by our College Data Analytics Team
[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. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong pastoral studies/counseling education at a price that pays off.
To produce this 2027 ranking, College Factual evaluated 6 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for pastoral studies/counseling students.
What’s on this page:
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in pastoral studies/counseling, balancing cost against outcomes.
New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary tops our 2027 list of the best value pastoral studies/counseling schools in the Southeast Region. New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of New Orleans. In-state tuition and fees average $12,368.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Lee University earned it the #2 place for pastoral studies/counseling. Lee University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Cleveland. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $23,790. Typical student debt for pastoral studies/counseling graduates is $28,750. Early-career pastoral studies/counseling graduates make about $35,189. That is a strong return on a $28,750 median debt. Roughly 70% of applicants are accepted.
Campbellsville University came in at #3 on our 2027 list of the best value pastoral studies/counseling schools. Located in the town of Campbellsville, Campbellsville University is a large private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $27,998. 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. Set against $24,148 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Campbellsville University admits about 80% of applicants.
A rank of #4 makes Luther Rice University And Seminary one of the best values for pastoral studies/counseling. Set in the suburb of Lithonia, Luther Rice University And Seminary is a small private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,320. Students borrow a median of $36,730 to complete the pastoral studies/counseling program here. Pastoral Studies/counseling graduates of Luther Rice University And Seminary earn a median of $38,760 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 92% of applicants are accepted.
Students looking for strong value in pastoral studies/counseling will find it at Liberty University, which ranked #5. 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. Pastoral Studies/counseling graduates of Liberty University earn a median of $34,083 early in their careers. Set against $23,750 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 99%.
Southeastern University came in at #6 for value in pastoral studies/counseling this year. Located in the city of Lakeland, Southeastern University is a large private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $32,950 in tuition and fees. 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. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 53%.
The ranking above is published by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 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 · 6 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 6 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.