tuition cost of $37,000 per year, Gordon College is rather costly. 57.61% of students graduate moving on to the next stage of their lives, joining the workforce. After graduation, alumni go on to earn about $41,700 per year, which is 0% above the national median.
Read More
Wenham, MA
www.gordon.edu
B
Rating
74%
Acceptance
2,397
Students
# 326
Ranking
$37,000
Tuition
#3 Best Colleges for Pastoral Counseling
Columbia International University is a small private seminary located in Columbia, SC ranked 7thin South Carolina. It has a total of 715 full-time undergraduate students and is not very competitive, with a 47.92% acceptance rate. Columbia International University offers 56 different majors and is best known for its missionary studies, bible studies, and pastoral counseling programs (nationally ranked 1st, 2nd, and 3rd respectively). With a tuition cost of $23,090 per year, Columbia International University is somewhat moderately costly. 62.31% of students graduate starting the next chapter of their lives, working. After graduation, alumni go on to earn about $29,900 per year, which is 28% under the national median.
Read More
Columbia, SC
www.ciu.edu
B+
Rating
48%
Acceptance
1,697
Students
# 263
Ranking
$23,090
Tuition
#4 Best Colleges for Pastoral Counseling
Olivet Nazarene University is a small private college located in Bourbonnais, IL ranked 27thin Illinois. It has a total of 3,710 full-time undergraduate students and is not very competitive, accepting about four sevenths of applicants. Olivet Nazarene University offers 99 different majors and is best known for its missionary studies, pastoral counseling, and religious education programs (nationally ranked 3rd, 4th, and 7th respectively). With a tuition cost of $36,080 per year, Olivet Nazarene University is reasonably expensive. 62.04% of students graduate moving on to the next phase of their lives, working. After graduation, alumni go on to earn about $40,400 per year, which is 3% below the national median.
Read More
Bourbonnais, IL
www.olivet.edu
B-
Rating
58%
Acceptance
5,743
Students
# 424
Ranking
$36,080
Tuition
#5 Best Colleges for Pastoral Counseling
Bethel University is a small private college located in Saint Paul, MN ranked 15thin Minnesota. It has a total of 2,941 full-time undergraduate students and is not very competitive, accepting in the neighborhood of 7/9ths of applicants. Bethel University offers 96 different majors and is best known for its pastoral counseling, spanish language teacher education, and teaching english as a second language programs (nationally ranked 5th, 5th, and 8th respectively). With a tuition cost of $38,300 per year, Bethel University is rather high-priced. 56.69% of students graduate starting the next stage of their lives, employment. After graduation, alumni go on to earn about $47,300 per year, which is 14% above the national median.
Read More
Saint Paul, MN
https://www.bethel.edu
B-
Rating
79%
Acceptance
4,639
Students
# 411
Ranking
$38,300
Tuition
#6 Best Colleges for Pastoral Counseling
Geneva College is a small private college located in Beaver Falls, PA ranked 52ndin Pennsylvania. It has a total of 1,497 full-time undergraduate students and is not very competitive, accepting 53.23% of applicants. Geneva College offers 84 different majors and is best known for its pastoral counseling, writing, and speech language pathology programs (nationally ranked 6th, 15th, and 19th respectively). With a tuition cost of $27,670 per year, Geneva College is reasonably high-priced. 51.33% of students graduate ready to the next chapter of their lives, entering the labor force. After graduation, alumni go on to earn about $38,700 per year, which is 7% less than the national median.
Read More
Beaver Falls, PA
www.geneva.edu
C+
Rating
53%
Acceptance
1,718
Students
# 430
Ranking
$27,670
Tuition
#7 Best Colleges for Pastoral Counseling
John Brown University is a small private college located in Siloam Springs, AR ranked 4thin Arkansas. It has a total of 2,078 full-time undergraduate students and is not very competitive, accepting 75.77% of applicants. John Brown University offers 65 different majors and is best known for its family and community services, pastoral counseling, and illustration programs (nationally ranked 5th, 7th, and 21st respectively). With a tuition cost of $26,458 per year, John Brown University is reasonably expensive. 60.97% of students graduate ready to the next chapter of their lives, joining the labor force. After graduation, alumni go on to earn about $45,800 per year, which is 10% above the national median.
Read More
Siloam Springs, AR
www.jbu.edu
B
Rating
76%
Acceptance
2,830
Students
# 335
Ranking
$26,458
Tuition
#8 Best Colleges for Pastoral Counseling
Cedarville University is a small private college located in Cedarville, OH ranked 26thin Ohio. It has a total of 4,069 full-time undergraduate students and is not very competitive, accepting faintly greater than 7/9 of applicants. Cedarville University offers 88 different majors and is best known for its bible studies, religious education, and pastoral counseling programs (nationally ranked 6th, 6th, and 8th respectively). With a tuition cost of $31,122 per year, Cedarville University is reasonably costly. 57.16% of students graduate ready to the next stage of their lives, working. After graduation, alumni go on to earn about $41,300 per year, which is 1% below the national median.
Read More
Cedarville, OH
https://www.cedarville.edu
C+
Rating
79%
Acceptance
4,566
Students
# 442
Ranking
$31,122
Tuition
#9 Best Colleges for Pastoral Counseling
Taylor University is a small private institution located in Upland, IN ranked 14thin Indiana. It has a total of 2,520 full-time undergraduate students and is not very competitive, accepting barely greater than 2/3 of applicants. Taylor University offers 81 different majors and is best known for its professional technical business and scientific writing, bible studies, and pastoral counseling programs (nationally ranked 4th, 8th, and 9th respectively). With a tuition cost of $35,050 per year, Taylor University is reasonably costly. 65.78% of students graduate moving on to the next phase of their lives, joining the labor force. After graduation, alumni go on to earn about $38,000 per year, which is 9% under the national median.
Read More
Upland, IN
https://www.taylor.edu
B
Rating
68%
Acceptance
2,550
Students
# 300
Ranking
$35,050
Tuition
#10 Best Colleges for Pastoral Counseling
Ouachita Baptist University is a small private college located in Arkadelphia, AR ranked 6thin Arkansas. It has a total of 1,768 full-time undergraduate students and is not very competitive, accepting a little over 3/5 of applicants. Ouachita Baptist University offers 74 different majors and is best known for its christian studies, pastoral counseling, and bible studies programs (nationally ranked 2nd, 10th, and 12th respectively). With a tuition cost of $27,280 per year, Ouachita Baptist University is reasonably expensive. 58.82% of students graduate moving on to the next chapter of their lives, employment. After graduation, alumni go on to earn about $41,200 per year, which is 1% below the national median.
Read More
Arkadelphia, AR
www.obu.edu
B-
Rating
61%
Acceptance
1,768
Students
# 382
Ranking
$27,280
Tuition
#11 Best Colleges for Pastoral Counseling
William Jessup University is a small private seminary located in Rocklin, CA ranked 71stin California. It has a total of 1,686 full-time undergraduate students and is not very competitive, accepting 65.03% of applicants. William Jessup University offers 31 different majors and is best known for its pastoral counseling, bible studies, and theological and ministerial studies programs (nationally ranked 11th, 16th, and 21st respectively). With a tuition cost of $34,200 per year, William Jessup University is reasonably expensive. 54.09% of students graduate beginning the next chapter of their lives, working. After graduation, alumni go on to earn about $37,300 per year, which is 10% below the national median.
Read More
Rocklin, CA
WWW.JESSUP.EDU
C+
Rating
65%
Acceptance
2,712
Students
# 467
Ranking
$34,200
Tuition
#12 Best Colleges for Pastoral Counseling
Simpson University is a very small private college located in Redding, CA ranked 66thin California. It has a total of 818 full-time undergraduate students and is not very competitive, accepting 52.31% of applicants. Simpson University offers 43 different majors and is best known for its organizational behavior studies, pastoral counseling, and human resources programs (nationally ranked 9th, 12th, and 25th respectively). With a tuition cost of $31,180 per year, Simpson University is reasonably pricey. 59.9% of students graduate ready to the next chapter of their lives, employment. After graduation, alumni go on to earn about $34,500 per year, which is 17% below the national median.
Read More
Redding, CA
www.simpsonu.edu
C+
Rating
52%
Acceptance
982
Students
# 445
Ranking
$31,180
Tuition
#13 Best Colleges for Pastoral Counseling
Harding University is a small private institution located in Searcy, AR ranked 5thin Arkansas. It has a total of 4,323 full-time undergraduate students and is not very competitive, with a 61.34% acceptance rate. Harding University offers 129 different majors and is best known for its middle school education and teaching, bible studies, and health teacher education programs (nationally ranked 6th, 7th, and 7th respectively). With a tuition cost of $20,010 per year, Harding University is reasonably priced. 52.69% of students graduate starting the next phase of their lives, working. After graduation, alumni go on to earn about $40,900 per year, which is 2% less than the national median.
Read More
Searcy, AR
www.harding.edu
B-
Rating
61%
Acceptance
5,717
Students
# 375
Ranking
$20,010
Tuition
#14 Best Colleges for Pastoral Counseling
Southwestern Assemblies of God University is a small private seminary located in Waxahachie, TX with a student to faculty ratio of 10 to 1. It has a total of 2,038 full-time undergraduate students and is not competitive, accepting approximately 87.5% of applicants. Southwestern Assemblies of God University offers 74 different majors and is best known for its pastoral counselingand missionary studies programs, which are respectively ranked 14th and 20th in America. With a tuition cost of $18,874 per year, Southwestern Assemblies of God University is reasonably priced. 29.85% of students graduate starting the next chapter of their lives, employment. After graduation, alumni go on to earn about $35,700 per year, which is 14% below the national median.
Read More
Waxahachie, TX
www.sagu.edu
D+
Rating
88%
Acceptance
2,558
Students
# 1002
Ranking
$18,874
Tuition
#15 Best Colleges for Pastoral Counseling
Moody Bible Institute is a small private university located in Chicago, IL ranked 61stin Illinois. It has a total of 2,790 full-time undergraduate students and is not competitive, accepting 94.41% of applicants. Moody Bible Institute offers 30 different majors and is best known for its missionary studies, mechanic and repair technologies, and religious education programs (nationally ranked 6th, 10th, and 11th respectively). With a tuition cost of $11,200 per year, Moody Bible Institute is relatively affordable. 41.16% of students graduate moving on to the next chapter of their lives, employment.
Read More
Chicago, IL
https://www.moody.edu
C
Rating
94%
Acceptance
3,659
Students
# 854
Ranking
$11,200
Tuition
#16 Best Colleges for Pastoral Counseling
The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary is a small private seminary located in Louisville, KY ranked 9thin Kentucky. It has a total of 1,095 full-time undergraduate students and is not very competitive, accepting about 2/3 of applicants. The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary offers 39 different majors and is best known for its theological and ministerial studies, pastoral counseling, and humanities programs (nationally ranked 7th, 16th, and 47th respectively). With a tuition cost of $20,112 per year, The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary is reasonably priced.
Read More
Louisville, KY
www.sbts.edu
C+
Rating
68%
Acceptance
5,157
Students
# 669
Ranking
$20,112
Tuition
#17 Best Colleges for Pastoral Counseling
Life Pacific University is a very small private seminary located in San Dimas, CA with a student to faculty ratio of 11 to 1. It has a total of 572 full-time undergraduate students and is not competitive, with a 91.37% acceptance rate. Life Pacific University offers 9 different majors and is best known for its religious music, behavioral sciences, and pastoral counseling programs (nationally ranked 10th, 14th, and 17th respectively). With a tuition cost of $15,792 per year, Life Pacific University is moderately priced. 50% of students graduate moving on to the next phase of their lives, employment. After graduation, alumni go on to earn about $32,700 per year, which is 21% below the national median.
Read More
San Dimas, CA
https://www.lifepacific.edu
C
Rating
91%
Acceptance
677
Students
# 945
Ranking
$15,792
Tuition
#18 Best Colleges for Pastoral Counseling
Lee University is a mid-sized private college located in Cleveland, TN ranked 23rdin Tennessee. It has a total of 5,363 full-time undergraduate students and is not competitive, accepting 81.75% of applicants. Lee University offers 122 different majors and is best known for its religious music, pastoral counseling, and religious education programs (nationally ranked 14th, 18th, and 20th respectively). With a tuition cost of $18,120 per year, Lee University is reasonably priced. 43.47% of students graduate moving on to the next stage of their lives, employment. After graduation, alumni go on to earn about $34,200 per year, which is 18% below the national median.
Read More
Cleveland, TN
www.leeuniversity.edu
C
Rating
82%
Acceptance
5,985
Students
# 782
Ranking
$18,120
Tuition
#19 Best Colleges for Pastoral Counseling
Grace Christian University is a small private seminary located in Wyoming, MI ranked 76thin Michigan. It has a total of 1,349 full-time undergraduate students and is not competitive, with a 100% acceptance rate. Grace Christian University offers 17 different majors and is best known for its religious education, pastoral counseling, and human services programs (nationally ranked 13th, 19th, and 40th respectively). With a tuition cost of $13,150 per year, Grace Christian University is pretty cheap. 34.65% of students graduate moving on to the next stage of their lives, working. After graduation, alumni go on to earn about $28,600 per year, which is 31% below the national median.
Read More
Wyoming, MI
www.gracechristian.edu/
D
Rating
100%
Acceptance
1,418
Students
# 1052
Ranking
$13,150
Tuition
#20 Best Colleges for Pastoral Counseling
Nazarene Bible College is a very small private seminary located in Colorado Springs, CO ranked 24thin Colorado. It has a total of 1,139 full-time undergraduate students. Nazarene Bible College offers 11 different majors and is best known for its pastoral counseling, theological and ministerial studies, and bible studies programs (nationally ranked 20th, 44th, and 45th respectively). With a tuition cost of $8,880 per year, Nazarene Bible College is relatively low-priced. 30.82% of students graduate moving on to the next phase of their lives, entering the labor market. After graduation, alumni go on to earn about $29,700 per year, which is 28% below the national median.
Read More
Colorado Springs, CO
www.nbc.edu
C
Rating
100%
Acceptance
1,139
Students
# 906
Ranking
$8,880
Tuition
#21 Best Colleges for Pastoral Counseling
Liberty University is a very large private college located in Lynchburg, VA ranked 32ndin Virginia. It has a total of 60,751 full-time undergraduate students and is not very competitive, accepting 51.06% of applicants. Liberty University offers 229 different majors and is best known for its music pedagogy, religious music, and music history literature and theory programs (nationally ranked 2nd, 4th, and 7th respectively). With a tuition cost of $21,361 per year, Liberty University is somewhat moderately expensive. 29.77% of students graduate starting the next stage of their lives, employment. After graduation, alumni go on to earn about $36,700 per year, which is 12% below the national median.
Read More
Lynchburg, VA
www.liberty.edu
C+
Rating
51%
Acceptance
111,084
Students
# 618
Ranking
$21,361
Tuition
#22 Best Colleges for Pastoral Counseling
North Central University is a small private seminary located in Minneapolis, MN ranked 52ndin Minnesota. It has a total of 1,133 full-time undergraduate students and is not competitive, accepting 89.89% of applicants. North Central University offers 60 different majors and is best known for its multicultural and diversity studies, religious music, and american sign language programs (nationally ranked 5th, 15th, and 20th respectively). With a tuition cost of $24,340 per year, North Central University is reasonably pricey. 37.96% of students graduate beginning the next chapter of their lives, working. After graduation, alumni go on to earn about $34,600 per year, which is 17% below the national median.
Read More
Minneapolis, MN
www.northcentral.edu
C-
Rating
90%
Acceptance
1,186
Students
# 956
Ranking
$24,340
Tuition
#23 Best Colleges for Pastoral Counseling
Lancaster Bible College is a small private seminary located in Lancaster, PA with a student to faculty ratio of 14 to 1. It has a total of 2,043 full-time undergraduate students and is not competitive, accepting 96.01% of applicants. Lancaster Bible College offers 48 different majors and is best known for its teaching english as a second language, bible studies, and pastoral counseling programs (nationally ranked 17th, 23rd, and 23rd respectively). With a tuition cost of $25,490 per year, Lancaster Bible College is reasonably pricey. 55.47% of students graduate beginning the next phase of their lives, working. After graduation, alumni go on to earn about $34,300 per year, which is 17% under the national median.
Read More
Lancaster, PA
https://www.LBC.edu
C
Rating
96%
Acceptance
2,570
Students
# 776
Ranking
$25,490
Tuition
#24 Best Colleges for Pastoral Counseling
Selma University is a very small historically black private university located in Selma, AL ranked 56thin Alabama. It has a total of 197 full-time undergraduate students. Selma University offers 8 different majors and is best known for its pastoral counseling program, which is ranked 24th in the US. With a tuition cost of $7,200 per year, Selma University is very low-priced. 4.58% of students graduate ready to the next stage of their lives, working.
Read More
Selma, AL
selmauniversity.edu
F
Rating
100%
Acceptance
215
Students
# 1112
Ranking
$7,200
Tuition
#25 Best Colleges for Pastoral Counseling
Regent University is a large private college located in Virginia Beach, VA ranked 42ndin Virginia. It has a total of 5,409 full-time undergraduate students and is not competitive, accepting 85.54% of applicants. Regent University offers 148 different majors and is best known for its pastoral counseling, organizational behavior studies, and legal support services programs (nationally ranked 25th, 31st, and 33rd respectively). With a tuition cost of $17,220 per year, Regent University is reasonably priced. 42.85% of students graduate beginning the next chapter of their lives, working. After graduation, alumni go on to earn about $41,600 per year, which is 0% greater than the national median.
Read More
Virginia Beach, VA
https://www.regent.edu
C
Rating
86%
Acceptance
12,748
Students
# 925
Ranking
$17,220
Tuition