2027 Best Value Theological & Ministerial Studies Master’s Degree Schools
[Theological & Ministerial Studies](/majors/theology-and-religious-vocations/theological-ministerial-studies/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
To produce this 2027 ranking, College Factual evaluated 160 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for theological & ministerial studies students.
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2027 Best Value Theological & Ministerial Studies Schools in the United States
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in theological & ministerial studies, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Theological & Ministerial Studies Schools
Our analysis ranked Trinity International University Illinois the best value for a degree in theological & ministerial studies in the United States. Located in the suburb of Deerfield, Trinity International University Illinois is a small private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $12,320. Theological & Ministerial Studies graduates carry a median of $26,892 in student loans. Soon after graduation, theological & ministerial studies degree recipients from Trinity International University Illinois generally make around $50,178. Set against $26,892 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 100% of applicants are accepted.
A rank of #2 makes Andrews University one of the best values for theological & ministerial studies. Set in the town of Berrien Springs, Andrews University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $35,056. Typical student debt for theological & ministerial studies graduates is $26,314. Soon after graduation, theological & ministerial studies degree recipients from Andrews University generally make around $68,117. Set against $26,314 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 82%.
Sacred Heart Major Seminary came in at #3 on our 2027 list of the best value theological & ministerial studies schools. Sacred Heart Major Seminary is a small private not-for-profit school located in the city of Detroit. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $24,140. Median earnings reach $49,295 ten years out. Roughly 100% of applicants are accepted.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary earned it the #4 place for theological & ministerial studies. New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of New Orleans. Students from in state pay about $12,368 in tuition and fees.
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. Students from in state pay about $11,318 in tuition and fees. Early-career theological & ministerial studies graduates make about $54,863. The acceptance rate is 75%.
University Of Chicago placed #6 among the best values for theological & ministerial studies. Located in the city of Chicago, University Of Chicago is a very large private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $69,324 in tuition and fees. Theological & Ministerial Studies graduates carry a median of $15,854 in student loans. Theological & Ministerial Studies graduates of University Of Chicago earn a median of $34,557 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $15,854 median debt. University Of Chicago admits about 4% of applicants.
Vanderbilt University earned the #7 position for value in theological & ministerial studies this year. Vanderbilt University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Nashville. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $67,498. Students borrow a median of $13,975 to complete the theological & ministerial studies program here. Theological & Ministerial Studies graduates of Vanderbilt University earn a median of $42,583 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 6% of applicants are accepted.
Fresno Pacific University came in at #8 for value in theological & ministerial studies this year. Fresno Pacific University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Fresno. 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. Theological & Ministerial Studies graduates of Fresno Pacific University earn a median of $60,890 early in their careers. Set against $24,596 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Fresno Pacific University admits about 64% of applicants.
North Park University came in at #9 for value in theological & ministerial studies this year. Set in the city of Chicago, North Park University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $36,710. Students borrow a median of $27,360 to complete the theological & ministerial studies program here. Early-career theological & ministerial studies graduates make about $51,611. That is a strong return on a $27,360 median debt. Roughly 68% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Mary ranked #10 on our 2027 list of the best value theological & ministerial studies schools. Set in the rural area of Bismarck, University Of Mary is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $22,356. Typical student debt for theological & ministerial studies graduates is $26,983. Early-career theological & ministerial studies graduates make about $65,565. Set against $26,983 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 75% of applicants are accepted.
Holy Apostles College And Seminary came in at #11 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. Students from in state pay about $9,580 in tuition and fees.
Harvard University earned the #12 position for value in theological & ministerial studies this year. Located in the city of Cambridge, Harvard University is a very large private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $61,676. Typical student debt for theological & ministerial studies graduates is $16,616. Early-career theological & ministerial studies graduates make about $37,385. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 4% of applicants are accepted.
Erskine College And Seminary came in at #13 for value in theological & ministerial studies this year. Erskine College And Seminary is a small private not-for-profit school located in the rural area of Due West. Students from in state pay about $36,710 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for theological & ministerial studies graduates is $27,000. Early-career theological & ministerial studies graduates make about $35,695. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 63%.
University Of St Thomas Texas ranked #14 on our 2027 list of the best value theological & ministerial studies schools. 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. Theological & Ministerial Studies graduates carry a median of $23,628 in student loans. Early-career theological & ministerial studies graduates make about $58,265. That is a strong return on a $23,628 median debt. The acceptance rate is 90%.
Grace College And Theological Seminary earned the #15 position for value in theological & ministerial studies this year. 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. Theological & Ministerial Studies graduates carry a median of $21,211 in student loans. Early-career theological & ministerial studies graduates make about $42,188. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Grace College And Theological Seminary admits about 82% of applicants.
The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary came in at #16 for value in theological & ministerial studies this year. The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Louisville. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,046. Early-career theological & ministerial studies graduates make about $56,478. The acceptance rate is 56%.
Campbellsville University came in at #17 for value in theological & ministerial studies this year. Located in the town of Campbellsville, Campbellsville University is a large private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $27,998. Theological & Ministerial Studies graduates carry a median of $24,148 in student loans. Early-career theological & ministerial studies graduates make about $54,029. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 80%.
Virginia Union University landed the #18 spot for theological & ministerial studies value this year. Set in the city of Richmond, Virginia Union University is a small private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $17,830. Theological & Ministerial Studies graduates carry a median of $30,593 in student loans. Theological & Ministerial Studies graduates of Virginia Union University earn a median of $25,910 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $30,593 median debt. Virginia Union University admits about 98% of applicants.
Evangel University ranked #19 on our 2027 list of the best value theological & ministerial studies schools. Evangel University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Springfield. In-state tuition and fees average $28,548. Students borrow a median of $24,876 to complete the theological & ministerial studies program here. Early-career theological & ministerial studies graduates make about $37,136. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Evangel University admits about 72% of applicants.
Lee University placed #20 among the best values for theological & ministerial studies. Lee University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Cleveland. 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. Early-career theological & ministerial studies graduates make about $42,658. That is a strong return on a $26,422 median debt. Lee University admits about 70% of applicants.
Lenoir Rhyne University landed the #21 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. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $31,900. Theological & Ministerial Studies graduates carry a median of $26,900 in student loans. Early-career theological & ministerial studies graduates make about $49,985. That is a strong return on a $26,900 median debt. Lenoir Rhyne University admits about 85% of applicants.
Viterbo University earned the #22 position for value in theological & ministerial studies this year. Located in the city of La Crosse, Viterbo University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $34,250 in tuition and fees. Theological & Ministerial Studies graduates carry a median of $29,107 in student loans. Theological & Ministerial Studies graduates of Viterbo University earn a median of $60,309 early in their careers. Set against $29,107 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 72% of applicants are accepted.
Regent University ranked #23 on our 2027 list of the best value theological & ministerial studies schools. Regent University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Virginia Beach. Students from in state pay about $21,650 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $29,451 to complete the theological & ministerial studies program here. Theological & Ministerial Studies graduates of Regent University earn a median of $49,840 early in their careers. Set against $29,451 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 38% of applicants are accepted.
Moody Bible Institute placed #24 among the best values for theological & ministerial studies. Located in the city of Chicago, Moody Bible Institute is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $15,786. Theological & Ministerial Studies graduates carry a median of $14,000 in student loans. Early-career theological & ministerial studies graduates make about $61,890. Set against $14,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 83%.
Cornerstone University earned the #25 position for value in theological & ministerial studies this year. Located in the city of Grand Rapids, Cornerstone University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $23,000. Typical student debt for theological & ministerial studies graduates is $43,009. Early-career theological & ministerial studies graduates make about $52,039. That is a strong return on a $43,009 median debt. Roughly 78% of applicants are accepted.
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:
Other Theological & Ministerial Studies Degree Levels
Looking for a different degree level? Compare best-value Theological & Ministerial Studies rankings across degree levels:
View All Theological & Ministerial Studies Rankings >
Notes and References
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 · 160 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 160 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.
