2027 Best Value Pastoral Studies/Counseling Master’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 24 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for pastoral studies/counseling students.
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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
Andrews University earned the #1 spot for value among pastoral studies/counseling schools in the United States. Andrews University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the town of Berrien Springs. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $35,056. Typical student debt for pastoral studies/counseling graduates is $26,314. Early-career pastoral studies/counseling graduates make about $57,865. Set against $26,314 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 New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary, which ranked #2. New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of New Orleans. Students from in state pay about $12,368 in tuition and fees.
Holy Apostles College And Seminary is a great value for students pursuing a degree in pastoral studies/counseling, landing the #3 spot this year. Set in the suburb of Cromwell, Holy Apostles College And Seminary is a small private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $9,580.
University Of St Thomas Texas is a great value for students pursuing a degree in pastoral studies/counseling, landing the #4 spot this year. University Of St Thomas Texas is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Houston. In-state tuition and fees average $34,634. Typical student debt for pastoral studies/counseling graduates is $23,628. Soon after graduation, pastoral studies/counseling degree recipients from University Of St Thomas Texas generally make around $58,265. Set against $23,628 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 90%.
Students looking for strong value in pastoral studies/counseling will find it at The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, which ranked #5. Set in the city of Louisville, The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $11,046 in tuition and fees. Soon after graduation, pastoral studies/counseling degree recipients from The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary generally make around $74,388. Roughly 56% of applicants are accepted.
Grace College And Theological Seminary earned the #6 position for value in pastoral studies/counseling this year. Set in the town of Winona Lake, Grace College And Theological Seminary is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $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 $43,966 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 82%.
Olivet Nazarene University placed #7 among the best values for pastoral studies/counseling. 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. Pastoral Studies/counseling graduates of Olivet Nazarene University earn a median of $48,505 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 56%.
Vanguard University Of Southern California ranked #8 on our 2027 list of the best value pastoral studies/counseling schools. Vanguard University Of Southern California is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Costa Mesa. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $41,700. Pastoral Studies/counseling graduates carry a median of $21,111 in student loans. Early-career pastoral studies/counseling graduates make about $80,727. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Vanguard University Of Southern California admits about 62% of applicants.
Ozark Christian College placed #9 among the best values for pastoral studies/counseling. 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. Pastoral Studies/counseling graduates carry a median of $23,500 in student loans. 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.
Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary earned the #10 position for value in pastoral studies/counseling this year. Set in the city of Kansas City, Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $11,530 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for pastoral studies/counseling graduates is $15,559. Soon after graduation, pastoral studies/counseling degree recipients from Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary generally make around $55,308. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary admits about 96% of applicants.
Indiana Wesleyan University placed #11 among the best values for pastoral studies/counseling. 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. Students borrow a median of $24,221 to complete the pastoral studies/counseling program here. Soon after graduation, pastoral studies/counseling degree recipients from Indiana Wesleyan University generally make around $38,272. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 89%.
Amridge University placed #12 among the best values for pastoral studies/counseling. Set in the city of Montgomery, Amridge University is a small private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $10,470 in tuition and fees. Early-career pastoral studies/counseling graduates make about $46,125.
World Mission University earned the #13 position for value in pastoral studies/counseling this year. 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.
Lancaster Bible College landed the #14 spot for pastoral studies/counseling value this year. Lancaster Bible College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Lancaster. In-state tuition and fees average $29,990. Typical student debt for pastoral studies/counseling graduates is $22,584. Pastoral Studies/counseling graduates of Lancaster Bible College earn a median of $35,286 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $22,584 median debt. Lancaster Bible College admits about 56% of applicants.
California Baptist University landed the #15 spot for pastoral studies/counseling value this year. California Baptist University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Riverside. Students from in state pay about $41,228 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $28,169 to complete the pastoral studies/counseling program here. Pastoral Studies/counseling graduates of California Baptist University earn a median of $51,999 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 85% of applicants are accepted.
Universidad Pentecostal Mizpa came in at #16 for value in pastoral studies/counseling this year. Set in the city of Rio Piedras, Universidad Pentecostal Mizpa is a small private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $4,560. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $21,410.
Luther Rice University And Seminary landed the #17 spot for pastoral studies/counseling value this year. Luther Rice University And Seminary is a small private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Lithonia. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,320. Pastoral Studies/counseling graduates carry a median of $36,730 in student loans. Pastoral Studies/counseling graduates of Luther Rice University And Seminary earn a median of $38,760 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $36,730 median debt. Luther Rice University And Seminary admits about 92% of applicants.
Liberty University ranked #18 on our 2027 list of the best value pastoral studies/counseling schools. Set in the city of Lynchburg, Liberty University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $16,173. Students borrow a median of $23,750 to complete the pastoral studies/counseling program here. Soon after graduation, pastoral studies/counseling degree recipients from Liberty University generally make around $34,083. Set against $23,750 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 99% of applicants are accepted.
Dallas Theological Seminary earned the #19 position for value in pastoral studies/counseling this year. Dallas Theological Seminary is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Dallas. Early-career pastoral studies/counseling graduates make about $45,207.
The Masters College And Seminary ranked #20 on our 2027 list of the best value pastoral studies/counseling schools. The Masters College And Seminary is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Santa Clarita. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $39,020. Pastoral Studies/counseling graduates carry a median of $22,089 in student loans. Pastoral Studies/counseling graduates of The Masters College And Seminary earn a median of $41,502 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 84%.
Southeastern University placed #21 among the best values for pastoral studies/counseling. Set in the city of Lakeland, Southeastern University is a large private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $32,950. Students borrow a median of $26,000 to complete the pastoral studies/counseling program here. Pastoral Studies/counseling graduates of Southeastern University earn a median of $35,209 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $26,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 53%.
Southern California Seminary earned the #22 position for value in pastoral studies/counseling this year. Southern California Seminary is a small private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of El Cajon. Students from in state pay about $19,080 in tuition and fees. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $39,607.
Loyola University Chicago came in at #23 for value in pastoral studies/counseling this year. Loyola University Chicago is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Chicago. In-state tuition and fees average $53,710. Typical student debt for pastoral studies/counseling graduates is $23,521. Pastoral Studies/counseling graduates of Loyola University Chicago earn a median of $46,241 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $23,521 median debt. The acceptance rate is 82%.
Loyola Marymount University placed #24 among the best values for pastoral studies/counseling. Loyola Marymount University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Los Angeles. Students from in state pay about $61,867 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for pastoral studies/counseling graduates is $22,248. Soon after graduation, pastoral studies/counseling degree recipients from Loyola Marymount University generally make around $52,935. Set against $22,248 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 45% of applicants are accepted.
Other Pastoral Studies/Counseling Degree Levels
Looking for a different degree level? Compare best-value Pastoral Studies/Counseling rankings across degree levels:
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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 · 24 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 24 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.
