by our College Data Analytics Team
If you’re a veteran, service member, or military-affiliated student looking to study lay ministry, you’ve come to the right place. This ranking highlights 9 schools that stand out for veteran lay ministry students, using our 2026 methodology.
This ranking is based on the factors that matter most to veteran and military-affiliated students: affordability and veteran financial benefits (including GI Bill and Yellow Ribbon support), academic quality, on-campus veteran resources and support services, veteran-friendly policies, and the size of the veteran student community. So you can compare your options, College Factual evaluated colleges nationwide, drawing primarily on U.S. Department of Education data (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Want to compare schools head to head? Try our College Combat to build custom comparisons on the factors you care about most.
Narrow this ranking to a degree level below:
Explore the leading lay ministry colleges for veterans below:
Our analysis ranked Regent University the #1 college for veteran and military-affiliated students pursuing a degree in lay ministry. The school's overall veterans score is 79.2 out of 100. On veteran affordability it scores 100.0, alongside a 66.7 veteran-support score. See the full lay ministry report for Regent University
Liberty University came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best lay ministry colleges for veterans. It scores 76.7 out of 100 for serving veteran and military students. On veteran affordability it scores 100.0, with a veteran-resources score of 66.7. More about the lay ministry program at Liberty University
Veteran students seeking a strong lay ministry program will find one at Bethel University, which ranked #3. The school's overall veterans score is 74.1 out of 100. Veteran affordability (GI Bill benefits, tuition support) scores 63.2, alongside a 33.3 veteran-support score. See the full lay ministry report for Bethel University
University of Northwestern-St Paul came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best lay ministry colleges for veterans. It scores 72.7 out of 100 for serving veteran and military students. Its affordability for veterans scores 73.6, and veteran resources 33.3. More about the lay ministry program at University of Northwestern-St Paul
The Master's University and Seminary came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best lay ministry colleges for veterans. It scores 71.8 out of 100 for serving veteran and military students. Its affordability for veterans scores 73.4, with a veteran-resources score of 33.3.
Read more about lay ministry at The Master's University and Seminary
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Grace Christian University placed #6 among the best lay ministry colleges for veterans. Grace Christian University scores 71.5 out of 100 for veteran support overall. Veteran affordability (GI Bill benefits, tuition support) scores 100.0, and veteran resources 33.3. More about the lay ministry program at Grace Christian University
Grace College and Theological Seminary came in at #7 for veteran lay ministry students this year. Grace College and Theological Seminary scores 64.0 out of 100 for veteran support overall. Veteran affordability (GI Bill benefits, tuition support) scores 90.3, with a veteran-resources score of 66.7. See the full lay ministry report for Grace College and Theological Seminary
North Central University came in at #8 for veteran lay ministry students this year. The school's overall veterans score is 62.4 out of 100. On veteran affordability it scores 92.1, with a veteran-resources score of 33.3. See the full lay ministry report for North Central University
Colorado Christian University placed #9 among the best lay ministry colleges for veterans. Colorado Christian University scores 59.9 out of 100 for veteran support overall. Veteran affordability (GI Bill benefits, tuition support) scores 69.1, alongside a 33.3 veteran-support score. See the full lay ministry report for Colorado Christian University
*These averages are for the top 25 ranked colleges only.
Our ranking weighs the factors that matter most to veteran and military-affiliated students studying lay ministry: affordability and veteran financial benefits (GI Bill, Yellow Ribbon), academic quality, on-campus veteran resources and support services, veteran-friendly policies, and the size of the veteran student community.
This list is compiled by College Factual, 2026 edition.
References
Read more about our data sources and methodologies.
