Southern Baptist Convention-affiliated seminaries train nearly 19% of all theological students in the U.S.

Prospective students tour Southern Baptist Theological Seminary in Louisville, Ky., on “Preview Day.” – Southern Seminary photo

The importance of the Southern Baptist seminaries in theological education cannot be understated. According to the latest annual report from the Association of Theological Schools (ATS), Southern Baptist Convention (SBC) seminaries trained 18.8 percent of all U.S. theology students during the past academic year – both in person and online.

The SBC’s dominance in theological training continues after the denomination reported in 2022 that membership fell below 13 million for the first time since the 1970s and for the 17th consecutive year. Despite the decline, the SBC remains the largest Protestant denomination in the United States.

About 22 percent of all Cooperative Program contributions – the denomination’s united giving plan funded by member churches – are directed to the six theological seminaries and the SBC Historical Library and Archives, according to SBC.net. In addition, the seminaries are supported by endowments, donations, tuition, and other fees.

The six SBC seminaries with a robust brick-and-mortar presence are located conveniently across the U.S., helping add accessibility of a seminary education. Additionally, the seminaries offer remote learning and degree options. The seminaries are Gateway Seminary in Ontario, Calif., Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary in Kansas City, Mo., New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary in New Orleans, La., Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary in Wake Forest, N.C., Southern Baptist Theological Seminary in Louisville, Ky., and Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary in Fort Worth, Texas.

According to the ATS report, Southern Seminary is the largest of the six with 3,281 full-time students, supplanting Southwestern Seminary which held the title for many years. The smallest of the six Southern Baptist seminaries is New Orleans Seminary with 1,476 students. Combined, the seminaries had 13,471 students during the past academic year out and more than 71,500 students nationwide.

Enrollment at the other four are Midwestern Seminary, 2,792; Southwestern Seminary, 2,237; Southeastern Seminary, 2,186, and Gateway Seminary, 1,499.

Liberty Theological Seminary at Liberty University in Lynchburg, Va., is the largest American seminary this past school year, with an enrollment of 5,507, according to the ATS report.

Though not officially a Southern Baptist seminary, Liberty Seminary – like the university – was started by Jerry Falwell through Thomas Road Baptist Church. The church is listed as affiliated with the SBC, according to SBC.net.

Other major denominations reported the following full-time students: Roman Catholic, 5,436; United Methodist, 2,527; Seventh-Day Adventist, 1,694; Presbyterian Church in America, 1,483; Presbyterian Church (USA), 1,208; Assemblies of God, 1,180; Episcopal Church, 1,002; and the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, 988.

Non-denominational seminaries totaled 8,278 students.