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Lay Ministry

Lay Ministry

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#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 Business Administration and Management, General, Theology/Theological Studies, Marketing, and Other....view more Acceptance Rate 76% Annual Degrees Awarded 33 SAT Score 1,020–1,260 Est. Net Price * $33,463 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 84 degrees to those studying Registered Nursing/Registered Nurse, which is the institution’s most popular major....view more Acceptance Rate 92% Annual Degrees Awarded 12 SAT Score 1,100–1,340 Est. Net Price * $26,779 Median Starting Salary $53,838
#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 229 degrees every year to graduating Finance, General students....view more Acceptance Rate 56% Annual Degrees Awarded 17 SAT Score 1,350–1,490 Est. Net Price * $45,368 Median Starting Salary $54,303
#4 #4 Best College for Lay Ministry in the U.S. Corban University Salem, OR Every year, Corban University awards around 47 degrees to students studying Business Administration and Management, General, which is the school’s most popular major. Other frequently pursued majors include Education, General, Multi-/Interdisciplinary Studies, General, and Counseling Psychology....view more Acceptance Rate 90% Annual Degrees Awarded 8 SAT Score 1,020–1,190 Est. Net Price * $26,028 Median Starting Salary $54,308
#5 #5 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, Bible/Biblical Studies, and Elementary Education and Teaching. In fact, Grace College and Theological Seminary grants 29 degrees annually to Psychology, General majors....view more Acceptance Rate 81% Annual Degrees Awarded 7 SAT Score 970–1,220 Est. Net Price * $21,680 Median Starting Salary $52,903
#6 #6 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 163 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 8 SAT Score 1,220–1,380 Est. Net Price * $32,637 Median Starting Salary $54,691
#7 #7 Best College for Lay Ministry in the U.S. Merrimack College North Andover, MA Every year, Merrimack College awards around 83 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 7 SAT Score 1,050–1,180 Est. Net Price * $38,849 Median Starting Salary $59,365
#8 #8 Best College for Lay Ministry in the U.S. Bushnell University Eugene, OR At Bushnell University, the three most popular college majors students study are Psychology, General, Multi-/Interdisciplinary Studies, Other, and Nursing Administration. In fact, Bushnell University awards 27 degrees annually to Psychology, General majors....view more Acceptance Rate 66% Annual Degrees Awarded 1 SAT Score 1,010–1,320 Est. Net Price * $22,534 Median Starting Salary $51,106
#9 #9 Best College for Lay Ministry in the U.S. Colorado Christian University Lakewood, CO Every year, Colorado Christian University awards about 100 degrees to students studying Registered Nursing/Registered Nurse, the institution’s most popular major. Other frequently pursued majors include Business Administration and Management, General, Applied Psychology, Psychology, and General....view more Acceptance Rate 98% Annual Degrees Awarded 2 SAT Score 1,010–1,210 Est. Net Price * $26,770 Median Starting Salary $48,559
#10 #10 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, Art Therapy/Therapist, Psychology, and General. In fact, Ursuline College grants 138 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 Est. Net Price * $17,678 Median Starting Salary $48,681
#11 #11 Best College for Lay Ministry in the U.S. Regent University Virginia Beach, VA Each year, Regent University grants about 113 degrees to students studying Psychology, General, the school’s most popular major. Other frequently pursued majors include Bible/Biblical Studies, Speech Communication and Rhetoric, Business Administration and Management, and General....view more Acceptance Rate 41% Annual Degrees Awarded 2 SAT Score 1,060–1,250 Est. Net Price * $18,314 Median Starting Salary $48,565
#12 #12 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
#13 #13 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
#14 #14 Best College for Lay Ministry in the U.S. Kuyper College Grand Rapids, MI Each year, Kuyper College grants around 9 degrees to students majoring in Social Work, the institution’s most popular major. Other often-pursued majors include Business Administration and Management, General, Pre-Theology/Pre-Ministerial Studies, and General Studies....view more Acceptance Rate 34% Annual Degrees Awarded 10 SAT Score 940–1,170 Est. Net Price * $27,708 Median Starting Salary $56,282
#15 #15 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, 4 students are awarded a degree in Pre-Theology/Pre-Ministerial Studies annually. view more 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 71% 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 643 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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Lay Ministry

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

76%

33

1,020–1,260

$33,463

$52,882

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

92%

12

1,100–1,340

$26,779

$53,838

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

56%

17

1,350–1,490

$45,368

$54,303

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

90%

8

1,020–1,190

$26,028

$54,308

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

81%

7

970–1,220

$21,680

$52,903

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

85%

8

1,220–1,380

$32,637

$54,691

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

74%

7

1,050–1,180

$38,849

$59,365

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

66%

1

1,010–1,320

$22,534

$51,106

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

98%

2

1,010–1,210

$26,770

$48,559

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

84%

2

1,040–1,210

$17,678

$48,681

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

41%

2

1,060–1,250

$18,314

$48,565

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

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79

--

$0

$50,472

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

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69

--

$0

$50,472

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