by our College Data Analytics Team
[Theological & Ministerial Studies](/majors/theology-and-religious-vocations/theological-ministerial-studies/) 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.
College Factual analyzed 34 schools to build this 2027 ranking of the best value theological & ministerial studies schools.
What’s on this page:
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in theological & ministerial studies, balancing cost against outcomes.
New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary tops our 2027 list of the best value theological & ministerial studies schools in the United States. Located in the city of New Orleans, New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $12,368 in tuition and fees.
Students looking for strong value in theological & ministerial studies will find it at Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary, which ranked #2. Located in the suburb of Wake Forest, Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $11,318. Early-career theological & ministerial studies graduates make about $54,863. The acceptance rate is 75%.
Holy Apostles College And Seminary is a great value for students pursuing a degree in theological & ministerial studies, landing the #3 spot this year. Set in the suburb of Cromwell, Holy Apostles College And Seminary is a small private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,580.
The Baptist College Of Florida came in at #4 on our 2027 list of the best value theological & ministerial studies schools. The Baptist College Of Florida is a small private not-for-profit school located in the rural area of Graceville. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $15,000. Typical student debt for theological & ministerial studies graduates is $24,916. Early-career theological & ministerial studies graduates make about $34,350. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 36%.
Faith Baptist Bible College And Theological Seminary is a great value for students pursuing a degree in theological & ministerial studies, landing the #5 spot this year. Located in the suburb of Ankeny, Faith Baptist Bible College And Theological Seminary is a small private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $20,270. Early-career theological & ministerial studies graduates make about $21,543. Faith Baptist Bible College And Theological Seminary admits about 68% of applicants.
Martin Luther College ranked #6 on our 2027 list of the best value theological & ministerial studies schools. Set in the town of New Ulm, Martin Luther College is a small private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $18,120 in tuition and fees. 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.
Concordia University Saint Paul earned the #7 position for value in theological & ministerial studies this year. Set in the city of Saint Paul, Concordia University Saint Paul is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $25,600. Typical student debt for theological & ministerial studies graduates is $29,026. Theological & Ministerial Studies graduates of Concordia University Saint Paul earn a median of $54,835 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 79%.
Lee University ranked #8 on our 2027 list of the best value theological & ministerial studies schools. Located in the city of Cleveland, Lee University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $23,790. 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. Lee University admits about 70% of applicants.
Oklahoma Baptist University came in at #9 for value in theological & ministerial studies this year. 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. Theological & Ministerial Studies graduates of Oklahoma Baptist University earn a median of $47,100 early in their careers. Set against $23,425 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Oklahoma Baptist University admits about 49% of applicants.
Elim Bible Institute And College placed #10 among the best values for theological & ministerial studies. Set in the rural area of Lima, Elim Bible Institute And College is a small private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,678. Typical student debt for theological & ministerial studies graduates is $11,998. Theological & Ministerial Studies graduates of Elim Bible Institute And College earn a median of $18,339 early in their careers. Roughly 100% of applicants are accepted.
Mid America Christian University placed #11 among the best values for theological & ministerial studies. Mid America Christian University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Oklahoma City. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $21,294. Students borrow a median of $41,422 to complete the theological & ministerial studies program here. Theological & Ministerial Studies graduates of Mid America Christian University earn a median of $27,391 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 92%.
Moody Bible Institute came in at #12 for value in theological & ministerial studies this year. Moody Bible Institute is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Chicago. In-state tuition and fees average $15,786. Students borrow a median of $14,000 to complete the theological & ministerial studies program here. Early-career theological & ministerial studies graduates make about $33,488. Set against $14,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 83%.
Johnson University ranked #13 on our 2027 list of the best value theological & ministerial studies schools. Johnson University is a small private not-for-profit school located in the rural area of Knoxville. In-state tuition and fees average $21,122. Students borrow a median of $23,250 to complete the theological & ministerial studies program here. Theological & Ministerial Studies graduates of Johnson University earn a median of $33,627 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $23,250 median debt. Johnson University admits about 65% of applicants.
Northwest University earned the #14 position for value in theological & ministerial studies this year. Northwest University is a small private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Kirkland. Students from in state pay about $36,035 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $26,453 to complete the theological & ministerial studies program here. Soon after graduation, theological & ministerial studies degree recipients from Northwest University generally make around $41,139. Set against $26,453 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Northwest University admits about 83% of applicants.
University Of Dallas landed the #15 spot for theological & ministerial studies value this year. Set in the city of Irving, University Of Dallas is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $53,930. Students borrow a median of $23,411 to complete the theological & ministerial studies program here. Theological & Ministerial Studies graduates of University Of Dallas earn a median of $58,396 early in their careers. Set against $23,411 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 53% of applicants are accepted.
Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary placed #16 among the best values for theological & ministerial studies. Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Kansas City. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,530. Typical student debt for theological & ministerial studies graduates is $15,559. Early-career theological & ministerial studies graduates make about $73,186. That is a strong return on a $15,559 median debt. Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary admits about 96% of applicants.
Sum Bible College And Theological Seminary placed #17 among the best values for theological & ministerial studies. Located in the suburb of El Dorado Hills, Sum Bible College And Theological Seminary is a small private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $10,460 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $29,299 to complete the theological & ministerial studies program here. Soon after graduation, theological & ministerial studies degree recipients from Sum Bible College And Theological Seminary generally make around $26,407. That is a strong return on a $29,299 median debt. Roughly 41% of applicants are accepted.
Grand Canyon University came in at #18 for value in theological & ministerial studies this year. Grand Canyon University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Phoenix. In-state tuition and fees average $18,508. Theological & Ministerial Studies graduates carry a median of $30,027 in student loans. Early-career theological & ministerial studies graduates make about $56,285. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Grand Canyon University admits about 79% of applicants.
Franciscan University Of Steubenville landed the #19 spot for theological & ministerial studies value this year. Set in the city of Steubenville, Franciscan University Of Steubenville is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $34,100. Theological & Ministerial Studies graduates carry a median of $25,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, theological & ministerial studies degree recipients from Franciscan University Of Steubenville generally make around $29,656. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Franciscan University Of Steubenville admits about 58% of applicants.
Ave Maria University came in at #20 for value in theological & ministerial studies this year. Ave Maria University is a small private not-for-profit school located in the rural area of Ave Maria. In-state tuition and fees average $30,198. Typical student debt for theological & ministerial studies graduates is $21,102. Theological & Ministerial Studies graduates of Ave Maria University earn a median of $26,924 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $21,102 median debt. Ave Maria University admits about 41% of applicants.
University Of Notre Dame landed the #21 spot for theological & ministerial studies value this year. Set in the suburb of Notre Dame, University Of Notre Dame is a large private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $65,025. Typical student debt for theological & ministerial studies graduates is $19,000. Theological & Ministerial Studies graduates of University Of Notre Dame earn a median of $45,874 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $19,000 median debt. Roughly 11% of applicants are accepted.
Oral Roberts University came in at #22 for value in theological & ministerial studies this year. Oral Roberts University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Tulsa. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $35,470. Students borrow a median of $30,750 to complete the theological & ministerial studies program here. Soon after graduation, theological & ministerial studies degree recipients from Oral Roberts University generally make around $27,088. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 99%.
Northwestern College Minnesota ranked #23 on our 2027 list of the best value theological & ministerial studies schools. Located in the suburb of Saint Paul, Northwestern College Minnesota is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $37,920. Theological & Ministerial Studies graduates carry a median of $22,000 in student loans. Early-career theological & ministerial studies graduates make about $32,815. That is a strong return on a $22,000 median debt. Roughly 94% of applicants are accepted.
Concordia University Irvine placed #24 among the best values for theological & ministerial studies. Set in the city of Irvine, Concordia University Irvine is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $43,480 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $26,085 to complete the theological & ministerial studies program here. Early-career theological & ministerial studies graduates make about $58,590. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 66% of applicants are accepted.
Benedictine College placed #25 among the best values for theological & ministerial studies. Located in the town of Atchison, Benedictine College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $36,350. Theological & Ministerial Studies graduates carry a median of $23,250 in student loans. Theological & Ministerial Studies graduates of Benedictine College earn a median of $32,202 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $23,250 median debt. Benedictine College admits about 98% of applicants.
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s theological & ministerial studies value ranking:
Explore the best-value theological & ministerial studies schools at other degree levels:
This ranking is produced 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 · 34 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 34 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.
