2026 Best Value Pastoral Counseling & Specialized Ministries Bachelor’s Degree Schools
[Pastoral Counseling & Specialized Ministries](/majors/theology-and-religious-vocations/pastoral-counseling-specialized-ministries/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong pastoral counseling & specialized ministries education at a price that pays off.
College Factual analyzed 278 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best value pastoral counseling & specialized ministries schools.
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2026 Best Value Pastoral Counseling & Specialized Ministries Schools in the United States
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in pastoral counseling & specialized ministries, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Pastoral Counseling & Specialized Ministries Schools
Leading the list is Ozark Christian College, our #1 best value for pastoral counseling & specialized ministries in the United States. 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 counseling & specialized ministries program here. Early-career pastoral counseling & specialized ministries graduates make about $26,422. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 94%.
A rank of #2 makes Grace College And Theological Seminary one of the best values for pastoral counseling & specialized ministries. Set in the town of Winona Lake, Grace College And Theological Seminary is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $29,645 in tuition and fees. Pastoral Counseling & Specialized Ministries graduates carry a median of $25,500 in student loans. Pastoral Counseling & Specialized Ministries graduates of Grace College And Theological Seminary earn a median of $25,060 early in their careers. Set against $25,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 82% of applicants are accepted.
Students looking for strong value in pastoral counseling & specialized ministries will find it at Bethel College Mishawaka, which ranked #3. 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. Typical student debt for pastoral counseling & specialized ministries graduates is $23,319. Pastoral Counseling & Specialized Ministries graduates of Bethel College Mishawaka earn a median of $31,046 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 98% of applicants are accepted.
A rank of #4 makes Southwestern Assemblies Of God University one of the best values for pastoral counseling & specialized ministries. Southwestern Assemblies Of God University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Waxahachie. In-state tuition and fees average $25,064. Students borrow a median of $26,750 to complete the pastoral counseling & specialized ministries program here. Pastoral Counseling & Specialized Ministries graduates of Southwestern Assemblies Of God University earn a median of $30,910 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 89%.
Students looking for strong value in pastoral counseling & specialized ministries will find it at Lee University, which ranked #5. Located in the city of Cleveland, Lee University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $23,790. Pastoral Counseling & Specialized Ministries graduates carry a median of $28,750 in student loans. Soon after graduation, pastoral counseling & specialized ministries degree recipients from Lee University generally make around $35,189. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 70%.
Regent University placed #6 among the best values for pastoral counseling & specialized ministries. Regent University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Virginia Beach. In-state tuition and fees average $21,650. Students borrow a median of $35,500 to complete the pastoral counseling & specialized ministries program here. Early-career pastoral counseling & specialized ministries graduates make about $33,407. Set against $35,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Regent University admits about 38% of applicants.
Life Pacific College placed #7 among the best values for pastoral counseling & specialized ministries. Located in the suburb of San Dimas, Life Pacific College is a small private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $22,118. Typical student debt for pastoral counseling & specialized ministries graduates is $24,083. Soon after graduation, pastoral counseling & specialized ministries degree recipients from Life Pacific College generally make around $37,436. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 96%.
Grace Bible College earned the #8 position for value in pastoral counseling & specialized ministries this year. Set in the city of Wyoming, Grace Bible College is a small private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $17,190. Typical student debt for pastoral counseling & specialized ministries graduates is $38,453. Early-career pastoral counseling & specialized ministries graduates make about $48,916. That is a strong return on a $38,453 median debt. Grace Bible College admits about 99% of applicants.
Lancaster Bible College ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the best value pastoral counseling & specialized ministries schools. Set in the suburb of Lancaster, Lancaster Bible College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $29,990 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for pastoral counseling & specialized ministries graduates is $22,584. Early-career pastoral counseling & specialized ministries graduates make about $35,286. That is a strong return on a $22,584 median debt. Roughly 56% of applicants are accepted.
Indiana Wesleyan University ranked #10 on our 2026 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. Students borrow a median of $22,104 to complete the pastoral counseling & specialized ministries program here. Soon after graduation, pastoral counseling & specialized ministries degree recipients from Indiana Wesleyan University generally make around $19,836. That is a strong return on a $22,104 median debt. The acceptance rate is 89%.
Cornerstone University ranked #11 on our 2026 list of the best value pastoral counseling & specialized ministries schools. Set in the city of Grand Rapids, Cornerstone University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $23,000. Pastoral Counseling & Specialized Ministries graduates carry a median of $29,243 in student loans. Early-career pastoral counseling & specialized ministries graduates make about $44,501. Set against $29,243 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Cornerstone University admits about 78% of applicants.
North Central University landed the #12 spot for pastoral counseling & specialized ministries value this year. North Central University is a small private not-for-profit school located in the city of Minneapolis. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $32,220. Typical student debt for pastoral counseling & specialized ministries graduates is $26,750. Soon after graduation, pastoral counseling & specialized ministries degree recipients from North Central University generally make around $27,370. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 99% of applicants are accepted.
Taylor University ranked #13 on our 2026 list of the best value pastoral counseling & specialized ministries schools. Taylor University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the rural area of Upland. In-state tuition and fees average $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. Set against $21,832 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Taylor University admits about 74% of applicants.
World Mission University came in at #14 for value in pastoral counseling & specialized ministries this year. World Mission University is a small private not-for-profit school located in the city of Los Angeles. Students from in state pay about $6,920 in tuition and fees.
Maranatha Baptist Bible College came in at #15 for value in pastoral counseling & specialized ministries this year. Located in the town of Watertown, Maranatha Baptist Bible College is a small private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $21,550 in tuition and fees. Pastoral Counseling & Specialized Ministries graduates of Maranatha Baptist Bible College earn a median of $56,298 early in their careers. The acceptance rate is 72%.
Calvin College landed the #16 spot for pastoral counseling & specialized ministries value this year. Calvin College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Grand Rapids. In-state tuition and fees average $39,350. Pastoral Counseling & Specialized Ministries graduates carry a median of $22,707 in student loans. Early-career pastoral counseling & specialized ministries graduates make about $44,220. Set against $22,707 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 71%.
Universidad Teologica Del Caribe came in at #17 for value in pastoral counseling & specialized ministries this year. Set in the suburb of Trujillo Alto, Universidad Teologica Del Caribe is a small private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,660. Graduates go on to earn a median of $23,536 ten years after entry.
Oral Roberts University landed the #18 spot for pastoral counseling & specialized ministries value this year. Oral Roberts University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Tulsa. In-state tuition and fees average $35,470. Pastoral Counseling & Specialized Ministries graduates carry a median of $37,000 in student loans. Pastoral Counseling & Specialized Ministries graduates of Oral Roberts University earn a median of $41,180 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $37,000 median debt. Oral Roberts University admits about 99% of applicants.
Moody Bible Institute landed the #19 spot for pastoral counseling & specialized ministries value this year. Moody Bible Institute is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Chicago. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $15,786. Typical student debt for pastoral counseling & specialized ministries graduates is $12,000. Soon after graduation, pastoral counseling & specialized ministries degree recipients from Moody Bible Institute generally make around $35,426. Set against $12,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 83%.
Gordon College ranked #20 on our 2026 list of the best value pastoral counseling & specialized ministries schools. Set in the rural area of Wenham, Gordon College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $30,700. Students borrow a median of $26,372 to complete the pastoral counseling & specialized ministries program here. Pastoral Counseling & Specialized Ministries graduates of Gordon College earn a median of $37,097 early in their careers. Set against $26,372 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Gordon College admits about 69% of applicants.
Colorado Christian University ranked #21 on our 2026 list of the best value pastoral counseling & specialized ministries schools. Set in the suburb of Lakewood, Colorado Christian University is a large private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $28,846. Typical student debt for pastoral counseling & specialized ministries graduates is $36,092. Early-career pastoral counseling & specialized ministries graduates make about $47,333. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Lubbock Christian University landed the #22 spot for pastoral counseling & specialized ministries value this year. Lubbock Christian University is a small private not-for-profit school located in the city of Lubbock. In-state tuition and fees average $28,540. Pastoral Counseling & Specialized Ministries graduates carry a median of $28,337 in student loans. Soon after graduation, pastoral counseling & specialized ministries degree recipients from Lubbock Christian University generally make around $38,473. Set against $28,337 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 73% of applicants are accepted.
Kings University earned the #23 position for value in pastoral counseling & specialized ministries this year. Set in the suburb of Southlake, Kings University is a small private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,480. Students borrow a median of $48,998 to complete the pastoral counseling & specialized ministries program here. Early-career pastoral counseling & specialized ministries graduates make about $40,888. That is a strong return on a $48,998 median debt. The acceptance rate is 61%.
Crown College ranked #24 on our 2026 list of the best value pastoral counseling & specialized ministries schools. Set in the rural area of Saint Bonifacius, Crown College is a small private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $31,410. Typical student debt for pastoral counseling & specialized ministries graduates is $27,000. Pastoral Counseling & Specialized Ministries graduates of Crown College earn a median of $26,538 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Roughly 23% of applicants are accepted.
Valley Forge Christian College came in at #25 for value in pastoral counseling & specialized ministries this year. Set in the suburb of Phoenixville, Valley Forge Christian College is a small private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $25,240. Typical student debt for pastoral counseling & specialized ministries graduates is $27,634. Early-career pastoral counseling & specialized ministries graduates make about $34,612. That is a strong return on a $27,634 median debt. Roughly 61% of applicants are accepted.
Rest of the Top 27 Best Value Pastoral Counseling & Specialized Ministries Schools
These schools also delivered strong value for pastoral counseling & specialized ministries this year:
Other Pastoral Counseling & Specialized Ministries Degree Levels
Looking for a different degree level? Compare best-value Pastoral Counseling & Specialized Ministries rankings across degree levels:
View All Pastoral Counseling & Specialized Ministries Rankings >
Notes and References
This ranking is produced by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 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 · 278 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 18 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.
