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United Theological Seminary

UNITED AT A GLANCE FALL 2022

Information updated on September 12, 2024.

United Theological Seminary is one of 13 United Methodist theological schools in the United States. The seminary was established in 1871 by the Board of Education of the Church of the United Brethren in Christ, which was chaired by Bishop Milton Wright, father of aviation pioneers Wilbur and Orville. Since its beginning in 1871, United has been dedicated to the education of men and women for Christian ministry with academic programs and community outreach that are both local and global within the historic traditions of the United Brethren, Evangelical United Brethren and United Methodist churches.

UNITED STUDENTS1

  • 595 students
  • 45% doctoral students
  • 55% masters students
  • 85 international students from 20 countries*
  • Students from 36 states
  • 42% female*
  • 58% male*
  • 39% Black or African American*
  • 28% White*
  • 19% International
  • 7% Asian or Pacific Islander
  • 4% Two or more races*
  • 3% Hispanic*
  • 48 Denominations*

* Figures represent those who responded. All figures rounded to the nearest whole number.

UNITED ALUMNI/AE

United conducts an alumni/ae survey.2 In 2023, 24% of the 2,321 alumni/ae contacted responded to the survey. United’s dedication to providing an educational experience that values the local church and prepares people for pastoral ministry is recognized by judicatories and borne out in levels of ordination and service in local churches. According to responses to this survey:
  • 90% Would recommend United to a prospective student.
  • 87% Are currently employed in or retired from ministry.
  • 75% Serve in local parishes.3
  • 15% Work in either denominational offices or chaplaincy positions.4

SCHOLARSHIPS

In the 2023-24 academic year, 97% of United students received scholarships. These students received, on average, $6,216 in scholarship aid.5

[1] Represents 12-month unduplicated headcount enrollment for the 2023-2024 academic year from July 1, 2023 to June 30, 2024.

[2] The 2023 alumni/ae survey was sent in April 2023 to alumni/ae who graduated with a degree or certificate from United in years ranging from the 1940s to 2022, for whom the seminary had email contact information (2,321 of 5,305 living alumni/ae). Data collected represents a 24% response rate of the 2,321 alumni/ae contacted.

[3] Or if retired, were serving in this capacity at time of retirement.

[4] Or if retired, were serving in this capacity at time of retirement.

[5] Scholarship data includes student scholarships and waivers; excludes student loans, employee benefits, and special circumstances waivers during the 2023-2024 academic year.