by our College Data Analytics Team
[Divinity/Ministry](/majors/theology-and-religious-vocations/theological-ministerial-studies/divinity-ministry/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
For its 2027 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 7 schools to find the best return on investment for divinity/ministry students.
What’s on this page:
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in divinity/ministry, balancing cost against outcomes.
Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary earned the #1 spot for value among divinity/ministry schools in North Carolina. Located in the suburb of Wake Forest, Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,318. Soon after graduation, divinity/ministry degree recipients from Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary generally make around $54,863. The acceptance rate is 75%.
Students looking for strong value in divinity/ministry will find it at Lenoir Rhyne University, which ranked #2. Set in the city of Hickory, Lenoir Rhyne University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $31,900. Typical student debt for divinity/ministry graduates is $26,900. Soon after graduation, divinity/ministry degree recipients from Lenoir Rhyne University generally make around $49,985. That is a strong return on a $26,900 median debt. The acceptance rate is 85%.
Students looking for strong value in divinity/ministry will find it at Shaw University, which ranked #3. Located in the city of Raleigh, Shaw University is a small private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $17,738 in tuition and fees. Divinity/ministry graduates carry a median of $37,044 in student loans. Soon after graduation, divinity/ministry degree recipients from Shaw University generally make around $28,533. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 80% of applicants are accepted.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Grace College Of Divinity earned it the #4 place for divinity/ministry. Grace College Of Divinity is a small private not-for-profit school located in the city of Fayetteville. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,105. Roughly 53% of applicants are accepted.
A rank of #5 makes Piedmont International University one of the best values for divinity/ministry. Piedmont International University is a small private not-for-profit school located in the city of Winston-Salem. In-state tuition and fees average $17,575. Typical student debt for divinity/ministry graduates is $35,382. Early-career divinity/ministry graduates make about $48,372. Set against $35,382 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 40% of applicants are accepted.
Wake Forest University landed the #6 spot for divinity/ministry value this year. Set in the city of Winston-Salem, Wake Forest University is a large private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $67,642. Divinity/ministry graduates carry a median of $21,577 in student loans. Early-career divinity/ministry graduates make about $40,732. That is a strong return on a $21,577 median debt. The acceptance rate is 22%.
Duke University landed the #7 spot for divinity/ministry value this year. Set in the city of Durham, Duke University is a large private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $68,758. Typical student debt for divinity/ministry graduates is $13,296. Divinity/ministry graduates of Duke University earn a median of $70,809 early in their careers. Set against $13,296 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Duke University admits about 6% of applicants.
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 · 7 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 7 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.