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. University of Northwestern-St Paul Saint Paul, MN Every year, the University of Northwestern-St Paul grants about 54 degrees to those studying Registered Nursing/Registered Nurse, which is the institution’s most popular major. Other popular majors include Business Administration and Management, General, Psychology, General, and Computer Science....view more Acceptance Rate 93% Annual Degrees Awarded 10 SAT Score 1,030–1,310 Median Starting Salary $53,838
#2 #2 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 Business Administration and Management, General, Theology/Theological Studies, and General Studies....view more Acceptance Rate 76% Annual Degrees Awarded 24 SAT Score 1,010–1,210 Median Starting Salary $52,882
#3 #3 Best College for Lay Ministry in the U.S. Fordham University Bronx, NY At Fordham University, the most popular majors students study are Finance, General, Business Administration and Management, General, Psychology, and General. In fact, Fordham University grants 262 degrees every year to graduating Finance, General students....view more Acceptance Rate 56% Annual Degrees Awarded 12 SAT Score 1,350–1,490 Median Starting Salary $54,303
#4 #4 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, Mechanical Engineering, Biology/Biological Sciences, and General....view more Acceptance Rate 91% Annual Degrees Awarded 9 SAT Score 1,190–1,350 Median Starting Salary $54,691
#5 #5 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 9 SAT Score 1,010–1,210 Median Starting Salary $48,559
#6 #6 Best College for Lay Ministry in the U.S. Corban University Salem, OR Every year, Corban University awards around 20 degrees to students studying Bible/Biblical Studies, which is the school’s most popular major. Other frequently pursued majors include Kinesiology and Exercise Science, Business Administration and Management, General, and Divinity/Ministry....view more Acceptance Rate 90% Annual Degrees Awarded 6 SAT Score 1,010–1,240 Median Starting Salary $54,308
#7 #7 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 6 SAT Score 910–1,190 Median Starting Salary $51,007
#8 #8 Best College for Lay Ministry in the U.S. Kuyper College Grand Rapids, MI Each year, Kuyper College grants around 6 degrees to students majoring in Social Work, the institution’s most popular major. Other often-pursued majors include Multi-/Interdisciplinary Studies, General, Pre-Theology/Pre-Ministerial Studies, Business Administration and Management, and General....view more Acceptance Rate 34% Annual Degrees Awarded 3 SAT Score 940–1,170 Median Starting Salary $56,282
#9 #9 Best College for Lay Ministry in the U.S. Merrimack College North Andover, MA Every year, Merrimack College awards around 93 degrees to students studying Human Development and Family Studies, General, which is the school’s most popular major....view more Acceptance Rate 74% Annual Degrees Awarded 4 SAT Score 1,050–1,180 Median Starting Salary $59,365
#10 #10 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 4 SAT Score 970–1,190 Median Starting Salary $52,903
#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, Psychology, General, and Art Therapy/Therapist. In fact, Ursuline College grants 130 degrees per year to graduating Registered Nursing/Registered Nurse students....view more Acceptance Rate 84% Annual Degrees Awarded 2 SAT Score 980–1,190 Median Starting Salary $48,681
#12 #12 Best College for Lay Ministry in the U.S. Universidad Teologica del Caribe Trujillo Alto, PR At Universidad Teologica del Caribe, only three majors are offered: Pastoral Studies/Counseling, Religious Education, and Bible/Biblical Studies....view more Acceptance Rate 90% Annual Degrees Awarded 1 SAT Score -- Median Starting Salary $50,472
#13 #13 Best College for Lay Ministry in the U.S. Westminster Theological Seminary Glenside, PA Acceptance Rate -- Annual Degrees Awarded 96 SAT Score -- Median Starting Salary $50,472
#14 #14 Best College for Lay Ministry in the U.S. Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary South Hamilton, MA Acceptance Rate -- Annual Degrees Awarded 43 SAT Score -- Median Starting Salary $50,472
#15 #15 Best College for Lay Ministry in the U.S. Urshan Graduate School of Theology Wentzville, MO Acceptance Rate -- Annual Degrees Awarded 3 SAT Score -- Median Starting Salary $50,472
#16 #16 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, 7 students are awarded a degree in Pre-Theology/Pre-Ministerial Studies annually. view more Acceptance Rate 100% Annual Degrees Awarded 4 SAT Score -- Median Starting Salary $53,375
#17 #17 Best College for Lay Ministry in the U.S. Saint Vincent Seminary Latrobe, PA Acceptance Rate -- Annual Degrees Awarded 4 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 one major is offered: Theology/Theological Studies. Usually, 10 students receive a degree in Theology/Theological Studies annually. view more Acceptance Rate 74% Annual Degrees Awarded 11 SAT Score -- Median Starting Salary $50,472
#19 #19 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
#20 #20 Best College for Lay Ministry in the U.S. Meadville Theological School of Lombard College Chicago, IL Acceptance Rate -- Annual Degrees Awarded 1 SAT Score -- Median Starting Salary $50,472
#21 #21 Best College for Lay Ministry in the U.S. United Theological Seminary Dayton, OH Acceptance Rate -- Annual Degrees Awarded 3 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 260 students graduating with degrees at the Masters degree level in the US, 52% percent identify as women and 48% percent identify as men. While students at schools all over the US study Lay Ministry, Pennsylvania 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

260

Female Students

134 (51%)

Male Students

126 (48%)

Resources for:

Articles

Resources for:

Lay Ministry

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

93%

10

1,030–1,310

$53,838

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

76%

24

1,010–1,210

$52,882

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

56%

12

1,350–1,490

$54,303

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

91%

9

1,190–1,350

$54,691

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

83%

9

1,010–1,210

$48,559

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

90%

6

1,010–1,240

$54,308

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

62%

6

910–1,190

$51,007

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

34%

3

940–1,170

$56,282

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

74%

4

1,050–1,180

$59,365

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

81%

4

970–1,190

$52,903

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

84%

2

980–1,190

$48,681

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

90%

1

--

$50,472

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

--

96

--

$50,472

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

--

43

--

$50,472

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

--

3

--

$50,472

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

100%

4

--