2022 Best Value Master’s Degree Colleges for Pastoral Counseling & Specialized Ministries
Students have lots of options to chooose from today when trying to decide which college to attend. Our mission at College Factual is to arm you with as much information as we can to help you make that decision. Our “Best Value Pastoral Counseling Schools for a Master’s” ranking is one tool we have developed to help in this regard.
In 2019-2020, 3,028 people earned their degree in pastoral counseling and specialized ministries, making the major the 168th most popular in the United States. In 2017-2018, pastoral counseling and specialized ministries graduates who were awarded their degree in 2015-2017, earned an average of $32,316 and had an average of $31,905 in loans still to pay off.
At the master’s degree level specifically, there were 1,068 pastoral counseling and specialized ministries graduates with average earnings and debt of $56,398 and $43,194 respectively.
This year’s “Best Value Pastoral Counseling Schools for a Master’s” ranking analyzed 49 colleges that offered a degree in pastoral counseling and specialized ministries. The schools that top this list are recognized because they have great pastoral counseling and specialized ministries programs and cost less that schools of similar quality.
When determining these rankings, we looked at things such as overall quality of the pastoral counseling and specialized ministries program at the school and the cost to attend the school once aid has been awarded. See our ranking methodology to learn more.
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One Size Does Not Fit All
The pastoral counseling school you choose to invest your time and money in matters. To help you make the decision that is right for you, we’ve developed a number of major-specific rankings, including this list of “Best Value Pastoral Counseling Schools for a Master’s”.
To further help you make the college decision, we’ve developed a unique tool called College Combat that allows you to compare schools based on the factors that matter the most to you. Go ahead and give it a try, or bookmark the link so you can check it out later.
Best Value Pastoral Counseling Schools for a Master’s
The following schools top our list of the Best Best Value Pastoral Counseling Schools for a Master’s.
Top 25 Best Value Master’s Degree Colleges for Pastoral Counseling & Specialized Ministries
You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Bethel University Minnesota. It ranked #1 on our 2022 Best Value Pastoral Counseling Schools for a Master’s list. Located in Saint Paul, Minnesota, this small private not-for-profit school handed out 15 degrees to qualified masters’s pastoral counseling students in 2019-2020.
Bethel University Minnesota also made our “Best Pastoral Counseling & Specialized Ministries Master’s Degree Schools” list, coming in at #2. Average graduate tuition and fees at Bethel University Minnesota are $11,700, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.
Full Bethel University Minnesota Pastoral Counseling & Specialized Ministries Report
Out of the 49 schools in the Best Value Pastoral Counseling Schools for a Master’s that were part of this year’s ranking, Trevecca Nazarene University landed the #2 spot on the list. This small school is located in Nashville, Tennessee, and it awarded 21 masters’s pastoral counseling degrees in 2019-2020.
TNU not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #6 on our “Best Pastoral Counseling & Specialized Ministries Master’s Degree Schools” list. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at TNU are $9,282.
Read more about Pastoral Counseling & Specialized Ministries at TNU
You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Moody Bible Institute. It ranked #3 on our 2022 Best Value Pastoral Counseling Schools for a Master’s list. Located in Chicago, Illinois, this small private not-for-profit school awarded 7 degrees to qualified masters’s pastoral counseling students in 2019-2020.
Moody Theological Seminary and Graduate School also took the #7 spot in our “Best Pastoral Counseling & Specialized Ministries Master’s Degree Schools” ranking. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at Moody Theological Seminary and Graduate School are $8,930.
You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Grace College and Theological Seminary. The school came in at #4 for the Best Value Pastoral Counseling Schools for a Master’s. Located in Winona Lake, Indiana, this small private not-for-profit school handed out 16 degrees to qualified masters’s pastoral counseling students in 2019-2020.
In addition to being on our master’s degree pastoral counseling students list, Grace College has also earned the #13 rank in our “Best Pastoral Counseling & Specialized Ministries Master’s Degree Schools” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at Grace College and Theological Seminary are $7,872, but some majors have different tuition rates.
Out of the 49 schools in the Best Value Pastoral Counseling Schools for a Master’s that were part of this year’s ranking, Lancaster Bible College landed the #5 spot on the list. Lancaster Bible College is a private not-for-profit institution located in Lancaster, Pennsylvania. The school has a small population, and it awarded 21 masters’s degrees in 2019-2020.
In addition to being on our master’s degree pastoral counseling students list, Lancaster Bible College has also earned the #10 rank in our “Best Pastoral Counseling & Specialized Ministries Master’s Degree Schools” ranking. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at Lancaster Bible College are $11,460.
Full Lancaster Bible College Pastoral Counseling & Specialized Ministries Report
The Master’s University and Seminary came in at #6 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Pastoral Counseling Schools for a Master’s ranking. The Master’s University is a private not-for-profit institution located in Santa Clarita, California. The school has a small population, and it awarded 22 masters’s degrees in 2019-2020.
In addition to being on our master’s degree pastoral counseling students list, The Master’s University has also earned the #9 rank in our “Best Pastoral Counseling & Specialized Ministries Master’s Degree Schools” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at The Master’s University and Seminary are $10,590, but some majors have different tuition rates.
Read more about Pastoral Counseling & Specialized Ministries at The Master’s University and Seminary
Harding University came in at #7 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Pastoral Counseling Schools for a Master’s ranking. Harding is a small private not-for-profit school situated in Searcy, Arkansas. It awarded 4 masters’s pastoral counseling degrees in 2019-2020.
As a testament to the quality of education offered at Harding, the school also landed the #17 spot in our “Best Pastoral Counseling & Specialized Ministries Master’s Degree Schools” ranking. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at Harding are $11,928.
Read full report on Pastoral Counseling & Specialized Ministries at Harding University
With a ranking of #8, Olivet Nazarene University did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Pastoral Counseling Schools for a Master’s list. Bourbonnais, Illinois is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out masters’s pastoral counseling degrees to 7 students in 2019-2020.
In addition to being on our master’s degree pastoral counseling students list, Olivet Nazarene has also earned the #14 rank in our “Best Pastoral Counseling & Specialized Ministries Master’s Degree Schools” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at Olivet Nazarene University are $13,393, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.
Full Olivet Nazarene Pastoral Counseling & Specialized Ministries Report
Maranatha Baptist University ranked #9 on this year’s Best Value Pastoral Counseling Schools for a Master’s list. This small school is located in Watertown, Wisconsin, and it awarded 7 masters’s pastoral counseling degrees in 2019-2020.
MBU also made our “Best Pastoral Counseling & Specialized Ministries Master’s Degree Schools” list, coming in at #24. Average graduate tuition and fees at Maranatha Baptist University are $7,010, but some majors have different tuition rates.
Full MBU Pastoral Counseling & Specialized Ministries Report
Seattle University did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Pastoral Counseling Schools for a Master’s ranking, coming in at #10. Seattle U is located in Seattle, Washington and, has a medium-sized student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 15 masters’s pastoral counseling degrees to qualified students.
Seattle U not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #8 on our “Best Pastoral Counseling & Specialized Ministries Master’s Degree Schools” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at Seattle University are $14,040, but some majors have different tuition rates.
Read more about Pastoral Counseling & Specialized Ministries at Seattle University
Vanguard University of Southern California came in at #11 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Pastoral Counseling Schools for a Master’s ranking. Vanguard is a small private not-for-profit school situated in Costa Mesa, California. It awarded 17 masters’s pastoral counseling degrees in 2019-2020.
As a testament to the quality of education offered at Vanguard, the school also landed the #12 spot in our “Best Pastoral Counseling & Specialized Ministries Master’s Degree Schools” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at Vanguard University of Southern California are $16,180, but some majors have different tuition rates.
Read more about Pastoral Counseling & Specialized Ministries at Vanguard
Columbia International University came in at #12 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Pastoral Counseling Schools for a Master’s ranking. Columbia International University is located in Columbia, South Carolina and, has a small student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 3 masters’s pastoral counseling degrees to qualified students.
CIU also took the #21 spot in our “Best Pastoral Counseling & Specialized Ministries Master’s Degree Schools” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at Columbia International University are $10,640, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.
Read full report on Pastoral Counseling & Specialized Ministries at CIU
Loyola University Chicago came in at #13 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Pastoral Counseling Schools for a Master’s ranking. Located in Chicago, Illinois, this fairly large private not-for-profit school handed out 37 diplomas to qualified masters’s pastoral counseling students in 2019-2020.
In addition to being on our master’s degree pastoral counseling students list, Loyola Chicago has also earned the #1 rank in our “Best Pastoral Counseling & Specialized Ministries Master’s Degree Schools” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at Loyola University Chicago are $19,154, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.
Read more about Pastoral Counseling & Specialized Ministries at Loyola University Chicago
George Fox University came in at #14 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Pastoral Counseling Schools for a Master’s ranking. George Fox University is a small private not-for-profit school situated in Newberg, Oregon. It awarded 3 masters’s pastoral counseling degrees in 2019-2020.
GFU also took the #15 spot in our “Best Pastoral Counseling & Specialized Ministries Master’s Degree Schools” ranking. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at George Fox University are $14,247.
Full GFU Pastoral Counseling & Specialized Ministries Report
Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary ranked #15 on this year’s Best Value Pastoral Counseling Schools for a Master’s list. Located in Kansas City, Missouri, this small private not-for-profit school awarded 5 degrees to qualified masters’s pastoral counseling students in 2019-2020.
Average graduate tuition and fees at MBTS are $6,950, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.
Read full report on Pastoral Counseling & Specialized Ministries at MBTS
Indiana Wesleyan University did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Pastoral Counseling Schools for a Master’s ranking, coming in at #16. IWU is a private not-for-profit institution located in Marion, Indiana. The school has a small population, and it awarded 7 masters’s degrees in 2019-2020.
As a testament to the quality of education offered at IWU, the school also landed the #19 spot in our “Best Pastoral Counseling & Specialized Ministries Master’s Degree Schools” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at Indiana Wesleyan University are $13,512, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.
Read full report on Pastoral Counseling & Specialized Ministries at IWU
Dallas Baptist University did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Pastoral Counseling Schools for a Master’s ranking, coming in at #17. DBU is a small school located in Dallas, Texas that handed out 39 masters’s pastoral counseling degrees in 2019-2020.
DBU not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #11 on our “Best Pastoral Counseling & Specialized Ministries Master’s Degree Schools” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at DBU are $20,204, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.
Full DBU Pastoral Counseling & Specialized Ministries Report
Freed-Hardeman University did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Pastoral Counseling Schools for a Master’s ranking, coming in at #18. FHU is a private not-for-profit institution located in Henderson, Tennessee. The school has a small population, and it awarded 2 masters’s degrees in 2019-2020.
Average graduate tuition and fees at Freed-Hardeman University are $10,980, but some majors have different tuition rates.
Read more about Pastoral Counseling & Specialized Ministries at FHU
Southwestern Assemblies of God University did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Pastoral Counseling Schools for a Master’s ranking, coming in at #19. This small school is located in Waxahachie, Texas, and it awarded 3 masters’s pastoral counseling degrees in 2019-2020.
Average graduate tuition and fees at Southwestern Assemblies of God University are $11,670, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.
Biola University ranked #20 on this year’s Best Value Pastoral Counseling Schools for a Master’s list. Located in La Mirada, California, this medium-sized private not-for-profit school awarded 14 diplomas to qualified masters’s pastoral counseling students in 2019-2020.
In addition to being on our master’s degree pastoral counseling students list, Biola has also earned the #23 rank in our “Best Pastoral Counseling & Specialized Ministries Master’s Degree Schools” ranking. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at Biola University are $11,772.
Full Biola Pastoral Counseling & Specialized Ministries Report
Dallas Theological Seminary landed the #21 spot on the 2022 Best Value Pastoral Counseling Schools for a Master’s ranking. Dallas Theological Seminary is a small private not-for-profit school situated in Dallas, Texas. It awarded 55 masters’s pastoral counseling degrees in 2019-2020.
DTS Dallas not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #16 on our “Best Pastoral Counseling & Specialized Ministries Master’s Degree Schools” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at DTS Dallas are $18,430, but some majors have different tuition rates.
Full Dallas Theological Seminary Pastoral Counseling & Specialized Ministries Report
Gordon - Conwell Theological Seminary landed the #22 spot on the 2022 Best Value Pastoral Counseling Schools for a Master’s ranking. This small school is located in South Hamilton, Massachusetts, and it awarded 38 masters’s pastoral counseling degrees in 2019-2020.
Gordon - Conwell Seminary not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #5 on our “Best Pastoral Counseling & Specialized Ministries Master’s Degree Schools” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at Gordon - Conwell Theological Seminary are $22,100, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.
Bethel Seminary - San Diego did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Pastoral Counseling Schools for a Master’s ranking, coming in at #23. Bethel Seminary - San Diego is a private not-for-profit institution located in San Diego, California. The school has a small population, and it awarded 12 masters’s degrees in 2019-2020.
Average graduate tuition and fees at Bethel Seminary - San Diego are $8,520, but some majors have different tuition rates.
Read more about Pastoral Counseling & Specialized Ministries at Bethel Seminary - San Diego
Lee University did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Pastoral Counseling Schools for a Master’s ranking, coming in at #24. Lee University is a private not-for-profit institution located in Cleveland, Tennessee. The school has a medium-sized population, and it awarded 4 masters’s degrees in 2019-2020.
As a testament to the quality of education offered at Lee University, the school also landed the #25 spot in our “Best Pastoral Counseling & Specialized Ministries Master’s Degree Schools” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at Lee University are $14,330, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.
Read more about Pastoral Counseling & Specialized Ministries at Lee University
Oral Roberts University ranked #25 on this year’s Best Value Pastoral Counseling Schools for a Master’s list. Oral Roberts University is a private not-for-profit institution located in Tulsa, Oklahoma. The school has a small population, and it awarded 3 masters’s degrees in 2019-2020.
Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at ORU are $12,282.
Read more about Pastoral Counseling & Specialized Ministries at ORU
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Notes and References
References
- 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).
- Information about the national average student loan default rate is from the U.S. Department of Education and refers to data about the 2016 borrower cohort tracking period for which the cohort default rate (CDR) was 10.1%.
Read more about our data sources and methodologies
Footnotes
- *Average salary, average net price, and average tuition and fees are for the top schools only.
- Some schools otherwise deserving of recognition may have been removed from this ranking in the event that new data identified post-publication warranted it, or at the request of the school.
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