by our College Data Analytics Team
[Missionary Studies](/majors/theology-and-religious-vocations/missionary-studies/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 126 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for missionary studies students.
What’s on this page:
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in missionary studies, balancing cost against outcomes.
Our analysis ranked Moody Bible Institute the best value for a degree in missionary studies in the United States. Set in the city of Chicago, Moody Bible Institute is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $15,786. Students borrow a median of $15,000 to complete the missionary studies program here. Early-career missionary studies graduates make about $26,236. Set against $15,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 83%.
Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best value missionary studies schools. Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Kansas City. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,530. Missionary Studies graduates carry a median of $7,733 in student loans. Missionary Studies graduates of Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary earn a median of $39,368 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 96% of applicants are accepted.
Bethany Global University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in missionary studies, landing the #3 spot this year. Located in the city of Bloomington, Bethany Global University is a small private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,000. Typical student debt for missionary studies graduates is $19,635. Missionary Studies graduates of Bethany Global University earn a median of $23,272 early in their careers. The acceptance rate is 93%.
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Looking for a different degree level? Compare best-value Missionary Studies rankings across degree levels:
The ranking above is published by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. Schools are scored on the balance of cost (tuition and student debt) against student outcomes (post-graduation earnings) — a measure of return on investment, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 126 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 5 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.