2027 Best Value Theological & Ministerial Studies Schools in North Carolina
[Theological & Ministerial Studies](/majors/theology-and-religious-vocations/theological-ministerial-studies/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong theological & ministerial studies education at a price that pays off.
College Factual analyzed 7 schools to build this 2027 ranking of the best value theological & ministerial studies schools.
What’s on this page:
2027 Best Value Theological & Ministerial Studies Schools in North Carolina
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in theological & ministerial studies, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Theological & Ministerial Studies Schools
Leading the list is Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary, our #1 best value for theological & ministerial studies in North Carolina. Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Wake Forest. In-state tuition and fees average $11,318. Soon after graduation, theological & ministerial studies degree recipients from Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary generally make around $54,863. Roughly 75% of applicants are accepted.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Shaw University earned it the #2 place for theological & ministerial studies. Located in the city of Raleigh, Shaw University is a small private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $17,738. Students borrow a median of $37,044 to complete the theological & ministerial studies program here. Theological & Ministerial Studies graduates of Shaw University earn a median of $28,533 early in their careers. Set against $37,044 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Shaw University admits about 80% of applicants.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Lenoir Rhyne University earned it the #3 place for theological & ministerial studies. Lenoir Rhyne University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Hickory. Students from in state pay about $31,900 in tuition and fees. Theological & Ministerial Studies graduates carry a median of $26,900 in student loans. Early-career theological & ministerial studies graduates make about $49,985. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 85%.
Grace College Of Divinity came in at #4 on our 2027 list of the best value theological & ministerial studies schools. Set in the city of Fayetteville, Grace College Of Divinity is a small private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $9,105 in tuition and fees. The acceptance rate is 53%.
Piedmont International University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in theological & ministerial studies, landing the #5 spot this year. Located in the city of Winston-Salem, Piedmont International University is a small private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $17,575. Theological & Ministerial Studies graduates carry a median of $35,382 in student loans. Early-career theological & ministerial studies graduates make about $48,372. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 40%.
Wake Forest University ranked #6 on our 2027 list of the best value theological & ministerial studies schools. Wake Forest University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Winston-Salem. Students from in state pay about $67,642 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for theological & ministerial studies graduates is $21,577. Early-career theological & ministerial studies graduates make about $40,732. Set against $21,577 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 22%.
Duke University ranked #7 on our 2027 list of the best value theological & ministerial studies schools. Set in the city of Durham, Duke University is a large private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $68,758 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $13,296 to complete the theological & ministerial studies program here. Soon after graduation, theological & ministerial studies degree recipients from Duke University generally make around $70,809. That is a strong return on a $13,296 median debt. Duke University admits about 6% of applicants.
More Theological & Ministerial Studies Rankings
View All Theological & Ministerial Studies Rankings >
Notes and References
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 · 7 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 7 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.
