2027 Best Value Theological & Ministerial Studies Schools in the Middle Atlantic Region
[Theological & Ministerial Studies](/majors/theology-and-religious-vocations/theological-ministerial-studies/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
For its 2027 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 14 schools to find the best return on investment for theological & ministerial studies students.
What’s on this page:
2027 Best Value Theological & Ministerial Studies Schools in the Middle Atlantic Region
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in theological & ministerial studies, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Theological & Ministerial Studies Schools
For return on investment in theological & ministerial studies, no school beat Mount St Marys University this year. Set in the rural area of Emmitsburg, Mount St Marys University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $48,630 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $23,539 to complete the theological & ministerial studies program here. Early-career theological & ministerial studies graduates make about $50,657. Set against $23,539 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 74% of applicants are accepted.
A rank of #2 makes Elim Bible Institute And College one of 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. Theological & Ministerial Studies graduates carry a median of $11,998 in student loans. Early-career theological & ministerial studies graduates make about $18,339. Elim Bible Institute And College admits about 100% of applicants.
A rank of #3 makes Drew University one of the best values for theological & ministerial studies. Located in the suburb of Madison, Drew University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $47,100. Students borrow a median of $26,449 to complete the theological & ministerial studies program here. Early-career theological & ministerial studies graduates make about $49,241. Set against $26,449 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 68% of applicants are accepted.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Lancaster Bible College earned it the #4 place for theological & ministerial studies. Set in the suburb of Lancaster, Lancaster Bible College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $29,990. Students borrow a median of $28,507 to complete the theological & ministerial studies program here. Theological & Ministerial Studies graduates of Lancaster Bible College earn a median of $35,130 early in their careers. Set against $28,507 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 56% of applicants are accepted.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Mesivta Torah Vodaath Rabbinical Seminary earned it the #5 place for theological & ministerial studies. Set in the city of Brooklyn, Mesivta Torah Vodaath Rabbinical Seminary is a small private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,200. Early-career theological & ministerial studies graduates make about $15,903. Mesivta Torah Vodaath Rabbinical Seminary admits about 80% of applicants.
Rabbinical College Bobover Yeshiva Bnei Zion placed #6 among the best values for theological & ministerial studies. Rabbinical College Bobover Yeshiva Bnei Zion is a small private not-for-profit school located in the city of Brooklyn. Students from in state pay about $10,000 in tuition and fees. Early-career theological & ministerial studies graduates make about $10,153.
Eastern University earned the #7 position for value in theological & ministerial studies this year. Located in the suburb of Saint Davids, Eastern University is a large private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $38,400. Students borrow a median of $28,584 to complete the theological & ministerial studies program here. Theological & Ministerial Studies graduates of Eastern University earn a median of $47,185 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $28,584 median debt. Roughly 91% of applicants are accepted.
Catholic University Of America earned the #8 position for value in theological & ministerial studies this year. Located in the city of Washington, Catholic University Of America is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $58,378 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $25,771 to complete the theological & ministerial studies program here. Soon after graduation, theological & ministerial studies degree recipients from Catholic University Of America generally make around $65,120. That is a strong return on a $25,771 median debt. The acceptance rate is 83%.
Moravian College And Moravian Theological Seminary ranked #9 on our 2027 list of the best value theological & ministerial studies schools. Moravian College And Moravian Theological Seminary is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Bethlehem. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $53,500. Students borrow a median of $26,857 to complete the theological & ministerial studies program here. Soon after graduation, theological & ministerial studies degree recipients from Moravian College And Moravian Theological Seminary generally make around $48,472. That is a strong return on a $26,857 median debt. Moravian College And Moravian Theological Seminary admits about 54% of applicants.
Seton Hall University placed #10 among the best values for theological & ministerial studies. Located in the suburb of South Orange, Seton Hall University is a large private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $53,170. Students borrow a median of $23,422 to complete the theological & ministerial studies program here. Soon after graduation, theological & ministerial studies degree recipients from Seton Hall University generally make around $63,871. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 73% of applicants are accepted.
Valley Forge Christian College came in at #11 for value in theological & ministerial studies this year. Valley Forge Christian College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Phoenixville. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $25,240. Typical student debt for theological & ministerial studies graduates is $28,000. Soon after graduation, theological & ministerial studies degree recipients from Valley Forge Christian College generally make around $25,051. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 61% of applicants are accepted.
Villanova University came in at #12 for value in theological & ministerial studies this year. Set in the suburb of Villanova, Villanova University is a large private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $67,776. Students borrow a median of $26,184 to complete the theological & ministerial studies program here. Theological & Ministerial Studies graduates of Villanova University earn a median of $72,601 early in their careers. Set against $26,184 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 27%.
Rabbinical College Of Ohr Shimon Yisroel landed the #13 spot for theological & ministerial studies value this year. Set in the city of Brooklyn, Rabbinical College Of Ohr Shimon Yisroel is a small private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $22,300 in tuition and fees.
Howard University landed the #14 spot for theological & ministerial studies value this year. Set in the city of Washington, Howard University is a large private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $35,810 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $25,498 to complete the theological & ministerial studies program here. Soon after graduation, theological & ministerial studies degree recipients from Howard University generally make around $58,495. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 41% of applicants are accepted.
Narrow Theological & Ministerial Studies Schools by State
More Theological & Ministerial Studies Rankings
View All Theological & Ministerial Studies Rankings >
Notes and References
This list is compiled 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 · 14 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 14 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.
