2027 Best Value Pastoral Counseling & Specialized Ministries Master’s Degree Schools
[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 best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
College Factual analyzed 31 schools to build this 2027 ranking of the best value pastoral counseling & specialized ministries schools.
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2027 Best Value Pastoral Counseling & Specialized Ministries Schools in the United States
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the pastoral counseling & specialized ministries degrees they offer, see the list below.
Best Value Pastoral Counseling & Specialized Ministries Schools
Andrews University tops our 2027 list of the best value pastoral counseling & specialized ministries schools in the United States. Located in the town of Berrien Springs, Andrews University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $35,056 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $26,314 to complete the pastoral counseling & specialized ministries program here. Early-career pastoral counseling & specialized ministries graduates make about $57,865. Set against $26,314 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. 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. Set in the city of New Orleans, New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,368.
A rank of #3 makes Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary one of the best values for pastoral counseling & specialized ministries. Set in the suburb of Wake Forest, Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $11,318. Early-career pastoral counseling & specialized ministries graduates make about $54,863. The acceptance rate is 75%.
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. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,580.
A rank of #5 makes University Of St Thomas Texas one of the best values for pastoral counseling & specialized ministries. University Of St Thomas Texas is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Houston. Students from in state pay about $34,634 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for pastoral counseling & specialized ministries graduates is $23,628. Early-career pastoral counseling & specialized ministries graduates make about $58,265. Set against $23,628 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of St Thomas Texas admits about 90% of applicants.
The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary placed #6 among the best values for pastoral counseling & specialized ministries. Set in the city of Louisville, The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,046. Early-career pastoral counseling & specialized ministries graduates make about $74,388. The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary admits about 56% of applicants.
Grace College And Theological Seminary landed the #7 spot for pastoral counseling & specialized ministries value this year. Located in the town of Winona Lake, Grace College And Theological Seminary is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $29,645 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for pastoral counseling & specialized ministries graduates is $25,500. Early-career pastoral counseling & specialized ministries graduates make about $43,966. Set against $25,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 82%.
Olivet Nazarene University placed #8 among the best values for pastoral counseling & specialized ministries. Located in the suburb of Bourbonnais, Olivet Nazarene University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $38,900. Pastoral Counseling & Specialized Ministries graduates carry a median of $26,797 in student loans. Soon after graduation, pastoral counseling & specialized ministries degree recipients from Olivet Nazarene University generally make around $48,505. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 56% of applicants are accepted.
Vanguard University Of Southern California earned the #9 position for value in pastoral counseling & specialized ministries this year. Vanguard University Of Southern California is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Costa Mesa. In-state tuition and fees average $41,700. Typical student debt for pastoral counseling & specialized ministries graduates is $21,111. 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. Roughly 62% of applicants are accepted.
Ozark Christian College came in at #10 for value in pastoral counseling & specialized ministries this year. Located in the city of Joplin, Ozark Christian College is a small private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $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. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 94%.
Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary earned the #11 position for value in pastoral counseling & specialized ministries this year. Located in the city of Kansas City, Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $11,530. Pastoral Counseling & Specialized Ministries graduates carry a median of $15,559 in student loans. Soon after graduation, pastoral counseling & specialized ministries degree recipients from Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary generally make around $55,308. That is a strong return on a $15,559 median debt. Roughly 96% of applicants are accepted.
Indiana Wesleyan University came in at #12 for value in pastoral counseling & specialized ministries this year. Located in the town of Marion, Indiana Wesleyan University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $32,352. Pastoral Counseling & Specialized Ministries graduates carry a median of $24,221 in student loans. Soon after graduation, pastoral counseling & specialized ministries degree recipients from Indiana Wesleyan University generally make around $38,272. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Indiana Wesleyan University admits about 89% of applicants.
Amridge University earned the #13 position for value in pastoral counseling & specialized ministries this year. Located in the city of Montgomery, Amridge University is a small private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,470. Soon after graduation, pastoral counseling & specialized ministries degree recipients from Amridge University generally make around $46,125.
Lancaster Bible College placed #14 among the best values for pastoral counseling & specialized ministries. Located in the suburb of Lancaster, Lancaster Bible College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $29,990. Students borrow a median of $22,584 to complete the pastoral counseling & specialized ministries program here. Pastoral Counseling & Specialized Ministries graduates of Lancaster Bible College earn a median of $35,286 early in their careers. Set against $22,584 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 56% of applicants are accepted.
World Mission University ranked #15 on our 2027 list of the best value pastoral counseling & specialized ministries schools. Located in the city of Los Angeles, World Mission University is a small private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,920.
California Baptist University ranked #16 on our 2027 list of the best value pastoral counseling & specialized ministries schools. Located in the city of Riverside, California Baptist University is a large private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $41,228 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for pastoral counseling & specialized ministries graduates is $28,169. Soon after graduation, pastoral counseling & specialized ministries degree recipients from California Baptist University generally make around $51,999. Set against $28,169 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 85% of applicants are accepted.
Abilene Christian University landed the #17 spot for pastoral counseling & specialized ministries value this year. Abilene Christian University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Abilene. In-state tuition and fees average $44,200. Typical student debt for pastoral counseling & specialized ministries graduates is $23,772. Pastoral Counseling & Specialized Ministries graduates of Abilene Christian University earn a median of $56,463 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $23,772 median debt. Abilene Christian University admits about 66% of applicants.
Universidad Pentecostal Mizpa placed #18 among the best values for pastoral counseling & specialized ministries. Universidad Pentecostal Mizpa is a small private not-for-profit school located in the city of Rio Piedras. Students from in state pay about $4,560 in tuition and fees. Graduates go on to earn a median of $21,410 ten years after entry.
University Of St Thomas Minnesota landed the #19 spot for pastoral counseling & specialized ministries value this year. Located in the city of Saint Paul, University Of St Thomas Minnesota is a large private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $54,398. Pastoral Counseling & Specialized Ministries graduates carry a median of $23,923 in student loans. Soon after graduation, pastoral counseling & specialized ministries degree recipients from University Of St Thomas Minnesota generally make around $65,183. That is a strong return on a $23,923 median debt. The acceptance rate is 85%.
Luther Rice University And Seminary ranked #20 on our 2027 list of the best value pastoral counseling & specialized ministries schools. Set in the suburb of Lithonia, Luther Rice University And Seminary is a small private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $11,320. Typical student debt for pastoral counseling & specialized ministries graduates is $36,730. Early-career pastoral counseling & specialized ministries graduates make about $38,760. That is a strong return on a $36,730 median debt. Luther Rice University And Seminary admits about 92% of applicants.
Dallas Baptist University earned the #21 position for value in pastoral counseling & specialized ministries this year. Set in the city of Dallas, Dallas Baptist University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $40,190. Pastoral Counseling & Specialized Ministries graduates carry a median of $22,819 in student loans. Pastoral Counseling & Specialized Ministries graduates of Dallas Baptist University earn a median of $40,502 early in their careers. Set against $22,819 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Dallas Baptist University admits about 89% of applicants.
Liberty University placed #22 among the best values for pastoral counseling & specialized ministries. Set in the city of Lynchburg, Liberty University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $16,173. Typical student debt for pastoral counseling & specialized ministries graduates is $23,750. Soon after graduation, pastoral counseling & specialized ministries degree recipients from Liberty University generally make around $34,083. That is a strong return on a $23,750 median debt. Roughly 99% of applicants are accepted.
Austin Presbyterian Theological Seminary came in at #23 for value in pastoral counseling & specialized ministries this year. Located in the city of Austin, Austin Presbyterian Theological Seminary is a small private not-for-profit university. Soon after graduation, pastoral counseling & specialized ministries degree recipients from Austin Presbyterian Theological Seminary generally make around $56,922.
Dallas Theological Seminary ranked #24 on our 2027 list of the best value pastoral counseling & specialized ministries schools. Set in the city of Dallas, Dallas Theological Seminary is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Soon after graduation, pastoral counseling & specialized ministries degree recipients from Dallas Theological Seminary generally make around $45,207.
The Masters College And Seminary placed #25 among the best values for pastoral counseling & specialized ministries. Located in the suburb of Santa Clarita, The Masters College And Seminary is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $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. Set against $22,089 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 84% of applicants are accepted.
Rest of the Top 31 Best Value Pastoral Counseling & Specialized Ministries Schools
Not far behind, these schools also offered excellent value in pastoral counseling & specialized ministries:
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
The ranking above is published by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 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 · 31 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 31 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.
