by our College Data Analytics Team
[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.
For its 2027 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 9 schools to find the best return on investment for pastoral counseling & specialized ministries students.
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Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in pastoral counseling & specialized ministries, balancing cost against outcomes.
For return on investment in pastoral counseling & specialized ministries, no school beat New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary this year. Located in the city of New Orleans, New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $12,368 in tuition and fees.
Students looking for strong value in pastoral counseling & specialized ministries will find it at Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary, which ranked #2. Located in the suburb of Wake Forest, Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $11,318. Soon after graduation, pastoral counseling & specialized ministries degree recipients from Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary generally make around $54,863. Roughly 75% of applicants are accepted.
Students looking for strong value in pastoral counseling & specialized ministries will find it at Lee University, which ranked #3. Set in the city of Cleveland, Lee University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $23,790. Students borrow a median of $28,750 to complete the pastoral counseling & specialized ministries program here. Soon after graduation, pastoral counseling & specialized ministries degree recipients from Lee University generally make around $35,189. That is a strong return on a $28,750 median debt. The acceptance rate is 70%.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Campbellsville University earned it the #4 place for pastoral counseling & specialized ministries. Campbellsville University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the town of Campbellsville. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $27,998. Typical student debt for pastoral counseling & specialized ministries graduates is $24,148. Early-career pastoral counseling & specialized ministries graduates make about $43,474. Set against $24,148 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 80%.
Regent University came in at #5 on our 2027 list of the best value pastoral counseling & specialized ministries schools. Located in the city of Virginia Beach, Regent University is a large private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $21,650. Typical student debt for pastoral counseling & specialized ministries graduates is $35,500. Early-career pastoral counseling & specialized ministries graduates make about $33,407. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Regent University admits about 38% of applicants.
South Florida Bible College And Theological Seminary came in at #6 for value in pastoral counseling & specialized ministries this year. Set in the city of Deerfield Beach, South Florida Bible College And Theological Seminary is a small private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,740. Graduates go on to earn a median of $45,354 ten years after entry.
Luther Rice University And Seminary ranked #7 on our 2027 list of the best value pastoral counseling & specialized ministries schools. Luther Rice University And Seminary is a small private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Lithonia. In-state tuition and fees average $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. The acceptance rate is 92%.
Liberty University landed the #8 spot for pastoral counseling & specialized ministries value this year. Located in the city of Lynchburg, Liberty University is a very large private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $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. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 99% of applicants are accepted.
Southeastern University ranked #9 on our 2027 list of the best value pastoral counseling & specialized ministries schools. Set in the city of Lakeland, Southeastern University is a large private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $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. The acceptance rate is 53%.
This list is compiled by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 edition. Schools are scored on the balance of cost (tuition and student debt) against student outcomes (post-graduation earnings) — a measure of return on investment, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 9 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 9 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.