by our College Data Analytics Team
[Missionary Studies](/majors/theology-and-religious-vocations/missionary-studies/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong missionary studies education at a price that pays off.
College Factual analyzed 12 schools to build this 2027 ranking of the best value missionary studies schools.
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Where you study missionary studies affects both what you pay and what you earn. To help, we created our Best Value Missionary Studies Schools ranking. It weighs the cost of a degree against the outcomes graduates go on to achieve, so you can find the strongest return on your investment.
Learn more about our methodology
We offer a number of rankings, including this Best Value Missionary Studies Schools list, to help you decide. More interested in schools in a specific area of the country? Filter this list by region or state.
Want to compare schools head to head? Try our College Combat tool to weigh the factors that matter most to you.
Read more about College Factual’s methodology
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in missionary studies, balancing cost against outcomes.
Leading the list is New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary, our #1 best value for missionary studies in the United States. Located in the city of New Orleans, New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,368.
Students looking for strong value in missionary studies will find it at Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary, which ranked #2. Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Wake Forest. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,318. Soon after graduation, missionary studies degree recipients from Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary generally make around $54,863. Roughly 75% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Great Falls came in at #3 on our 2027 list of the best value missionary studies schools. Located in the city of Great Falls, University Of Great Falls is a small private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $30,448. Typical student debt for missionary studies graduates is $23,847. Early-career missionary studies graduates make about $104,670. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Great Falls admits about 50% of applicants.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Regent University earned it the #4 place for missionary studies. Regent University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Virginia Beach. In-state tuition and fees average $21,650. Typical student debt for missionary studies graduates is $29,451. Missionary Studies graduates of Regent University earn a median of $50,406 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $29,451 median debt. Regent University admits about 38% of applicants.
Moody Bible Institute came in at #5 on our 2027 list of the best value missionary studies schools. Moody Bible Institute is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Chicago. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,786. Typical student debt for missionary studies graduates is $15,000. Soon after graduation, missionary studies degree recipients from Moody Bible Institute generally make around $26,236. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 83%.
Word Of Life Bible Institute landed the #6 spot for missionary studies value this year. Located in the rural area of Pottersville, Word Of Life Bible Institute is a small private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,500. Missionary Studies graduates carry a median of $12,000 in student loans. Early-career missionary studies graduates make about $20,638. That is a strong return on a $12,000 median debt.
Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary placed #7 among the best values for missionary studies. Set in the city of Kansas City, Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $11,530. Missionary Studies graduates carry a median of $7,733 in student loans. Soon after graduation, missionary studies degree recipients from Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary generally make around $39,368. Set against $7,733 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary admits about 96% of applicants.
Columbia International University came in at #8 for value in missionary studies 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. Missionary Studies graduates carry a median of $21,667 in student loans. Soon after graduation, missionary studies degree recipients from Columbia International University generally make around $32,296. Set against $21,667 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Columbia International University admits about 94% of applicants.
Wheaton College Illinois placed #9 among the best values for missionary studies. Located in the suburb of Wheaton, Wheaton College Illinois is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $45,546. Missionary Studies graduates carry a median of $23,292 in student loans. Missionary Studies graduates of Wheaton College Illinois earn a median of $43,654 early in their careers. Set against $23,292 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 87% of applicants are accepted.
Southeastern University came in at #10 for value in missionary studies this year. Set in the city of Lakeland, Southeastern University is a large private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $32,950 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for missionary studies graduates is $19,510. Soon after graduation, missionary studies degree recipients from Southeastern University generally make around $30,938. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 53% of applicants are accepted.
Samford University landed the #11 spot for missionary studies value this year. Located in the suburb of Birmingham, Samford University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $40,150. Typical student debt for missionary studies graduates is $21,039. Early-career missionary studies graduates make about $64,132. Set against $21,039 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 82%.
Bethany Global University landed the #12 spot for missionary studies value this year. Bethany Global University is a small private not-for-profit school located in the city of Bloomington. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,000. Missionary Studies graduates carry a median of $13,276 in student loans. Soon after graduation, missionary studies degree recipients from Bethany Global University generally make around $19,456. Roughly 93% of applicants are accepted.
Explore other best-value rankings in majors related to Missionary Studies. See all related rankings.
| Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| Missions/Missionary Studies | 795 |
| Church Planting | 4 |
View All Missionary Studies Concentrations >
This ranking is produced by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 edition. Schools are scored on the balance of cost (tuition and student debt) against student outcomes (post-graduation earnings) — a measure of return on investment, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 12 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 12 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.