2027 Best Value Pastoral Studies/Counseling Bachelor’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.
To produce this 2027 ranking, College Factual evaluated 16 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for pastoral studies/counseling students.
What’s on this page:
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
For return on investment in pastoral studies/counseling, no school beat Lee University this year. Lee University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Cleveland. In-state tuition and fees average $23,790. Students borrow a median of $28,750 to complete the pastoral studies/counseling program here. Soon after graduation, pastoral studies/counseling degree recipients from Lee University generally make around $35,189. That is a strong return on a $28,750 median debt. The acceptance rate is 70%.
A rank of #2 makes Campbellsville University one of the best values for pastoral studies/counseling. Set in the town of Campbellsville, Campbellsville University is a large private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $27,998 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for pastoral studies/counseling graduates is $24,148. Pastoral Studies/counseling graduates of Campbellsville University earn a median of $43,474 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $24,148 median debt. Campbellsville University admits about 80% of applicants.
A rank of #3 makes Grace College And Theological Seminary one of the best values for pastoral studies/counseling. Located in the town of Winona Lake, Grace College And Theological Seminary is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $29,645. Students borrow a median of $25,500 to complete the pastoral studies/counseling program here. Pastoral Studies/counseling graduates of Grace College And Theological Seminary earn a median of $25,060 early in their careers. Set against $25,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Grace College And Theological Seminary admits about 82% of applicants.
Ozark Christian College came in at #4 on our 2027 list of the best value pastoral studies/counseling schools. Located in the city of Joplin, Ozark Christian College is a small private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $16,000. Typical student debt for pastoral studies/counseling graduates is $23,500. Pastoral Studies/counseling graduates of Ozark Christian College earn a median of $26,422 early in their careers. Set against $23,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 94%.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Life Pacific College earned it the #5 place for pastoral studies/counseling. Located in the suburb of San Dimas, Life Pacific College is a small private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $22,118. Students borrow a median of $24,083 to complete the pastoral studies/counseling program here. Early-career pastoral studies/counseling graduates make about $37,436. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 96%.
Moody Bible Institute ranked #6 on our 2027 list of the best value pastoral studies/counseling schools. Located in the city of Chicago, Moody Bible Institute is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $15,786. Students borrow a median of $12,000 to complete the pastoral studies/counseling program here. Early-career pastoral studies/counseling graduates make about $35,426. That is a strong return on a $12,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 83%.
Indiana Wesleyan University ranked #7 on our 2027 list of the best value pastoral studies/counseling schools. Set in the town of Marion, Indiana Wesleyan University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $32,352. Typical student debt for pastoral studies/counseling graduates is $22,104. Early-career pastoral studies/counseling graduates make about $19,836. Set against $22,104 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Indiana Wesleyan University admits about 89% of applicants.
Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary came in at #8 for value in pastoral studies/counseling this year. Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Kansas City. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,530. Students borrow a median of $15,559 to complete the pastoral studies/counseling program here. Pastoral Studies/counseling graduates of Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary earn a median of $55,308 early in their careers. Set against $15,559 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 96% of applicants are accepted.
Taylor University ranked #9 on our 2027 list of the best value pastoral studies/counseling schools. Located in the rural area of Upland, Taylor University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. 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. That is a strong return on a $21,832 median debt. The acceptance rate is 74%.
Universidad Teologica Del Caribe landed the #10 spot for pastoral studies/counseling value this year. Located in the suburb of Trujillo Alto, Universidad Teologica Del Caribe is a small private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,660. Median earnings reach $23,536 ten years out.
Lancaster Bible College came in at #11 for value in pastoral studies/counseling this year. Lancaster Bible College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Lancaster. Students from in state pay about $29,990 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $22,584 to complete the pastoral studies/counseling program here. Soon after graduation, pastoral studies/counseling degree recipients from Lancaster Bible College generally make around $35,286. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 56%.
North Central University landed the #12 spot for pastoral studies/counseling value this year. Set in the city of Minneapolis, North Central University is a small private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $32,220. Students borrow a median of $26,750 to complete the pastoral studies/counseling program here. 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.
Oral Roberts University landed the #13 spot for pastoral studies/counseling value this year. Located in the city of Tulsa, Oral Roberts University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $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. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Oral Roberts University admits about 99% of applicants.
Crown College placed #14 among the best values for pastoral studies/counseling. Located in the rural area of Saint Bonifacius, Crown College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $31,410. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the pastoral studies/counseling program here. Soon after graduation, pastoral studies/counseling degree recipients from Crown College generally make around $26,538. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Crown College admits about 23% of applicants.
Bethel University Minnesota ranked #15 on our 2027 list of the best value pastoral studies/counseling schools. Set in the suburb of Saint Paul, Bethel University Minnesota is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $44,226. Pastoral Studies/counseling graduates carry a median of $25,639 in student loans. Early-career pastoral studies/counseling graduates make about $45,641. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Bethel University Minnesota admits about 88% of applicants.
Liberty University landed the #16 spot for pastoral studies/counseling value this year. Liberty University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Lynchburg. In-state tuition and fees average $16,173. Pastoral Studies/counseling graduates carry a median of $23,750 in student loans. Early-career pastoral studies/counseling graduates make about $34,083. That is a strong return on a $23,750 median debt. Liberty University admits about 99% of applicants.
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
The ranking above is published 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 · 16 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 16 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.
