Select Type of Degree:

Select State:

#1

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

The Master's University and Seminary
Santa Clarita, CA

At The Master's University and Seminary, the three most popular college majors students study are Theology/Theological Studies, Business Administration and Management, General, and Kinesiology and Exercise Science....view more

Acceptance Rate

76%

Annual Degrees Awarded

37

SAT Score

1,010–1,210

Median Starting Salary

$52,882

#2

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

University of Northwestern-St Paul
Saint Paul, MN

Every year, the University of Northwestern-St Paul grants about 47 degrees to those studying Registered Nursing/Registered Nurse, which is the institution’s most popular major....view more

Acceptance Rate

93%

Annual Degrees Awarded

9

SAT Score

1,030–1,310

Median Starting Salary

$53,838

#3

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

University of St Thomas
Saint Paul, MN

Every year, the University of St Thomas grants around 145 degrees to students majoring in Finance, General, which is the school’s most popular major. Other often-pursued majors include Marketing/Marketing Management, General, Biology/Biological Sciences, General, and Mechanical Engineering....view more

Acceptance Rate

91%

Annual Degrees Awarded

15

SAT Score

1,220–1,380

Median Starting Salary

$54,691

#4

#4 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

9

SAT Score

1,010–1,210

Median Starting Salary

$48,559

#5

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

Fordham University
Bronx, NY

At Fordham University, the most popular majors students study are Financial Mathematics, Psychology, General, Business Administration and Management, and General. In fact, Fordham University grants 253 degrees every year to graduating Financial Mathematics students....view more

Acceptance Rate

59%

Annual Degrees Awarded

6

SAT Score

1,340–1,480

Median Starting Salary

$54,303

#6

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

Corban University
Salem, OR

Every year, Corban University awards around 45 degrees to students studying Business Administration and Management, General, which is the school’s most popular major. Other frequently pursued majors include Multi-/Interdisciplinary Studies, General, Counseling Psychology, Education, and General....view more

Acceptance Rate

90%

Annual Degrees Awarded

3

SAT Score

1,010–1,240

Median Starting Salary

$54,308

#7

#7 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

3

SAT Score

970–1,220

Median Starting Salary

$52,903

#8

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

Merrimack College
North Andover, MA

Every year, Merrimack College awards around 87 degrees to students studying Marketing/Marketing Management, General, which is the school’s most popular major....view more

Acceptance Rate

74%

Annual Degrees Awarded

2

SAT Score

1,050–1,180

Median Starting Salary

$59,365

#9

#9 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

5

SAT Score

1,000–1,250

Median Starting Salary

$48,565

#10

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

Warner University
Lake Wales, FL

At Warner University, the three most popular college majors students study are Business Administration and Management, General, Business Administration, Management and Operations, Other, and Sport and Fitness Administration/Management....view more

Acceptance Rate

48%

Annual Degrees Awarded

2

SAT Score

830–1,060

Median Starting Salary

$49,551

#11

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

Ursuline College
Pepper Pike, OH

At Ursuline College, the most popular majors students pursue are Registered Nursing/Registered Nurse, Social Work, and Art Therapy/Therapist. In fact, Ursuline College grants 139 degrees per year to graduating Registered Nursing/Registered Nurse students....view more

Acceptance Rate

84%

Annual Degrees Awarded

2

SAT Score

1,040–1,210

Median Starting Salary

$48,681

#12

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

Westminster Theological Seminary
Glenside, PA

Acceptance Rate

--

Annual Degrees Awarded

100

SAT Score

--

Median Starting Salary

$50,472

#13

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

Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary
South Hamilton, MA

Acceptance Rate

--

Annual Degrees Awarded

91

SAT Score

--

Median Starting Salary

$50,472

#14

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

Saint John's Seminary
Brighton, MA

At Saint John's Seminary, only one major is offered: Pre-Theology/Pre-Ministerial Studies. Usually, 8 students are awarded a degree in Pre-Theology/Pre-Ministerial Studies annually. view more

Acceptance Rate

100%

Annual Degrees Awarded

10

SAT Score

--

Median Starting Salary

$53,375

#15

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

Urshan Graduate School of Theology
Wentzville, MO

Acceptance Rate

--

Annual Degrees Awarded

7

SAT Score

--

Median Starting Salary

$50,472

#16

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

United Theological Seminary
Dayton, OH

Acceptance Rate

--

Annual Degrees Awarded

5

SAT Score

--

Median Starting Salary

$50,472

#17

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

Covenant Theological Seminary
Saint Louis, MO

Acceptance Rate

--

Annual Degrees Awarded

5

SAT Score

--

Median Starting Salary

$50,472

#18

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

Kairos University
Sioux Falls, SD

At Kairos University, only two majors are offered: Theology/Theological Studies, and Organizational Leadership....view more

Acceptance Rate

74%

Annual Degrees Awarded

5

SAT Score

--

Median Starting Salary

$50,472

#19

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

Athenaeum of Ohio
Cincinnati, OH

Acceptance Rate

--

Annual Degrees Awarded

1

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 722 degrees granted in Lay Ministry per year, the majority of them are Masters degree. Of the 317 students graduating with degrees at the Masters degree level in the US, 37% percent identify as women and 63% percent identify as men. While students at schools all over the US study Lay Ministry, Massachusetts 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
317
Female Students
117 (36%)
Male Students
200 (63%)

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Join thousands of students and parents learning about finding the right college, admissions secrets, scholarships, financial aid, and more.

College Raptor Loading Screen College Raptor Loading Screen