NEW 2027 Best Colleges Rankings!

NEW 2027 Hidden Gems!

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. 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 General Studies....view more Acceptance Rate 84% Annual Degrees Awarded 24 SAT Score 1,020–1,260 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 43 degrees to those studying Registered Nursing/Registered Nurse, which is the institution’s most popular major....view more Acceptance Rate 40% Annual Degrees Awarded 9 SAT Score 1,080–1,310 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 136 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 85% 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. 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 277 degrees every year to graduating Financial Mathematics students....view more Acceptance Rate 59% Annual Degrees Awarded 8 SAT Score 1,340–1,480 Median Starting Salary $54,303
#5 #5 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 8 SAT Score 1,010–1,210 Median Starting Salary $48,559
#6 #6 Best College for Lay Ministry in the U.S. Merrimack College North Andover, MA Every year, Merrimack College awards around 92 degrees to students studying Business Administration and Management, General, which is the school’s most popular major....view more Acceptance Rate 69% Annual Degrees Awarded 7 SAT Score 1,000–1,250 Median Starting Salary $59,365
#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 Business Administration and Management, General, Psychology, General, Marketing/Marketing Management, and General....view more Acceptance Rate 82% Annual Degrees Awarded 5 SAT Score 1,030–1,230 Median Starting Salary $52,903
#8 #8 Best College for Lay Ministry in the U.S. Arizona Christian University Glendale, AZ Each year, Arizona Christian University awards about 80 degrees to students studying Business Administration and Management, General, the institution’s most popular major....view more Acceptance Rate 71% Annual Degrees Awarded 1 SAT Score 920–1,160 Median Starting Salary $49,842
#9 #9 Best College for Lay Ministry in the U.S. Corban University Salem, OR Every year, Corban University awards around 38 degrees to students studying Business Administration and Management, General, which is the school’s most popular major....view more Acceptance Rate 94% Annual Degrees Awarded 3 SAT Score 1,020–1,190 Median Starting Salary $54,308
#10 #10 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 5 SAT Score 1,000–1,250 Median Starting Salary $48,565
#11 #11 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, Elementary Education and Teaching, and Kinesiology and Exercise Science....view more Acceptance Rate 43% Annual Degrees Awarded 2 SAT Score 800–1,060 Median Starting Salary $49,551
#12 #12 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, Kinesiology and Exercise Science, Psychology, and General. In fact, Ursuline College grants 129 degrees per year to graduating Registered Nursing/Registered Nurse students....view more Acceptance Rate 75% Annual Degrees Awarded 2 SAT Score 1,030–1,200 Median Starting Salary $48,681
#13 #13 Best College for Lay Ministry in the U.S. Westminster Theological Seminary Glenside, PA Acceptance Rate -- Annual Degrees Awarded 109 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 87 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 5 SAT Score -- Median Starting Salary $50,472
#16 #16 Best College for Lay Ministry in the U.S. Payne Theological Seminary Wilberforce, 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. Saint John's Seminary Brighton, MA At Saint John's Seminary, only one major is offered: Pre-Theology/Pre-Ministerial Studies. Usually, 1 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
#18 #18 Best College for Lay Ministry in the U.S. United Theological Seminary Dayton, OH Acceptance Rate -- Annual Degrees Awarded 7 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 3 SAT Score -- Median Starting Salary $50,472
#20 #20 Best College for Lay Ministry in the U.S. Covenant Theological Seminary Saint Louis, MO Acceptance Rate -- Annual Degrees Awarded 6 SAT Score -- Median Starting Salary $50,472
#21 #21 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
#22 #22 Best College for Lay Ministry in the U.S. Won Institute of Graduate Studies Warminster, PA Acceptance Rate -- Annual Degrees Awarded 1 SAT Score -- Median Starting Salary $50,472
#23 #23 Best College for Lay Ministry in the U.S. PENSACOLA CHRISTIAN COLLEGE Pensacola, FL At PENSACOLA CHRISTIAN COLLEGE, the most popular majors students pursue are Registered Nursing/Registered Nurse, Multi-/Interdisciplinary Studies, General, Business Administration and Management, and General....view more Acceptance Rate -- Annual Degrees Awarded 2 SAT Score -- Median Starting Salary $50,472
#24 #24 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 85% Annual Degrees Awarded 2 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 653 degrees granted in Lay Ministry per year, the majority of them are Masters degree. Of the 321 students graduating with degrees at the Masters degree level in the US, 39% percent identify as women and 61% 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

321

Female Students

124 (38%)

Male Students

197 (61%)

Resources for:

Articles

Resources for:

Lay Ministry

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

84%

24

1,020–1,260

$52,882

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

40%

9

1,080–1,310

$53,838

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

85%

15

1,220–1,380

$54,691

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

59%

8

1,340–1,480

$54,303

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

100%

8

1,010–1,210

$48,559

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

69%

7

1,000–1,250

$59,365

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

82%

5

1,030–1,230

$52,903

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

71%

1

920–1,160

$49,842

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

94%

3

1,020–1,190

$54,308

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

52%

5

1,000–1,250

$48,565

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

43%

2

800–1,060

$49,551

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

75%

2

1,030–1,200

$48,681

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

--

109

--

$50,472

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

--

87

--

$50,472

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

--

5

--

$50,472

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

--

5

--