2027 Best Value Pastoral Studies/Counseling Schools
[Pastoral Studies/Counseling](/majors/theology-and-religious-vocations/pastoral-counseling-specialized-ministries/pastoral-studies-counseling/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
For its 2027 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 34 schools to find the best return on investment for pastoral studies/counseling students.
What’s on this page:
Finding the Best Value Pastoral Studies/Counseling School for You
The pastoral studies/counseling program you select can have a big impact on your finances and your future. That is why we built our Best Value Pastoral Studies/Counseling Schools ranking. It weighs the cost of a degree against the outcomes graduates go on to achieve, so you can find the strongest return on your investment.
Learn more about our methodology
Customizing Your List
Since the program you select can have a significant impact on your future, we offer several rankings, including this Best Value Pastoral Studies/Counseling Schools list, to help you choose. More interested in schools in a specific area of the country? Filter this list by region or state.
Want to compare schools head to head? Try our College Combat tool to weigh the factors that matter most to you.
Read more about College Factual’s methodology
2027 Best Value Pastoral Studies/Counseling Schools in the United States
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the pastoral studies/counseling degrees they offer, see the list below.
Best Value Pastoral Studies/Counseling Schools
Andrews University earned the #1 spot for value among pastoral studies/counseling schools in the United States. Andrews University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the town of Berrien Springs. In-state tuition and fees average $35,056. Typical student debt for pastoral studies/counseling graduates is $26,314. Early-career pastoral studies/counseling graduates make about $57,865. Set against $26,314 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 82% of applicants are accepted.
Students looking for strong value in pastoral studies/counseling will find it at New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary, which ranked #2. Located in the city of New Orleans, New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $12,368 in tuition and fees.
Students looking for strong value in pastoral studies/counseling will find it at Holy Apostles College And Seminary, which ranked #3. Set in the suburb of Cromwell, Holy Apostles College And Seminary is a small private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $9,580.
A rank of #4 makes Indiana Wesleyan University National And Global one of the best values for pastoral studies/counseling. Set in the rural area of Marion, Indiana Wesleyan University National And Global is a large private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,648. Students borrow a median of $26,338 to complete the pastoral studies/counseling program here. Pastoral Studies/counseling graduates of Indiana Wesleyan University National And Global earn a median of $37,004 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
A rank of #5 makes University Of St Thomas Texas one of the best values for pastoral studies/counseling. Located in the city of Houston, University Of St Thomas Texas is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $34,634. Typical student debt for pastoral studies/counseling graduates is $23,628. Early-career pastoral studies/counseling graduates make about $58,265. That is a strong return on a $23,628 median debt. The acceptance rate is 90%.
Olivet Nazarene University placed #6 among the best values for pastoral studies/counseling. Located in the suburb of Bourbonnais, Olivet Nazarene University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $38,900. Students borrow a median of $26,797 to complete the pastoral studies/counseling program here. Soon after graduation, pastoral studies/counseling degree recipients from Olivet Nazarene University generally make around $48,505. Set against $26,797 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 56% of applicants are accepted.
Lee University ranked #7 on our 2027 list of the best value pastoral studies/counseling schools. Located in the city of Cleveland, Lee University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $23,790 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for pastoral studies/counseling graduates is $28,750. Soon after graduation, pastoral studies/counseling degree recipients from Lee University generally make around $35,189. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Lee University admits about 70% of applicants.
Grace College And Theological Seminary placed #8 among the best values for pastoral studies/counseling. Grace College And Theological Seminary is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the town of Winona Lake. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $29,645. Pastoral Studies/counseling graduates carry a median of $25,500 in student loans. Soon after graduation, pastoral studies/counseling degree recipients from Grace College And Theological Seminary generally make around $34,513. That is a strong return on a $25,500 median debt. The acceptance rate is 82%.
Campbellsville University landed the #9 spot for pastoral studies/counseling value this year. Set in the town of Campbellsville, Campbellsville University is a large private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $27,998. Pastoral Studies/counseling graduates carry a median of $24,148 in student loans. Early-career pastoral studies/counseling graduates make about $43,474. Set against $24,148 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 80%.
Ozark Christian College ranked #10 on our 2027 list of the best value pastoral studies/counseling schools. Set in the city of Joplin, Ozark Christian College is a small private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $16,000. Pastoral Studies/counseling graduates carry a median of $23,500 in student loans. Early-career pastoral studies/counseling graduates make about $26,422. That is a strong return on a $23,500 median debt. Roughly 94% of applicants are accepted.
Vanguard University Of Southern California placed #11 among the best values for pastoral studies/counseling. Set in the city of Costa Mesa, Vanguard University Of Southern California is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $41,700. Pastoral Studies/counseling graduates carry a median of $21,111 in student loans. Early-career pastoral studies/counseling graduates make about $80,727. That is a strong return on a $21,111 median debt. The acceptance rate is 62%.
Life Pacific College placed #12 among the best values for pastoral studies/counseling. Located in the suburb of San Dimas, Life Pacific College is a small private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $22,118. Pastoral Studies/counseling graduates carry a median of $24,083 in student loans. Soon after graduation, pastoral studies/counseling degree recipients from Life Pacific College generally make around $37,436. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Life Pacific College admits about 96% of applicants.
Moody Bible Institute came in at #13 for value in pastoral studies/counseling this year. Set in the city of Chicago, Moody Bible Institute is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $15,786. Students borrow a median of $12,000 to complete the pastoral studies/counseling program here. Soon after graduation, pastoral studies/counseling degree recipients from Moody Bible Institute generally make around $35,426. That is a strong return on a $12,000 median debt. Moody Bible Institute admits about 83% of applicants.
Indiana Wesleyan University came in at #14 for value in pastoral studies/counseling this year. Located in the town of Marion, Indiana Wesleyan University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $32,352. Typical student debt for pastoral studies/counseling graduates is $24,221. Soon after graduation, pastoral studies/counseling degree recipients from Indiana Wesleyan University generally make around $31,281. That is a strong return on a $24,221 median debt. Indiana Wesleyan University admits about 89% of applicants.
Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary earned the #15 position for value in pastoral studies/counseling this year. Set in the city of Kansas City, Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $11,530 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for pastoral studies/counseling graduates is $15,559. Pastoral Studies/counseling graduates of Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary earn a median of $55,308 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $15,559 median debt. Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary admits about 96% of applicants.
Taylor University landed the #16 spot for pastoral studies/counseling value this year. Taylor University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the rural area of Upland. Students from in state pay about $40,490 in tuition and fees. Pastoral Studies/counseling graduates carry a median of $21,832 in student loans. Early-career pastoral studies/counseling graduates make about $37,035. Set against $21,832 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 74%.
World Mission University ranked #17 on our 2027 list of the best value pastoral studies/counseling schools. Located in the city of Los Angeles, World Mission University is a small private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,920.
Universidad Teologica Del Caribe ranked #18 on our 2027 list of the best value pastoral studies/counseling schools. Universidad Teologica Del Caribe is a small private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Trujillo Alto. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,660. Graduates go on to earn a median of $23,536 ten years after entry.
Lancaster Bible College landed the #19 spot for pastoral studies/counseling value this year. Lancaster Bible College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Lancaster. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $29,990. Students borrow a median of $22,584 to complete the pastoral studies/counseling program here. Pastoral Studies/counseling graduates of Lancaster Bible College earn a median of $35,286 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $22,584 median debt. Lancaster Bible College admits about 56% of applicants.
Universidad Pentecostal Mizpa came in at #20 for value in pastoral studies/counseling this year. Universidad Pentecostal Mizpa is a small private not-for-profit school located in the city of Rio Piedras. In-state tuition and fees average $4,560. Median earnings reach $21,410 ten years out.
North Central University ranked #21 on our 2027 list of the best value pastoral studies/counseling schools. Located in the city of Minneapolis, North Central University is a small private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $32,220. Pastoral Studies/counseling graduates carry a median of $26,750 in student loans. Soon after graduation, pastoral studies/counseling degree recipients from North Central University generally make around $27,370. That is a strong return on a $26,750 median debt. North Central University admits about 99% of applicants.
California Baptist University ranked #22 on our 2027 list of the best value pastoral studies/counseling schools. Set in the city of Riverside, California Baptist University is a large private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $41,228 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $28,169 to complete the pastoral studies/counseling program here. Soon after graduation, pastoral studies/counseling degree recipients from California Baptist University generally make around $51,999. Set against $28,169 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 85%.
Oral Roberts University ranked #23 on our 2027 list of the best value pastoral studies/counseling schools. Oral Roberts University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Tulsa. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $35,470. Typical student debt for pastoral studies/counseling graduates is $37,000. Pastoral Studies/counseling graduates of Oral Roberts University earn a median of $41,180 early in their careers. Set against $37,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 99% of applicants are accepted.
Crown College ranked #24 on our 2027 list of the best value pastoral studies/counseling schools. Set in the rural area of Saint Bonifacius, Crown College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $31,410. Pastoral Studies/counseling graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Pastoral Studies/counseling graduates of Crown College earn a median of $26,538 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 23%.
Bethel University Minnesota placed #25 among the best values for pastoral studies/counseling. Located in the suburb of Saint Paul, Bethel University Minnesota is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $44,226. Typical student debt for pastoral studies/counseling graduates is $25,639. Early-career pastoral studies/counseling graduates make about $45,641. That is a strong return on a $25,639 median debt. Roughly 88% of applicants are accepted.
Rest of the Top 34 Best Value Pastoral Studies/Counseling Schools
Not far behind, these schools also offered excellent value in pastoral studies/counseling:
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Pastoral Studies/Counseling is one of many programs to choose from within the area of study. See all related 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 · 34 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 34 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.
