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#1

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

Grace Christian University
Wyoming, MI

Annually, Grace Christian University awards about 34 degrees to those majoring in Lay Ministry, the institution’s most popular major. Other frequently pursued majors include Psychology, General, Human Services, General, Business Administration and Management, and General....view more

Acceptance Rate

99%

Annual Degrees Awarded

34

SAT Score

850–1,140

Median Starting Salary

$48,768

#2

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

Regent University
Virginia Beach, VA

Each year, Regent University grants about 122 degrees to students studying Psychology, General, the school’s most popular major. Other frequently pursued majors include Business Administration and Management, General, Speech Communication and Rhetoric, and Lay Ministry....view more

Acceptance Rate

52%

Annual Degrees Awarded

44

SAT Score

1,000–1,250

Median Starting Salary

$48,565

#3

#3 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 Engineering, General, Registered Nursing/Registered Nurse, and Elementary Education and Teaching. In fact, Calvin University awards 79 degrees every year to graduating Engineering, General students....view more

Acceptance Rate

71%

Annual Degrees Awarded

30

SAT Score

1,090–1,350

Median Starting Salary

$53,797

#4

#4 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 Bible/Biblical Studies, Multi-/Interdisciplinary Studies, General, and Lay Ministry. In fact, Gods Bible School and College grants 5 degrees annually to Bible/Biblical Studies majors....view more

Acceptance Rate

64%

Annual Degrees Awarded

3

SAT Score

960–1,170

Median Starting Salary

$50,423

#5

#5 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, Elementary Education and Teaching, Business Administration and Management, and General....view more

Acceptance Rate

81%

Annual Degrees Awarded

13

SAT Score

970–1,190

Median Starting Salary

$52,903

#6

#6 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

22

SAT Score

1,040–1,340

Median Starting Salary

$47,885

#7

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

Tabor College
Hillsboro, KS

At Tabor College, the most popular majors students pursue are Business Administration and Management, General, Psychology, General, Health and Physical Education/Fitness, and General. In fact, Tabor College grants 13 degrees per year to Business Administration and Management, General majors....view more

Acceptance Rate

65%

Annual Degrees Awarded

8

SAT Score

830–1,100

Median Starting Salary

$51,526

#8

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

North Central University
Minneapolis, MN

Each year, North Central University grants about 25 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

10

SAT Score

970–1,180

Median Starting Salary

$53,236

#9

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

Manhattan Christian College
Manhattan, KS

At Manhattan Christian College, the three most popular college majors students pursue are Bible/Biblical Studies, Lay Ministry, Business Administration and Management, and General. In fact, Manhattan Christian College grants 32 degrees per year to Bible/Biblical Studies majors....view more

Acceptance Rate

100%

Annual Degrees Awarded

4

SAT Score

1,040–1,180

Median Starting Salary

$51,873

#10

#10 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, and Kinesiology and Exercise Science....view more

Acceptance Rate

88%

Annual Degrees Awarded

9

SAT Score

1,110–1,310

Median Starting Salary

$53,882

#11

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

Colorado Christian University
Lakewood, CO

Every year, Colorado Christian University awards about 131 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

8

SAT Score

1,010–1,210

Median Starting Salary

$48,559

#12

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

Visible Music College
Memphis, TN

Each year, Visible Music College awards about 8 degrees to students studying Music Performance, General, which is the institution’s most popular major. Other frequently pursued majors include Acting, Digital Communication and Media/Multimedia, and Lay Ministry....view more

Acceptance Rate

29%

Annual Degrees Awarded

3

SAT Score

--

Median Starting Salary

$50,146

#13

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

Samford University
Birmingham, AL

Annually, Samford University grants about 105 degrees to those studying Registered Nursing/Registered Nurse, the school’s most popular major. Other often-pursued majors include Pharmaceutical Sciences, Marketing/Marketing Management, General, Finance, and General....view more

Acceptance Rate

82%

Annual Degrees Awarded

3

SAT Score

1,100–1,300

Median Starting Salary

$55,431

#14

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

Oak Hills Christian College
Bemidji, MN

Annually, Oak Hills Christian College grants around 1 degrees to those majoring in Business Administration and Management, General, the institution’s most popular major. Other often-pursued majors include Sports Studies, Bible/Biblical Studies, Theological and Ministerial Studies, and Other....view more

Acceptance Rate

92%

Annual Degrees Awarded

1

SAT Score

890–1,080

Median Starting Salary

$50,793

#15

#15 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, Elementary Education and Teaching, Business Administration and Management, and General. In fact, Bethel University awards 36 degrees annually to Registered Nursing/Registered Nurse majors....view more

Acceptance Rate

99%

Annual Degrees Awarded

6

SAT Score

880–1,180

Median Starting Salary

$50,499

#16

#16 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 45 degrees per year to graduating Business Administration and Management, General students....view more

Acceptance Rate

62%

Annual Degrees Awarded

3

SAT Score

910–1,190

Median Starting Salary

$51,007

#17

#17 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, and Registered Nursing/Registered Nurse....view more

Acceptance Rate

69%

Annual Degrees Awarded

1

SAT Score

980–1,190

Median Starting Salary

$49,062

#18

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

Oakwood University
Huntsville, AL

Each year, Oakwood University awards around 25 degrees to students studying General Studies, which is the school’s most popular major. Other often-pursued majors include Biology/Biological Sciences, General, Theology/Theological Studies, Psychology, and General....view more

Acceptance Rate

51%

Annual Degrees Awarded

3

SAT Score

930–1,110

Median Starting Salary

$50,158

#19

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

Warner Pacific University
Portland, OR

Every year, Warner Pacific University grants around 57 degrees to those studying Registered Nursing/Registered Nurse, which is the school’s most popular major....view more

Acceptance Rate

59%

Annual Degrees Awarded

1

SAT Score

850–1,040

Median Starting Salary

$49,542

#20

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

Arizona Christian University
Glendale, AZ

Each year, Arizona Christian University awards about 44 degrees to students studying Business Administration and Management, General, the institution’s most popular major....view more

Acceptance Rate

74%

Annual Degrees Awarded

3

SAT Score

970–1,210

Median Starting Salary

$49,842

#21

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

International Baptist College and Seminary
Chandler, AZ

At International Baptist College and Seminary, only three majors are offered: Lay Ministry, Elementary Education and Teaching, Theological and Ministerial Studies, and Other....view more

Acceptance Rate

82%

Annual Degrees Awarded

5

SAT Score

--

Median Starting Salary

$50,472

*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 667 degrees granted in Lay Ministry per year, the majority of them are Masters degree. Of the 214 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
214
Female Students
94 (43%)
Male Students
120 (56%)

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