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2023 Best Value Pastoral Counseling Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k

14 Ranked Colleges
812 Degrees Awarded
$17,500 Avg Net Price*
Best Value Pastoral Counseling Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k

With all of the options students have for higher education today, it can be tough to choose which direction to take. Our mission at College Factual is to arm you with as much information as we can to help you make that decision. Our “Best Value Pastoral Counseling Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k” ranking is one tool we have developed to help in this regard.

In 2020-2021, 3,116 people earned their degree in pastoral counseling and specialized ministries, making the major the 171st most popular in the United States. 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.

Across the Great Lakes region, there were 812 pastoral counseling and specialized ministries graduates with average earnings and debt of $30,631 and $23,258 respectively.

For this year’s “Best Value Pastoral Counseling Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k” ranking, we looked at 14 colleges that offer a degree in pastoral counseling and specialized ministries. The schools that top this list are recognized because they have great pastoral counseling and specialized ministries programs and cost less that schools of similar quality.

When determining these rankings, we looked at things such as overall quality of the pastoral counseling and specialized ministries program at the school and the cost to attend the school once aid has been awarded. See our ranking methodology to learn more.

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The pastoral counseling school you choose to invest your time and money in matters. To help you make the decision that is right for you, we’ve developed a number of major-specific rankings, including this list of “Best Value Pastoral Counseling Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k”.

You can create your own custom comparison that focuses on the factors most important to you using our tool, College Combat. When you have some time, check it out - you may want to bookmark the link so you don’t forget it.

Best Value Pastoral Counseling Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k

The following schools top our list of the Best Best Value Pastoral Counseling Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k.

Top 14 Best Value Colleges for Pastoral Counseling & Specialized Ministries (Income $30-$48k) in the Great Lakes Region

1
Olivet Nazarene crest
Olivet Nazarene University
Bourbonnais, Illinois

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Olivet Nazarene University. The school came in at #1 for the Best Value Pastoral Counseling Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k. This small school is located in Bourbonnais, Illinois, and it awarded 38 ’s pastoral counseling degrees in 2020-2021.

In addition to being on our great lakes region pastoral counseling students whose families make $30-$48k list, Olivet Nazarene has also earned the #3 rank in our “Best Pastoral Counseling & Specialized Ministries Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. It costs about $15,658 for Great Lakes Region Pastoral Counseling students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend Olivet Nazarene.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 2.7% 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 Olivet Nazarene

2
Moody Theological Seminary and Graduate School crest
Moody Bible Institute
Chicago, Illinois

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Moody Bible Institute. It ranked #2 on our 2023 Best Value Pastoral Counseling Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. Moody Theological Seminary and Graduate School is a private not-for-profit institution located in Chicago, Illinois. The school has a small population, and it awarded 94 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

Moody Theological Seminary and Graduate School not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #1 on our “Best Pastoral Counseling & Specialized Ministries Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. It costs about $19,072 for great lakes region pastoral counseling students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend Moody Theological Seminary and Graduate School.

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 Theological Seminary and Graduate School

3

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Grace College and Theological Seminary. It ranked #3 on our 2023 Best Value Pastoral Counseling Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. Winona Lake, Indiana is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out ’s pastoral counseling degrees to 33 students in 2020-2021.

Grace College also took the #5 spot in our “Best Pastoral Counseling & Specialized Ministries Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. It costs about $15,033 for great lakes region pastoral counseling students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend Grace College and Theological Seminary.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 3.1%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Pastoral Counseling & Specialized Ministries at Grace College and Theological Seminary

4

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Grace Christian University. It ranked #4 on our 2023 Best Value Pastoral Counseling Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. Wyoming, Michigan is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out ’s pastoral counseling degrees to 65 students in 2020-2021.

Grace not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #11 on our “Best Pastoral Counseling & Specialized Ministries Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. The yearly cost to attend Grace Christian University is $13,255 for Great Lakes Region Pastoral Counseling students whose families make $30-$48k.

Read more about Pastoral Counseling & Specialized Ministries at Grace

5

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Indiana Wesleyan University. It ranked #5 on our 2023 Best Value Pastoral Counseling Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. Indiana Wesleyan University is located in Marion, Indiana and, has a small student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 54 ’s pastoral counseling degrees to qualified students.

IWU also took the #7 spot in our “Best Pastoral Counseling & Specialized Ministries Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. It costs about $17,754 for great lakes region pastoral counseling students whose families make $30-$48k 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%.

Read full report on Pastoral Counseling & Specialized Ministries at IWU

6

Indiana Wesleyan University - National & Global landed the #6 spot on the 2023 Best Value Pastoral Counseling Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. IWU is a fairly large school located in Marion, Indiana that handed out 37 ’s pastoral counseling degrees in 2020-2021.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at IWU, the school also landed the #4 spot in our “Best Pastoral Counseling & Specialized Ministries Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. It costs about $18,666 for Great Lakes Region Pastoral Counseling students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend Indiana Wesleyan University - National & Global.

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 IWU Pastoral Counseling & Specialized Ministries Report

7

Lincoln Christian University landed the #7 spot on the 2023 Best Value Pastoral Counseling Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. This small school is located in Lincoln, Illinois, and it awarded 7 ’s pastoral counseling degrees in 2020-2021.

Lincoln Christian College and Seminary also took the #10 spot in our “Best Pastoral Counseling & Specialized Ministries Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Lincoln Christian University is $13,524 for great lakes region pastoral counseling students whose families make $30-$48k.

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 Lincoln Christian University Pastoral Counseling & Specialized Ministries Report

8
Andrews crest
Andrews University
Berrien Springs, Michigan

Andrews University did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Pastoral Counseling Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #8. This small school is located in Berrien Springs, Michigan, and it awarded 85 ’s pastoral counseling degrees in 2020-2021.

Andrews also made our “Best Pastoral Counseling & Specialized Ministries Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list, coming in at #6. The estimated yearly cost for Andrews University is $17,509 for Great Lakes Region Pastoral Counseling students whose families make $30-$48k.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 3.5%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 85%. 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 Andrews

9
Cornerstone crest
Cornerstone University
Grand Rapids, Michigan

Cornerstone University came in at #9 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Pastoral Counseling Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. This small school is located in Grand Rapids, Michigan, and it awarded 15 ’s pastoral counseling degrees in 2020-2021.

Cornerstone not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #12 on our “Best Pastoral Counseling & Specialized Ministries Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. The yearly cost to attend Cornerstone is $18,391 for great lakes region pastoral counseling students whose families make $30-$48k.

Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 86%. The low undergrad student loan default rate of 4.3% 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%.

Full Cornerstone University Pastoral Counseling & Specialized Ministries Report

10
Valor Christian College crest
Valor Christian College
Canal Winchester, Ohio

With a ranking of #10, Valor Christian College did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Pastoral Counseling Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. Canal Winchester, Ohio is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out ’s pastoral counseling degrees to 49 students in 2020-2021.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Valor Christian College, the school also landed the #18 spot in our “Best Pastoral Counseling & Specialized Ministries Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. It costs about $14,407 for Great Lakes Region Pastoral Counseling students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend Valor Christian College.

Read more about Pastoral Counseling & Specialized Ministries at Valor Christian College

11
Ashland crest
Ashland University
Ashland, Ohio

Ashland University landed the #11 spot on the 2023 Best Value Pastoral Counseling Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Ashland, Ohio is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out ’s pastoral counseling degrees to 13 students in 2020-2021.

Ashland also made our “Best Pastoral Counseling & Specialized Ministries Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list, coming in at #16. The yearly cost to attend Ashland University is $14,311 for great lakes region pastoral counseling students whose families make $30-$48k.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 4.1%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Pastoral Counseling & Specialized Ministries at Ashland University

12
Spring Arbor crest
Spring Arbor University
Spring Arbor, Michigan

Spring Arbor University landed the #12 spot on the 2023 Best Value Pastoral Counseling Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Spring Arbor, Michigan is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out ’s pastoral counseling degrees to 7 students in 2020-2021.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Spring Arbor, the school also landed the #19 spot in our “Best Pastoral Counseling & Specialized Ministries Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Spring Arbor is $18,596 for Great Lakes Region Pastoral Counseling students whose families make $30-$48k.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 3.6% 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 Spring Arbor

13

Trinity International University - Illinois ranked #13 on this year’s Best Value Pastoral Counseling Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. TIU Illinois is located in Deerfield, Illinois and, has a small student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 21 ’s pastoral counseling degrees to qualified students.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at TIU Illinois, the school also landed the #9 spot in our “Best Pastoral Counseling & Specialized Ministries Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. It costs about $19,089 for great lakes region pastoral counseling students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend TIU Illinois.

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.

Read full report on Pastoral Counseling & Specialized Ministries at TIU Illinois

14
Loyola Chicago crest
Loyola University Chicago
Chicago, Illinois

Loyola University Chicago landed the #14 spot on the 2023 Best Value Pastoral Counseling Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Loyola Chicago is a fairly large private not-for-profit school situated in Chicago, Illinois. It awarded 45 ’s pastoral counseling degrees in 2020-2021.

In addition to being on our great lakes region pastoral counseling students whose families make $30-$48k list, Loyola Chicago has also earned the #2 rank in our “Best Pastoral Counseling & Specialized Ministries Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Loyola University Chicago is $29,357 for Great Lakes Region Pastoral Counseling students whose families make $30-$48k.

Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 85%. 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 Loyola University Chicago

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