by our College Data Analytics Team
[Youth Ministry](/majors/theology-and-religious-vocations/pastoral-counseling-specialized-ministries/youth-ministry/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
For its 2027 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 13 schools to find the best return on investment for youth ministry students.
What’s on this page:
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in youth ministry, balancing cost against outcomes.
Our analysis ranked Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary the best value for a degree in youth ministry in the United States. Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Wake Forest. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,318. Early-career youth ministry graduates make about $54,863. Roughly 75% of applicants are accepted.
Lee University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in youth ministry, landing the #2 spot this year. Set in the city of Cleveland, Lee University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $23,790. Youth Ministry graduates carry a median of $28,750 in student loans. Early-career youth ministry graduates make about $35,189. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 70%.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Grace College And Theological Seminary earned it the #3 place for youth ministry. 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. Youth Ministry graduates carry a median of $25,500 in student loans. Youth Ministry graduates of Grace College And Theological Seminary earn a median of $25,060 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $25,500 median debt. Grace College And Theological Seminary admits about 82% of applicants.
Ozark Christian College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in youth ministry, landing the #4 spot this year. Ozark Christian College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the city of Joplin. In-state tuition and fees average $16,000. Students borrow a median of $23,500 to complete the youth ministry program here. Soon after graduation, youth ministry degree recipients from Ozark Christian College generally make around $26,422. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Ozark Christian College admits about 94% of applicants.
Southwestern Assemblies Of God University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in youth ministry, landing the #5 spot this year. Southwestern Assemblies Of God University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Waxahachie. Students from in state pay about $25,064 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for youth ministry graduates is $26,750. Early-career youth ministry graduates make about $37,774. That is a strong return on a $26,750 median debt. Roughly 89% of applicants are accepted.
Moody Bible Institute earned the #6 position for value in youth ministry this year. Set in the city of Chicago, Moody Bible Institute is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $15,786 in tuition and fees. Youth Ministry graduates carry a median of $12,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, youth ministry degree recipients from Moody Bible Institute generally make around $35,426. That is a strong return on a $12,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 83%.
Indiana Wesleyan University earned the #7 position for value in youth ministry this year. Located in the town of Marion, Indiana Wesleyan University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $32,352. Typical student debt for youth ministry graduates is $22,104. Early-career youth ministry graduates make about $19,836. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 89% of applicants are accepted.
Taylor University ranked #8 on our 2027 list of the best value youth ministry schools. Set in the rural area of Upland, Taylor University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $40,490. Typical student debt for youth ministry graduates is $21,832. Youth Ministry graduates of Taylor University earn a median of $37,035 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $21,832 median debt. Taylor University admits about 74% of applicants.
Gordon College ranked #9 on our 2027 list of the best value youth ministry schools. Located in the rural area of Wenham, Gordon College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $30,700. Students borrow a median of $26,372 to complete the youth ministry program here. Youth Ministry graduates of Gordon College earn a median of $37,097 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 69%.
Lancaster Bible College landed the #10 spot for youth ministry value this year. Located in the suburb of Lancaster, Lancaster Bible College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $29,990. Students borrow a median of $22,584 to complete the youth ministry program here. Youth Ministry 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. The acceptance rate is 56%.
Crown College placed #11 among the best values for youth ministry. Set in the rural area of Saint Bonifacius, Crown College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $31,410. Typical student debt for youth ministry graduates is $27,000. Early-career youth ministry graduates make about $26,538. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 23% of applicants are accepted.
Liberty University earned the #12 position for value in youth ministry this year. 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 youth ministry graduates is $23,750. Early-career youth ministry graduates make about $34,083. That is a strong return on a $23,750 median debt. The acceptance rate is 99%.
Colorado Christian University came in at #13 for value in youth ministry this year. Located in the suburb of Lakewood, Colorado Christian University is a large private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $28,846. Typical student debt for youth ministry graduates is $36,092. Soon after graduation, youth ministry degree recipients from Colorado Christian University generally make around $47,333. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Explore the best-value youth ministry schools at other degree levels:
The ranking above is published 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 · 13 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 13 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.