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.
For its 2027 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 3 schools to find the best return on investment for lay ministry students.
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 North Central University, our #1 best value for lay ministry in Minnesota. Located in the city of Minneapolis, North Central University is a small private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $32,220. Typical student debt for lay ministry graduates is $26,750. Early-career lay ministry graduates make about $27,370. That is a strong return on a $26,750 median debt. Roughly 99% of applicants are accepted.
A rank of #2 makes Bethel University Minnesota one of the best values for lay ministry. Located in the suburb of Saint Paul, Bethel University Minnesota is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $44,226. Lay Ministry graduates carry a median of $25,639 in student loans. Early-career lay ministry graduates make about $45,641. That is a strong return on a $25,639 median debt. Roughly 88% of applicants are accepted.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at University Of St Thomas Minnesota earned it the #3 place for lay ministry. University Of St Thomas Minnesota is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Saint Paul. Students from in state pay about $54,398 in tuition and fees. Lay Ministry graduates carry a median of $23,923 in student loans. Soon after graduation, lay ministry degree recipients from University Of St Thomas Minnesota generally make around $65,183. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 85% of applicants are accepted.
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 · 3 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 3 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.