by our College Data Analytics Team
[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 13 schools to build this 2027 ranking of the best value lay ministry schools.
What’s on this page:
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the lay ministry degrees they offer, see the list below.
Leading the list is Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary, our #1 best value for lay ministry in the United States. Set in the suburb of Wake Forest, Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $11,318. Soon after graduation, lay ministry degree recipients from Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary generally make around $54,863. Roughly 75% of applicants are accepted.
Students looking for strong value in lay ministry will find it at Bethel College Mishawaka, which ranked #2. Bethel College Mishawaka is a small private not-for-profit school located in the city of Mishawaka. In-state tuition and fees average $34,600. Typical student debt for lay ministry graduates is $23,319. Early-career lay ministry graduates make about $31,046. That is a strong return on a $23,319 median debt. Bethel College Mishawaka admits about 98% of applicants.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Grace College And Theological Seminary earned it the #3 place for lay ministry. Located in the town of Winona Lake, Grace College And Theological Seminary is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $29,645. Lay Ministry graduates carry a median of $25,500 in student loans. Lay Ministry graduates of Grace College And Theological Seminary earn a median of $25,060 early in their careers. Set against $25,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 82% of applicants are accepted.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Regent University earned it the #4 place for lay ministry. Set in the city of Virginia Beach, Regent University is a large private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $21,650. Typical student debt for lay ministry graduates is $35,500. Early-career lay ministry graduates make about $33,407. Set against $35,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 38% of applicants are accepted.
Students looking for strong value in lay ministry will find it at Southwestern Assemblies Of God University, which ranked #5. Southwestern Assemblies Of God University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Waxahachie. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $25,064. Lay Ministry graduates carry a median of $26,750 in student loans. Lay Ministry graduates of Southwestern Assemblies Of God University earn a median of $30,910 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Southwestern Assemblies Of God University admits about 89% of applicants.
Grace Bible College landed the #6 spot for lay ministry value this year. Grace Bible College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the city of Wyoming. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $17,190. Lay Ministry graduates carry a median of $38,453 in student loans. Early-career lay ministry graduates make about $48,916. That is a strong return on a $38,453 median debt. Roughly 99% of applicants are accepted.
Gordon College landed the #7 spot for lay ministry value this year. Located in the rural area of Wenham, Gordon College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $30,700. Typical student debt for lay ministry graduates is $26,372. Soon after graduation, lay ministry degree recipients from Gordon College generally make around $37,097. Set against $26,372 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 69%.
Universidad Teologica Del Caribe came in at #8 for value in lay ministry this year. Located in the suburb of Trujillo Alto, Universidad Teologica Del Caribe is a small private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $6,660. Median earnings reach $23,536 ten years out.
North Central University earned the #9 position for value in lay ministry this year. Located in the city of Minneapolis, North Central University is a small private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $32,220. Students borrow a median of $26,750 to complete the lay ministry program here. Early-career lay ministry graduates make about $27,370. That is a strong return on a $26,750 median debt. North Central University admits about 99% of applicants.
South Florida Bible College And Theological Seminary placed #10 among the best values for lay ministry. Located in the city of Deerfield Beach, South Florida Bible College And Theological Seminary is a small private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,740. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $45,354.
Bethel University Minnesota earned the #11 position for value in lay ministry this year. Set in the suburb of Saint Paul, Bethel University Minnesota is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $44,226. Typical student debt for lay ministry graduates is $25,639. Lay Ministry graduates of Bethel University Minnesota earn a median of $45,641 early in their careers. Set against $25,639 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Bethel University Minnesota admits about 88% of applicants.
Liberty University placed #12 among the best values for lay ministry. Located in the city of Lynchburg, Liberty University is a very large private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $16,173. Lay Ministry graduates carry a median of $23,750 in student loans. Early-career lay ministry graduates make about $34,083. That is a strong return on a $23,750 median debt. Liberty University admits about 99% of applicants.
Colorado Christian University earned the #13 position for value in lay ministry this year. Located in the suburb of Lakewood, Colorado Christian University is a large private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $28,846. Typical student debt for lay ministry graduates is $36,092. Soon after graduation, lay ministry degree recipients from Colorado Christian University generally make around $47,333. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Explore the best-value lay ministry schools at other degree levels:
This ranking is produced 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 · 13 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 13 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.