2026 Best Value Pastoral Studies/Counseling Schools in California
[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 schools below stand out for delivering a strong pastoral studies/counseling education at a price that pays off.
For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 16 schools to find the best return on investment for pastoral studies/counseling students.
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2026 Best Value Pastoral Studies/Counseling Schools in California
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in pastoral studies/counseling, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Pastoral Studies/Counseling Schools
Leading the list is Vanguard University Of Southern California, our #1 best value for pastoral studies/counseling in California. Vanguard University Of Southern California is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Costa Mesa. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $41,700. Pastoral Studies/counseling graduates carry a median of $21,111 in student loans. Pastoral Studies/counseling graduates of Vanguard University Of Southern California earn a median of $80,727 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $21,111 median debt. The acceptance rate is 62%.
Life Pacific College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in pastoral studies/counseling, landing the #2 spot this year. Life Pacific College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of San Dimas. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $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. The acceptance rate is 96%.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at World Mission University earned it the #3 place for pastoral studies/counseling. Located in the city of Los Angeles, World Mission University is a small private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,920.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Biola University earned it the #4 place for pastoral studies/counseling. Biola University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of La Mirada. In-state tuition and fees average $48,984. Students borrow a median of $25,308 to complete the pastoral studies/counseling program here. Early-career pastoral studies/counseling graduates make about $45,003. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 74% of applicants are accepted.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at The Masters College And Seminary earned it the #5 place for pastoral studies/counseling. Located in the suburb of Santa Clarita, The Masters College And Seminary is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $39,020. Students borrow a median of $22,089 to complete the pastoral studies/counseling program here. Soon after graduation, pastoral studies/counseling degree recipients from The Masters College And Seminary generally make around $46,541. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 84% of applicants are accepted.
Loyola Marymount University ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best value pastoral studies/counseling schools. Set in the city of Los Angeles, Loyola Marymount University is a large private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $61,867 in tuition and fees. Pastoral Studies/counseling graduates carry a median of $22,248 in student loans. Soon after graduation, pastoral studies/counseling degree recipients from Loyola Marymount University generally make around $52,935. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Loyola Marymount University admits about 45% of applicants.
Notes and References
The ranking above is published by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 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 · 16 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.
