2027 Best Value Divinity/Ministry Schools in Texas

[Divinity/Ministry](/majors/theology-and-religious-vocations/theological-ministerial-studies/divinity-ministry/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
College Factual analyzed 8 schools to build this 2027 ranking of the best value divinity/ministry schools.
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2027 Best Value Divinity/Ministry Schools in Texas
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the divinity/ministry degrees they offer, see the list below.
Best Value Divinity/Ministry Schools
Our analysis ranked University Of St Thomas Texas the best value for a degree in divinity/ministry in Texas. Located in the city of Houston, University Of St Thomas Texas is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $34,634. 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. Set against $23,628 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 90%.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Houston Baptist University earned it the #2 place for divinity/ministry. Houston Baptist University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Houston. In-state tuition and fees average $39,430. Typical student debt for divinity/ministry graduates is $25,601. Early-career divinity/ministry graduates make about $51,968. That is a strong return on a $25,601 median debt. The acceptance rate is 84%.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Criswell College earned it the #3 place for divinity/ministry. Criswell College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the city of Dallas. Students from in state pay about $15,750 in tuition and fees. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $43,185. Roughly 100% of applicants are accepted.
Kings University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in divinity/ministry, landing the #4 spot this year. Set in the suburb of Southlake, Kings University is a small private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,480. Students borrow a median of $48,998 to complete the divinity/ministry program here. Soon after graduation, divinity/ministry degree recipients from Kings University generally make around $41,066. That is a strong return on a $48,998 median debt. Roughly 61% of applicants are accepted.
Southwestern Assemblies Of God University came in at #5 on our 2027 list of the best value divinity/ministry schools. Located in the suburb of Waxahachie, Southwestern Assemblies Of God University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $25,064. Students borrow a median of $28,248 to complete the divinity/ministry program here. Soon after graduation, divinity/ministry degree recipients from Southwestern Assemblies Of God University generally make around $47,762. That is a strong return on a $28,248 median debt. The acceptance rate is 89%.
Abilene Christian University earned the #6 position for value in divinity/ministry this year. Located in the city of Abilene, Abilene Christian University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $44,200. Divinity/ministry graduates carry a median of $23,772 in student loans. Divinity/ministry graduates of Abilene Christian University earn a median of $56,463 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 66%.
Southern Methodist University earned the #7 position for value in divinity/ministry this year. Set in the suburb of Dallas, Southern Methodist University is a large private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $67,040. Typical student debt for divinity/ministry graduates is $20,712. Early-career divinity/ministry graduates make about $54,351. Set against $20,712 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Southern Methodist University admits about 63% of applicants.
Baylor University earned the #8 position for value in divinity/ministry this year. Baylor University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Waco. In-state tuition and fees average $58,100. Typical student debt for divinity/ministry graduates is $23,928. Early-career divinity/ministry graduates make about $44,601. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 51% of applicants are accepted.
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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 · 8 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 8 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.