Lay Ministry

CIP Code: 39.0705

A lay ministry degree prepares graduates for careers in Directors, religious activities and education, Religious workers, all other. 48 colleges and universities offer this program.

Annual Degrees Awarded
732
Colleges Offering 48
Avg. Career Salary $49,980
Top Career Salary $54,840

Lay Ministry Salary by College

Nationally, bachelor’s graduates in this field earn a median $42,915 four years after graduating (middle half: $29,185–$58,127). Where you study it matters: across 29 colleges with reported results, pay ranges from $30,430 to $55,360.

Sort by:

#College4 yrs afterWage-adjusted1 yr afterMedian debtOutcome Rating
1Boise Bible College Boise, ID$55,360$58,868——F
2Life Pacific University San Dimas, CA$52,477$47,751$37,436$21,012F
3Gordon College Wenham, MA$52,173$45,944——D
4Nazarene Bible College Colorado Springs, CO$49,899$46,665——F
5Regent University Virginia Beach, VA$49,799$45,347$33,407$24,800D
6Dallas Baptist University Dallas, TX$49,408$50,233——C+
7Cairn University-Langhorne Langhorne, PA$47,805$48,618——D
8Trinity Baptist College Jacksonville, FL$46,933$49,954——F
9Liberty University Lynchburg, VA$46,531$42,371$34,083$22,827F
10Lee University Cleveland, TN$45,844$50,080$35,189$25,875D
11Indiana Wesleyan University-Marion Marion, IN$45,693$49,020$19,836$21,250B+
12Grace Christian University Wyoming, MI$45,288$47,751$48,916$30,956F
13Evangel University Springfield, MO$44,988$48,237$41,357$25,000C
14Grace College and Theological Seminary Winona Lake, IN$44,733$47,990$25,060$23,375D
15George Fox University Newberg, OR$44,603$44,866——B
16Moody Bible Institute Chicago, IL$44,522$43,743$35,426$12,180D
17Central Christian College of the Bible Moberly, MO$42,051$45,088—$25,002F
18North Central University Minneapolis, MN$41,979$40,099$27,370$26,250F
19University of Valley Forge Phoenixville, PA$40,407$41,094——F
20Southwestern Assemblies of God University Waxahachie, TX$39,707$40,370$30,910$24,750F
21Lancaster Bible College Lancaster, PA$38,779$39,439$35,286$22,250D
22Cornerstone University Grand Rapids, MI$38,298$40,381——C
23Bethel University Mishawaka, IN$37,149$39,854$31,046$23,125C
24Spring Arbor University Spring Arbor, MI$36,814$38,816$19,557—C
25Maranatha Baptist University Watertown, WI$36,728$38,217——D
26Oral Roberts University Tulsa, OK$36,493$40,973—$31,500C
27John Brown University Siloam Springs, AR$35,601$41,953$27,996—B+
28Crown College Saint Bonifacius, MN$32,718$31,253$26,538$24,750D
29Southeastern University Lakeland, FL$30,430$32,389$35,209$25,000D

Bachelor’s degrees. Wage-adjusted = pay ÷ √(state wage index). Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard field-of-study data.

What Can You Do With a Lay Ministry Degree?

Graduates with this degree pursue careers in the following fields:

Directors, religious activities and education

$54,840 +2.1% growth

Religious workers, all other

$45,120 +0.6% growth
$49,980
Average Salary Across Careers
$54,840
Highest Paying Career
2
Career Paths Available

Best Colleges for Lay Ministry

Ranked by Repit grade, then by degrees awarded. These are the top-rated colleges that produce the most graduates in lay ministry.

# College Location Degrees Awarded Repit Grade
1 Calvin University Grand Rapids, MI 56 C+
2 The Master's University and Seminary Santa Clarita, CA 37 C+
3 Liberty University Lynchburg, VA 31 C+
4 Regent University Virginia Beach, VA 29 C+
5 Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary South Hamilton, MA 157 C
6 Westminster Theological Seminary Glenside, PA 100 C
7 Grace Christian University Wyoming, MI 46 C
8 Colorado Christian University Lakewood, CO 28 C

Largest Lay Ministry Programs

Schools ranked by number of graduates. These institutions produce the most lay ministry graduates annually, including online and distance learning programs.

# College Location Degrees Awarded Repit Grade
1 Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary South Hamilton, MA 157 C
2 Westminster Theological Seminary Glenside, PA 100 C
3 Calvin University Grand Rapids, MI 56 C+
4 Grace Christian University Wyoming, MI 46 C
5 The Master's University and Seminary Santa Clarita, CA 37 C+
6 Liberty University Lynchburg, VA 31 C+
7 Regent University Virginia Beach, VA 29 C+
8 Colorado Christian University Lakewood, CO 28 C
732
Degrees Awarded Annually
48
Colleges Offering Program
2
Related Careers

About Lay Ministry

Lay Ministry is a degree program offered at 48 colleges and universities across the United States. Each year, approximately 732 students graduate with this degree.

Graduates with this degree can pursue careers such as directors, religious activities and education, religious workers, all other.

Program Classification

CIP Code 39.0705
Field (2-digit CIP) 39
Category (4-digit CIP) 39.07

Frequently Asked Questions

What can I do with a Lay Ministry degree?
A Lay Ministry degree can lead to careers as a directors, religious activities and education, religious workers, all other, and more. Top earners in related careers can make up to $54,840 annually.
How many colleges offer Lay Ministry?
48 colleges and universities in the United States offer Lay Ministry as a degree program. Each year, approximately 732 students graduate with this degree.
What are the best colleges for Lay Ministry?
The best colleges for Lay Ministry based on Repit's ratings include Calvin University, The Master's University and Seminary, Liberty University, Regent University, Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary. Rankings are based on the college's overall Repit grade and the number of degrees awarded in this program.
What is the salary potential with a Lay Ministry degree?
Graduates with a Lay Ministry degree can expect average salaries around $49,980 in related careers, with top earners making up to $54,840. Actual salaries depend on the specific career path, experience level, and location.