2027 Best Value Theological & Ministerial Studies Schools in the Southwest 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 15 schools to find the best return on investment for theological & ministerial studies students.
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2027 Best Value Theological & Ministerial Studies Schools in the Southwest Region
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 University Of St Thomas Texas, our #1 best value for theological & ministerial studies in the Southwest Region. Set in the city of Houston, University Of St Thomas Texas is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $34,634. Theological & Ministerial Studies graduates carry a median of $23,628 in student loans. Theological & Ministerial Studies graduates of University Of St Thomas Texas earn a median of $58,265 early in their careers. Set against $23,628 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of St Thomas Texas admits about 90% of applicants.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Oklahoma Baptist University earned it the #2 place for theological & ministerial studies. Oklahoma Baptist University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the town of Shawnee. Students from in state pay about $35,570 in tuition and fees. Theological & Ministerial Studies graduates carry a median of $23,425 in student loans. Early-career theological & ministerial studies graduates make about $47,100. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 49%.
Houston Baptist University came in at #3 on our 2027 list of the best value theological & ministerial studies schools. Houston Baptist University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Houston. In-state tuition and fees average $39,430. Students borrow a median of $25,601 to complete the theological & ministerial studies program here. Early-career theological & ministerial studies graduates make about $51,968. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 84%.
Mid America Christian University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in theological & ministerial studies, landing the #4 spot this year. Set in the city of Oklahoma City, Mid America Christian University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $21,294. Typical student debt for theological & ministerial studies graduates is $41,422. Theological & Ministerial Studies graduates of Mid America Christian University earn a median of $27,391 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $41,422 median debt. The acceptance rate is 92%.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Criswell College earned it the #5 place for theological & ministerial studies. Criswell College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the city of Dallas. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,750. Median earnings reach $43,185 ten years out. Roughly 100% of applicants are accepted.
Southwestern Assemblies Of God University placed #6 among the best values for theological & ministerial studies. Southwestern Assemblies Of God University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Waxahachie. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $25,064. Typical student debt for theological & ministerial studies graduates is $28,248. Soon after graduation, theological & ministerial studies degree recipients from Southwestern Assemblies Of God University generally make around $47,762. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Southwestern Assemblies Of God University admits about 89% of applicants.
Kings University came in at #7 for value in theological & ministerial studies this year. Located in the suburb of Southlake, Kings University is a small private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,480. Typical student debt for theological & ministerial studies graduates is $48,998. Soon after graduation, theological & ministerial studies degree recipients from Kings University generally make around $41,066. Set against $48,998 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 61% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Dallas landed the #8 spot for theological & ministerial studies value this year. University Of Dallas is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Irving. In-state tuition and fees average $53,930. Students borrow a median of $23,411 to complete the theological & ministerial studies program here. Theological & Ministerial Studies graduates of University Of Dallas earn a median of $58,396 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Dallas admits about 53% of applicants.
Grand Canyon University landed the #9 spot for theological & ministerial studies value this year. Located in the city of Phoenix, Grand Canyon University is a very large private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $18,508. Students borrow a median of $30,027 to complete the theological & ministerial studies program here. Theological & Ministerial Studies graduates of Grand Canyon University earn a median of $56,285 early in their careers. Set against $30,027 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 79%.
Dallas Christian College landed the #10 spot for theological & ministerial studies value this year. Dallas Christian College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Dallas. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $21,680. Typical student debt for theological & ministerial studies graduates is $32,000. Theological & Ministerial Studies graduates of Dallas Christian College earn a median of $43,531 early in their careers. Set against $32,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 22%.
Oral Roberts University ranked #11 on our 2027 list of the best value theological & ministerial studies schools. Set in the city of Tulsa, Oral Roberts University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $35,470. Students borrow a median of $30,750 to complete the theological & ministerial studies program here. Theological & Ministerial Studies graduates of Oral Roberts University earn a median of $34,577 early in their careers. Set against $30,750 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Oral Roberts University admits about 99% of applicants.
Abilene Christian University landed the #12 spot for theological & ministerial studies value this year. Located in the city of Abilene, Abilene Christian University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $44,200. Typical student debt for theological & ministerial studies graduates is $23,772. Soon after graduation, theological & ministerial studies degree recipients from Abilene Christian University generally make around $56,463. That is a strong return on a $23,772 median debt. Roughly 66% of applicants are accepted.
Dallas Baptist University placed #13 among the best values for theological & ministerial studies. Set in the city of Dallas, Dallas Baptist University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $40,190 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for theological & ministerial studies graduates is $22,819. Theological & Ministerial Studies graduates of Dallas Baptist University earn a median of $48,822 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $22,819 median debt. The acceptance rate is 89%.
Southern Methodist University placed #14 among the best values for theological & ministerial studies. Set in the suburb of Dallas, Southern Methodist University is a large private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $67,040. Typical student debt for theological & ministerial studies graduates is $20,712. Theological & Ministerial Studies graduates of Southern Methodist University earn a median of $54,351 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $20,712 median debt. Southern Methodist University admits about 63% of applicants.
Baylor University placed #15 among the best values for theological & ministerial studies. Set in the city of Waco, Baylor University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $58,100. Theological & Ministerial Studies graduates carry a median of $23,928 in student loans. Soon after graduation, theological & ministerial studies degree recipients from Baylor University generally make around $44,601. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 51% of applicants are accepted.
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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 · 15 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 15 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.
