by our College Data Analytics Team
[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.
For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 14 schools to find the best return on investment for lay ministry students.
What’s on this page:
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in lay ministry, balancing cost against outcomes.
For return on investment in lay ministry, no school beat North Central University 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. Lay Ministry graduates carry a median of $26,750 in student loans. Early-career lay ministry graduates make about $27,370. That is a strong return on a $26,750 median debt. The acceptance rate is 99%.
Bethel University Minnesota came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best value lay ministry schools. Bethel University Minnesota is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Saint Paul. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $44,226. Lay Ministry graduates carry a median of $25,639 in student loans. Early-career lay ministry graduates make about $45,641. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 88% of applicants are accepted.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at University Of St Thomas Minnesota earned it the #3 place for lay ministry. Located in the city of Saint Paul, University Of St Thomas Minnesota is a large private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $54,398 in tuition and fees. Lay Ministry graduates carry a median of $23,923 in student loans. Lay Ministry graduates of University Of St Thomas Minnesota earn a median of $65,183 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $23,923 median debt. Roughly 85% of applicants are accepted.
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This ranking is produced 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 · 14 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 3 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.