by our College Data Analytics Team
[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.
For its 2027 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 11 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.
For return on investment in divinity/ministry, no school beat University Of St Thomas Texas this year. Located in the city of Houston, University Of St Thomas Texas is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $34,634. Students borrow a median of $23,628 to complete the divinity/ministry program here. Early-career divinity/ministry graduates make about $58,265. That is a strong return on a $23,628 median debt. The acceptance rate is 90%.
Students looking for strong value in divinity/ministry will find it at Oklahoma Baptist University, which ranked #2. Oklahoma Baptist University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the town of Shawnee. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $35,570. Students borrow a median of $23,425 to complete the divinity/ministry program here. Divinity/ministry graduates of Oklahoma Baptist University earn a median of $47,100 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $23,425 median debt. Oklahoma Baptist University admits about 49% of applicants.
Houston Baptist University came in at #3 on our 2027 list of the best value divinity/ministry schools. Located in the city of Houston, Houston Baptist University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $39,430. Divinity/ministry graduates carry a median of $25,601 in student loans. Early-career divinity/ministry graduates make about $51,968. Set against $25,601 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Houston Baptist University admits about 84% of applicants.
Criswell College came in at #4 on our 2027 list of the best value divinity/ministry schools. Criswell College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the city of Dallas. In-state tuition and fees average $15,750. Median earnings reach $43,185 ten years out. The acceptance rate is 100%.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Kings University earned it the #5 place for divinity/ministry. Kings University is a small private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Southlake. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,480. Typical student debt for divinity/ministry graduates is $48,998. Early-career divinity/ministry graduates make about $41,066. Set against $48,998 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Kings University admits about 61% of applicants.
Southwestern Assemblies Of God University came in at #6 for value in divinity/ministry this year. Located in the suburb of Waxahachie, Southwestern Assemblies Of God University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $25,064. Students borrow a median of $28,248 to complete the divinity/ministry program here. Divinity/ministry graduates of Southwestern Assemblies Of God University earn a median of $47,762 early in their careers. Set against $28,248 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 89%.
Grand Canyon University ranked #7 on our 2027 list of the best value divinity/ministry schools. Located in the city of Phoenix, Grand Canyon University is a very large private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $18,508 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $30,027 to complete the divinity/ministry program here. Soon after graduation, divinity/ministry degree recipients from Grand Canyon University generally make around $56,285. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Grand Canyon University admits about 79% of applicants.
Oral Roberts University ranked #8 on our 2027 list of the best value divinity/ministry schools. Oral Roberts University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Tulsa. Students from in state pay about $35,470 in tuition and fees. Divinity/ministry graduates carry a median of $30,750 in student loans. Divinity/ministry graduates of Oral Roberts University earn a median of $34,577 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $30,750 median debt. Roughly 99% of applicants are accepted.
Abilene Christian University earned the #9 position for value in divinity/ministry this year. Abilene Christian University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Abilene. Students from in state pay about $44,200 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for divinity/ministry graduates is $23,772. Soon after graduation, divinity/ministry degree recipients from Abilene Christian University generally make around $56,463. Set against $23,772 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Abilene Christian University admits about 66% of applicants.
Southern Methodist University came in at #10 for value in divinity/ministry this year. Southern Methodist University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Dallas. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $67,040. Students borrow a median of $20,712 to complete the divinity/ministry program here. Divinity/ministry graduates of Southern Methodist University earn a median of $54,351 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Southern Methodist University admits about 63% of applicants.
Baylor University came in at #11 for value in divinity/ministry this year. Set in the city of Waco, Baylor University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $58,100. Students borrow a median of $23,928 to complete the divinity/ministry program here. Early-career divinity/ministry graduates make about $44,601. Set against $23,928 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 51%.
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 · 11 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 11 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.