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#1

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

Regent University
Virginia Beach, VA

Regent University is known for being a extremely selective school.

Acceptance Rate

32%

Annual Degrees Awarded

2

SAT Score

1,030–1,240

Est. Net Price *

$17,341

Median Starting Salary

$48,565

#2

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

Grace College and Theological Seminary
Winona Lake, IN

Grace College and Theological Seminary is known for being a somewhat selective school.

Acceptance Rate

85%

Annual Degrees Awarded

7

SAT Score

970–1,210

Est. Net Price *

$18,317

Median Starting Salary

$52,903

#3

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

Colorado Christian University
Lakewood, CO

Generally, Colorado Christian University is a non selective school.

Acceptance Rate

94%

Annual Degrees Awarded

2

SAT Score

1,010–1,210

Est. Net Price *

$23,313

Median Starting Salary

$48,559

#4

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

The Master's University and Seminary
Santa Clarita, CA

The Master's University and Seminary is a somewhat selective school.

Acceptance Rate

78%

Annual Degrees Awarded

33

SAT Score

1,020–1,260

Est. Net Price *

$30,783

Median Starting Salary

$52,882

#5

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

Westminster Theological Seminary
Glenside, PA

Acceptance Rate

--

Annual Degrees Awarded

79

SAT Score

--

Est. Net Price *

$0

Median Starting Salary

$50,472

#6

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

Fordham University
Bronx, NY

Fordham University is known for being a fairly selective school.

Acceptance Rate

54%

Annual Degrees Awarded

17

SAT Score

1,340–1,480

Est. Net Price *

$43,943

Median Starting Salary

$54,303

#7

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

University of Northwestern-St Paul
Saint Paul, MN

the University of Northwestern-St Paul is known for being a non selective school.

Acceptance Rate

93%

Annual Degrees Awarded

12

SAT Score

1,080–1,310

Est. Net Price *

$25,704

Median Starting Salary

$53,838

#8

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

University of St Thomas
Saint Paul, MN

In general, the University of St Thomas is a somewhat selective school.

Acceptance Rate

77%

Annual Degrees Awarded

8

SAT Score

1,190–1,350

Est. Net Price *

$30,137

Median Starting Salary

$54,691

#9

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

Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary
South Hamilton, MA

Acceptance Rate

--

Annual Degrees Awarded

69

SAT Score

--

Est. Net Price *

$0

Median Starting Salary

$50,472

#10

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

Merrimack College
North Andover, MA

Merrimack College is known for being a fairly selective school.

Acceptance Rate

75%

Annual Degrees Awarded

7

SAT Score

1,050–1,180

Est. Net Price *

$37,296

Median Starting Salary

$59,365

#11

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

Kuyper College
Grand Rapids, MI

Kuyper College is a somewhat selective school. They receive roughly 40 applications each year.

Acceptance Rate

76%

Annual Degrees Awarded

10

SAT Score

940–1,170

Est. Net Price *

$18,853

Median Starting Salary

$56,282

#12

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

Ursuline College
Pepper Pike, OH

Ursuline College is a non selective school. Around 610 applications are received by Ursuline College every...

Acceptance Rate

85%

Annual Degrees Awarded

2

SAT Score

1,020–1,150

Est. Net Price *

$14,502

Median Starting Salary

$48,681

#13

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

Corban University
Salem, OR

In general, Corban University is a highly selective school.

Acceptance Rate

35%

Annual Degrees Awarded

8

SAT Score

1,020–1,190

Est. Net Price *

$26,231

Median Starting Salary

$54,308

#14

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

Bushnell University
Eugene, OR

Bushnell University is a fairly selective school. The school receives approximately 550 applications...

Acceptance Rate

67%

Annual Degrees Awarded

1

SAT Score

1,030–1,080

Est. Net Price *

$23,787

Median Starting Salary

$51,106

#15

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

Saint John's Seminary
Brighton, MA

Acceptance Rate

--

Annual Degrees Awarded

9

SAT Score

--

Est. Net Price *

$0

Median Starting Salary

$53,375

#16

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

Meadville Theological School of Lombard College
Chicago, IL

Acceptance Rate

--

Annual Degrees Awarded

4

SAT Score

--

Est. Net Price *

$0

Median Starting Salary

$50,472

#17

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

Urshan Graduate School of Theology
Wentzville, MO

Acceptance Rate

--

Annual Degrees Awarded

4

SAT Score

--

Est. Net Price *

$0

Median Starting Salary

$50,472

#18

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

Kairos University
Sioux Falls, SD

Acceptance Rate

100%

Annual Degrees Awarded

14

SAT Score

--

Est. Net Price *

$0

Median Starting Salary

$50,472

#19

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

United Theological Seminary
Dayton, OH

Acceptance Rate

--

Annual Degrees Awarded

5

SAT Score

--

Est. Net Price *

$0

Median Starting Salary

$50,472

#20

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

Athenaeum of Ohio
Cincinnati, OH

Acceptance Rate

--

Annual Degrees Awarded

2

SAT Score

--

Est. Net Price *

$0

Median Starting Salary

$50,472

#21

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

Covenant Theological Seminary
Saint Louis, MO

Acceptance Rate

--

Annual Degrees Awarded

3

SAT Score

--

Est. Net Price *

$0

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 662 degrees granted in Lay Ministry per year, the majority of them are Masters degree. Of the 298 students graduating with degrees at the Masters degree level in the US, 42% percent identify as women and 58% 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.
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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
298
Female Students
126 (42%)
Male Students
172 (57%)

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