2027 Best Value Pastoral Studies/Counseling Associate’s Degree 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 3 schools to find the best return on investment for pastoral studies/counseling students.
What’s on this page:
2027 Best Value Pastoral Studies/Counseling Schools in the United States
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in pastoral studies/counseling, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Pastoral Studies/Counseling Schools
Indiana Wesleyan University National And Global earned the #1 spot for value among pastoral studies/counseling schools in the United States. Located in the rural area of Marion, Indiana Wesleyan University National And Global is a large private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,648. Pastoral Studies/counseling graduates carry a median of $26,338 in student loans. Soon after graduation, pastoral studies/counseling degree recipients from Indiana Wesleyan University National And Global generally make around $35,736. That is a strong return on a $26,338 median debt.
North Central University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in pastoral studies/counseling, landing the #2 spot this year. Located in the city of Minneapolis, North Central University is a small private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $32,220 in tuition and fees. Pastoral Studies/counseling graduates carry a median of $26,750 in student loans. Early-career pastoral studies/counseling graduates make about $27,370. That is a strong return on a $26,750 median debt. Roughly 99% of applicants are accepted.
Valor Christian College came in at #3 on our 2027 list of the best value pastoral studies/counseling schools. Located in the city of Canal Winchester, Valor Christian College is a small private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,612. Typical student debt for pastoral studies/counseling graduates is $17,635. Pastoral Studies/counseling graduates of Valor Christian College earn a median of $29,571 early in their careers.
Other Pastoral Studies/Counseling Degree Levels
Looking for a different degree level? Compare best-value Pastoral Studies/Counseling rankings across degree levels:
View All Pastoral Studies/Counseling Rankings >
Notes and References
The ranking above is published 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 · 3 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 3 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.
