Fast Facts
A paint-by-numbers portrait of Candler.
You won’t get the full picture of Candler without visiting us in person, but these stats outline a first quick sketch. Here’s Candler by the numbers:
Top marks
Based on data from the 2020-21 Institutional Peer Profile Report of the Association of Theological Schools, Candler leads the pack in:
- Lower-than-median student/faculty ratio – 7:1 (based on headcount)
- Higher-than-average women students: 55.7%
- Higher-than-average ethnic and students of color: 49.9%
- Higher-than-average total degree completions
Key Stats
- Degrees offered: 16, including 10 dual degrees
- Number of students: 483
- Number of denominations: 44
- Students from the Methodist tradition: 40%
- Top 5 denominations: UMC, Baptist, Nondenominational, Episcopal/Anglican, Presbyterian
- Countries represented: 12 (Bahamas, Burma, Congo, El Salvador, Georgia, Hong Kong, Malaysia, Nigeria, Pakistan, South Korea, Taiwan, USA)
- States represented: 37
- Median student age: 31
- Students of color (USA): 44%
- Official student organizations: 13
- Students receiving financial aid: 98%
- MDiv students receiving financial aid: 100%
- Number of faculty holding joint appointments with Emory University’s top-ranked Graduate Division of Religion: 31
- Pitts Theology Library holdings: ca. 637,768 volumes, including 158,534 rare books
- Number of living alumni: 7,970
- Alumni serving as church pastors: 70%
Based on Candler’s Fact Sheet for 2020-2021 academic year.
Rankings & Recognition
- Emory University named a 2022 recipient of the Higher Education Excellence in Diversity Award
- Emory ranked #6 for quality of life by The Princeton Review
- Emory ranked #21 among the top national universities by U.S. News and World Report and in the top 100 in the Times Higher Education's World University Rankings list
- Named among the “Seminaries that Change the World” by The Center for Faith and Service, seven years running
- Candler named a "bright spot" in theological education by Auburn Seminary
- At 47.9%, Atlanta has the highest percentage of overall urban tree canopy in the nation
- Approximately 350 acres of undeveloped land/green space (that's almost half of the Emory campus!)
Based on Emory Points of Pride data and Trees Atlanta.
Top 10 Reasons
You'll Love Candler
Candler has so much to offer students: a valued position within Emory University, faculty and academics that will challenge you, a community that celebrates diversity, and opportunities for fulfilling your call to ministry. In fact, there's so much to love about Candler, we couldn't stop at just ten... and we're pretty sure you won't be able to either!
Points of Pride
“Emory University is ranked 21st among the nation's top universities by U.S. News & World Report (2020).”
“The wise heart seeks knowledge. This text from Proverbs 18:15 (the translation of Emory's motto: Cor prudentis possidebit scientiam) informs the university's core missions of education, discovery, health care, and public service.”
“Candler has been named among the "Seminaries that Change the World" by The Center for Faith and Service, seven years running.”