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MASTER'S DEGREE · DEGREE PAYOFF · FEDERAL FIELD 3906

Theological and Ministerial Studies: is this master's degree worth it?

National picture across 100 reporting college programs.

Personal baseline needed

$60,457 in median year-4 earnings

A credible return for this credential must start with what the student would otherwise earn. The federal data does not provide that personal baseline.

$60,457Median year-4 earnings

$24,150Average institution net-price context

Not availableMedian federal debt

Use your actual price and alternative earnings before evaluating return. Model your own starting point →

WHAT THIS DEGREE PAYS

Observed national outcomes

$60,457Median reported earnings · year 4

$62,683Average reported earnings · year 5

Not availableMedian federal debt

16thYear-4 earnings percentile at this credential

100Reporting programs

100With year-4 earnings

COMPARE CREDENTIAL LEVELS

The same field can produce a different equation.

Keep the federal field fixed and compare observed outcomes at every reportable credential level. These are separate graduate cohorts—not a promise that more schooling causes the difference.

OPEN PROFILE

Undergraduate Certificate or Diploma

Year-4 earnings: $29,038
Federal debt: $18,054
Reporting programs: 2

2 report earnings →OPEN PROFILE

Associate's Degree

Year-4 earnings: $45,166
Federal debt: $18,938
Reporting programs: 3

3 report earnings →OPEN PROFILE

Bachelor's Degree

Year-4 earnings: $47,518
Federal debt: $25,838
Reporting programs: 38

26 report earnings →CURRENT VIEW

Master's Degree

Year-4 earnings: $60,457
Federal debt: Not available
Reporting programs: 100

100 report earnings →OPEN PROFILE

Doctoral Degree

Year-4 earnings: $73,457
Federal debt: Not available
Reporting programs: 14

14 report earnings →OPEN PROFILE

First Professional Degree

Year-4 earnings: $63,549
Federal debt: Not available
Reporting programs: 11

11 report earnings →OPEN PROFILE

Graduate/Professional Certificate

Year-4 earnings: $55,739
Federal debt: Not available
Reporting programs: 1

1 report earnings →

COLLEGE-TO-COLLEGE RANGE

Where the middle half of programs lands

Year‑4 earnings differ by college. This band shows the 25th percentile, national median and 75th percentile among reporting programs.

Median

25th percentile$54,390National median$60,45775th percentile$67,008

100 programs report year‑4 earnings.

WHERE OUTCOMES ARE STRONGEST

See the spread, not just the national number.

1Hebrew Union College-Jewish Institute of Religion$117,823 2The King's University$100,714 3Concordia Seminary$97,155 4Lenoir-Rhyne University$95,302 5Church Divinity School of the Pacific$94,644 6Luther Seminary$81,169 7The Master's University and Seminary$81,084 8Concordia Theological Seminary$80,818 9United Lutheran Seminary$75,543 10Nazarene Theological Seminary$74,925

Observed year-4 earnings · top displayed records are not a universal ranking

WHERE THIS FIELD CAN LEAD

Related occupations

Official CIP–SOC links add career context without claiming that every graduate enters the same job.

ClergySOC 21-2011 · 5 crosswalk linksPhilosophy and Religion Teachers, PostsecondarySOC 25-1126 · 5 crosswalk linksReligious Workers, All OtherSOC 21-2099 · 1 crosswalk links

BEST COLLEGES FOR THEOLOGICAL AND MINISTERIAL STUDIES

Same degree, different outcomes

Compare reported outcomes using the same federal field and credential. Automated ROI is withheld when an exact program price or personal earnings baseline is required.

#	College	Location	Earnings, year 4	Federal debt	ROI status	Cost context
1	Hebrew Union College-Jewish Institute of ReligionMaster's Degree	New York, NY	$117,823	Not available	Baseline needed	Not available
2	The King's UniversityMaster's Degree	Southlake, TX	$100,714	Not available	Baseline needed	$14,140
3	Concordia SeminaryMaster's Degree	Saint Louis, MO	$97,155	Not available	Baseline needed	Not available
4	Lenoir-Rhyne UniversityMaster's Degree	Hickory, NC	$95,302	Not available	Baseline needed	$20,689
5	Church Divinity School of the PacificMaster's Degree	Berkeley, CA	$94,644	Not available	Baseline needed	Not available
6	Luther SeminaryMaster's Degree	Saint Paul, MN	$81,169	Not available	Baseline needed	Not available
7	The Master's University and SeminaryMaster's Degree	Santa Clarita, CA	$81,084	Not available	Baseline needed	$32,647
8	Concordia Theological SeminaryMaster's Degree	Fort Wayne, IN	$80,818	Not available	Baseline needed	Not available
9	United Lutheran SeminaryMaster's Degree	Gettysburg, PA	$75,543	Not available	Baseline needed	Not available
10	Nazarene Theological SeminaryMaster's Degree	Kansas City, MO	$74,925	Not available	Baseline needed	Not available
11	Faith International UniversityMaster's Degree	Tacoma, WA	$73,387	Not available	Baseline needed	$22,662
12	Gordon-Conwell Theological SeminaryMaster's Degree	South Hamilton, MA	$73,273	Not available	Baseline needed	Not available
13	Southeastern Baptist Theological SeminaryMaster's Degree	Wake Forest, NC	$71,527	Not available	Baseline needed	$13,090
14	Union Theological Seminary in the City of New YorkMaster's Degree	New York, NY	$71,072	Not available	Baseline needed	Not available
15	Yale UniversityMaster's Degree	New Haven, CT	$70,736	Not available	Baseline needed	$23,777
16	Northeastern SeminaryMaster's Degree	Rochester, NY	$70,305	Not available	Baseline needed	Not available
17	Indiana Wesleyan University-MarionMaster's Degree	Marion, IN	$69,914	Not available	Baseline needed	$22,866
18	Indiana Wesleyan University-National & GlobalMaster's Degree	Marion, IN	$69,914	Not available	Baseline needed	$16,898
19	Moody Bible InstituteMaster's Degree	Chicago, IL	$69,835	Not available	Baseline needed	$22,221
20	Sacred Heart Major SeminaryMaster's Degree	Detroit, MI	$69,654	Not available	Baseline needed	$11,916
21	Dallas Theological SeminaryMaster's Degree	Dallas, TX	$69,603	Not available	Baseline needed	Not available
22	Midwestern Baptist Theological SeminaryMaster's Degree	Kansas City, MO	$68,891	Not available	Baseline needed	$23,006
23	The Catholic University of AmericaMaster's Degree	Washington, DC	$68,008	Not available	Baseline needed	$29,561
24	The Southern Baptist Theological SeminaryMaster's Degree	Louisville, KY	$67,008	Not available	Baseline needed	Not available
25	Trinity International University-IllinoisMaster's Degree	Deerfield, IL	$66,978	Not available	Baseline needed	$2,835
26	Fuller Theological SeminaryMaster's Degree	Pasadena, CA	$66,602	Not available	Baseline needed	Not available
27	Methodist Theological School in OhioMaster's Degree	Delaware, OH	$66,137	Not available	Baseline needed	Not available
28	Wheaton CollegeMaster's Degree	Wheaton, IL	$66,104	Not available	Baseline needed	$26,975
29	University of DubuqueMaster's Degree	Dubuque, IA	$66,039	Not available	Baseline needed	$23,386
30	Meadville Theological School of Lombard CollegeMaster's Degree	Chicago, IL	$65,954	Not available	Baseline needed	Not available
31	Hardin-Simmons UniversityMaster's Degree	Abilene, TX	$65,147	Not available	Baseline needed	$19,555
32	Boston CollegeMaster's Degree	Chestnut Hill, MA	$64,786	Not available	Baseline needed	$41,704
33	Luther Rice College & SeminaryMaster's Degree	Lithonia, GA	$64,377	Not available	Baseline needed	$27,883
34	Lipscomb UniversityMaster's Degree	Nashville, TN	$64,190	Not available	Baseline needed	$24,739
35	Princeton Theological SeminaryMaster's Degree	Princeton, NJ	$63,783	Not available	Baseline needed	Not available
36	Emory UniversityMaster's Degree	Atlanta, GA	$63,450	Not available	Baseline needed	$22,585
37	Austin Presbyterian Theological SeminaryMaster's Degree	Austin, TX	$62,778	Not available	Baseline needed	Not available
38	Wake Forest UniversityMaster's Degree	Winston-Salem, NC	$62,158	Not available	Baseline needed	$28,719
39	George Fox UniversityMaster's Degree	Newberg, OR	$62,123	Not available	Baseline needed	$31,679
40	Biola UniversityMaster's Degree	La Mirada, CA	$62,024	Not available	Baseline needed	$31,495
41	Denver SeminaryMaster's Degree	Littleton, CO	$61,916	Not available	Baseline needed	Not available
42	Cornerstone UniversityMaster's Degree	Grand Rapids, MI	$61,838	Not available	Baseline needed	$20,301
43	Harvard UniversityMaster's Degree	Cambridge, MA	$61,789	Not available	Baseline needed	$19,066
44	Western SeminaryMaster's Degree	Portland, OR	$61,070	Not available	Baseline needed	Not available
45	Regent UniversityMaster's Degree	Virginia Beach, VA	$60,973	Not available	Baseline needed	$19,923
46	Payne Theological SeminaryMaster's Degree	Wilberforce, OH	$60,748	Not available	Baseline needed	Not available
47	Saint Joseph's College of MaineMaster's Degree	Standish, ME	$60,474	Not available	Baseline needed	$27,555
48	Wartburg Theological SeminaryMaster's Degree	Dubuque, IA	$60,439	Not available	Baseline needed	Not available
49	University of Northwestern-St PaulMaster's Degree	Saint Paul, MN	$60,095	Not available	Baseline needed	$27,705
50	The Seattle School of Theology & PsychologyMaster's Degree	Seattle, WA	$59,845	Not available	Baseline needed	Not available
51	Eden Theological SeminaryMaster's Degree	Webster Groves, MO	$59,788	Not available	Baseline needed	Not available
52	Asbury Theological SeminaryMaster's Degree	Wilmore, KY	$59,725	Not available	Baseline needed	Not available
53	Texas Christian UniversityMaster's Degree	Fort Worth, TX	$59,368	Not available	Baseline needed	$36,660
54	Brite Divinity SchoolMaster's Degree	Fort Worth, TX	$59,368	Not available	Baseline needed	Not available
55	Houston Christian UniversityMaster's Degree	Houston, TX	$59,295	Not available	Baseline needed	$20,629
56	Eastern UniversityMaster's Degree	Saint Davids, PA	$59,040	Not available	Baseline needed	$26,662
57	Hood Theological SeminaryMaster's Degree	Salisbury, NC	$59,012	Not available	Baseline needed	Not available
58	Mercer UniversityMaster's Degree	Macon, GA	$58,680	Not available	Baseline needed	$23,847
59	University of Notre DameMaster's Degree	Notre Dame, IN	$58,621	Not available	Baseline needed	$26,780
60	Duke UniversityMaster's Degree	Durham, NC	$58,405	Not available	Baseline needed	$29,612
61	Baylor UniversityMaster's Degree	Waco, TX	$58,391	Not available	Baseline needed	$41,104
62	Vanderbilt UniversityMaster's Degree	Nashville, TN	$58,149	Not available	Baseline needed	$15,846
63	Garrett-Evangelical Theological SeminaryMaster's Degree	Evanston, IL	$57,987	Not available	Baseline needed	Not available
64	Covenant Theological SeminaryMaster's Degree	Saint Louis, MO	$57,772	Not available	Baseline needed	Not available
65	Liberty UniversityMaster's Degree	Lynchburg, VA	$56,700	Not available	Baseline needed	$29,357
66	Seattle Pacific UniversityMaster's Degree	Seattle, WA	$55,836	Not available	Baseline needed	$24,488
67	Southern Methodist UniversityMaster's Degree	Dallas, TX	$55,347	Not available	Baseline needed	$40,892
68	Westminster Theological SeminaryMaster's Degree	Glenside, PA	$55,338	Not available	Baseline needed	Not available
69	Campbell UniversityMaster's Degree	Buies Creek, NC	$55,216	Not available	Baseline needed	$24,516
70	Franciscan University of SteubenvilleMaster's Degree	Steubenville, OH	$55,071	Not available	Baseline needed	$23,589
71	United Theological Seminary of the Twin CitiesMaster's Degree	St. Paul, MN	$55,037	Not available	Baseline needed	Not available
72	Hellenic College-Holy Cross Greek Orthodox School of TheologyMaster's Degree	Brookline, MA	$54,403	Not available	Baseline needed	$25,203
73	Bethel UniversityMaster's Degree	Saint Paul, MN	$54,390	Not available	Baseline needed	$28,556
74	University of ChicagoMaster's Degree	Chicago, IL	$53,796	Not available	Baseline needed	$14,860
75	Columbia Theological SeminaryMaster's Degree	Decatur, GA	$53,161	Not available	Baseline needed	Not available
76	Nelson UniversityMaster's Degree	Waxahachie, TX	$53,150	Not available	Baseline needed	$21,662
77	Lee UniversityMaster's Degree	Cleveland, TN	$52,697	Not available	Baseline needed	$18,878
78	Ohio Christian UniversityMaster's Degree	Circleville, OH	$52,631	Not available	Baseline needed	$20,607
79	Christian Theological SeminaryMaster's Degree	Indianapolis, IN	$51,859	Not available	Baseline needed	Not available
80	Carolina UniversityMaster's Degree	Winston-Salem, NC	$51,238	Not available	Baseline needed	$20,828
81	Saint Leo UniversityMaster's Degree	Saint Leo, FL	$51,193	Not available	Baseline needed	$21,293
82	Hope International UniversityMaster's Degree	Fullerton, CA	$50,745	Not available	Baseline needed	$29,310
83	Samford UniversityMaster's Degree	Birmingham, AL	$50,016	Not available	Baseline needed	$32,622
84	Pacific School of ReligionMaster's Degree	Berkeley, CA	$49,474	Not available	Baseline needed	Not available
85	Starr King School for the MinistryMaster's Degree	Oakland, CA	$49,050	Not available	Baseline needed	Not available
86	Ashland UniversityMaster's Degree	Ashland, OH	$47,883	Not available	Baseline needed	$21,988
87	Louisville Presbyterian Theological SeminaryMaster's Degree	Louisville, KY	$47,542	Not available	Baseline needed	Not available
88	Chicago Theological SeminaryMaster's Degree	Chicago, IL	$47,364	Not available	Baseline needed	Not available
89	Interdenominational Theological CenterMaster's Degree	Atlanta, GA	$47,138	Not available	Baseline needed	Not available
90	Mount St. Mary's UniversityMaster's Degree	Emmitsburg, MD	$46,316	Not available	Baseline needed	$22,655
91	Pentecostal Theological SeminaryMaster's Degree	Cleveland, TN	$43,960	Not available	Baseline needed	Not available
92	Milligan UniversityMaster's Degree	Milligan, TN	$43,743	Not available	Baseline needed	$21,365
93	Trevecca Nazarene UniversityMaster's Degree	Nashville, TN	$40,491	Not available	Baseline needed	$16,813
94	Azusa Pacific UniversityMaster's Degree	Azusa, CA	$36,869	Not available	Baseline needed	$22,212
95	Clarks Summit UniversityMaster's Degree	,	$83,645	Not available	Baseline needed	Not available
96	Alliance UniversityMaster's Degree	,	$71,504	Not available	Baseline needed	Not available
97	Trinity International University-FloridaMaster's Degree	,	$66,978	Not available	Baseline needed	Not available
98	Bethel Seminary-San DiegoMaster's Degree	,	$54,390	Not available	Baseline needed	Not available
99	Multnomah UniversityMaster's Degree	,	$53,179	Not available	Baseline needed	Not available
100	New York Theological SeminaryMaster's Degree	,	$44,935	Not available	Baseline needed	Not available

This page keeps the field and credential level fixed. Federal categories can still combine multiple catalog programs or concentrations. Automated ROI is limited to associate and bachelor’s degrees because institution-wide annual net price is not a reliable proxy for short certificate prices. ROI is an illustrative scenario, not a federal determination.