[Theological & Ministerial Studies](/majors/theology-and-religious-vocations/theological-ministerial-studies/) 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 2027 ranking, College Factual evaluated 126 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for theological & ministerial studies students.
Finding the Best Value Theological & Ministerial Studies School for You
Where you study theological & ministerial studies affects both what you pay and what you earn. That is why we developed our Best Value Theological & Ministerial Studies Schools ranking. We score each school on the balance of tuition, student debt, and post-graduation earnings to surface the best value.
Since the program you select can have a significant impact on your future, we offer several rankings, including this Best Value Theological & Ministerial Studies Schools list, to help you choose. Want schools in a particular part of the country? Narrow the list by region or state.
To further help you make the college decision, we have developed a unique tool called College Combat that lets you compare schools on the factors that matter most to you.
Trinity International University Illinois tops our 2027 list of the best value theological & ministerial studies schools in the United States. Trinity International University Illinois is a small private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Deerfield. Students from in state pay about $12,320 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for theological & ministerial studies graduates is $26,892. Early-career theological & ministerial studies graduates make about $50,178. Set against $26,892 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Trinity International University Illinois admits about 100% of applicants.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Andrews University earned it the #2 place for theological & ministerial studies. Located in the town of Berrien Springs, Andrews University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $35,056. Theological & Ministerial Studies graduates carry a median of $26,314 in student loans. Soon after graduation, theological & ministerial studies degree recipients from Andrews University generally make around $68,117. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Andrews University admits about 82% of applicants.
A rank of #3 makes Sacred Heart Major Seminary one of the best values for theological & ministerial studies. Set in the city of Detroit, Sacred Heart Major Seminary is a small private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $24,140. Graduates go on to earn a median of $49,295 ten years after entry. Roughly 100% of applicants are accepted.
Students looking for strong value in theological & ministerial studies will find it at New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary, which ranked #4. New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of New Orleans. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,368.
Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary came in at #5 on our 2027 list of the best value theological & ministerial studies schools. Set in the suburb of Wake Forest, Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,318. Early-career theological & ministerial studies graduates make about $54,863. Roughly 75% of applicants are accepted.
Vanderbilt University placed #6 among the best values for theological & ministerial studies. Located in the city of Nashville, Vanderbilt University is a large private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $67,498 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $13,975 to complete the theological & ministerial studies program here. Early-career theological & ministerial studies graduates make about $42,583. Set against $13,975 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Vanderbilt University admits about 6% of applicants.
University Of Chicago earned the #7 position for value in theological & ministerial studies this year. University Of Chicago is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Chicago. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $69,324. Students borrow a median of $15,854 to complete the theological & ministerial studies program here. Theological & Ministerial Studies graduates of University Of Chicago earn a median of $45,985 early in their careers. Set against $15,854 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Chicago admits about 4% of applicants.
Fresno Pacific University placed #8 among the best values for theological & ministerial studies. Located in the city of Fresno, Fresno Pacific University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $36,660. Students borrow a median of $24,596 to complete the theological & ministerial studies program here. Soon after graduation, theological & ministerial studies degree recipients from Fresno Pacific University generally make around $60,890. Set against $24,596 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 64%.
Holy Apostles College And Seminary came in at #9 for value in theological & ministerial studies this year. Holy Apostles College And Seminary is a small private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Cromwell. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,580.
North Park University landed the #10 spot for theological & ministerial studies value this year. North Park University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Chicago. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $36,710. Theological & Ministerial Studies graduates carry a median of $27,360 in student loans. Early-career theological & ministerial studies graduates make about $51,611. Set against $27,360 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. North Park University admits about 68% of applicants.
University Of Mary came in at #11 for value in theological & ministerial studies this year. University Of Mary is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the rural area of Bismarck. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $22,356. Students borrow a median of $26,983 to complete the theological & ministerial studies program here. Soon after graduation, theological & ministerial studies degree recipients from University Of Mary generally make around $65,565. Set against $26,983 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Mary admits about 75% of applicants.
The Baptist College Of Florida earned the #12 position for value in theological & ministerial studies this year. Located in the rural area of Graceville, The Baptist College Of Florida is a small private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $15,000. Students borrow a median of $24,916 to complete the theological & ministerial studies program here. Early-career theological & ministerial studies graduates make about $34,350. That is a strong return on a $24,916 median debt. Roughly 36% of applicants are accepted.
Faith Baptist Bible College And Theological Seminary landed the #13 spot for theological & ministerial studies value this year. Located in the suburb of Ankeny, Faith Baptist Bible College And Theological Seminary is a small private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $20,270 in tuition and fees. Theological & Ministerial Studies graduates of Faith Baptist Bible College And Theological Seminary earn a median of $21,543 early in their careers. Roughly 68% of applicants are accepted.
Martin Luther College ranked #14 on our 2027 list of the best value theological & ministerial studies schools. Located in the town of New Ulm, Martin Luther College is a small private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $18,120. Students borrow a median of $18,949 to complete the theological & ministerial studies program here. Soon after graduation, theological & ministerial studies degree recipients from Martin Luther College generally make around $15,327. That is a strong return on a $18,949 median debt. Martin Luther College admits about 87% of applicants.
Erskine College And Seminary came in at #15 for value in theological & ministerial studies this year. Located in the rural area of Due West, Erskine College And Seminary is a small private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $36,710. Theological & Ministerial Studies graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Theological & Ministerial Studies graduates of Erskine College And Seminary earn a median of $35,695 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 63%.
Harvard University ranked #16 on our 2027 list of the best value theological & ministerial studies schools. Set in the city of Cambridge, Harvard University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $61,676 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $16,616 to complete the theological & ministerial studies program here. Early-career theological & ministerial studies graduates make about $40,838. Set against $16,616 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 4%.
Concordia University Saint Paul ranked #17 on our 2027 list of the best value theological & ministerial studies schools. Concordia University Saint Paul is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Saint Paul. Students from in state pay about $25,600 in tuition and fees. Theological & Ministerial Studies graduates carry a median of $29,026 in student loans. Early-career theological & ministerial studies graduates make about $54,835. That is a strong return on a $29,026 median debt. The acceptance rate is 79%.
University Of St Thomas Texas ranked #18 on our 2027 list of the best value theological & ministerial studies schools. University Of St Thomas Texas is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Houston. In-state tuition and fees average $34,634. Students borrow a median of $23,628 to complete the theological & ministerial studies program here. Theological & Ministerial Studies graduates of University Of St Thomas Texas earn a median of $58,265 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $23,628 median debt. University Of St Thomas Texas admits about 90% of applicants.
Grace College And Theological Seminary placed #19 among the best values for theological & ministerial studies. Set in the town of Winona Lake, Grace College And Theological Seminary is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $29,645. Typical student debt for theological & ministerial studies graduates is $21,211. Soon after graduation, theological & ministerial studies degree recipients from Grace College And Theological Seminary generally make around $42,188. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Grace College And Theological Seminary admits about 82% of applicants.
Virginia Union University earned the #20 position for value in theological & ministerial studies this year. Set in the city of Richmond, Virginia Union University is a small private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $17,830. Theological & Ministerial Studies graduates carry a median of $30,593 in student loans. Soon after graduation, theological & ministerial studies degree recipients from Virginia Union University generally make around $25,910. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 98% of applicants are accepted.
Campbellsville University earned the #21 position for value in theological & ministerial studies this year. Located in the town of Campbellsville, Campbellsville University is a large private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $27,998. Students borrow a median of $24,148 to complete the theological & ministerial studies program here. Early-career theological & ministerial studies graduates make about $54,029. That is a strong return on a $24,148 median debt. Roughly 80% of applicants are accepted.
Evangel University landed the #22 spot for theological & ministerial studies value this year. Set in the city of Springfield, Evangel University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $28,548. Theological & Ministerial Studies graduates carry a median of $24,876 in student loans. Early-career theological & ministerial studies graduates make about $57,895. That is a strong return on a $24,876 median debt. Roughly 72% of applicants are accepted.
Lee University landed the #23 spot for theological & ministerial studies value this year. Lee University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Cleveland. Students from in state pay about $23,790 in tuition and fees. Theological & Ministerial Studies graduates carry a median of $26,422 in student loans. Theological & Ministerial Studies graduates of Lee University earn a median of $42,658 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 70%.
Lenoir Rhyne University landed the #24 spot for theological & ministerial studies value this year. 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 theological & ministerial studies graduates is $26,900. Early-career theological & ministerial studies graduates make about $49,985. Set against $26,900 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 85% of applicants are accepted.
Oklahoma Baptist University ranked #25 on our 2027 list of the best value theological & ministerial studies schools. Located in the town of Shawnee, Oklahoma Baptist University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $35,570. Students borrow a median of $23,425 to complete the theological & ministerial studies program here. Early-career theological & ministerial studies graduates make about $47,100. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 49%.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value Theological & Ministerial Studies Schools
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s theological & ministerial studies value ranking:
The ranking above is published by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 edition. The methodology weighs the cost of a degree against the earnings graduates go on to achieve, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 126 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 126 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).
[Theological & Ministerial Studies](/majors/theology-and-religious-vocations/theological-ministerial-studies/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
