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.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 29 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes 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.
Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary tops our 2026 list of the best value youth ministry schools in the Southeast Region. Located in the suburb of Wake Forest, Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $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 Lee University, which ranked #2. Set in the city of Cleveland, Lee University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $23,790 in tuition and fees. Youth Ministry graduates carry a median of $28,750 in student loans. Youth Ministry graduates of Lee University earn a median of $35,189 early in their careers. Set against $28,750 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 70% of applicants are accepted.
A rank of #3 makes Milligan College one of the best values for youth ministry. Located in the suburb of Milligan, Milligan College is a small private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $40,450. Students borrow a median of $26,150 to complete the youth ministry program here. Youth Ministry graduates of Milligan College earn a median of $64,327 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Milligan College admits about 72% of applicants.
Students looking for strong value in youth ministry will find it at Liberty University, which ranked #4. Liberty University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Lynchburg. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $16,173. Typical student debt for youth ministry graduates is $23,750. Youth Ministry graduates of Liberty University earn a median of $34,083 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $23,750 median debt. The acceptance rate is 99%.
Students looking for strong value in youth ministry will find it at Southeastern University, which ranked #5. Southeastern University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Lakeland. Students from in state pay about $32,950 in tuition and fees. 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. That is a strong return on a $26,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 53%.
This list is compiled by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 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 · 29 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 1 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.