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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 28 degrees to those majoring in Lay Ministry, the institution’s most popular major. Other frequently pursued majors include Psychology, General, Business Administration and Management, General, Human Services, and General....view more

Acceptance Rate

99%

Annual Degrees Awarded

28

SAT Score

970–1,180

Median Starting Salary

$48,768

#2

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

Colorado Christian University
Lakewood, CO

Every year, Colorado Christian University awards about 102 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

100%

Annual Degrees Awarded

16

SAT Score

1,010–1,210

Median Starting Salary

$48,559

#3

#3 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

89%

Annual Degrees Awarded

15

SAT Score

1,120–1,310

Median Starting Salary

$53,882

#4

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

Regent University
Virginia Beach, VA

Each year, Regent University grants about 116 degrees to students studying Psychology, General, the school’s most popular major. Other frequently pursued majors include Business Administration and Management, General, Bible/Biblical Studies, and Cybersecurity Defense Strategy/Policy....view more

Acceptance Rate

52%

Annual Degrees Awarded

30

SAT Score

1,000–1,250

Median Starting Salary

$48,565

#5

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

Bethel University
Mishawaka, IN

At Bethel University, the most popular majors students study are Business Administration and Management, General, Registered Nursing/Registered Nurse, and Liberal Arts and Sciences/Liberal Studies....view more

Acceptance Rate

98%

Annual Degrees Awarded

14

SAT Score

900–1,160

Median Starting Salary

$50,499

#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

1,060–1,290

Median Starting Salary

$47,885

#7

#7 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 Multi-/Interdisciplinary Studies, General, Lay Ministry, Theological and Ministerial Studies, and Other....view more

Acceptance Rate

75%

Annual Degrees Awarded

4

SAT Score

960–1,170

Median Starting Salary

$50,423

#8

#8 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 Business Administration and Management, General, Psychology, General, Marketing/Marketing Management, and General....view more

Acceptance Rate

82%

Annual Degrees Awarded

12

SAT Score

1,030–1,230

Median Starting Salary

$52,903

#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, Business Administration and Management, General, and Lay Ministry. In fact, Manhattan Christian College grants 13 degrees per year to Bible/Biblical Studies majors....view more

Acceptance Rate

100%

Annual Degrees Awarded

3

SAT Score

970–1,180

Median Starting Salary

$51,873

#10

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

North Central University
Minneapolis, MN

Each year, North Central University grants about 21 degrees to those majoring in Marketing/Marketing Management, General, which is the institution’s most popular major....view more

Acceptance Rate

99%

Annual Degrees Awarded

6

SAT Score

970–1,180

Median Starting Salary

$53,236

#11

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

Samford University
Birmingham, AL

Annually, Samford University grants about 112 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

#12

#12 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, Health and Physical Education/Fitness, and General. In fact, Calvin University awards 77 degrees every year to graduating Engineering, General students....view more

Acceptance Rate

68%

Annual Degrees Awarded

1

SAT Score

1,120–1,350

Median Starting Salary

$53,797

#13

#13 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

75%

Annual Degrees Awarded

1

SAT Score

980–1,220

Median Starting Salary

$49,062

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

Acceptance Rate

89%

Annual Degrees Awarded

3

SAT Score

860–1,160

Median Starting Salary

$51,007

#15

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

Oakwood University
Huntsville, AL

Each year, Oakwood University awards around 21 degrees to students studying Biology/Biological Sciences, General, which is the school’s most popular major....view more

Acceptance Rate

46%

Annual Degrees Awarded

1

SAT Score

880–1,130

Median Starting Salary

$50,158

#16

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

Howard Payne University
Brownwood, TX

Annually, Howard Payne University awards around 15 degrees to students studying Health and Physical Education/Fitness, General, which is the institution’s most popular major. Other popular majors include Health Services/Allied Health/Health Sciences, General, Psychology, General, and Criminology....view more

Acceptance Rate

67%

Annual Degrees Awarded

2

SAT Score

890–1,200

Median Starting Salary

$52,172

#17

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

South Florida Bible College and Theological Seminary
Deerfield Beach, FL

Every year, South Florida Bible College and Theological Seminary grants around 11 degrees to students majoring in Lay Ministry, which is the school’s most popular major....view more

Acceptance Rate

100%

Annual Degrees Awarded

11

SAT Score

--

Median Starting Salary

$50,472

#18

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

Horizon University
Indianapolis, IN

At Horizon University, only three majors are offered: Lay Ministry, Bible/Biblical Studies, and Organizational Leadership....view more

Acceptance Rate

100%

Annual Degrees Awarded

1

SAT Score

--

Median Starting Salary

$52,505

#19

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

Oak Hills Christian College
Bemidji, MN

Annually, Oak Hills Christian College grants around 4 degrees to those majoring in Applied Psychology, the institution’s most popular major. Other often-pursued majors include Business Administration and Management, General, Pastoral Counseling and Specialized Ministries, Other, and Lay Ministry....view more

Acceptance Rate

100%

Annual Degrees Awarded

2

SAT Score

890–1,080

Median Starting Salary

$50,793

#20

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

Visible Music College
Memphis, TN

Each year, Visible Music College awards about 21 degrees to students studying Music Performance, General, which is the institution’s most popular major. Other frequently pursued majors include Digital Communication and Media/Multimedia, Lay Ministry, and Music Management....view more

Acceptance Rate

28%

Annual Degrees Awarded

4

SAT Score

1,010–1,370

Median Starting Salary

$50,146

#21

#21 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 General Studies, Registered Nursing/Registered Nurse, and Social Work. In fact, Indiana Wesleyan University-National & Global grants 185 degrees every year to graduating General Studies students....view more

Acceptance Rate

--

Annual Degrees Awarded

3

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 653 degrees granted in Lay Ministry per year, the majority of them are Masters degree. Of the 182 students graduating with degrees at the Bachelors degree level in the US, 49% percent identify as women and 51% 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
182
Female Students
90 (49%)
Male Students
92 (50%)

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