by our College Data Analytics Team
[Missions/Missionary Studies & Missiology](/majors/theology-and-religious-vocations/missionary-studies/missions-missionary-studies-and-missiology/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
College Factual analyzed 6 schools to build this 2027 ranking of the best value missions/missionary studies & missiology schools.
What’s on this page:
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in missions/missionary studies & missiology, balancing cost against outcomes.
New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary tops our 2027 list of the best value missions/missionary studies & missiology schools in the Southeast Region. Set in the city of New Orleans, New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,368.
Students looking for strong value in missions/missionary studies & missiology will find it at Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary, which ranked #2. Located in the suburb of Wake Forest, Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,318. Soon after graduation, missions/missionary studies & missiology degree recipients from Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary generally make around $54,863. The acceptance rate is 75%.
Regent University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in missions/missionary studies & missiology, landing the #3 spot this year. Set in the city of Virginia Beach, Regent University is a large private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $21,650. Missions/missionary Studies & Missiology graduates carry a median of $29,451 in student loans. Early-career missions/missionary studies & missiology graduates make about $50,406. That is a strong return on a $29,451 median debt. The acceptance rate is 38%.
Columbia International University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in missions/missionary studies & missiology, landing the #4 spot this year. Located in the city of Columbia, Columbia International University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $27,900. Students borrow a median of $21,667 to complete the missions/missionary studies & missiology program here. Soon after graduation, missions/missionary studies & missiology degree recipients from Columbia International University generally make around $32,296. That is a strong return on a $21,667 median debt. Columbia International University admits about 94% of applicants.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Southeastern University earned it the #5 place for missions/missionary studies & missiology. Located in the city of Lakeland, Southeastern University is a large private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $32,950. Missions/missionary Studies & Missiology graduates carry a median of $19,510 in student loans. Early-career missions/missionary studies & missiology graduates make about $30,938. Set against $19,510 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 53%.
Samford University placed #6 among the best values for missions/missionary studies & missiology. Samford University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Birmingham. Students from in state pay about $40,150 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for missions/missionary studies & missiology graduates is $21,039. Missions/missionary Studies & Missiology graduates of Samford University earn a median of $64,132 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $21,039 median debt. Roughly 82% of applicants are accepted.
This list is compiled by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 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 · 6 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 6 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.