[Pastoral Counseling & Specialized Ministries](/majors/theology-and-religious-vocations/pastoral-counseling-specialized-ministries/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
To produce this 2027 ranking, College Factual evaluated 47 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for pastoral counseling & specialized ministries students.
Finding the Best Value Pastoral Counseling & Specialized Ministries School for You
The right pastoral counseling & specialized ministries school can pay off for years to come. That is why we built our Best Value Pastoral Counseling & Specialized Ministries Schools ranking. It weighs the cost of a degree against the outcomes graduates go on to achieve, so you can find the strongest return on your investment.
We offer a number of rankings, including this Best Value Pastoral Counseling & Specialized Ministries Schools list, to help you decide. Want schools in a particular part of the country? Narrow the list by region or state.
To further help you make the college decision, we have developed a unique tool called College Combat that lets you compare schools on the factors that matter most to you.
Andrews University tops our 2027 list of the best value pastoral counseling & specialized ministries schools in the United States. Set in the town of Berrien Springs, Andrews University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $35,056. Students borrow a median of $26,314 to complete the pastoral counseling & specialized ministries program here. Pastoral Counseling & Specialized Ministries graduates of Andrews University earn a median of $57,865 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Andrews University admits about 82% of applicants.
New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary is a great value for students pursuing a degree in pastoral counseling & specialized ministries, landing the #2 spot this year. Located in the city of New Orleans, New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,368.
Students looking for strong value in pastoral counseling & specialized ministries will find it at Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary, which ranked #3. Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Wake Forest. In-state tuition and fees average $11,318. Early-career pastoral counseling & specialized ministries graduates make about $54,863. Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary admits about 75% of applicants.
Students looking for strong value in pastoral counseling & specialized ministries will find it at Holy Apostles College And Seminary, which ranked #4. Located in the suburb of Cromwell, Holy Apostles College And Seminary is a small private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $9,580.
A rank of #5 makes Indiana Wesleyan University National And Global one of the best values for pastoral counseling & specialized ministries. Located in the rural area of Marion, Indiana Wesleyan University National And Global is a large private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,648. Typical student debt for pastoral counseling & specialized ministries graduates is $26,338. Early-career pastoral counseling & specialized ministries graduates make about $37,004. That is a strong return on a $26,338 median debt.
University Of St Thomas Texas ranked #6 on our 2027 list of the best value pastoral counseling & specialized ministries schools. Located in the city of Houston, University Of St Thomas Texas is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $34,634. Typical student debt for pastoral counseling & specialized ministries graduates is $23,628. Pastoral Counseling & Specialized Ministries graduates of University Of St Thomas Texas earn a median of $58,265 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $23,628 median debt. University Of St Thomas Texas admits about 90% of applicants.
Olivet Nazarene University came in at #7 for value in pastoral counseling & specialized ministries this year. Located in the suburb of Bourbonnais, Olivet Nazarene University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $38,900. Typical student debt for pastoral counseling & specialized ministries graduates is $26,797. Pastoral Counseling & Specialized Ministries graduates of Olivet Nazarene University earn a median of $48,505 early in their careers. Set against $26,797 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 56%.
Grace College And Theological Seminary ranked #8 on our 2027 list of the best value pastoral counseling & specialized ministries schools. Set in the town of Winona Lake, Grace College And Theological Seminary is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $29,645. Pastoral Counseling & Specialized Ministries graduates carry a median of $25,500 in student loans. Early-career pastoral counseling & specialized ministries graduates make about $34,513. Set against $25,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 82% of applicants are accepted.
Lee University landed the #9 spot for pastoral counseling & specialized ministries value this year. Set in the city of Cleveland, Lee University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $23,790. Pastoral Counseling & Specialized Ministries graduates carry a median of $28,750 in student loans. Early-career pastoral counseling & specialized ministries graduates make about $35,189. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Lee University admits about 70% of applicants.
Bethel College Mishawaka landed the #10 spot for pastoral counseling & specialized ministries value this year. Located in the city of Mishawaka, Bethel College Mishawaka is a small private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $34,600. Students borrow a median of $23,319 to complete the pastoral counseling & specialized ministries program here. Pastoral Counseling & Specialized Ministries graduates of Bethel College Mishawaka earn a median of $31,046 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $23,319 median debt. The acceptance rate is 98%.
Campbellsville University earned the #11 position for value in pastoral counseling & specialized ministries this year. 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 counseling & specialized ministries graduates is $24,148. Pastoral Counseling & Specialized Ministries graduates of Campbellsville University earn a median of $43,474 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 80% of applicants are accepted.
Ozark Christian College ranked #12 on our 2027 list of the best value pastoral counseling & specialized ministries schools. 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. Typical student debt for pastoral counseling & specialized ministries graduates is $23,500. Pastoral Counseling & Specialized Ministries graduates of Ozark Christian College earn a median of $26,422 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $23,500 median debt. Ozark Christian College admits about 94% of applicants.
Malone University came in at #13 for value in pastoral counseling & specialized ministries this year. Malone University is a small private not-for-profit school located in the city of Canton. Students from in state pay about $37,160 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $27,956 to complete the pastoral counseling & specialized ministries program here. Pastoral Counseling & Specialized Ministries graduates of Malone University earn a median of $48,359 early in their careers. Set against $27,956 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 76% of applicants are accepted.
Vanguard University Of Southern California ranked #14 on our 2027 list of the best value pastoral counseling & specialized ministries 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. Students borrow a median of $21,111 to complete the pastoral counseling & specialized ministries program here. Pastoral Counseling & Specialized Ministries graduates of Vanguard University Of Southern California earn a median of $80,727 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Vanguard University Of Southern California admits about 62% of applicants.
Life Pacific College came in at #15 for value in pastoral counseling & specialized ministries this year. Life Pacific College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of San Dimas. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $22,118. Students borrow a median of $24,083 to complete the pastoral counseling & specialized ministries program here. Soon after graduation, pastoral counseling & specialized ministries degree recipients from Life Pacific College generally make around $37,436. Set against $24,083 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 96% of applicants are accepted.
Regent University came in at #16 for value in pastoral counseling & specialized ministries this year. Located in the city of Virginia Beach, Regent University is a large private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $21,650. Typical student debt for pastoral counseling & specialized ministries graduates is $35,500. Soon after graduation, pastoral counseling & specialized ministries degree recipients from Regent University generally make around $33,407. Set against $35,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 38% of applicants are accepted.
Moody Bible Institute placed #17 among the best values for pastoral counseling & specialized ministries. Located in the city of Chicago, Moody Bible Institute is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $15,786. Pastoral Counseling & Specialized Ministries graduates carry a median of $12,000 in student loans. Pastoral Counseling & Specialized Ministries graduates of Moody Bible Institute earn a median of $35,426 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $12,000 median debt. Roughly 83% of applicants are accepted.
Southwestern Assemblies Of God University earned the #18 position for value in pastoral counseling & specialized ministries this year. Located in the suburb of Waxahachie, Southwestern Assemblies Of God University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $25,064 in tuition and fees. Pastoral Counseling & Specialized Ministries graduates carry a median of $26,750 in student loans. Early-career pastoral counseling & specialized ministries graduates make about $30,910. That is a strong return on a $26,750 median debt. Southwestern Assemblies Of God University admits about 89% of applicants.
Calvin College ranked #19 on our 2027 list of the best value pastoral counseling & specialized ministries schools. Set in the city of Grand Rapids, Calvin College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $39,350 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for pastoral counseling & specialized ministries graduates is $22,707. Early-career pastoral counseling & specialized ministries graduates make about $44,220. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 71% of applicants are accepted.
Grace Bible College placed #20 among the best values for pastoral counseling & specialized ministries. Grace Bible College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the city of Wyoming. Students from in state pay about $17,190 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for pastoral counseling & specialized ministries graduates is $30,118. Early-career pastoral counseling & specialized ministries graduates make about $41,219. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 99% of applicants are accepted.
Indiana Wesleyan University ranked #21 on our 2027 list of the best value pastoral counseling & specialized ministries schools. Set in the town of Marion, Indiana Wesleyan University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $32,352. Typical student debt for pastoral counseling & specialized ministries graduates is $24,221. Soon after graduation, pastoral counseling & specialized ministries degree recipients from Indiana Wesleyan University generally make around $31,281. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Indiana Wesleyan University admits about 89% of applicants.
Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary earned the #22 position for value in pastoral counseling & specialized ministries this year. Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Kansas City. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,530. Typical student debt for pastoral counseling & specialized ministries graduates is $15,559. Pastoral Counseling & Specialized Ministries graduates of Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary earn a median of $55,308 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $15,559 median debt. The acceptance rate is 96%.
Taylor University placed #23 among the best values for pastoral counseling & specialized ministries. Set in the rural area of Upland, Taylor University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $40,490. Students borrow a median of $21,832 to complete the pastoral counseling & specialized ministries program here. Pastoral Counseling & Specialized Ministries graduates of Taylor University earn a median of $37,035 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $21,832 median debt. Roughly 74% of applicants are accepted.
Gordon College came in at #24 for value in pastoral counseling & specialized ministries this year. Set in the rural area of Wenham, Gordon College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $30,700 in tuition and fees. Pastoral Counseling & Specialized Ministries graduates carry a median of $26,372 in student loans. Soon after graduation, pastoral counseling & specialized ministries degree recipients from Gordon College generally make around $37,097. Set against $26,372 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 69%.
World Mission University came in at #25 for value in pastoral counseling & specialized ministries this year. Located in the city of Los Angeles, World Mission University is a small private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $6,920 in tuition and fees.
Rest of the Top 47 Best Value Pastoral Counseling & Specialized Ministries Schools
These schools also delivered strong value for pastoral counseling & specialized ministries this year:
This list is compiled 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 · 47 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 47 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).
[Pastoral Counseling & Specialized Ministries](/majors/theology-and-religious-vocations/pastoral-counseling-specialized-ministries/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
