2027 Best Value Pastoral Studies/Counseling Schools in the The Plains States Region
[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.
College Factual analyzed 5 schools to build this 2027 ranking of the best value pastoral studies/counseling schools.
What’s on this page:
2027 Best Value Pastoral Studies/Counseling Schools in the The Plains States 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
Leading the list is Ozark Christian College, our #1 best value for pastoral studies/counseling in the The Plains States Region. Set in the city of Joplin, Ozark Christian College is a small private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $16,000. Students borrow a median of $23,500 to complete the pastoral studies/counseling program here. Soon after graduation, pastoral studies/counseling degree recipients from Ozark Christian College generally make around $26,422. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 94% of applicants are accepted.
Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary is a great value for students pursuing a degree in pastoral studies/counseling, landing the #2 spot this year. Located in the city of Kansas City, Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,530. 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. Set against $15,559 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary admits about 96% of applicants.
A rank of #3 makes North Central University one of the best values for pastoral studies/counseling. 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. Set against $26,750 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. North Central University admits about 99% of applicants.
Crown College came in at #4 on our 2027 list of the best value pastoral studies/counseling schools. Crown College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the rural area of Saint Bonifacius. In-state tuition and fees average $31,410. Pastoral Studies/counseling graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Pastoral Studies/counseling graduates of Crown College earn a median of $26,538 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 23%.
Bethel University Minnesota is a great value for students pursuing a degree in pastoral studies/counseling, landing the #5 spot this year. Bethel University Minnesota is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Saint Paul. Students from in state pay about $44,226 in tuition and fees. Pastoral Studies/counseling graduates carry a median of $25,639 in student loans. Pastoral Studies/counseling graduates of Bethel University Minnesota earn a median of $45,641 early in their careers. Set against $25,639 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Bethel University Minnesota admits about 88% of applicants.
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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 · 5 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 5 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.
