DEBUG: Raw major_slug = ""
DEBUG: Initial offers_url = "https://www.collegefactual.com/majors/theology-and-religious-vocations/pastoral-counseling-specialized-ministries/lay-ministry/offers.json", major_slug = ""
DEBUG: After cleaning major_slug = ""
DEBUG: Before URL cleaning = "https://www.collegefactual.com/majors/theology-and-religious-vocations/pastoral-counseling-specialized-ministries/lay-ministry/offers.json"
DEBUG: After TrimSuffix = "https://www.collegefactual.com/majors/theology-and-religious-vocations/pastoral-counseling-specialized-ministries/lay-ministry/offers.json"
DEBUG: After HTTPS placeholder = "HTTPS_TEMP_PLACEHOLDERwww.collegefactual.com/majors/theology-and-religious-vocations/pastoral-counseling-specialized-ministries/lay-ministry/offers.json"
DEBUG: After slash cleaning = "HTTPS_TEMP_PLACEHOLDERwww.collegefactual.com/majors/theology-and-religious-vocations/pastoral-counseling-specialized-ministries/lay-ministry/offers.json"
DEBUG: After URL cleaning = "https://www.collegefactual.com/majors/theology-and-religious-vocations/pastoral-counseling-specialized-ministries/lay-ministry/offers.json"
DEBUG: offers_url = https://www.collegefactual.com/majors/theology-and-religious-vocations/pastoral-counseling-specialized-ministries/lay-ministry/offers.json
DEBUG: major_slug = ""
DEBUG: offers_url is valid, proceeding to fetch data
DEBUG: No offers_data.offers found, showing generic ESYOH widget
2026 Best Value Lay Ministry Schools in the United States
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the lay ministry degrees they offer, see the list below.
Best Value Lay Ministry Schools
Leading the list is Grace College And Theological Seminary, our #1 best value for lay ministry in the United States. Grace College And Theological Seminary is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the town of Winona Lake. In-state tuition and fees average $29,645. Students borrow a median of $25,500 to complete the lay ministry program here. Lay Ministry graduates of Grace College And Theological Seminary earn a median of $25,060 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $25,500 median debt. Grace College And Theological Seminary admits about 82% of applicants.
Students looking for strong value in lay ministry will find it at Southwestern Assemblies Of God University, which ranked #2. Located in the suburb of Waxahachie, Southwestern Assemblies Of God University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $25,064 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $26,750 to complete the lay ministry program here. Early-career lay ministry graduates make about $30,910. Set against $26,750 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Southwestern Assemblies Of God University admits about 89% of applicants.
A rank of #3 makes Bethel College Mishawaka one of the best values for lay ministry. Bethel College Mishawaka is a small private not-for-profit school located in the city of Mishawaka. In-state tuition and fees average $34,600. Students borrow a median of $23,319 to complete the lay ministry program here. Lay Ministry graduates of Bethel College Mishawaka earn a median of $31,046 early in their careers. Set against $23,319 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 98%.
Regent University came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best value lay ministry schools. Located in the city of Virginia Beach, Regent University is a large private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $21,650 in tuition and fees. Lay Ministry graduates carry a median of $35,500 in student loans. Early-career lay ministry graduates make about $33,407. That is a strong return on a $35,500 median debt. Regent University admits about 38% of applicants.
Grace Bible College came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best value lay ministry schools. Set in the city of Wyoming, Grace Bible College is a small private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $17,190. Lay Ministry graduates carry a median of $38,453 in student loans. Lay Ministry graduates of Grace Bible College earn a median of $48,916 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 99% of applicants are accepted.
ADBLOCK #101
North Central University landed the #6 spot for lay ministry value this year. Set in the city of Minneapolis, North Central University is a small private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $32,220. Typical student debt for lay ministry graduates is $26,750. Early-career lay ministry graduates make about $27,370. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 99%.
Calvin College placed #7 among the best values for lay ministry. Located in the city of Grand Rapids, Calvin College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $39,350. Typical student debt for lay ministry graduates is $22,707. Early-career lay ministry graduates make about $44,220. That is a strong return on a $22,707 median debt. Calvin College admits about 71% of applicants.
Universidad Teologica Del Caribe came in at #8 for value in lay ministry this year. Set in the suburb of Trujillo Alto, Universidad Teologica Del Caribe is a small private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $6,660. Graduates go on to earn a median of $23,536 ten years after entry.
Colorado Christian University placed #9 among the best values for lay ministry. Located in the suburb of Lakewood, Colorado Christian University is a large private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $28,846. Lay Ministry graduates carry a median of $36,092 in student loans. Soon after graduation, lay ministry degree recipients from Colorado Christian University generally make around $47,333. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Liberty University landed the #10 spot for lay ministry value this year. Liberty University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Lynchburg. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $16,173. Lay Ministry graduates carry a median of $23,750 in student loans. Lay Ministry graduates of Liberty University earn a median of $34,083 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $23,750 median debt. Liberty University admits about 99% of applicants.
[Lay Ministry](/majors/theology-and-religious-vocations/pastoral-counseling-specialized-ministries/lay-ministry/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong lay ministry education at a price that pays off.
