by our College Data Analytics Team
[Theological & Ministerial Studies](/majors/theology-and-religious-vocations/theological-ministerial-studies/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
College Factual analyzed 35 schools to build this 2027 ranking of the best value theological & ministerial studies schools.
What’s on this page:
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the theological & ministerial studies degrees they offer, see the list below.
New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary tops our 2027 list of the best value theological & ministerial studies schools in the Southeast Region. Set in the city of New Orleans, New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $12,368 in tuition and fees.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary earned it the #2 place for theological & ministerial studies. Set in the suburb of Wake Forest, Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,318. Theological & Ministerial Studies graduates of Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary earn a median of $54,863 early in their careers. Roughly 75% of applicants are accepted.
A rank of #3 makes Vanderbilt University one of the best values for theological & ministerial studies. Set in the city of Nashville, Vanderbilt University is a large private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $67,498 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for theological & ministerial studies graduates is $13,975. Early-career theological & ministerial studies graduates make about $42,583. Set against $13,975 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 6%.
The Baptist College Of Florida came in at #4 on our 2027 list of the best value theological & ministerial studies schools. Set in the rural area of Graceville, The Baptist College Of Florida is a small private not-for-profit institution. 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. Soon after graduation, theological & ministerial studies degree recipients from The Baptist College Of Florida generally make around $34,350. Set against $24,916 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 36%.
Students looking for strong value in theological & ministerial studies will find it at Erskine College And Seminary, which ranked #5. Located in the rural area of Due West, Erskine College And Seminary is a small private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $36,710. Theological & Ministerial Studies graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Early-career theological & ministerial studies graduates make about $35,695. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Erskine College And Seminary admits about 63% of applicants.
Virginia Union University earned the #6 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. Students from in state pay about $17,830 in tuition and fees. 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. Roughly 98% of applicants are accepted.
Campbellsville University placed #7 among the best values for theological & ministerial studies. 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. Theological & Ministerial Studies graduates of Campbellsville University earn a median of $54,029 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 80%.
Lee University placed #8 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. Students from in state pay about $23,790 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for theological & ministerial studies graduates is $26,422. Theological & Ministerial Studies graduates of Lee University earn a median of $42,658 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $26,422 median debt. Roughly 70% of applicants are accepted.
Regent University earned the #9 position for value in theological & ministerial studies this year. Regent University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Virginia Beach. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $21,650. Theological & Ministerial Studies graduates carry a median of $29,451 in student loans. Early-career theological & ministerial studies graduates make about $49,840. That is a strong return on a $29,451 median debt. The acceptance rate is 38%.
Lenoir Rhyne University landed the #10 spot for theological & ministerial studies value this year. Located in the city of Hickory, Lenoir Rhyne University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $31,900. Students borrow a median of $26,900 to complete the theological & ministerial studies program here. Soon after graduation, theological & ministerial studies degree recipients from Lenoir Rhyne University generally make around $49,985. That is a strong return on a $26,900 median debt. Roughly 85% of applicants are accepted.
Shaw University earned the #11 position for value in theological & ministerial studies this year. Located in the city of Raleigh, Shaw University is a small private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $17,738. Typical student debt for theological & ministerial studies graduates is $37,044. Early-career theological & ministerial studies graduates make about $28,533. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Shaw University admits about 80% of applicants.
Bob Jones University came in at #12 for value in theological & ministerial studies this year. Set in the city of Greenville, Bob Jones University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $22,892. Typical student debt for theological & ministerial studies graduates is $20,497. Theological & Ministerial Studies graduates of Bob Jones University earn a median of $28,325 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Saint Leo University placed #13 among the best values for theological & ministerial studies. Set in the town of Saint Leo, Saint Leo University is a large private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $30,000. Students borrow a median of $32,116 to complete the theological & ministerial studies program here. Soon after graduation, theological & ministerial studies degree recipients from Saint Leo University generally make around $57,662. Set against $32,116 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Saint Leo University admits about 78% of applicants.
Milligan College placed #14 among the best values for theological & ministerial studies. Milligan College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Milligan. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $40,450. Typical student debt for theological & ministerial studies graduates is $26,150. Early-career theological & ministerial studies graduates make about $64,327. Set against $26,150 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 72% of applicants are accepted.
Heritage Christian University came in at #15 for value in theological & ministerial studies this year. Set in the city of Florence, Heritage Christian University is a small private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $11,982. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $42,597. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.
Grace College Of Divinity landed the #16 spot for theological & ministerial studies value this year. Set in the city of Fayetteville, Grace College Of Divinity is a small private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,105. The acceptance rate is 53%.
Johnson University came in at #17 for value in theological & ministerial studies this year. Set in the rural area of Knoxville, Johnson University is a small private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $21,122 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for theological & ministerial studies graduates is $23,250. Soon after graduation, theological & ministerial studies degree recipients from Johnson University generally make around $37,989. Set against $23,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 65% of applicants are accepted.
Harding University placed #18 among the best values for theological & ministerial studies. Set in the town of Searcy, Harding University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $25,962. Theological & Ministerial Studies graduates carry a median of $26,715 in student loans. Theological & Ministerial Studies graduates of Harding University earn a median of $53,629 early in their careers. Set against $26,715 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Harding University admits about 70% of applicants.
Emory University earned the #19 position for value in theological & ministerial studies this year. Emory University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Atlanta. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $64,280. Theological & Ministerial Studies graduates carry a median of $19,431 in student loans. Early-career theological & ministerial studies graduates make about $74,348. Set against $19,431 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 11% of applicants are accepted.
Anderson University Sc earned the #20 position for value in theological & ministerial studies this year. Anderson University Sc is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Anderson. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $34,970. Students borrow a median of $28,034 to complete the theological & ministerial studies program here. Soon after graduation, theological & ministerial studies degree recipients from Anderson University Sc generally make around $49,036. That is a strong return on a $28,034 median debt. Roughly 55% of applicants are accepted.
Loyola University New Orleans came in at #21 for value in theological & ministerial studies this year. Loyola University New Orleans is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of New Orleans. In-state tuition and fees average $49,440. Typical student debt for theological & ministerial studies graduates is $26,606. Theological & Ministerial Studies graduates of Loyola University New Orleans earn a median of $48,040 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 93% of applicants are accepted.
Piedmont International University earned the #22 position for value in theological & ministerial studies this year. Set in the city of Winston-Salem, Piedmont International University is a small private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $17,575. Students borrow a median of $35,382 to complete the theological & ministerial studies program here. Soon after graduation, theological & ministerial studies degree recipients from Piedmont International University generally make around $48,372. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Piedmont International University admits about 40% of applicants.
Mercer University landed the #23 spot for theological & ministerial studies value this year. Located in the city of Macon, Mercer University is a large private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $31,565. Typical student debt for theological & ministerial studies graduates is $32,463. Early-career theological & ministerial studies graduates make about $42,866. Set against $32,463 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Mercer University admits about 69% of applicants.
Lipscomb University ranked #24 on our 2027 list of the best value theological & ministerial studies schools. Set in the city of Nashville, Lipscomb University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $40,572. Students borrow a median of $23,529 to complete the theological & ministerial studies program here. Soon after graduation, theological & ministerial studies degree recipients from Lipscomb University generally make around $48,949. That is a strong return on a $23,529 median debt. Lipscomb University admits about 68% of applicants.
Ave Maria University placed #25 among the best values for theological & ministerial studies. Ave Maria University is a small private not-for-profit school located in the rural area of Ave Maria. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $30,198. Students borrow a median of $21,102 to complete the theological & ministerial studies program here. Theological & Ministerial Studies graduates of Ave Maria University earn a median of $26,924 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 41%.
These schools also delivered strong value for theological & ministerial studies this year:
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 · 35 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 35 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.