2026 Best Value Theological & Ministerial Studies Schools in Texas

[Theological & Ministerial Studies](/majors/theology-and-religious-vocations/theological-ministerial-studies/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong theological & ministerial studies education at a price that pays off.
College Factual analyzed 30 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best value theological & ministerial studies schools.
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2026 Best Value Theological & Ministerial Studies Schools in Texas
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the theological & ministerial studies degrees they offer, see the list below.
Best Value Theological & Ministerial Studies Schools
Our analysis ranked University Of St Thomas Texas the best value for a degree in theological & ministerial studies in Texas. University Of St Thomas Texas is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Houston. In-state tuition and fees average $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. That is a strong return on a $23,628 median debt. University Of St Thomas Texas admits about 90% of applicants.
A rank of #2 makes Houston Baptist University one of the best values for theological & ministerial studies. Located in the city of Houston, Houston Baptist University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $39,430 in tuition and fees. Theological & Ministerial Studies graduates carry a median of $25,601 in student loans. Soon after graduation, theological & ministerial studies degree recipients from Houston Baptist University generally make around $51,968. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 84%.
Students looking for strong value in theological & ministerial studies will find it at Southwestern Assemblies Of God University, which ranked #3. Located in the suburb of Waxahachie, Southwestern Assemblies Of God University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $25,064. Theological & Ministerial Studies graduates carry a median of $28,248 in student loans. Early-career theological & ministerial studies graduates make about $47,762. Set against $28,248 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Southwestern Assemblies Of God University admits about 89% of applicants.
Students looking for strong value in theological & ministerial studies will find it at University Of Dallas, which ranked #4. Set in the city of Irving, University Of Dallas is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $53,930. Theological & Ministerial Studies graduates carry a median of $23,411 in student loans. Early-career theological & ministerial studies graduates make about $58,396. Set against $23,411 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 53%.
Students looking for strong value in theological & ministerial studies will find it at Kings University, which ranked #5. Kings University is a small private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Southlake. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,480. Students borrow a median of $48,998 to complete the theological & ministerial studies program here. Early-career theological & ministerial studies graduates make about $41,066. Set against $48,998 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Kings University admits about 61% of applicants.
Abilene Christian University came in at #6 for value in theological & ministerial studies this year. Abilene Christian University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Abilene. Students from in state pay about $44,200 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $23,772 to complete the theological & ministerial studies program here. 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 earned the #7 position for value in theological & ministerial studies this year. Located in the city of Dallas, Dallas Baptist University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $40,190 in tuition and fees. Theological & Ministerial Studies graduates carry a median of $22,819 in student loans. Soon after graduation, theological & ministerial studies degree recipients from Dallas Baptist University generally make around $48,822. Set against $22,819 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 89%.
Southern Methodist University ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best value theological & ministerial studies schools. Located in the suburb of Dallas, Southern Methodist University is a large private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $67,040. Students borrow a median of $20,712 to complete the theological & ministerial studies program here. Early-career theological & ministerial studies graduates make about $54,351. Set against $20,712 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Southern Methodist University admits about 63% of applicants.
Baylor University earned the #9 position for value in theological & ministerial studies this year. Set in the city of Waco, Baylor University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $58,100. Typical student debt for theological & ministerial studies graduates is $23,928. Early-career theological & ministerial studies graduates make about $44,601. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Baylor University admits about 51% of applicants.
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Notes and References
This list is compiled by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 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 · 30 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 6 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.