2026 Best Value Pastoral Counseling & Specialized Ministries Schools in the Far Western Region
[Pastoral Counseling & Specialized Ministries](/majors/theology-and-religious-vocations/pastoral-counseling-specialized-ministries/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong pastoral counseling & specialized ministries education at a price that pays off.
College Factual analyzed 33 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 Far Western Region
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
Vanguard University Of Southern California tops our 2026 list of the best value pastoral counseling & specialized ministries schools in the Far Western Region. Set in the city of Costa Mesa, Vanguard University Of Southern California is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $41,700 in tuition and fees. Pastoral Counseling & Specialized Ministries graduates carry a median of $21,111 in student loans. Soon after graduation, pastoral counseling & specialized ministries degree recipients from Vanguard University Of Southern California generally make around $80,727. Set against $21,111 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 62%.
Life Pacific College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in pastoral counseling & specialized ministries, landing the #2 spot this year. Life Pacific College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of San Dimas. Students from in state pay about $22,118 in tuition and fees. Pastoral Counseling & Specialized Ministries graduates carry a median of $24,083 in student loans. 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. Life Pacific College admits about 96% of applicants.
World Mission University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in pastoral counseling & specialized ministries, landing the #3 spot this year. Located in the city of Los Angeles, World Mission University is a small private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,920.
Biola University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in pastoral counseling & specialized ministries, landing the #4 spot this year. Set in the suburb of La Mirada, Biola University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $48,984 in tuition and fees. Pastoral Counseling & Specialized Ministries graduates carry a median of $25,308 in student loans. Early-career pastoral counseling & specialized ministries graduates make about $45,003. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 74%.
Students looking for strong value in pastoral counseling & specialized ministries will find it at George Fox University, which ranked #5. George Fox University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the town of Newberg. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $41,320. Typical student debt for pastoral counseling & specialized ministries graduates is $25,324. Pastoral Counseling & Specialized Ministries graduates of George Fox University earn a median of $74,619 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 94%.
The Masters College And Seminary ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best value pastoral counseling & specialized ministries schools. Located in the suburb of Santa Clarita, The Masters College And Seminary is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $39,020. Typical student debt for pastoral counseling & specialized ministries graduates is $22,089. Soon after graduation, pastoral counseling & specialized ministries degree recipients from The Masters College And Seminary generally make around $46,541. That is a strong return on a $22,089 median debt. Roughly 84% of applicants are accepted.
Loyola Marymount University ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best value pastoral counseling & specialized ministries schools. Set in the city of Los Angeles, Loyola Marymount University is a large private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $61,867. Students borrow a median of $22,248 to complete the pastoral counseling & specialized ministries program here. Soon after graduation, pastoral counseling & specialized ministries degree recipients from Loyola Marymount University generally make around $52,935. Set against $22,248 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Loyola Marymount University admits about 45% of applicants.
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Notes and References
The ranking above is published 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 · 33 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 3 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.
