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2023 Best Value Colleges for Pastoral Counseling & Specialized Ministries (Income $0-$30k)

61 Ranked Colleges
3,116 Degrees Awarded
$17,000 Avg Net Price*
Best Value Pastoral Counseling Schools For Those Making $0-$30k

When pursuing a degree in today’s world, students have many different options to choose from. College Factual was founded, in part, to help students make the decision as to what would be the best school for them. Our “Best Value Pastoral Counseling Schools For Those Making $0-$30k” ranking is part of that endeavor.

Pastoral Counseling & Specialized Ministries is the 171st most popular major in the country with 3,116 degrees awarded in 2020-2021. In 2019-2020, pastoral counseling and specialized ministries graduates who were awarded their degree in 2017-2019, earned an average of $31,592 and had an average of $26,577 in loans still to pay off.

This year’s “Best Value Pastoral Counseling Schools For Those Making $0-$30k” ranking analyzed 61 colleges that offered a degree in pastoral counseling and specialized ministries. Not only do the schools that top this list have excellent pastoral counseling and specialized ministries programs, but they also cost less that schools of similar quality.

Some of the factors we look at when determining these rankings are overall quality of the pastoral counseling and specialized ministries program at the school and the cost of the school after aid is awarded among other things. Check out our ranking methodology for more information.

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Since the program you select can have a significant impact on your future, we’ve developed a number of rankings, including this “Best Value Pastoral Counseling Schools For Those Making $0-$30k” list, to help you choose the best school for you.

In addition to our rankings, you can take two colleges and compare them based on the criteria that matters most to you in our unique tool, College Combat. Go ahead and give it a try, or bookmark the link so you can check it out later.

Best Value Pastoral Counseling Schools For Those Making $0-$30k

The colleges and universities below are the best for pastoral counseling students whose families make $0-$30k.

Top 25 Best Value Colleges for Pastoral Counseling & Specialized Ministries (Income $0-$30k)

1
Boston College crest
Boston College
Chestnut Hill, Massachusetts

Out of the 61 schools in the Best Value Pastoral Counseling Schools For Those Making $0-$30k that were part of this year’s ranking, Boston College landed the #1 spot on the list. Boston College is located in Chestnut Hill, Massachusetts and, has a fairly large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 1 ’s pastoral counseling degrees to qualified students.

It costs about $10,212 for pastoral counseling students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend Boston College.

The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 93%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 0.9%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Full Boston College Pastoral Counseling & Specialized Ministries Report

2
Emory crest
Emory University
Atlanta, Georgia

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Emory University. The school came in at #2 for the Best Value Pastoral Counseling Schools For Those Making $0-$30k. Emory University is a fairly large private not-for-profit school situated in Atlanta, Georgia. It awarded 3 ’s pastoral counseling degrees in 2020-2021.

Emory did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #10 on our “Best Pastoral Counseling & Specialized Ministries Schools” list. The yearly cost to attend Emory is $8,538 for pastoral counseling students whose families make $0-$30k.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 1.4%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 93%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. With a undergrad student-to-faculty ratio of 9 to 1, it’s easy to see that the school is committed to helping their undergraduates succeed.

Full Emory Pastoral Counseling & Specialized Ministries Report

3
Olivet Nazarene crest
Olivet Nazarene University
Bourbonnais, Illinois

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Olivet Nazarene University. It ranked #3 on our 2023 Best Value Pastoral Counseling Schools For Those Making $0-$30k list. Olivet Nazarene University is a small private not-for-profit school situated in Bourbonnais, Illinois. It awarded 38 ’s pastoral counseling degrees in 2020-2021.

Olivet Nazarene also made our “Best Pastoral Counseling & Specialized Ministries Schools” list, coming in at #4. The yearly cost to attend Olivet Nazarene is $16,451 for Pastoral Counseling students whose families make $0-$30k.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 2.7%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on Pastoral Counseling & Specialized Ministries at Olivet Nazarene

4
Moody Theological Seminary and Graduate School crest
Moody Bible Institute
Chicago, Illinois

Out of the 61 schools in the Best Value Pastoral Counseling Schools For Those Making $0-$30k that were part of this year’s ranking, Moody Bible Institute landed the #4 spot on the list. Located in Chicago, Illinois, this small private not-for-profit school handed out 94 diplomas to qualified ’s pastoral counseling students in 2020-2021.

Moody Theological Seminary and Graduate School did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #1 on our “Best Pastoral Counseling & Specialized Ministries Schools” list. It costs about $20,301 for pastoral counseling students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend Moody Bible Institute.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 3.3% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.

Read full report on Pastoral Counseling & Specialized Ministries at Moody Bible Institute

5
Ozark Christian College crest
Ozark Christian College
Joplin, Missouri

Out of the 61 schools in the Best Value Pastoral Counseling Schools For Those Making $0-$30k that were part of this year’s ranking, Ozark Christian College landed the #5 spot on the list. Ozark Christian College is a private not-for-profit institution located in Joplin, Missouri. The school has a small population, and it awarded 90 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Ozark Christian College, the school also landed the #14 spot in our “Best Pastoral Counseling & Specialized Ministries Schools” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Ozark Christian College is $13,895 for pastoral counseling students whose families make $0-$30k.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 2.9% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.

Full Ozark Christian College Pastoral Counseling & Specialized Ministries Report

6
Lee University crest
Lee University
Cleveland, Tennessee

Lee University came in at #6 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Pastoral Counseling Schools For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Lee University is a small school located in Cleveland, Tennessee that handed out 84 ’s pastoral counseling degrees in 2020-2021.

Lee University also took the #17 spot in our “Best Pastoral Counseling & Specialized Ministries Schools” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Lee University is $15,111 for Pastoral Counseling students whose families make $0-$30k.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 4.5%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Full Lee University Pastoral Counseling & Specialized Ministries Report

7
Johnson University crest
Johnson University
Knoxville, Tennessee

Johnson University ranked #7 on this year’s Best Value Pastoral Counseling Schools For Those Making $0-$30k list. Johnson University is located in Knoxville, Tennessee and, has a small student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 11 ’s pastoral counseling degrees to qualified students.

Johnson University not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #19 on our “Best Pastoral Counseling & Specialized Ministries Schools” list. The estimated yearly cost for Johnson University is $12,827 for pastoral counseling students whose families make $0-$30k.

Since the school has a undergrad student-to-faculty ratio of 8 to 1, those pursuing a degree will have more opportunities to interact with their professors. The low undergrad student loan default rate of 3.5% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.

Full Johnson University Pastoral Counseling & Specialized Ministries Report

8
Bethel University Minnesota crest
Bethel University Minnesota
Saint Paul, Minnesota

Bethel University Minnesota landed the #8 spot on the 2023 Best Value Pastoral Counseling Schools For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Bethel University Minnesota is a private not-for-profit institution located in Saint Paul, Minnesota. The school has a small population, and it awarded 37 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

Bethel University Minnesota not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #7 on our “Best Pastoral Counseling & Specialized Ministries Schools” list. It costs about $21,313 for Pastoral Counseling students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend Bethel University Minnesota.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 1.9% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 85%.

Read more about Pastoral Counseling & Specialized Ministries at Bethel University Minnesota

9

Grace Christian University did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Pastoral Counseling Schools For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #9. Located in Wyoming, Michigan, this small private not-for-profit school awarded 65 diplomas to qualified ’s pastoral counseling students in 2020-2021.

The estimated yearly cost for Grace Christian University is $14,466 for pastoral counseling students whose families make $0-$30k.

Read more about Pastoral Counseling & Specialized Ministries at Grace

10
Harding crest
Harding University
Searcy, Arkansas

Harding University came in at #10 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Pastoral Counseling Schools For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Harding is a small private not-for-profit school situated in Searcy, Arkansas. It awarded 6 ’s pastoral counseling degrees in 2020-2021.

The yearly cost to attend Harding is $15,856 for pastoral counseling students whose families make $0-$30k.

Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 87%. The low undergrad student loan default rate of 3.1% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.

Read full report on Pastoral Counseling & Specialized Ministries at Harding University

11
Lancaster Bible College crest
Lancaster Bible College
Lancaster, Pennsylvania

Lancaster Bible College ranked #11 on this year’s Best Value Pastoral Counseling Schools For Those Making $0-$30k list. Lancaster, Pennsylvania is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out ’s pastoral counseling degrees to 57 students in 2020-2021.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Lancaster Bible College, the school also landed the #11 spot in our “Best Pastoral Counseling & Specialized Ministries Schools” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Lancaster Bible College is $18,208 for pastoral counseling students whose families make $0-$30k.

Full Lancaster Bible College Pastoral Counseling & Specialized Ministries Report

12

Grace College and Theological Seminary landed the #12 spot on the 2023 Best Value Pastoral Counseling Schools For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Grace College and Theological Seminary is a private not-for-profit institution located in Winona Lake, Indiana. The school has a small population, and it awarded 33 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

Grace College did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #13 on our “Best Pastoral Counseling & Specialized Ministries Schools” list. The yearly cost to attend Grace College is $13,669 for Pastoral Counseling students whose families make $0-$30k.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 3.1% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.

Full Grace College and Theological Seminary Pastoral Counseling & Specialized Ministries Report

13
CIU crest
Columbia International University
Columbia, South Carolina

Columbia International University ranked #13 on this year’s Best Value Pastoral Counseling Schools For Those Making $0-$30k list. Located in Columbia, South Carolina, this small private not-for-profit school handed out 14 diplomas to qualified ’s pastoral counseling students in 2020-2021.

In addition to being on our pastoral counseling students whose families make $0-$30k list, CIU has also earned the #20 rank in our “Best Pastoral Counseling & Specialized Ministries Schools” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Columbia International University is $15,997 for Pastoral Counseling students whose families make $0-$30k.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 4.3%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Full CIU Pastoral Counseling & Specialized Ministries Report

14
Andrews crest
Andrews University
Berrien Springs, Michigan

With a ranking of #14, Andrews University did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Pastoral Counseling Schools For Those Making $0-$30k list. Andrews University is a small school located in Berrien Springs, Michigan that handed out 85 ’s pastoral counseling degrees in 2020-2021.

Andrews also took the #18 spot in our “Best Pastoral Counseling & Specialized Ministries Schools” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Andrews University is $19,916 for pastoral counseling students whose families make $0-$30k.

Since the school has a undergrad student-to-faculty ratio of 10 to 1, those pursuing a degree will have more opportunities to interact with their professors. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 85%. The low undergrad student loan default rate of 3.5% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.

Full Andrews University Pastoral Counseling & Specialized Ministries Report

15
North Central University crest
North Central University
Minneapolis, Minnesota

With a ranking of #15, North Central University did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Pastoral Counseling Schools For Those Making $0-$30k list. North Central University is a small school located in Minneapolis, Minnesota that handed out 25 ’s pastoral counseling degrees in 2020-2021.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at North Central University, the school also landed the #16 spot in our “Best Pastoral Counseling & Specialized Ministries Schools” ranking. It costs about $21,748 for Pastoral Counseling students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend North Central University.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 3.6%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on Pastoral Counseling & Specialized Ministries at North Central University

16

Indiana Wesleyan University - National & Global landed the #16 spot on the 2023 Best Value Pastoral Counseling Schools For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Marion, Indiana is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out ’s pastoral counseling degrees to 37 students in 2020-2021.

IWU also made our “Best Pastoral Counseling & Specialized Ministries Schools” list, coming in at #5. The estimated yearly cost for Indiana Wesleyan University - National & Global is $18,474 for Pastoral Counseling students whose families make $0-$30k.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 5.0% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.

Full Indiana Wesleyan University - National & Global Pastoral Counseling & Specialized Ministries Report

17
The Master's University crest
The Master's University and Seminary
Santa Clarita, California

With a ranking of #17, The Master’s University and Seminary did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Pastoral Counseling Schools For Those Making $0-$30k list. Located in Santa Clarita, California, this small private not-for-profit school awarded 74 degrees to qualified ’s pastoral counseling students in 2020-2021.

In addition to being on our pastoral counseling students whose families make $0-$30k list, The Master’s University has also earned the #3 rank in our “Best Pastoral Counseling & Specialized Ministries Schools” ranking. It costs about $24,091 for pastoral counseling students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend The Master’s University.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 1.5%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Pastoral Counseling & Specialized Ministries at The Master’s University

18

Indiana Wesleyan University did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Pastoral Counseling Schools For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #18. Located in Marion, Indiana, this small private not-for-profit school awarded 54 degrees to qualified ’s pastoral counseling students in 2020-2021.

IWU not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #22 on our “Best Pastoral Counseling & Specialized Ministries Schools” list. It costs about $15,834 for pastoral counseling students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend Indiana Wesleyan University.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 5.0%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Full Indiana Wesleyan University Pastoral Counseling & Specialized Ministries Report

19

Lincoln Christian University did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Pastoral Counseling Schools For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #19. Lincoln Christian University is located in Lincoln, Illinois and, has a small student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 7 ’s pastoral counseling degrees to qualified students.

It costs about $16,161 for pastoral counseling students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend Lincoln Christian College and Seminary.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 5.0%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on Pastoral Counseling & Specialized Ministries at Lincoln Christian College and Seminary

20
UVF crest
University of Valley Forge
Phoenixville, Pennsylvania

University of Valley Forge came in at #20 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Pastoral Counseling Schools For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. This small school is located in Phoenixville, Pennsylvania, and it awarded 9 ’s pastoral counseling degrees in 2020-2021.

The estimated yearly cost for University of Valley Forge is $19,889 for Pastoral Counseling students whose families make $0-$30k.

Read more about Pastoral Counseling & Specialized Ministries at UVF

21

Oral Roberts University came in at #21 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Pastoral Counseling Schools For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Oral Roberts University is a small private not-for-profit school situated in Tulsa, Oklahoma. It awarded 15 ’s pastoral counseling degrees in 2020-2021.

The estimated yearly cost for Oral Roberts University is $16,080 for pastoral counseling students whose families make $0-$30k.

Read full report on Pastoral Counseling & Specialized Ministries at Oral Roberts University

22
GFU crest
George Fox University
Newberg, Oregon

George Fox University ranked #22 on this year’s Best Value Pastoral Counseling Schools For Those Making $0-$30k list. Newberg, Oregon is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out ’s pastoral counseling degrees to 54 students in 2020-2021.

GFU not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #8 on our “Best Pastoral Counseling & Specialized Ministries Schools” list. It costs about $22,552 for Pastoral Counseling students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend GFU.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 1.6% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.

Read more about Pastoral Counseling & Specialized Ministries at George Fox University

23
Regent crest
Regent University
Virginia Beach, Virginia

Regent University came in at #23 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Pastoral Counseling Schools For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Regent University is a fairly large private not-for-profit school situated in Virginia Beach, Virginia. It awarded 46 ’s pastoral counseling degrees in 2020-2021.

It costs about $20,479 for Pastoral Counseling students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend Regent.

Read more about Pastoral Counseling & Specialized Ministries at Regent

24

Trinity International University - Illinois ranked #24 on this year’s Best Value Pastoral Counseling Schools For Those Making $0-$30k list. This small school is located in Deerfield, Illinois, and it awarded 21 ’s pastoral counseling degrees in 2020-2021.

It costs about $17,670 for Pastoral Counseling students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend TIU Illinois.

With a undergrad student-to-faculty ratio of 8 to 1, it’s easy to see that the school is committed to helping their undergraduates succeed.

Full TIU Illinois Pastoral Counseling & Specialized Ministries Report

25
Northwest University crest
Northwest University
Kirkland, Washington

Northwest University did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Pastoral Counseling Schools For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #25. Northwest University is a small private not-for-profit school situated in Kirkland, Washington. It awarded 2 ’s pastoral counseling degrees in 2020-2021.

The yearly cost to attend Northwest University is $15,928 for pastoral counseling students whose families make $0-$30k.

The undergraduate student-to-faculty ratio of 10 to 1 is a sign that students will have more opportunities to engage with their professors one-on-one.

Read more about Pastoral Counseling & Specialized Ministries at Northwest University

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