by our College Data Analytics Team
[Lay Ministry](/majors/theology-and-religious-vocations/pastoral-counseling-specialized-ministries/lay-ministry/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
College Factual analyzed 7 schools to build this 2027 ranking of the best value lay ministry schools.
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If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the lay ministry degrees they offer, see the list below.
Andrews University tops our 2027 list of the best value lay ministry schools in the Great Lakes Region. Andrews University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the town of Berrien Springs. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $35,056. Students borrow a median of $26,314 to complete the lay ministry program here. Early-career lay ministry graduates make about $57,865. That is a strong return on a $26,314 median debt. Roughly 82% of applicants are accepted.
Students looking for strong value in lay ministry will find it at Indiana Wesleyan University National And Global, which ranked #2. Set in the rural area of Marion, Indiana Wesleyan University National And Global is a large private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,648. Students borrow a median of $26,338 to complete the lay ministry program here. Soon after graduation, lay ministry degree recipients from Indiana Wesleyan University National And Global generally make around $37,004. That is a strong return on a $26,338 median debt.
A rank of #3 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 $30,118. Lay Ministry graduates of Grace Bible College earn a median of $41,219 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $30,118 median debt. Roughly 99% of applicants are accepted.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Bethel College Mishawaka earned it the #4 place for lay ministry. Bethel College Mishawaka is a small private not-for-profit school located in the city of Mishawaka. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $34,600. Typical student debt for lay ministry graduates is $23,319. Soon after graduation, lay ministry degree recipients from Bethel College Mishawaka generally make around $31,046. Set against $23,319 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Bethel College Mishawaka admits about 98% of applicants.
Students looking for strong value in lay ministry will find it at Grace College And Theological Seminary, which ranked #5. Located in the town of Winona Lake, Grace College And Theological Seminary is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $29,645. Typical student debt for lay ministry graduates is $25,500. Early-career lay ministry graduates make about $34,513. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 82%.
Malone University landed the #6 spot for lay ministry value this year. Malone University is a small private not-for-profit school located in the city of Canton. In-state tuition and fees average $37,160. Students borrow a median of $27,956 to complete the lay ministry program here. Soon after graduation, lay ministry degree recipients from Malone University generally make around $48,359. That is a strong return on a $27,956 median debt. Roughly 76% of applicants are accepted.
Calvin College earned the #7 position for value in lay ministry this year. Set in the city of Grand Rapids, Calvin College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $39,350. Lay Ministry graduates carry a median of $22,707 in student loans. Soon after graduation, lay ministry degree recipients from Calvin College generally make around $44,220. That is a strong return on a $22,707 median debt. The acceptance rate is 71%.
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 · 7 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 7 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.
