2026 Best Value Lay Ministry Schools in the Great Lakes Region

1

Indiana Wesleyan University National And Global
Marion, IN

Leading the list is Indiana Wesleyan University National And Global, our #1 best value for lay ministry in the Great Lakes Region. Indiana Wesleyan University National And Global is a large private not-for-profit school located in the rural area of Marion. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,648. Students borrow a median of $26,338 to complete the lay ministry program here. Soon after graduation, lay ministry degree recipients from Indiana Wesleyan University National And Global generally make around $37,004. Set against $26,338 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

2

Grace College And Theological Seminary
Winona Lake, IN

Students looking for strong value in lay ministry will find it at Grace College And Theological Seminary, which ranked #2. Set in the town of Winona Lake, Grace College And Theological Seminary is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $29,645 in tuition and fees. Lay Ministry graduates carry a median of $25,500 in student loans. Soon after graduation, lay ministry degree recipients from Grace College And Theological Seminary generally make around $34,513. Set against $25,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 82%.

3

Andrews University
Berrien Springs, MI

Students looking for strong value in lay ministry will find it at Andrews University, which ranked #3. Located in the town of Berrien Springs, Andrews University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $35,056. Typical student debt for lay ministry graduates is $26,314. Early-career lay ministry graduates make about $57,865. That is a strong return on a $26,314 median debt. Roughly 82% of applicants are accepted.

4

Bethel College Mishawaka
Mishawaka, IN

Students looking for strong value in lay ministry will find it at Bethel College Mishawaka, which ranked #4. 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. Typical student debt for lay ministry graduates is $23,319. Early-career lay ministry graduates make about $31,046. Set against $23,319 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Bethel College Mishawaka admits about 98% of applicants.

5

Grace Bible College
Wyoming, MI

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. Students from in state pay about $17,190 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $30,118 to complete the lay ministry program here. Lay Ministry graduates of Grace Bible College earn a median of $41,219 early in their careers. Set against $30,118 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 99%.

6

Calvin College
Grand Rapids, MI

Calvin College ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best value lay ministry schools. Set in the city of Grand Rapids, Calvin College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $39,350. Typical student debt for lay ministry graduates is $22,707. Lay Ministry graduates of Calvin College earn a median of $44,220 early in their careers. Set against $22,707 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 71%.