2027 Best Value Lay Ministry Master’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 schools below stand out for delivering a strong lay ministry education at a price that pays off.
College Factual analyzed 10 schools to build this 2027 ranking of the best value lay ministry schools.
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2027 Best Value Lay Ministry Schools in the United States
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in lay ministry, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Lay Ministry Schools
For return on investment in lay ministry, no school beat Andrews University this year. Located in the town of Berrien Springs, Andrews University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $35,056. Lay Ministry graduates carry a median of $26,314 in student loans. Lay Ministry graduates of Andrews University earn a median of $57,865 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $26,314 median debt. Andrews University admits about 82% of applicants.
A rank of #2 makes Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary one of the best values for lay ministry. Located in the suburb of Wake Forest, Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $11,318. Lay Ministry graduates of Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary earn a median of $54,863 early in their careers. Roughly 75% of applicants are accepted.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Grace College And Theological Seminary earned it the #3 place for lay ministry. Set in the town of Winona Lake, Grace College And Theological Seminary is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $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 $43,966 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 82% of applicants are accepted.
Students looking for strong value in lay ministry will find it at The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, which ranked #4. Located in the city of Louisville, The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,046. Early-career lay ministry graduates make about $74,388. The acceptance rate is 56%.
University Of St Thomas Minnesota came in at #5 on our 2027 list of the best value lay ministry schools. University Of St Thomas Minnesota is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Saint Paul. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $54,398. Students borrow a median of $23,923 to complete the lay ministry program here. Early-career lay ministry graduates make about $65,183. Set against $23,923 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of St Thomas Minnesota admits about 85% of applicants.
Dallas Baptist University placed #6 among the best values for lay ministry. Set in the city of Dallas, Dallas Baptist University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $40,190 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $22,819 to complete the lay ministry program here. Soon after graduation, lay ministry degree recipients from Dallas Baptist University generally make around $48,822. Set against $22,819 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Dallas Baptist University admits about 89% of applicants.
Liberty University ranked #7 on our 2027 list of the best value lay ministry schools. Liberty University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Lynchburg. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $16,173. Students borrow a median of $23,750 to complete the lay ministry program here. Lay Ministry graduates of Liberty University earn a median of $34,083 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $23,750 median debt. Roughly 99% of applicants are accepted.
The Masters College And Seminary placed #8 among the best values for lay ministry. Located in the suburb of Santa Clarita, The Masters College And Seminary is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $39,020. Typical student debt for lay ministry graduates is $22,089. Lay Ministry graduates of The Masters College And Seminary earn a median of $46,541 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 84% of applicants are accepted.
Gordon Conwell Theological Seminary earned the #9 position for value in lay ministry this year. Gordon Conwell Theological Seminary is a small private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of South Hamilton. Lay Ministry graduates of Gordon Conwell Theological Seminary earn a median of $41,332 early in their careers.
Westminster Theological Seminary placed #10 among the best values for lay ministry. Located in the suburb of Glenside, Westminster Theological Seminary is a small private not-for-profit university. Soon after graduation, lay ministry degree recipients from Westminster Theological Seminary generally make around $45,263.
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 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 · 10 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 10 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.
