2027 Best Value Pastoral Studies/Counseling Schools in the Great Lakes Region
[Pastoral Studies/Counseling](/majors/theology-and-religious-vocations/pastoral-counseling-specialized-ministries/pastoral-studies-counseling/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
To produce this 2027 ranking, College Factual evaluated 9 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 Great Lakes Region
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 Great Lakes Region. Set in the town of Berrien Springs, Andrews University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $35,056 in tuition and fees. Pastoral Studies/counseling graduates carry a median of $26,314 in student loans. Soon after graduation, pastoral studies/counseling degree recipients from Andrews University generally make around $57,865. That is a strong return on a $26,314 median debt. Andrews University admits about 82% of applicants.
Students looking for strong value in pastoral studies/counseling will find it at Indiana Wesleyan University National And Global, which ranked #2. Set in the rural area of Marion, Indiana Wesleyan University National And Global is a large private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $9,648 in tuition and fees. Pastoral Studies/counseling graduates carry a median of $26,338 in student loans. Early-career pastoral studies/counseling graduates make about $37,004. Set against $26,338 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
A rank of #3 makes Grace College And Theological Seminary one of 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. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $29,645. Typical student debt for pastoral studies/counseling graduates is $25,500. Pastoral Studies/counseling graduates of Grace College And Theological Seminary earn a median of $34,513 early in their careers. Set against $25,500 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 Olivet Nazarene University, which ranked #4. Located in the suburb of Bourbonnais, Olivet Nazarene University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $38,900. Typical student debt for pastoral studies/counseling graduates is $26,797. 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. Olivet Nazarene University admits about 56% of applicants.
Moody Bible Institute is a great value for students pursuing a degree in pastoral studies/counseling, landing the #5 spot this year. Set in the city of Chicago, Moody Bible Institute is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $15,786 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for pastoral studies/counseling graduates is $12,000. Early-career pastoral studies/counseling graduates make about $35,426. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 83%.
Indiana Wesleyan University landed the #6 spot for pastoral studies/counseling value this year. Located in the town of Marion, Indiana Wesleyan University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $32,352. Pastoral Studies/counseling graduates carry a median of $24,221 in student loans. Soon after graduation, pastoral studies/counseling degree recipients from Indiana Wesleyan University generally make around $31,281. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Indiana Wesleyan University admits about 89% of applicants.
Taylor University ranked #7 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. Typical student debt for pastoral studies/counseling graduates is $21,832. Soon after graduation, pastoral studies/counseling degree recipients from Taylor University generally make around $37,035. Set against $21,832 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Taylor University admits about 74% of applicants.
Valor Christian College landed the #8 spot for pastoral studies/counseling value this year. Set in the city of Canal Winchester, Valor Christian College is a small private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $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.
Loyola University Chicago placed #9 among the best values for pastoral studies/counseling. Located in the city of Chicago, Loyola University Chicago is a large private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $53,710. Pastoral Studies/counseling graduates carry a median of $23,521 in student loans. Soon after graduation, pastoral studies/counseling degree recipients from Loyola University Chicago generally make around $46,241. That is a strong return on a $23,521 median debt. The acceptance rate is 82%.
Narrow Pastoral Studies/Counseling Schools by State
More Pastoral Studies/Counseling Rankings
View All Pastoral Studies/Counseling 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 · 9 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 9 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.
