2026 Best Value Theological & Ministerial Studies Schools in the Far Western Region
[Theological & Ministerial Studies](/majors/theology-and-religious-vocations/theological-ministerial-studies/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 64 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for theological & ministerial studies students.
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2026 Best Value Theological & Ministerial Studies Schools in the Far Western Region
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the theological & ministerial studies degrees they offer, see the list below.
Best Value Theological & Ministerial Studies Schools
Our analysis ranked Vanguard University Of Southern California the best value for a degree in theological & ministerial studies in the Far Western Region. Vanguard University Of Southern California is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Costa Mesa. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $41,700. Typical student debt for theological & ministerial studies graduates is $21,111. Theological & Ministerial Studies graduates of Vanguard University Of Southern California earn a median of $80,727 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 62%.
Azusa Pacific University came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best value theological & ministerial studies schools. Azusa Pacific University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Azusa. In-state tuition and fees average $44,458. Typical student debt for theological & ministerial studies graduates is $23,709. Soon after graduation, theological & ministerial studies degree recipients from Azusa Pacific University generally make around $58,302. That is a strong return on a $23,709 median debt. The acceptance rate is 88%.
A rank of #3 makes Life Pacific College one of the best values for theological & ministerial studies. Located in the suburb of San Dimas, Life Pacific College is a small private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $22,118 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for theological & ministerial studies graduates is $22,521. Early-career theological & ministerial studies graduates make about $39,411. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Life Pacific College admits about 96% of applicants.
Sum Bible College And Theological Seminary came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best value theological & ministerial studies schools. Sum Bible College And Theological Seminary is a small private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of El Dorado Hills. In-state tuition and fees average $10,460. Typical student debt for theological & ministerial studies graduates is $29,299. Early-career theological & ministerial studies graduates make about $26,407. That is a strong return on a $29,299 median debt. Roughly 41% of applicants are accepted.
Seattle Pacific University came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best value theological & ministerial studies schools. Located in the city of Seattle, Seattle Pacific University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $40,407. Typical student debt for theological & ministerial studies graduates is $25,188. Soon after graduation, theological & ministerial studies degree recipients from Seattle Pacific University generally make around $44,499. Set against $25,188 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 83% of applicants are accepted.
Corban University landed the #6 spot for theological & ministerial studies value this year. Located in the city of Salem, Corban University is a small private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $37,963. Typical student debt for theological & ministerial studies graduates is $24,318. Soon after graduation, theological & ministerial studies degree recipients from Corban University generally make around $41,194. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 94% of applicants are accepted.
World Mission University earned the #7 position for value in theological & ministerial studies this year. Set in the city of Los Angeles, World Mission University is a small private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $6,920 in tuition and fees.
Faith Evangelical College And Seminary came in at #8 for value in theological & ministerial studies this year. Located in the city of Tacoma, Faith Evangelical College And Seminary is a small private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,850. Students borrow a median of $17,813 to complete the theological & ministerial studies program here. Theological & Ministerial Studies graduates of Faith Evangelical College And Seminary earn a median of $42,103 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $17,813 median debt.
Northwest University College Of Adult And Professional Studies ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the best value theological & ministerial studies schools. Located in the suburb of Kirkland, Northwest University College Of Adult And Professional Studies is a small private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $14,652 in tuition and fees. Theological & Ministerial Studies graduates carry a median of $22,696 in student loans. Theological & Ministerial Studies graduates of Northwest University College Of Adult And Professional Studies earn a median of $41,139 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $22,696 median debt.
Concordia University Irvine placed #10 among the best values for theological & ministerial studies. Located in the city of Irvine, Concordia University Irvine is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $43,480. Typical student debt for theological & ministerial studies graduates is $26,085. Soon after graduation, theological & ministerial studies degree recipients from Concordia University Irvine generally make around $58,590. That is a strong return on a $26,085 median debt. Concordia University Irvine admits about 66% of applicants.
Hope International University ranked #11 on our 2026 list of the best value theological & ministerial studies schools. Hope International University is a small private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Fullerton. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $38,125. Students borrow a median of $18,054 to complete the theological & ministerial studies program here. Soon after graduation, theological & ministerial studies degree recipients from Hope International University generally make around $50,661. That is a strong return on a $18,054 median debt. Roughly 33% of applicants are accepted.
Biola University came in at #12 for value in theological & ministerial studies this year. Set in the suburb of La Mirada, Biola University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $48,984. Typical student debt for theological & ministerial studies graduates is $25,308. Early-career theological & ministerial studies graduates make about $42,625. Set against $25,308 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Biola University admits about 74% of applicants.
George Fox University earned the #13 position for value in theological & ministerial studies this year. Located in the town of Newberg, George Fox University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $41,320. Students borrow a median of $25,324 to complete the theological & ministerial studies program here. Theological & Ministerial Studies graduates of George Fox University earn a median of $39,270 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 94%.
The Masters College And Seminary came in at #14 for value in theological & ministerial studies this year. Set in the suburb of Santa Clarita, The Masters College And Seminary is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $39,020. Theological & Ministerial Studies graduates carry a median of $23,774 in student loans. Early-career theological & ministerial studies graduates make about $55,300. That is a strong return on a $23,774 median debt. The Masters College And Seminary admits about 84% of applicants.
Loyola Marymount University earned the #15 position for value in theological & ministerial studies this year. Loyola Marymount University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Los Angeles. In-state tuition and fees average $61,867. Theological & Ministerial Studies graduates carry a median of $22,248 in student loans. Soon after graduation, theological & ministerial studies degree recipients from Loyola Marymount University generally make around $52,935. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 45% of applicants are accepted.
Notes and References
This ranking is produced by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 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 · 64 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 9 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.
