2026 Best Value Pastoral Studies/Counseling Schools
[Pastoral Studies/Counseling](/majors/theology-and-religious-vocations/pastoral-counseling-specialized-ministries/pastoral-studies-counseling/) 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.
College Factual analyzed 148 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best value pastoral studies/counseling schools.
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Finding the Best Value Pastoral Studies/Counseling School for You
Where you study pastoral studies/counseling affects both what you pay and what you earn. That is why we built our Best Value Pastoral Studies/Counseling Schools ranking. We score each school on the balance of tuition, student debt, and post-graduation earnings to surface the best value.
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One Size Does Not Fit All
We offer a number of rankings, including this Best Value Pastoral Studies/Counseling Schools list, to help you decide. Want schools in a particular part of the country? Narrow the list by region or state.
Want to compare schools head to head? Try our College Combat tool to weigh the factors that matter most to you.
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2026 Best Value Pastoral Studies/Counseling Schools in the United States
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the pastoral studies/counseling degrees they offer, see the list below.
Best Value Pastoral Studies/Counseling Schools
For return on investment in pastoral studies/counseling, no school beat Luther Rice University And Seminary this year. Set in the suburb of Lithonia, Luther Rice University And Seminary is a small private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $11,320. Pastoral Studies/counseling graduates carry a median of $36,730 in student loans. Early-career pastoral studies/counseling graduates make about $38,760. That is a strong return on a $36,730 median debt. Roughly 92% of applicants are accepted.
A rank of #2 makes Andrews University one of the best values for pastoral studies/counseling. Located in the town of Berrien Springs, Andrews University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $35,056. Pastoral Studies/counseling graduates carry a median of $26,314 in student loans. Soon after graduation, pastoral studies/counseling degree recipients from Andrews University generally make around $57,865. That is a strong return on a $26,314 median debt. The acceptance rate is 82%.
A rank of #3 makes Indiana Wesleyan University National And Global one of the best values for pastoral studies/counseling. Indiana Wesleyan University National And Global is a large private not-for-profit school located in the rural area of Marion. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,648. Students borrow a median of $26,338 to complete the pastoral studies/counseling program here. Early-career pastoral studies/counseling graduates make about $37,004. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
University Of St Thomas Texas is a great value for students pursuing a degree in pastoral studies/counseling, landing the #4 spot this year. Located in the city of Houston, University Of St Thomas Texas is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $34,634. Students borrow a median of $23,628 to complete the pastoral studies/counseling program here. Soon after graduation, pastoral studies/counseling degree recipients from University Of St Thomas Texas generally make around $58,265. That is a strong return on a $23,628 median debt. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.
Students looking for strong value in pastoral studies/counseling will find it at Grace College And Theological Seminary, which ranked #5. Grace College And Theological Seminary is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the town of Winona Lake. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $29,645. Students borrow a median of $25,500 to complete the pastoral studies/counseling program here. Soon after graduation, pastoral studies/counseling 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. Roughly 82% of applicants are accepted.
Ozark Christian College ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best value pastoral studies/counseling schools. Ozark Christian College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the city of Joplin. In-state tuition and fees average $16,000. Typical student debt for pastoral studies/counseling graduates is $23,500. Soon after graduation, pastoral studies/counseling degree recipients from Ozark Christian College generally make around $26,422. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 94%.
Vanguard University Of Southern California earned the #7 position for value in pastoral studies/counseling this year. Set in the city of Costa Mesa, Vanguard University Of Southern California is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $41,700. Students borrow a median of $21,111 to complete the pastoral studies/counseling program here. Soon after graduation, pastoral studies/counseling degree recipients from Vanguard University Of Southern California generally make around $80,727. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 62% of applicants are accepted.
Southwestern Assemblies Of God University ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best value pastoral studies/counseling schools. Located in the suburb of Waxahachie, Southwestern Assemblies Of God University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $25,064. Students borrow a median of $26,750 to complete the pastoral studies/counseling program here. Soon after graduation, pastoral studies/counseling degree recipients from Southwestern Assemblies Of God University generally make around $37,774. That is a strong return on a $26,750 median debt. Roughly 89% of applicants are accepted.
Lee University placed #9 among the best values for pastoral studies/counseling. Lee University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Cleveland. In-state tuition and fees average $23,790. Typical student debt for pastoral studies/counseling graduates is $28,750. Soon after graduation, pastoral studies/counseling degree recipients from Lee University generally make around $35,189. Set against $28,750 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 70%.
Life Pacific College earned the #10 position for value in pastoral studies/counseling this year. Located in the suburb of San Dimas, Life Pacific College is a small private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $22,118. Typical student debt for pastoral studies/counseling graduates is $24,083. Soon after graduation, pastoral studies/counseling degree recipients from Life Pacific College generally make around $37,436. That is a strong return on a $24,083 median debt. Life Pacific College admits about 96% of applicants.
Lancaster Bible College placed #11 among the best values for pastoral studies/counseling. Set in the suburb of Lancaster, Lancaster Bible College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $29,990. Pastoral Studies/counseling graduates carry a median of $22,584 in student loans. Early-career pastoral studies/counseling graduates make about $35,130. Set against $22,584 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 56%.
Cornerstone University ranked #12 on our 2026 list of the best value pastoral studies/counseling schools. Set in the city of Grand Rapids, Cornerstone University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $23,000 in tuition and fees. Pastoral Studies/counseling graduates carry a median of $29,243 in student loans. Early-career pastoral studies/counseling graduates make about $44,501. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 78% of applicants are accepted.
Indiana Wesleyan University ranked #13 on our 2026 list of the best value pastoral studies/counseling schools. Located in the town of Marion, Indiana Wesleyan University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $32,352. Pastoral Studies/counseling graduates carry a median of $24,221 in student loans. Pastoral Studies/counseling graduates of Indiana Wesleyan University earn a median of $31,281 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $24,221 median debt. The acceptance rate is 89%.
North Central University earned the #14 position for value in pastoral studies/counseling this year. North Central University is a small private not-for-profit school located in the city of Minneapolis. Students from in state pay about $32,220 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $26,750 to complete the pastoral studies/counseling program here. Soon after graduation, pastoral studies/counseling degree recipients from North Central University generally make around $27,370. That is a strong return on a $26,750 median debt. Roughly 99% of applicants are accepted.
World Mission University ranked #15 on our 2026 list of the best value pastoral studies/counseling schools. Set in the city of Los Angeles, World Mission University is a small private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $6,920.
Universidad Teologica Del Caribe came in at #16 for value in pastoral studies/counseling this year. Located in the suburb of Trujillo Alto, Universidad Teologica Del Caribe is a small private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $6,660. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $23,536.
Taylor University ranked #17 on our 2026 list of the best value pastoral studies/counseling schools. Taylor University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the rural area of Upland. Students from in state pay about $40,490 in tuition and fees. Pastoral Studies/counseling graduates carry a median of $21,832 in student loans. Soon after graduation, pastoral studies/counseling degree recipients from Taylor University generally make around $37,035. That is a strong return on a $21,832 median debt. The acceptance rate is 74%.
Oral Roberts University landed the #18 spot for pastoral studies/counseling value this year. Oral Roberts University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Tulsa. Students from in state pay about $35,470 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for pastoral studies/counseling graduates is $37,000. Soon after graduation, pastoral studies/counseling degree recipients from Oral Roberts University generally make around $41,180. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 99% of applicants are accepted.
Universidad Pentecostal Mizpa ranked #19 on our 2026 list of the best value pastoral studies/counseling schools. Located in the city of Rio Piedras, Universidad Pentecostal Mizpa is a small private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $4,560. Graduates go on to earn a median of $21,410 ten years after entry.
Maranatha Baptist Bible College ranked #20 on our 2026 list of the best value pastoral studies/counseling schools. Located in the town of Watertown, Maranatha Baptist Bible College is a small private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $21,550. Pastoral Studies/counseling graduates of Maranatha Baptist Bible College earn a median of $56,298 early in their careers. The acceptance rate is 72%.
Moody Bible Institute earned the #21 position for value in pastoral studies/counseling this year. Set in the city of Chicago, Moody Bible Institute is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $15,786. Students borrow a median of $12,000 to complete the pastoral studies/counseling program here. Early-career pastoral studies/counseling graduates make about $35,426. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 83%.
Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary placed #22 among the best values for pastoral studies/counseling. Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Kansas City. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,530. Students borrow a median of $15,559 to complete the pastoral studies/counseling program here. Soon after graduation, pastoral studies/counseling degree recipients from Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary generally make around $55,308. Set against $15,559 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary admits about 96% of applicants.
Crown College earned the #23 position for value in pastoral studies/counseling this year. Crown College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the rural area of Saint Bonifacius. Students from in state pay about $31,410 in tuition and fees. Pastoral Studies/counseling graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Early-career pastoral studies/counseling graduates make about $26,538. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 23%.
Bethel University Minnesota came in at #24 for value in pastoral studies/counseling this year. Located in the suburb of Saint Paul, Bethel University Minnesota is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $44,226. Typical student debt for pastoral studies/counseling graduates is $25,639. Pastoral Studies/counseling graduates of Bethel University Minnesota earn a median of $45,641 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $25,639 median debt. The acceptance rate is 88%.
Biola University ranked #25 on our 2026 list of the best value pastoral studies/counseling schools. Located in the suburb of La Mirada, Biola University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $48,984. Typical student debt for pastoral studies/counseling graduates is $25,308. Soon after graduation, pastoral studies/counseling degree recipients from Biola University generally make around $45,003. Set against $25,308 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Biola University admits about 74% of applicants.
Rest of the Top 36 Best Value Pastoral Studies/Counseling Schools
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s pastoral studies/counseling value ranking:
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Notes and References
The ranking above is published by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. The methodology weighs the cost of a degree against the earnings graduates go on to achieve, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 148 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 19 ranked schools only.
- The Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), a branch of the U.S. Department of Education (DOE), serves as the core of our data about colleges.
- Some other college data, including much of the graduate earnings data, comes from the U.S. Department of Education’s (College Scorecard).
More about our data sources and methodologies.
