Theology and Religious Vocations: Program Overview, Universities, Careers & Salaries
Program Overview
Designed for individuals seeking advanced understanding of religious traditions, spiritual leadership, and faith-based service, this program offers a comprehensive exploration of theological principles and vocations across diverse religious contexts. It supports intellectual and personal development for those preparing for ministry, religious education, pastoral care, or other faith-centered careers.
- Theological Foundations: Examines core doctrines, historical developments, and philosophical underpinnings of major world religions and Christian theology.
- Scriptural Interpretation: Develops skills in analyzing sacred texts using historical-critical, literary, and theological methodologies.
- Religious Ethics and Morality: Investigates ethical decision-making within religious frameworks and its application to contemporary social issues.
- Pastoral Care and Counseling: Prepares students to support individuals and communities through spiritual guidance, crisis intervention, and compassionate listening.
- Religious Education and Formation: Focuses on designing and delivering effective faith-based learning experiences for diverse age groups and contexts.
- Interreligious Dialogue: Encourages respectful engagement with multiple religious traditions to foster understanding and cooperation in pluralistic societies.
- Worship and Liturgical Studies: Explores the structure, symbolism, and theological significance of religious rituals and public worship practices.
- Religious Leadership and Administration: Builds competencies in managing religious institutions, leading congregations, and navigating organizational dynamics.
Theology and Religious Vocations Graduate Trends (2010-2024)
Theology and Religious Vocations Career Pathways & Salary Outlook
The following table presents salary data for occupations typically aligned with Theology and Religious Vocations degrees, including . These career paths represent common employment outcomes but are not guaranteed for all graduates. Salary ranges vary by location, employer, experience level, and specific role requirements.
Career salary data is not available for this program.
Top Universities for Theology and Religious Vocations by Graduate Enrollment
Below are the top 81 institutions offering Theology and Religious Vocations programs for the 2023-2024 academic year (the most recent data reported as of 2025), ranked by the number of graduates. The highest graduate enrollment in Theology and Religious Vocations is found at Dallas Theological Seminary (DTS) (131 graduates), Moody Bible Institute (MBI) (114 graduates), Indiana Wesleyan University, National & Global (77 graduates), Wesley Theological Seminary (66 graduates), and Western Theological Seminary (WTS) (62 graduates). Combined, these colleges produced 1,235 graduates across all degree levels. Program availability varies by award level, including Associate, Bachelor's, Master's, and Doctoral degrees at participating universities and schools.
| College Name | Award Levels | Graduates | Location | Control | Website |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dallas Theological Seminary (DTS) |
Postbac Cert.
Master's
|
131 | Dallas, Texas | Private | dts.edu |
| Moody Bible Institute (MBI) |
Associate's
Bachelor's
Master's
Other Award
|
114 | Chicago, Illinois | Private | moody.edu |
| Indiana Wesleyan University |
Master's
Doctorate (Other)
|
77 | Marion, Indiana | Private | indwes.edu |
| Wesley Theological Seminary |
Doctorate (Professional)
|
66 | Washington, District of Columbia | Private | wesleyseminary.edu |
| Western Theological Seminary (WTS) |
Postbac Cert.
Master's
|
62 | Holland, Michigan | Private | westernsem.edu |
| United Theological Seminary |
Doctorate (Professional)
|
57 | Dayton, Ohio | Private | united.edu |
| The Catholic University of America |
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
56 | Washington, District of Columbia | Private | catholic.edu |
| Valor Christian College |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Associate's
Bachelor's
|
47 | Canal Winchester, Ohio | Private | valorcollege.edu |
| Martin Luther College (MLC) |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Certificate (≥2 yrs)
Bachelor's
Other Award
|
46 | New Ulm, Minnesota | Private | mlc-wels.edu |
| Concordia Theological Seminary (CTSFW) |
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
34 | Fort Wayne, Indiana | Private | ctsfw.edu |
| Evangel University |
Master's
|
34 | Springfield, Missouri | Private | evangel.edu |
| Trevecca Nazarene University (TNU) |
Bachelor's
Master's
|
34 | Nashville, Tennessee | Private | trevecca.edu |
| Life Pacific University (LPUS) |
Master's
|
27 | San Dimas, California | Private | lifepacific.edu |
| Biola University |
Postbac Cert.
Master's
|
22 | La Mirada, California | Private | biola.edu |
| Columbia International University (CIU) |
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
22 | Columbia, South Carolina | Private | ciu.edu |
| Duke University |
Post-Master's
|
19 | Durham, North Carolina | Private | duke.edu |
| Interdenominational Theological Center (ITC) |
Doctorate (Other)
|
17 | Atlanta, Georgia | Private | itc.edu |
| Moravian University |
Postbac Cert.
|
17 | Bethlehem, Pennsylvania | Private | moravian.edu |
| George Fox University |
Doctorate (Other)
|
15 | Newberg, Oregon | Private | georgefox.edu |
| Saint Johns University (SJU) |
Master's
|
14 | Collegeville, Minnesota | Private | csbsju.edu |
| Fresno Pacific University (FPU) |
Master's
|
13 | Fresno, California | Private | fresno.edu |
| Drew University |
Postbac Cert.
Master's
|
13 | Madison, New Jersey | Private | drew.edu |
| University of Mary (UMary) |
Master's
|
12 | Bismarck, North Dakota | Private | umary.edu |
| The King's University (TKU) |
Bachelor's
|
12 | Southlake, Texas | Private | tku.edu |
| Central Christian College of the Bible (CCCB) |
Bachelor's
|
11 | Moberly, Missouri | Private | cccb.edu |
| Heritage Bible College |
Bachelor's
|
11 | Dunn, North Carolina | Private | heritagebiblecollege.edu |
| Abilene Christian University (ACU) |
Bachelor's
|
11 | Abilene, Texas | Private | acu.edu |
| Southwestern Christian University (SCU) |
Bachelor's
Master's
|
10 | Bethany, Oklahoma | Private | swcu.edu |
| Baptist Missionary Association Theological Seminary (BMATS) |
Associate's
Bachelor's
Master's
|
10 | Jacksonville, Texas | Private | bmats.edu |
| Regent University |
Master's
|
10 | Virginia Beach, Virginia | Private | regent.edu |
| Kentucky Christian University (KCU) |
Associate's
Bachelor's
Other Award
|
9 | Grayson, Kentucky | Private | kcu.edu |
| New Hope Christian College |
Associate's
Bachelor's
|
9 | Eugene, Oregon | Private | newhope.edu |
| The Seattle School of Theology & Psychology |
Master's
|
9 | Seattle, Washington | Private | theseattleschool.edu |
| University of Redlands |
Postbac Cert.
|
8 | Redlands, California | Private | redlands.edu |
| Nazarene Theological Seminary (NTS) |
Master's
|
8 | Kansas City, Missouri | Private | nts.edu |
| Campbell University |
Master's
|
8 | Buies Creek, North Carolina | Private | campbell.edu |
| Merrimack College |
Postbac Cert.
Master's
|
7 | North Andover, Massachusetts | Private | merrimack.edu |
| Covenant Theological Seminary (CTS) |
Doctorate (Professional)
|
7 | Saint Louis, Missouri | Private | covenantseminary.edu |
| Union University |
Master's
|
7 | Jackson, Tennessee | Private | uu.edu |
| Austin Presbyterian Theological Seminary |
Doctorate (Professional)
|
7 | Austin, Texas | Private | austinseminary.edu |
| Baylor University |
Master's
|
7 | Waco, Texas | Private | baylor.edu |
| Hobe Sound Bible College |
Bachelor's
|
6 | Hobe Sound, Florida | Private | hsbc.edu |
| Barclay College |
Bachelor's
|
6 | Haviland, Kansas | Private | barclaycollege.edu |
| Boston University (BU) |
Certificate (≥2 yrs)
|
6 | Boston, Massachusetts | Private | bu.edu |
| Union Theological Seminary in the City of New York (UTS) |
Postbac Cert.
Master's
|
6 | New York, New York | Private | utsnyc.edu |
| Methodist Theological School in Ohio (MTSO) |
Master's
|
6 | Delaware, Ohio | Private | mtso.edu |
| Oklahoma Baptist University (OBU) |
Bachelor's
|
6 | Shawnee, Oklahoma | Private | okbu.edu |
| Belmont University |
Bachelor's
|
6 | Nashville, Tennessee | Private | belmont.edu |
| Lipscomb University |
Bachelor's
|
6 | Nashville, Tennessee | Private | lipscomb.edu |
| American Baptist College (ABC) |
Bachelor's
|
5 | Nashville, Tennessee | Private | abcnash.edu |
| Liberty University |
Master's
|
5 | Lynchburg, Virginia | Private | liberty.edu |
| Denver Seminary |
Master's
|
4 | Littleton, Colorado | Private | denverseminary.edu |
| Luther Seminary |
Postbac Cert.
|
4 | Saint Paul, Minnesota | Private | luthersem.edu |
| Oblate School of Theology (OST) |
Doctorate (Research)
Doctorate (Professional)
|
4 | San Antonio, Texas | Private | ost.edu |
| Concordia University-Wisconsin (CUW) |
Other Award
|
4 | Mequon, Wisconsin | Private | cuw.edu |
| Pillar College |
Master's
|
4 | Newark, New Jersey | Private | pillar.edu |
| Faith International University (FIU) |
Doctorate (Research)
|
4 | Tacoma, Washington | Private | faithiu.edu |
| Lexington Theological Seminary (LTS) |
Master's
|
3 | Lexington, Kentucky | Private | lextheo.edu |
| Westminster Theological Seminary (WTS) |
Doctorate (Research)
|
3 | Glenside, Pennsylvania | Private | wts.edu |
| University of St Thomas |
Master's
|
3 | Houston, Texas | Private | stthom.edu |
| Pontifical John Paul II Institute for Studies on Marriage and Family |
Post-Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
3 | Washington, District of Columbia | Private | johnpaulii.edu |
| Berkeley School of Theology (BST) |
Other Award
|
2 | Berkeley, California | Private | bst.edu |
| Emory University |
Master's
|
2 | Atlanta, Georgia | Private | emory.edu |
| Huntington University |
Bachelor's
|
2 | Huntington, Indiana | Private | huntington.edu |
| Newman University |
Bachelor's
|
2 | Wichita, Kansas | Private | newmanu.edu |
| Campbellsville University (CU) |
Bachelor's
|
2 | Campbellsville, Kentucky | Private | campbellsville.edu |
| Harvard University |
Doctorate (Research)
|
2 | Cambridge, Massachusetts | Private | harvard.edu |
| Missouri Baptist University (MBU) |
Bachelor's
Master's
|
2 | Saint Louis, Missouri | Private | mobap.edu |
| Capital University |
Doctorate (Professional)
|
2 | Columbus, Ohio | Private | capital.edu |
| Bexley Hall Seabury Western Theological Seminary Federation Inc. |
Doctorate (Other)
|
2 | Chicago, Illinois | Private | bexleyseabury.edu |
| Milligan University |
Doctorate (Other)
|
2 | Milligan, Tennessee | Private | milligan.edu |
| Union Bible College (UBCA) |
Bachelor's
|
2 | Westfield, Indiana | Private | ubca.org |
| Azusa Pacific University (APU) |
Bachelor's
|
1 | Azusa, California | Private | apu.edu |
| Point University |
Bachelor's
|
1 | West Point, Georgia | Private | point.edu |
| Earlham College |
Postbac Cert.
|
1 | Richmond, Indiana | Private | earlham.edu |
| Central Christian College of Kansas |
Bachelor's
|
1 | McPherson, Kansas | Private | centralchristian.edu |
| Bethel University |
Bachelor's
|
1 | Saint Paul, Minnesota | Private | bethel.edu |
| Tennessee Wesleyan University (TWU) |
Bachelor's
|
1 | Athens, Tennessee | Private | tnwesleyan.edu |
| LeTourneau University (LETU) |
Bachelor's
|
1 | Longview, Texas | Private | letu.edu |
| Saint Edward's University |
Bachelor's
|
1 | Austin, Texas | Private | stedwards.edu |
| Southwestern Assemblies of God University (SAGU) |
Bachelor's
|
1 | Waxahachie, Texas | Private | sagu.edu |
Frequently Asked Questions
Find answers to the most common questions about Theology and Religious Vocations programs
Which universities have the largest Theology and Religious Vocations programs?
Currently 81 accredited institutions offer Theology and Religious Vocations degrees across the U.S. Programs with the highest enrollment include Dallas Theological Seminary (DTS) (131 graduates), Moody Bible Institute (MBI) (114 graduates), and Indiana Wesleyan University, National & Global (77 graduates).
Program size doesn't necessarily indicate quality—consider factors like faculty expertise, production opportunities, location, and available degree levels when choosing a school.
Data based on IPEDS program completions for 2023-2024 academic year. Numbers reflect programs where students graduated.
Is enrollment in Theology and Religious Vocations growing or declining?
Graduate numbers have increased over the past decade, rising from 1,087 in 2010 to a peak of 1,277 in 2020, before declining slightly to 1,235 in 2023-24. This represents a 14% increase overall from 2010.
The field remains specialized with steady interest, though opportunities are most concentrated in major metropolitan areas with active arts scenes like New York, California, and Illinois.
Graduate enrollment data from IPEDS, 2010-2024 academic years. Trends reflect reported completions at participating institutions.
Related Theology Programs
Explore similar degree programs within the Theology field. These programs share the same academic discipline and may offer complementary skills and career pathways.
Missionary Studies and Missiology
Any instructional program in missions, missionary studies, and missiology not listed above.
Religious Education
A program that focuses on the theory and practice of providing educational services to members of faith communities, within the context of a...
Sacred Music
A program that focuses on the history, theory, composition, and performance of music for religious or sacred purposes, and that prepares individuals for...
Worship Ministry
A program of study that focuses on the use of musical and theatrical arts in Christian worship. Includes instruction in digital media, electronic...
Religious Music and Worship
Any instructional program in religious music and worship not listed above.
Theological Studies
A program that focuses on the beliefs and doctrine of a particular religious faith from the intramural point of view of that faith....