Pastoral Counseling
Quick Facts: Pastoral Counseling Training
Where it's offered
Pastoral Counseling programs are offered at 4 schools across 3 states. Most students attend a school within driving distance of home — use the state picker below to see programs near you.
Earnings expectations
Graduates earn approximately $33,641/year on average one year after completion, per the U.S. Department of Education's College Scorecard. Pay scales with experience, certifications, and regional cost-of-living.
Apprenticeship pathways
The U.S. Department of Labor recognizes 1 registered apprenticeship pathway related to Pastoral Counseling — earn-while-you-learn alternatives to traditional schooling. See apprenticeship.gov for the federal registry.
Program quality benchmark
Across the 4 schools we analyze, the average TradeSchoolOutlook Score is 36/100. Higher-scoring programs combine strong graduate earnings, manageable cost, and strong job-market demand — see the leaderboard further down for the highest-rated options.
What Pastoral Counseling Graduates Do
Your work will be deeply hands-on and people-focused. As a director of religious activities, you might spend your week planning a youth group retreat, coordinating volunteers for a community food drive, and developing educational curricula. In a clergy role, your days could involve drafting a sermon, providing one-on-one counseling for a family crisis, and officiating life’s major ceremonies.
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You’ll likely begin in a supporting role, such as a youth pastor or a caseworker at a faith-based nonprofit. With experience, you can advance to become a lead pastor, a program director managing budgets and staff, or a specialized community service specialist. The field shows strong demand, particularly for counselors and community specialists, which are among the fastest-growing career paths available to graduates.
Earning potential grows with your responsibilities, with entry-level roles starting in the mid-$40,000s and experienced directors or clergy earning medians closer to $60,000. While AI tools may help with sermon research or program scheduling, the core of your work—building trust, offering guidance, and fostering community—relies on an irreplaceable human connection.
If Pastoral Counseling doesn't fit your goals, programs like Missionary Studies, Theological Studies, and Biblical Studies draw from adjacent skill sets.
Registered Apprenticeship Pathways
The U.S. Department of Labor recognizes 1 registered apprenticeship occupation related to Pastoral Counseling. Apprenticeships let you earn while you learn — most have zero tuition costs and pay wages from day one.
| Apprenticeship | Training Hours | Type | Salary RangeSalary | Growth |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Chaplain Service Support (Military Only)
RAPIDS 1082CB |
Competency | Competency | $35K – $45,120 – $60K | 0.6% |
Source: U.S. Department of Labor, Registered Apprenticeship Partners Information Database (RAPIDS). Wages and job growth from Bureau of Labor Statistics 2024–2034 projections.
Find Pastoral Counseling Programs in Your State
Trade and community college programs are local decisions — most students pick a school within driving distance. Pastoral Counseling is offered at 4 schools across 3 states. Click your state to see all trade programs offered locally.
Top Pastoral Counseling Programs Nationally
For context, here are the highest-scoring Pastoral Counseling programs in the country. Most students attend a school within 60 miles of home, so your state list above is usually more actionable — but these are the benchmarks others compete against.
4 schools ranked by TradeSchoolOutlook Score. Click any row for full earnings projections and career analysis.
| # | School | Score |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Indiana Wesleyan University-National & Global Marion, IN |
46 45–48 |
| 2 | Indiana Wesleyan University-Marion Marion, IN |
42 40–43 |
| 3 | Grace Christian University Wyoming, MI |
42 40–43 |
| 4 | Valor Christian College Canal Winchester, OH |
40 39–42 |
Highest Earning Pastoral Counseling Programs
Schools where Pastoral Counseling graduates earn the most in their first year after graduation.
| School | 1-Year Earnings | Score |
|---|---|---|
| Indiana Wesleyan University-National & Global | $35,736/yr | 46 |
| Indiana Wesleyan University-Marion | $35,736/yr | 42 |
| Grace Christian University | $33,522/yr | 42 |
| Valor Christian College | $29,571/yr | 40 |
Best ROI for Pastoral Counseling
Schools with the highest earnings-to-tuition ratio for Pastoral Counseling.
| School | ROI Multiple | Earnings | Score |
|---|---|---|---|
| Indiana Wesleyan University-National & Global | 21.6x | $35,736/yr | 46 |
| Valor Christian College | 14.4x | $29,571/yr | 40 |
| Grace Christian University | 11.1x | $33,522/yr | 42 |
| Indiana Wesleyan University-Marion | 5.0x | $35,736/yr | 42 |
Related Majors
Explore similar fields of study.
Considering a 4-Year Degree?
Compare the trade route with a bachelor's degree. See how Pastoral Counseling degree programs stack up on earnings and ROI.