by our College Data Analytics Team
[Clinical Pastoral Counseling/Patient Counseling](/majors/health-care-professions/mental-social-health-services/clinical-pastoral-counseling-patient-counseling/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 27 schools to find the best return on investment for clinical pastoral counseling/patient counseling students.
What’s on this page:
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in clinical pastoral counseling/patient counseling, balancing cost against outcomes.
Leading the list is Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary, our #1 best value for clinical pastoral counseling/patient counseling in the United States. Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Wake Forest. Students from in state pay about $11,318 in tuition and fees. Early-career clinical pastoral counseling/patient counseling graduates make about $54,863. Roughly 75% of applicants are accepted.
A rank of #2 makes Pennsylvania Western University one of the best values for clinical pastoral counseling/patient counseling. Pennsylvania Western University is a large public school located in the town of California. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,436, with out-of-state students paying around $16,054. Median earnings reach $47,295 ten years out. Pennsylvania Western University admits about 94% of applicants.
Virginia Commonwealth University came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best value clinical pastoral counseling/patient counseling schools. Set in the city of Richmond, Virginia Commonwealth University is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $16,720, compared with $39,884 for out-of-state students. Clinical Pastoral Counseling/patient Counseling graduates carry a median of $23,813 in student loans. Clinical Pastoral Counseling/patient Counseling graduates of Virginia Commonwealth University earn a median of $77,108 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Virginia Commonwealth University admits about 93% of applicants.
Regent University came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best value clinical pastoral counseling/patient counseling schools. Regent University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Virginia Beach. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $21,650. Students borrow a median of $29,451 to complete the clinical pastoral counseling/patient counseling program here. Clinical Pastoral Counseling/patient Counseling graduates of Regent University earn a median of $41,047 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $29,451 median debt. Roughly 38% of applicants are accepted.
A rank of #5 makes Houston Baptist University one of the best values for clinical pastoral counseling/patient counseling. Located in the city of Houston, Houston Baptist University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $39,430. Clinical Pastoral Counseling/patient Counseling graduates carry a median of $25,601 in student loans. Clinical Pastoral Counseling/patient Counseling graduates of Houston Baptist University earn a median of $34,087 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Houston Baptist University admits about 84% of applicants.
La Salle University landed the #6 spot for clinical pastoral counseling/patient counseling value this year. Located in the city of Philadelphia, La Salle University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $37,800. Typical student debt for clinical pastoral counseling/patient counseling graduates is $25,462. Clinical Pastoral Counseling/patient Counseling graduates of La Salle University earn a median of $54,618 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $25,462 median debt. Roughly 97% of applicants are accepted.
Faulkner University earned the #7 position for value in clinical pastoral counseling/patient counseling this year. Located in the city of Montgomery, Faulkner University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $23,920. Students borrow a median of $29,942 to complete the clinical pastoral counseling/patient counseling program here. Clinical Pastoral Counseling/patient Counseling graduates of Faulkner University earn a median of $46,934 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Faulkner University admits about 73% of applicants.
Lancaster Bible College placed #8 among the best values for clinical pastoral counseling/patient counseling. Set in the suburb of Lancaster, Lancaster Bible College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $29,990. Students borrow a median of $28,507 to complete the clinical pastoral counseling/patient counseling program here. Soon after graduation, clinical pastoral counseling/patient counseling degree recipients from Lancaster Bible College generally make around $35,130. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 56% of applicants are accepted.
Trinity International University Illinois ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the best value clinical pastoral counseling/patient counseling schools. Set in the suburb of Deerfield, Trinity International University Illinois is a small private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,320. Clinical Pastoral Counseling/patient Counseling graduates carry a median of $26,892 in student loans. Early-career clinical pastoral counseling/patient counseling graduates make about $41,182. That is a strong return on a $26,892 median debt. Roughly 100% of applicants are accepted.
Christian Theological Seminary landed the #10 spot for clinical pastoral counseling/patient counseling value this year. Set in the city of Indianapolis, Christian Theological Seminary is a small private not-for-profit institution.
Abilene Christian University ranked #11 on our 2026 list of the best value clinical pastoral counseling/patient counseling schools. Abilene Christian University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Abilene. In-state tuition and fees average $44,200. Clinical Pastoral Counseling/patient Counseling graduates carry a median of $23,772 in student loans. Clinical Pastoral Counseling/patient Counseling graduates of Abilene Christian University earn a median of $56,463 early in their careers. Set against $23,772 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 66% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Maryland Baltimore earned the #12 position for value in clinical pastoral counseling/patient counseling this year. University Of Maryland Baltimore is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Baltimore. In-state tuition and fees average $13,638, while out-of-state students pay about $44,811. Students borrow a median of $21,500 to complete the clinical pastoral counseling/patient counseling program here. Clinical Pastoral Counseling/patient Counseling graduates of University Of Maryland Baltimore earn a median of $88,334 early in their careers. Set against $21,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Biola University came in at #13 for value in clinical pastoral counseling/patient counseling this year. Biola University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of La Mirada. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $48,984. Students borrow a median of $25,308 to complete the clinical pastoral counseling/patient counseling program here. Early-career clinical pastoral counseling/patient counseling graduates make about $45,003. That is a strong return on a $25,308 median debt. Biola University admits about 74% of applicants.
George Washington University placed #14 among the best values for clinical pastoral counseling/patient counseling. Located in the city of Washington, George Washington University is a very large private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $67,710 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $22,910 to complete the clinical pastoral counseling/patient counseling program here. Early-career clinical pastoral counseling/patient counseling graduates make about $56,852. Set against $22,910 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. George Washington University admits about 47% of applicants.
Gordon Conwell Theological Seminary landed the #15 spot for clinical pastoral counseling/patient counseling value this year. Located in the suburb of South Hamilton, Gordon Conwell Theological Seminary is a small private not-for-profit university. Clinical Pastoral Counseling/patient Counseling graduates of Gordon Conwell Theological Seminary earn a median of $35,794 early in their careers.
Fordham University ranked #16 on our 2026 list of the best value clinical pastoral counseling/patient counseling schools. Located in the city of Bronx, Fordham University is a large private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $64,470 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $25,643 to complete the clinical pastoral counseling/patient counseling program here. Clinical Pastoral Counseling/patient Counseling graduates of Fordham University earn a median of $48,341 early in their careers. Set against $25,643 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Fordham University admits about 59% of applicants.
Loma Linda University placed #17 among the best values for clinical pastoral counseling/patient counseling. Set in the suburb of Loma Linda, Loma Linda University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $29,960. Students borrow a median of $25,094 to complete the clinical pastoral counseling/patient counseling program here. Soon after graduation, clinical pastoral counseling/patient counseling degree recipients from Loma Linda University generally make around $93,833. That is a strong return on a $25,094 median debt.
Looking for a different degree level? Compare best-value Clinical Pastoral Counseling/Patient Counseling rankings across degree levels:
This list is compiled by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. The methodology weighs the cost of a degree against the earnings graduates go on to achieve, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 27 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 3 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.