2027 Best Value Lay Ministry Associate’s Degree Schools
[Lay Ministry](/majors/theology-and-religious-vocations/pastoral-counseling-specialized-ministries/lay-ministry/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
College Factual analyzed 4 schools to build this 2027 ranking of the best value lay ministry schools.
What’s on this page:
2027 Best Value Lay Ministry Schools in the United States
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the lay ministry degrees they offer, see the list below.
Best Value Lay Ministry Schools
Our analysis ranked Indiana Wesleyan University National And Global the best value for a degree in lay ministry in the United States. Indiana Wesleyan University National And Global is a large private not-for-profit school located in the rural area of Marion. Students from in state pay about $9,648 in tuition and fees. Lay Ministry graduates carry a median of $26,338 in student loans. Early-career lay ministry graduates make about $35,736. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
A rank of #2 makes Grace Bible College one of the best values for lay ministry. Set in the city of Wyoming, Grace Bible College is a small private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $17,190. Typical student debt for lay ministry graduates is $21,782. Soon after graduation, lay ministry degree recipients from Grace Bible College generally make around $33,522. That is a strong return on a $21,782 median debt. Grace Bible College admits about 99% of applicants.
Students looking for strong value in lay ministry will find it at Calvin College, which ranked #3. Calvin College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Grand Rapids. Students from in state pay about $39,350 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $22,707 to complete the lay ministry program here. Early-career lay ministry graduates make about $44,220. Set against $22,707 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Calvin College admits about 71% of applicants.
North Central University came in at #4 on our 2027 list of the best value lay ministry schools. Located in the city of Minneapolis, North Central University is a small private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $32,220 in tuition and fees. Lay Ministry graduates carry a median of $26,750 in student loans. Lay Ministry graduates of North Central University earn a median of $27,370 early in their careers. Set against $26,750 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. North Central University admits about 99% of applicants.
Other Lay Ministry Degree Levels
Explore the best-value lay ministry schools at other degree levels:
View All Lay Ministry Rankings >
Notes and References
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 · 4 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 4 ranked schools only.
- The Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), a branch of the U.S. Department of Education (DOE), serves as the core of our data about colleges.
- Some other college data, including much of the graduate earnings data, comes from the U.S. Department of Education’s (College Scorecard).
More about our data sources and methodologies.
