NEW 2026 Best Colleges Rankings!

NEW 2026 Hidden Gem Colleges!

Search for a different college major

Home
>
Browse All Majors
>
Theology And Religious Vocations
>
Pastoral Counseling and Specialized Ministries
>
Lay Ministry

Lay Ministry

Select Type of Degree:

Select State:


#1 #1 Best College for Lay Ministry in the U.S. Grace Christian University Wyoming, MI Annually, Grace Christian University awards about 20 degrees to those majoring in Lay Ministry, the institution’s most popular major. Other frequently pursued majors include Human Services, General, Psychology, General, Business Administration and Management, and General....view more Acceptance Rate 99% Annual Degrees Awarded 20 SAT Score 850–1,140 Median Starting Salary $48,768
#2 #2 Best College for Lay Ministry in the U.S. Bethel University Mishawaka, IN At Bethel University, the most popular majors students study are Registered Nursing/Registered Nurse, Business Administration and Management, General, and Lay Ministry. In fact, Bethel University awards 38 degrees annually to Registered Nursing/Registered Nurse majors....view more Acceptance Rate 99% Annual Degrees Awarded 20 SAT Score 950–1,190 Median Starting Salary $50,499
#3 #3 Best College for Lay Ministry in the U.S. North Central University Minneapolis, MN Each year, North Central University grants about 22 degrees to those majoring in Business Administration and Management, General, which is the institution’s most popular major....view more Acceptance Rate 91% Annual Degrees Awarded 16 SAT Score 970–1,180 Median Starting Salary $53,236
#4 #4 Best College for Lay Ministry in the U.S. Regent University Virginia Beach, VA Each year, Regent University grants about 120 degrees to students studying Psychology, General, the school’s most popular major. Other frequently pursued majors include Speech Communication and Rhetoric, Business Administration and Management, General, and Bible/Biblical Studies....view more Acceptance Rate 52% Annual Degrees Awarded 24 SAT Score 1,000–1,250 Median Starting Salary $48,565
#5 #5 Best College for Lay Ministry in the U.S. Gods Bible School and College Cincinnati, OH At Gods Bible School and College, the three most popular college majors students pursue are Lay Ministry, Multi-/Interdisciplinary Studies, General, and Bible/Biblical Studies. In fact, Gods Bible School and College grants 5 degrees annually to Lay Ministry majors....view more Acceptance Rate 64% Annual Degrees Awarded 5 SAT Score 960–1,170 Median Starting Salary $50,423
#6 #6 Best College for Lay Ministry in the U.S. Colorado Christian University Lakewood, CO Every year, Colorado Christian University awards about 178 degrees to students studying Applied Psychology, the institution’s most popular major. Other frequently pursued majors include Business Administration and Management, General, Registered Nursing/Registered Nurse, Psychology, and General....view more Acceptance Rate 83% Annual Degrees Awarded 19 SAT Score 1,010–1,210 Median Starting Salary $48,559
#7 #7 Best College for Lay Ministry in the U.S. Liberty University Lynchburg, VA At Liberty University, the three most popular college majors students study are Business Administration and Management, General, Multi-/Interdisciplinary Studies, Other, Psychology, and General....view more Acceptance Rate 99% Annual Degrees Awarded 31 SAT Score 1,040–1,340 Median Starting Salary $47,885
#8 #8 Best College for Lay Ministry in the U.S. Manhattan Christian College Manhattan, KS At Manhattan Christian College, only three majors are offered: Bible/Biblical Studies, Business Administration and Management, General, and Lay Ministry....view more Acceptance Rate 100% Annual Degrees Awarded 4 SAT Score 800–1,240 Median Starting Salary $51,873
#9 #9 Best College for Lay Ministry in the U.S. Grace College and Theological Seminary Winona Lake, IN At Grace College and Theological Seminary, the most popular majors students study are Psychology, General, Business Administration and Management, General, and Accounting. In fact, Grace College and Theological Seminary grants 45 degrees annually to Psychology, General majors....view more Acceptance Rate 81% Annual Degrees Awarded 12 SAT Score 970–1,220 Median Starting Salary $52,903
#10 #10 Best College for Lay Ministry in the U.S. Calvin University Grand Rapids, MI At Calvin University, the three most popular college majors students pursue are Registered Nursing/Registered Nurse, Engineering, General, Biology/Biological Sciences, and General. In fact, Calvin University awards 66 degrees every year to graduating Registered Nursing/Registered Nurse students....view more Acceptance Rate 71% Annual Degrees Awarded 11 SAT Score 1,150–1,370 Median Starting Salary $53,797
#11 #11 Best College for Lay Ministry in the U.S. Bethel University Saint Paul, MN At Bethel University, the three most popular college majors students study are Business Administration and Management, General, Registered Nursing/Registered Nurse, Psychology, and General....view more Acceptance Rate 88% Annual Degrees Awarded 8 SAT Score 1,110–1,310 Median Starting Salary $53,882
#12 #12 Best College for Lay Ministry in the U.S. Samford University Birmingham, AL Annually, Samford University grants about 102 degrees to those studying Registered Nursing/Registered Nurse, the school’s most popular major....view more Acceptance Rate 82% Annual Degrees Awarded 3 SAT Score 1,100–1,300 Median Starting Salary $55,431
#13 #13 Best College for Lay Ministry in the U.S. Visible Music College Memphis, TN Each year, Visible Music College awards about 17 degrees to students studying Music Performance, General, which is the institution’s most popular major. Other frequently pursued majors include Acting, Lay Ministry, and Digital Communication and Media/Multimedia....view more Acceptance Rate 29% Annual Degrees Awarded 7 SAT Score 930–1,180 Median Starting Salary $50,146
#14 #14 Best College for Lay Ministry in the U.S. Judson University Elgin, IL At Judson University, the three most popular college majors students study are Business Administration and Management, General, Architecture, Psychology, and General. In fact, Judson University awards 29 degrees per year to graduating Business Administration and Management, General students....view more Acceptance Rate 62% Annual Degrees Awarded 1 SAT Score 870–1,100 Median Starting Salary $51,007
#15 #15 Best College for Lay Ministry in the U.S. Tabor College Hillsboro, KS At Tabor College, the most popular majors students pursue are Psychology, General, Business Administration and Management, General, and Kinesiology and Exercise Science. In fact, Tabor College grants 19 degrees per year to Psychology, General majors....view more Acceptance Rate 65% Annual Degrees Awarded 3 SAT Score 830–1,100 Median Starting Salary $51,526
#16 #16 Best College for Lay Ministry in the U.S. Trevecca Nazarene University Nashville, TN At Trevecca Nazarene University, the three most popular college majors students pursue are Business Administration and Management, General, Psychology, General, Theology and Religious Vocations, and Other....view more Acceptance Rate 69% Annual Degrees Awarded 1 SAT Score 980–1,190 Median Starting Salary $49,062
#17 #17 Best College for Lay Ministry in the U.S. Arizona Christian University Glendale, AZ Each year, Arizona Christian University awards about 61 degrees to students studying Business Administration and Management, General, the institution’s most popular major. Other often-pursued majors include Counseling Psychology, Bible/Biblical Studies, and Elementary Education and Teaching....view more Acceptance Rate 74% Annual Degrees Awarded 3 SAT Score 970–1,210 Median Starting Salary $49,842
#18 #18 Best College for Lay Ministry in the U.S. International Baptist College and Seminary Chandler, AZ At International Baptist College and Seminary, the three most popular college majors students study are Religious/Sacred Music, Lay Ministry, and Elementary Education and Teaching. In fact, International Baptist College and Seminary grants 3 degrees annually to Religious/Sacred Music majors....view more Acceptance Rate 82% Annual Degrees Awarded 2 SAT Score -- Median Starting Salary $50,472
#19 #19 Best College for Lay Ministry in the U.S. Horizon University Indianapolis, IN At Horizon University, the three most popular college majors students pursue are Organizational Leadership, Teaching English as a Second or Foreign Language/Esl Language Instructor, and Bible/Biblical Studies....view more Acceptance Rate -- Annual Degrees Awarded 1 SAT Score -- Median Starting Salary $52,505
#20 #20 Best College for Lay Ministry in the U.S. Indiana Wesleyan University-National & Global Marion, IN At Indiana Wesleyan University-National & Global, the most popular majors students pursue are Registered Nursing/Registered Nurse, General Studies, Business Administration and Management, and General....view more Acceptance Rate -- Annual Degrees Awarded 4 SAT Score -- Median Starting Salary $48,515
*The estimated net prices above are College Raptor’s estimate. Please contact the college financial aid office for actual net cost figures.

About Lay Ministry

Lay Ministry programs prepare non-ordained individuals to serve as lay pastors, religious educators, youth leaders, and other professional positions open to the laity in local churches and other settings. Includes instruction in bible studies, theology, spirituality, pastoral counseling, foundations of ministry, effective communication, and church leadership.

For all the 722 degrees granted in Lay Ministry per year, the majority of them are Masters degree. Of the 195 students graduating with degrees at the Bachelors degree level in the US, 44% percent identify as women and 56% percent identify as men. While students at schools all over the US study Lay Ministry, Virginia has the most graduates. The average annual income for an undergraduate degree in Lay Ministry is $32,900.

Popularity of Lay Ministry Degrees in the U.S.

This heat map represents the states that have the highest percent of Lay Ministry degrees compared to all other degrees awarded in that state.

Less Popular

More Popular

Careers

For Lay Ministry majors, some of the most in demand jobs include Directors, Religious Activities and Education, Religious Workers, All Other . Not only that, Lay Ministry graduates may find a top paying job, such as Directors, Religious Activities and Education or Religious Workers, All Other.

Top Paying Careers

These are the highest paying careers for Lay Ministry majors.

Most In-Demand Careers

These are the careers in highest demand for Lay Ministry majors.

Student Demographics

Total Students

195

Female Students

85 (43%)

Male Students

110 (56%)

Resources for:

Articles

Resources for:

Lay Ministry

#1 Best College for Lay Ministry in the U.S.

99%

20

850–1,140

$48,768

#2 Best College for Lay Ministry in the U.S.

99%

20

950–1,190

$50,499

#3 Best College for Lay Ministry in the U.S.

91%

16

970–1,180

$53,236

#4 Best College for Lay Ministry in the U.S.

52%

24

1,000–1,250

$48,565

#5 Best College for Lay Ministry in the U.S.

64%

5

960–1,170

$50,423

#6 Best College for Lay Ministry in the U.S.

83%

19

1,010–1,210

$48,559

#7 Best College for Lay Ministry in the U.S.

99%

31

1,040–1,340

$47,885

#8 Best College for Lay Ministry in the U.S.

100%

4

800–1,240

$51,873

#9 Best College for Lay Ministry in the U.S.

81%

12

970–1,220

$52,903

#10 Best College for Lay Ministry in the U.S.

71%

11

1,150–1,370

$53,797

#11 Best College for Lay Ministry in the U.S.

88%

8

1,110–1,310

$53,882

#12 Best College for Lay Ministry in the U.S.

82%

3

1,100–1,300

$55,431

#13 Best College for Lay Ministry in the U.S.

29%

7

930–1,180

$50,146

#14 Best College for Lay Ministry in the U.S.

62%

1

870–1,100

$51,007

#15 Best College for Lay Ministry in the U.S.

65%

3

830–1,100

$51,526

#16 Best College for Lay Ministry in the U.S.

69%

1

980–1,190