2026 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. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
College Factual analyzed 148 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best value pastoral studies/counseling schools.
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2026 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 tops our 2026 list of the best value 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. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,648. Students borrow a median of $26,338 to complete the pastoral studies/counseling program here. Soon after graduation, pastoral studies/counseling degree recipients from Indiana Wesleyan University National And Global generally make around $35,736. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Ozark Christian College came in at #2 on our 2026 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. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $16,000. Typical student debt for pastoral studies/counseling graduates is $23,500. Early-career pastoral studies/counseling graduates make about $26,422. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Ozark Christian College admits about 94% of applicants.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Maranatha Baptist Bible College earned it the #3 place for pastoral studies/counseling. Located in the town of Watertown, Maranatha Baptist Bible College is a small private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $21,550. Soon after graduation, pastoral studies/counseling degree recipients from Maranatha Baptist Bible College generally make around $56,298. Roughly 72% of applicants are accepted.
Valor Christian College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in pastoral studies/counseling, landing the #4 spot this year. Set in the city of Canal Winchester, Valor Christian College is a small private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,612. Pastoral Studies/counseling graduates carry a median of $17,635 in student loans. Pastoral Studies/counseling graduates of Valor Christian College earn a median of $29,571 early in their careers.
Other Pastoral Studies/Counseling Degree Levels
Explore the best-value pastoral studies/counseling schools at other degree levels:
View All Pastoral Studies/Counseling Rankings >
Notes and References
This list is compiled by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 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 · 148 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 2 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.
