2027 Best Value Youth Ministry Master’s Degree Schools
[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 schools below stand out for delivering a strong youth ministry education at a price that pays off.
For its 2027 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 15 schools to find the best return on investment for youth ministry students.
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2027 Best Value Youth Ministry Schools in the United States
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in youth ministry, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Youth Ministry Schools
For return on investment in youth ministry, no school beat Andrews University this year. Andrews University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the town of Berrien Springs. Students from in state pay about $35,056 in tuition and fees. Youth Ministry graduates carry a median of $26,314 in student loans. Soon after graduation, youth ministry degree recipients from Andrews University generally make around $62,634. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 82%.
New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary came in at #2 on our 2027 list of the best value youth ministry schools. New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of New Orleans. Students from in state pay about $12,368 in tuition and fees.
Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary is a great value for students pursuing a degree in youth ministry, landing the #3 spot this year. Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Wake Forest. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,318. Early-career youth ministry graduates make about $54,863. The acceptance rate is 75%.
Students looking for strong value in youth ministry will find it at The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, which ranked #4. Set in the city of Louisville, The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $11,046. Soon after graduation, youth ministry degree recipients from The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary generally make around $74,388. Roughly 56% of applicants are accepted.
A rank of #5 makes Grace College And Theological Seminary one of the best values for youth ministry. Grace College And Theological Seminary is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the town of Winona Lake. Students from in state pay about $29,645 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for youth ministry graduates is $25,500. Early-career youth ministry graduates make about $43,966. That is a strong return on a $25,500 median debt. Grace College And Theological Seminary admits about 82% of applicants.
Olivet Nazarene University came in at #6 for value in youth ministry this year. Located in the suburb of Bourbonnais, Olivet Nazarene University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $38,900. Typical student debt for youth ministry graduates is $26,797. Soon after graduation, youth ministry degree recipients from Olivet Nazarene University generally make around $48,505. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 56%.
Ozark Christian College came in at #7 for value in youth ministry 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. Youth Ministry graduates carry a median of $23,500 in student loans. Soon after graduation, youth ministry degree recipients from Ozark Christian College generally make around $26,422. Set against $23,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 94% of applicants are accepted.
Vanguard University Of Southern California earned the #8 position for value in youth ministry this year. Set in the city of Costa Mesa, Vanguard University Of Southern California is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $41,700. Youth Ministry graduates carry a median of $21,111 in student loans. Early-career youth ministry graduates make about $80,727. Set against $21,111 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 62%.
Indiana Wesleyan University came in at #9 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. Students borrow a median of $24,221 to complete the youth ministry program here. Early-career youth ministry graduates make about $38,272. Set against $24,221 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 89% of applicants are accepted.
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. Students from in state pay about $29,990 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $22,584 to complete the youth ministry program here. Soon after graduation, youth ministry degree recipients from Lancaster Bible College generally make around $35,130. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Lancaster Bible College admits about 56% of applicants.
Dallas Baptist University placed #11 among the best values for youth ministry. Located in the city of Dallas, Dallas Baptist University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $40,190 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $22,819 to complete the youth ministry program here. Youth Ministry graduates of Dallas Baptist University earn a median of $40,502 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $22,819 median debt. Roughly 89% of applicants are accepted.
Austin Presbyterian Theological Seminary came in at #12 for value in youth ministry this year. Located in the city of Austin, Austin Presbyterian Theological Seminary is a small private not-for-profit university. Early-career youth ministry graduates make about $56,922.
Liberty University ranked #13 on our 2027 list of the best value youth ministry schools. Set in the city of Lynchburg, Liberty University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $16,173. Students borrow a median of $23,750 to complete the youth ministry program here. Youth Ministry graduates of Liberty University earn a median of $34,083 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Liberty University admits about 99% of applicants.
Southeastern University placed #14 among the best values for youth ministry. Located in the city of Lakeland, Southeastern University is a large private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $32,950. Typical student debt for youth ministry graduates is $26,000. Youth Ministry graduates of Southeastern University earn a median of $35,209 early in their careers. Set against $26,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Southeastern University admits about 53% of applicants.
Gordon Conwell Theological Seminary landed the #15 spot for youth ministry value this year. Located in the suburb of South Hamilton, Gordon Conwell Theological Seminary is a small private not-for-profit university. Youth Ministry graduates of Gordon Conwell Theological Seminary earn a median of $41,332 early in their careers.
Other Youth Ministry Degree Levels
Explore the best-value youth ministry schools at other degree levels:
View All Youth Ministry Rankings >
Notes and References
This ranking is produced 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 · 15 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 15 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.
