2027 Best Value Divinity/Ministry Schools
[Divinity/Ministry](/majors/theology-and-religious-vocations/theological-ministerial-studies/divinity-ministry/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong divinity/ministry education at a price that pays off.
College Factual analyzed 94 schools to build this 2027 ranking of the best value divinity/ministry schools.
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Finding the Best Value Divinity/Ministry School for You
The right divinity/ministry school can pay off for years to come. That is why we built our Best Value Divinity/Ministry Schools ranking. It weighs the cost of a degree against the outcomes graduates go on to achieve, so you can find the strongest return on your investment.
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Customizing Your List
Since the program you select can have a significant impact on your future, we offer several rankings, including this Best Value Divinity/Ministry Schools list, to help you choose. More interested in schools in a specific area of the country? Filter this list by region or state.
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2027 Best Value Divinity/Ministry Schools in the United States
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in divinity/ministry, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Divinity/Ministry Schools
Leading the list is Trinity International University Illinois, our #1 best value for divinity/ministry in the United States. Located in the suburb of Deerfield, Trinity International University Illinois is a small private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,320. Students borrow a median of $26,892 to complete the divinity/ministry program here. Divinity/ministry graduates of Trinity International University Illinois earn a median of $50,178 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $26,892 median debt. Roughly 100% of applicants are accepted.
A rank of #2 makes Andrews University one of the best values for divinity/ministry. Andrews University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the town of Berrien Springs. In-state tuition and fees average $35,056. Divinity/ministry graduates carry a median of $26,314 in student loans. Divinity/ministry graduates of Andrews University earn a median of $68,117 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $26,314 median debt. The acceptance rate is 82%.
A rank of #3 makes New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary one of the best values for divinity/ministry. Set in the city of New Orleans, New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,368.
Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary is a great value for students pursuing a degree in divinity/ministry, landing the #4 spot this year. 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. Divinity/ministry graduates of Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary earn a median of $54,863 early in their careers. The acceptance rate is 75%.
University Of Chicago came in at #5 on our 2027 list of the best value divinity/ministry schools. University Of Chicago is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Chicago. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $69,324. Students borrow a median of $15,854 to complete the divinity/ministry program here. Early-career divinity/ministry graduates make about $45,985. Set against $15,854 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Chicago admits about 4% of applicants.
Vanderbilt University ranked #6 on our 2027 list of the best value divinity/ministry schools. Vanderbilt University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Nashville. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $67,498. Divinity/ministry graduates carry a median of $13,975 in student loans. Soon after graduation, divinity/ministry degree recipients from Vanderbilt University generally make around $42,583. Set against $13,975 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 6% of applicants are accepted.
Holy Apostles College And Seminary earned the #7 position for value in divinity/ministry this year. Holy Apostles College And Seminary is a small private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Cromwell. Students from in state pay about $9,580 in tuition and fees.
Fresno Pacific University landed the #8 spot for divinity/ministry value this year. Fresno Pacific University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Fresno. In-state tuition and fees average $36,660. Students borrow a median of $24,596 to complete the divinity/ministry program here. Divinity/ministry graduates of Fresno Pacific University earn a median of $60,890 early in their careers. Set against $24,596 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 64%.
North Park University came in at #9 for value in divinity/ministry this year. Located in the city of Chicago, North Park University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $36,710. Students borrow a median of $27,360 to complete the divinity/ministry program here. Early-career divinity/ministry graduates make about $51,611. That is a strong return on a $27,360 median debt. North Park University admits about 68% of applicants.
Harvard University ranked #10 on our 2027 list of the best value divinity/ministry schools. Harvard University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Cambridge. In-state tuition and fees average $61,676. Divinity/ministry graduates carry a median of $16,616 in student loans. Soon after graduation, divinity/ministry degree recipients from Harvard University generally make around $40,838. That is a strong return on a $16,616 median debt. The acceptance rate is 4%.
Faith Baptist Bible College And Theological Seminary landed the #11 spot for divinity/ministry value this year. Faith Baptist Bible College And Theological Seminary is a small private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Ankeny. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $20,270. Soon after graduation, divinity/ministry degree recipients from Faith Baptist Bible College And Theological Seminary generally make around $21,543. The acceptance rate is 68%.
University Of St Thomas Texas ranked #12 on our 2027 list of the best value divinity/ministry schools. University Of St Thomas Texas is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Houston. Students from in state pay about $34,634 in tuition and fees. Divinity/ministry graduates carry a median of $23,628 in student loans. Soon after graduation, divinity/ministry degree recipients from University Of St Thomas Texas generally make around $58,265. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 90%.
Erskine College And Seminary landed the #13 spot for divinity/ministry value this year. Set in the rural area of Due West, Erskine College And Seminary is a small private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $36,710 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the divinity/ministry program here. Soon after graduation, divinity/ministry degree recipients from Erskine College And Seminary generally make around $35,695. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Erskine College And Seminary admits about 63% of applicants.
Grace College And Theological Seminary ranked #14 on our 2027 list of the best value divinity/ministry schools. Set in the town of Winona Lake, Grace College And Theological Seminary is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $29,645. Typical student debt for divinity/ministry graduates is $21,211. Soon after graduation, divinity/ministry degree recipients from Grace College And Theological Seminary generally make around $42,188. That is a strong return on a $21,211 median debt. The acceptance rate is 82%.
Virginia Union University came in at #15 for value in divinity/ministry this year. Located in the city of Richmond, Virginia Union University is a small private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $17,830 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $30,593 to complete the divinity/ministry program here. Soon after graduation, divinity/ministry degree recipients from Virginia Union University generally make around $25,910. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 98%.
Evangel University landed the #16 spot for divinity/ministry value this year. Evangel University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Springfield. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $28,548. Typical student debt for divinity/ministry graduates is $24,876. Soon after graduation, divinity/ministry degree recipients from Evangel University generally make around $57,895. Set against $24,876 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Evangel University admits about 72% of applicants.
Lenoir Rhyne University came in at #17 for value in divinity/ministry this year. Set in the city of Hickory, Lenoir Rhyne University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $31,900. Typical student debt for divinity/ministry graduates is $26,900. Early-career divinity/ministry graduates make about $49,985. That is a strong return on a $26,900 median debt. Lenoir Rhyne University admits about 85% of applicants.
Oklahoma Baptist University came in at #18 for value in divinity/ministry this year. Set in the town of Shawnee, Oklahoma Baptist University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $35,570. Typical student debt for divinity/ministry graduates is $23,425. Early-career divinity/ministry graduates make about $47,100. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 49%.
Regent University landed the #19 spot for divinity/ministry value this year. Regent University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Virginia Beach. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $21,650. Divinity/ministry graduates carry a median of $29,451 in student loans. Early-career divinity/ministry graduates make about $49,840. That is a strong return on a $29,451 median debt. The acceptance rate is 38%.
Cornerstone University ranked #20 on our 2027 list of the best value divinity/ministry schools. Located in the city of Grand Rapids, Cornerstone University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $23,000 in tuition and fees. Divinity/ministry graduates carry a median of $43,009 in student loans. Early-career divinity/ministry graduates make about $46,456. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 78%.
Houston Baptist University ranked #21 on our 2027 list of the best value divinity/ministry schools. Houston Baptist University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Houston. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $39,430. Typical student debt for divinity/ministry graduates is $25,601. Soon after graduation, divinity/ministry degree recipients from Houston Baptist University generally make around $51,968. Set against $25,601 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 84%.
Life Pacific College landed the #22 spot for divinity/ministry value this year. Life Pacific College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of San Dimas. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $22,118. Typical student debt for divinity/ministry graduates is $22,521. Divinity/ministry graduates of Life Pacific College earn a median of $39,411 early in their careers. Set against $22,521 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Life Pacific College admits about 96% of applicants.
Milligan College earned the #23 position for value in divinity/ministry this year. Located in the suburb of Milligan, Milligan College is a small private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $40,450. Divinity/ministry graduates carry a median of $26,150 in student loans. Divinity/ministry graduates of Milligan College earn a median of $64,327 early in their careers. Set against $26,150 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 72%.
Shaw University ranked #24 on our 2027 list of the best value divinity/ministry schools. Located in the city of Raleigh, Shaw University is a small private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $17,738. Students borrow a median of $37,044 to complete the divinity/ministry program here. Divinity/ministry graduates of Shaw University earn a median of $28,533 early in their careers. Set against $37,044 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 80%.
Moody Bible Institute ranked #25 on our 2027 list of the best value divinity/ministry schools. 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. Students borrow a median of $14,000 to complete the divinity/ministry program here. Soon after graduation, divinity/ministry degree recipients from Moody Bible Institute generally make around $47,689. Set against $14,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 83%.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value Divinity/Ministry Schools
These schools also delivered strong value for divinity/ministry this year:
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Notes and References
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 · 94 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 94 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.
