2026 Best Value Pastoral Counseling & Specialized Ministries Master’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 best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 278 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for pastoral counseling & specialized ministries students.
What’s on this page:
2026 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
Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary tops our 2026 list of the best value pastoral counseling & specialized ministries schools in the United States. Located in the suburb of Wake Forest, Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,318. Soon after graduation, pastoral counseling & specialized ministries degree recipients from Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary generally make around $54,863. Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary admits about 75% of applicants.
Andrews University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in pastoral counseling & specialized ministries, landing the #2 spot this year. Located in the town of Berrien Springs, Andrews University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $35,056. Typical student debt for pastoral counseling & specialized ministries graduates is $26,314. Early-career pastoral counseling & specialized ministries graduates make about $57,865. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 82%.
Luther Rice University And Seminary is a great value for students pursuing a degree in pastoral counseling & specialized ministries, landing the #3 spot this year. Set in the suburb of Lithonia, Luther Rice University And Seminary is a small private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,320. Typical student debt for pastoral counseling & specialized ministries graduates is $36,730. Pastoral Counseling & Specialized Ministries graduates of Luther Rice University And Seminary earn a median of $38,760 early in their careers. Set against $36,730 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 92% of applicants are accepted.
University Of St Thomas Texas is a great value for students pursuing a degree in pastoral counseling & specialized ministries, landing the #4 spot this year. Located in the city of Houston, University Of St Thomas Texas is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $34,634. Students borrow a median of $23,628 to complete the pastoral counseling & specialized ministries program here. Soon after graduation, pastoral counseling & specialized ministries degree recipients from University Of St Thomas Texas generally make around $58,265. That is a strong return on a $23,628 median debt. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Grace College And Theological Seminary earned it the #5 place for pastoral counseling & specialized ministries. Located in the town of Winona Lake, Grace College And Theological Seminary is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $29,645. 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 $43,966 early in their careers. Set against $25,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Grace College And Theological Seminary admits about 82% of applicants.
Vanguard University Of Southern California placed #6 among the best values for pastoral counseling & specialized ministries. Located in the city of Costa Mesa, Vanguard University Of Southern California is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $41,700. 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. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Vanguard University Of Southern California admits about 62% of applicants.
The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary landed the #7 spot for pastoral counseling & specialized ministries value this year. The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Louisville. Students from in state pay about $11,046 in tuition and fees. Soon after graduation, pastoral counseling & specialized ministries degree recipients from The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary generally make around $74,388. The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary admits about 56% of applicants.
New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary placed #8 among the best values for pastoral counseling & specialized ministries. 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.
Milligan College landed the #9 spot for pastoral counseling & specialized ministries value this year. Milligan College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Milligan. Students from in state pay about $40,450 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for pastoral counseling & specialized ministries graduates is $26,150. Early-career pastoral counseling & specialized ministries graduates make about $64,327. Set against $26,150 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Milligan College admits about 72% of applicants.
Regent University landed the #10 spot for pastoral counseling & specialized ministries value this year. Set in the city of Virginia Beach, Regent University is a large private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $21,650. Pastoral Counseling & Specialized Ministries graduates carry a median of $35,500 in student loans. Pastoral Counseling & Specialized Ministries graduates of Regent University earn a median of $33,407 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 38%.
Maranatha Baptist Bible College ranked #11 on our 2026 list of the best value pastoral counseling & specialized ministries schools. Located in the town of Watertown, Maranatha Baptist Bible College is a small private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $21,550. Pastoral Counseling & Specialized Ministries graduates of Maranatha Baptist Bible College earn a median of $56,298 early in their careers. Maranatha Baptist Bible College admits about 72% of applicants.
Amridge University ranked #12 on our 2026 list of the best value pastoral counseling & specialized ministries schools. Located in the city of Montgomery, Amridge University is a small private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $10,470. Pastoral Counseling & Specialized Ministries graduates of Amridge University earn a median of $46,125 early in their careers.
Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary came in at #13 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. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,530. Students borrow a median of $15,559 to complete the pastoral counseling & specialized ministries program here. Early-career pastoral counseling & specialized ministries graduates make about $55,308. That is a strong return on a $15,559 median debt. Roughly 96% of applicants are accepted.
World Mission University placed #14 among the best values for pastoral counseling & specialized ministries. World Mission University is a small private not-for-profit school located in the city of Los Angeles. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,920.
Universidad Pentecostal Mizpa placed #15 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. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,560. Median earnings reach $21,410 ten years out.
Asbury Theological Seminary landed the #16 spot for pastoral counseling & specialized ministries value this year. Set in the town of Wilmore, Asbury Theological Seminary is a small private not-for-profit institution. Pastoral Counseling & Specialized Ministries graduates of Asbury Theological Seminary earn a median of $44,082 early in their careers.
Abilene Christian University ranked #17 on our 2026 list of the best value pastoral counseling & specialized ministries schools. Located in the city of Abilene, Abilene Christian University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $44,200. Students borrow a median of $23,772 to complete the pastoral counseling & specialized ministries program here. Early-career pastoral counseling & specialized ministries graduates make about $56,463. That is a strong return on a $23,772 median debt. Roughly 66% of applicants are accepted.
Bethel University Minnesota ranked #18 on our 2026 list of the best value pastoral counseling & specialized ministries schools. Located in the suburb of Saint Paul, Bethel University Minnesota is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $44,226 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $25,639 to complete the pastoral counseling & specialized ministries program here. Early-career pastoral counseling & specialized ministries graduates make about $45,641. That is a strong return on a $25,639 median debt. Roughly 88% of applicants are accepted.
Biola University came in at #19 for value in pastoral counseling & specialized ministries this year. Set in the suburb of La Mirada, Biola University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $48,984. Students borrow a median of $25,308 to complete the pastoral counseling & specialized ministries program here. Soon after graduation, pastoral counseling & specialized ministries degree recipients from Biola University generally make around $45,003. That is a strong return on a $25,308 median debt. The acceptance rate is 74%.
Neumann University placed #20 among the best values for pastoral counseling & specialized ministries. Set in the suburb of Aston, Neumann University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $39,100 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $28,450 to complete the pastoral counseling & specialized ministries program here. Soon after graduation, pastoral counseling & specialized ministries degree recipients from Neumann University generally make around $56,542. That is a strong return on a $28,450 median debt. Roughly 81% of applicants are accepted.
University Of St Thomas Minnesota earned the #21 position for value in pastoral counseling & specialized ministries this year. Set in the city of Saint Paul, University Of St Thomas Minnesota is a large private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $54,398 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $23,923 to complete the pastoral counseling & specialized ministries program here. Pastoral Counseling & Specialized Ministries graduates of University Of St Thomas Minnesota earn a median of $65,183 early in their careers. Set against $23,923 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of St Thomas Minnesota admits about 85% of applicants.
Naropa University landed the #22 spot for pastoral counseling & specialized ministries value this year. Located in the city of Boulder, Naropa University is a small private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $36,620. Typical student debt for pastoral counseling & specialized ministries graduates is $33,250. Early-career pastoral counseling & specialized ministries graduates make about $27,750. Set against $33,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Naropa University admits about 100% of applicants.
Austin Presbyterian Theological Seminary ranked #23 on our 2026 list of the best value pastoral counseling & specialized ministries schools. Located in the city of Austin, Austin Presbyterian Theological Seminary is a small private not-for-profit university. Pastoral Counseling & Specialized Ministries graduates of Austin Presbyterian Theological Seminary earn a median of $56,922 early in their careers.
Dallas Baptist University earned the #24 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. Students from in state pay about $40,190 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for pastoral counseling & specialized ministries graduates is $22,819. Soon after graduation, pastoral counseling & specialized ministries degree recipients from Dallas Baptist University generally make around $40,502. Set against $22,819 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 89% of applicants are accepted.
Southeastern University ranked #25 on our 2026 list of the best value pastoral counseling & specialized ministries schools. Southeastern University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Lakeland. In-state tuition and fees average $32,950. Typical student debt for pastoral counseling & specialized ministries graduates is $26,000. Soon after graduation, pastoral counseling & specialized ministries degree recipients from Southeastern University generally make around $35,209. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 53% of applicants are accepted.
Rest of the Top 32 Best Value Pastoral Counseling & Specialized Ministries Schools
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s pastoral counseling & specialized ministries value ranking:
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), 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 11 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.
