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Pastoral Counseling

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Pastoral Counseling

Pastoral Counseling graduates earn $42,915 four years out. The middle 50% of earners fall between $29,185 and $58,127. Where you land depends on specialization, employer, and how far you advance in the field.

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About Pastoral Counseling

Pastoral Counseling is a focused area of study within Theology. Graduates typically earn around $42,915 four years out, a modest return for a focused credential. The program is available at 277 colleges across the U.S., from community colleges to research universities. About 3,433 students complete this program each year. The focus is on writing, analysis, and communication that transfer across industries.

Median Earnings · 1yr: $33,407
Median Earnings · 4yr: $42,915
Colleges Offering: 277
Graduates / Year: 3,433
Avg Net Price / yr: $23,710

How Much Do Pastoral Counseling Graduates Earn?

Pastoral Counseling graduates earn $42,915 four years out, significantly below average for bachelor's degree holders. The middle 50% of earners fall between $29,185 and $58,127.

$33,407

1 Year After Graduation

Earnings grow steadily as you advance past entry-level roles. The four-year figure is a better long-term target.

$42,915

4-Year National Median

Significantly below average. Graduate credentials or high-demand roles can raise this considerably.

$44,603

4-Year Institutional Median

Median of per-school medians. Each reporting college counts equally, regardless of size.

Earnings Range

There is a moderate earnings spread across Pastoral Counseling graduates. Career path divergence explains most of the range. Law, consulting, and tech-adjacent roles pull the top end up; writing, education, and nonprofit roles tend to sit near the bottom.

$29,185 25th pct.

$42,915 Median

$58,127 75th pct.

Is the Cost Worth It?

At median 4-year earnings of $42,915 and an estimated $94,840 four-year net cost, earnings breakeven against a baseline wage takes approximately 7.3 years. Compare specific programs before committing to a high-cost option.

Based on outcomes from 169 schools. Colleges with fewer than 30 graduates are excluded from national averages.

Who Studies This? Credential Breakdown

Of the 3,433 students who complete Pastoral Counseling programs each year, the majority (40%) earn a master's degree. The breakdown below shows the full credential distribution.

39% 40%

Master's 40%

Bachelor's 39%

Post-Bacc Cert. 7%

What Can You Do With a Pastoral Counseling Degree?

Pastoral Counseling connects to 3 occupations in the job market. Philosophy and Religion Teachers leads at $80,260/yr median. Expand any card to see daily responsibilities, in-demand skills, and 10-year growth projections.

↗ +0.7% Zone 5: Extensive preparation

Philosophy and Religion Teachers

$80,260

$63K $105K 25th–75th pct.

Doctoral or professional degree 2,000 openings/yr 20K employed nationally

Reading Comprehension Instructing Speaking Active Listening Critical Thinking

Day-to-day responsibilities

Teach courses in philosophy, religion, and theology. Includes both teachers primarily engaged in teaching and those who do a combination of teaching and research.

Evaluate and grade students' class work, assignments, and papers.
Initiate, facilitate, and moderate classroom discussions.
Prepare and deliver lectures to undergraduate or graduate students and the community on topics such as ethics, logic, and contemporary religious thought.

↗ +1.0% Zone 5: Extensive preparation

Clergy

$60,810

$48K $77K 25th–75th pct.

Bachelor's degree 23,000 openings/yr 57K employed nationally

Speaking Active Listening Social Perceptiveness Instructing Service Orientation

Day-to-day responsibilities

Conduct religious worship and perform other spiritual functions associated with beliefs and practices of religious faith or denomination. Provide spiritual and moral guidance and assistance to members.

Pray and promote spirituality.
Prepare and deliver sermons or other talks.
Read from sacred texts, such as the Bible, Torah, or Koran.

↗ +2.1% Zone 4: Considerable preparation

Directors

$52,100

$44K $74K 25th–75th pct.

Bachelor's degree 13,800 openings/yr 22K employed nationally

Speaking Social Perceptiveness Active Listening Reading Comprehension Critical Thinking

Day-to-day responsibilities

Coordinate or design programs and conduct outreach to promote the religious education or activities of a denominational group. May provide counseling, guidance, and leadership relative to marital, health, financial, and religious problems.

Develop or direct study courses or religious education programs within congregations.
Identify and recruit potential volunteer workers.
Select appropriate curricula or class structures for educational programs.

Top Colleges for Pastoral Counseling

The 20 colleges below are ranked by how many Pastoral Counseling students they graduate each year. Scroll right to compare acceptance rate, net price, and median earnings side by side.

#	College	Graduates	Acceptance	Net Price/yr	Earnings 10yr
1	Liberty University Lynchburg, VA · Nonprofit	121	99%	$29,357	$44,813
2	The Master's University and Seminary Santa Clarita, CA · Nonprofit	94	84%	$32,647	$57,106
3	University of St Thomas Houston, TX · Nonprofit	93	89.9%	$19,359	$59,224
4	Ozark Christian College Joplin, MO · Nonprofit	88	93.6%	$20,580	$41,297
5	George Fox University Newberg, OR · Nonprofit	73	93.5%	$31,679	$59,761
6	Calvin University Grand Rapids, MI · Nonprofit	69	70.9%	$22,992	$58,375
7	Moody Bible Institute Chicago, IL · Nonprofit	65	82.7%	$22,221	$45,399
8	Grace Christian University Wyoming, MI · Nonprofit	64	99.2%	$12,404	$41,663
9	Lee University Cleveland, TN · Nonprofit	63	70.5%	$18,878	$43,222
10	Nelson University Waxahachie, TX · Nonprofit	63	89%	$21,662	$46,238
11	Vanguard University of Southern California Costa Mesa, CA · Nonprofit	55	62.4%	$21,241	$59,541
12	Andrews University Berrien Springs, MI · Nonprofit	52	81.9%	$12,547	$53,187
13	Regent University Virginia Beach, VA · Nonprofit	47	38.1%	$19,923	$44,498
14	Loyola University Chicago Chicago, IL · Nonprofit	45	81.6%	$36,079	$71,530
15	Lancaster Bible College Lancaster, PA · Nonprofit	43	55.9%	$25,480	$44,096
16	Grace College and Theological Seminary Winona Lake, IN · Nonprofit	37	82.2%	$19,932	$45,411
17	Southeastern University Lakeland, FL · Nonprofit	35	53%	$31,942	$46,744
18	North Central University Minneapolis, MN · Nonprofit	34	99%	$25,817	$45,064
19	Life Pacific University San Dimas, CA · Nonprofit	32	95.8%	$20,898	$43,299
20	Bethel University Saint Paul, MN · Nonprofit	28	87.8%	$28,556	$63,764

View all colleges

Ranked by Pastoral Counseling graduate volume. Scroll right to compare key stats. Read our methodology →

Plan Your Path

Decide with data, not guesswork. These tools turn the numbers on this page into a personal plan. Estimate the real cost of a Pastoral Counseling program, compare colleges side-by-side, weigh the long-term payoff, and find schools that match your profile.

College ROI Calculator

See if a Pastoral Counseling degree pays off. Weighs each college's cost against the earnings its graduates actually see.

College Cost Calculator

Enter a budget and see the colleges whose net price fits, with the out-of-pocket cost and likely loan load for each.

Compare Colleges

Put any 2–4 colleges side-by-side. Admissions, cost, outcomes, and earnings, all on one screen, no tab-hopping.

College Match Quiz

Answer six quick questions and see your best-fit colleges ranked by budget, field of study, and what matters most to you.

Pastoral Counseling Degree: Pros & Cons

Pastoral Counseling carries financial trade-offs prospective students should weigh carefully. The 1 strengths and 4 concerns below are drawn from College Scorecard earnings, BLS job growth data, and IPEDS completion counts.

PROS

Strong hiring volume Related occupations generate more than 38,800 job openings per year combined, creating consistent demand for graduates.

CONS

Below-average earnings Four-year median of $42,915 falls below the national median for bachelor's degree holders.
Advanced degree often expected Top roles in this field typically expect a master's degree or higher. A bachelor's may be a starting point rather than a terminal credential for the most competitive positions.
Slow job growth Top related careers project less than 3% growth over the next decade; limited expansion means more competition for new openings.
Long earnings breakeven At median salary and average net price, recovering education costs versus a baseline wage takes roughly 7.3 years.

Pastoral Counseling Degree: Frequently Asked Questions

How much do Pastoral Counseling graduates earn?

Pastoral Counseling graduates earn a national median of $42,915 four years after completing their program. The middle 50% of earners fall between $29,185 and $58,127. Where you land typically depends on employer, role, and location.

What is the starting salary for a Pastoral Counseling degree?

One year after graduation, Pastoral Counseling degree holders earn a median of $33,407. That climbs to $42,915 four years out. The biggest salary jumps typically come once you move past entry-level roles.

What jobs can you get with a Pastoral Counseling degree?

Pastoral Counseling degree holders pursue careers including Philosophy and Religion Teachers, which pays a median of $80,260/yr. Scroll down to the Career Paths section to see wages and job growth projections for every related occupation.

How long does a Pastoral Counseling program take?

While a bachelor's in this area takes four years, many Pastoral Counseling students continue to a master's degree, adding one to two years. Some schools offer accelerated 5-year combined programs.

How many colleges offer Pastoral Counseling?

277 colleges and universities in the United States offer Pastoral Counseling programs. Options range from community colleges with certificates and associate degrees to research universities with doctoral tracks.

Is a Pastoral Counseling degree worth it?

With a median 4-year salary of $42,915 and an average net price of roughly $23,710/yr, a Pastoral Counseling degree can pay off well, especially at lower-cost schools and in high-demand roles. Use the Top Colleges section below to compare specific programs before deciding.

What is the difference between Pastoral Counseling and Theology?

Pastoral Counseling is a focused concentration within the broader Theology field. The Theology major covers the full discipline; this program narrows the curriculum to Pastoral Counseling-specific courses, skills, and career tracks. If you already know this is the direction you want, the specialized program gives you a more targeted credential.

What skills do employers look for in Pastoral Counseling graduates?

Employers hiring Pastoral Counseling graduates consistently prioritize writing, critical analysis, and cross-cultural communication. Employers value the ability to synthesize complex information clearly, skills that transfer into communications, law, consulting, and content roles.

What is the job outlook for Pastoral Counseling graduates?

The job outlook for Pastoral Counseling graduates is slow overall. Related occupations project an average of +1.3% job growth over the next 10 years. Directors is among the strongest-growth roles at +2.1%. Growth varies by role and location, so check the Career Paths section for projections on each specific occupation.