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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
Ozark Christian College earned the #1 spot for value among pastoral studies/counseling schools in the United States. Located in the city of Joplin, Ozark Christian College is a small private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $16,000. Pastoral Studies/counseling graduates carry a median of $23,500 in student loans. Soon after graduation, pastoral studies/counseling degree recipients from Ozark Christian College generally make around $26,422. Set against $23,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 94% of applicants are accepted.
A rank of #2 makes Grace College And Theological Seminary one of the best values for pastoral studies/counseling. Located in the town of Winona Lake, Grace College And Theological Seminary is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $29,645 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $25,500 to complete the pastoral studies/counseling program here. Early-career pastoral studies/counseling graduates make about $25,060. Set against $25,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 82%.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Southwestern Assemblies Of God University earned it the #3 place for pastoral studies/counseling. 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. Typical student debt for pastoral studies/counseling graduates is $26,750. Soon after graduation, pastoral studies/counseling degree recipients from Southwestern Assemblies Of God University generally make around $37,774. Set against $26,750 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 89% of applicants are accepted.
Lee University came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best value pastoral studies/counseling schools. Located in the city of Cleveland, Lee University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $23,790. Students borrow a median of $28,750 to complete the pastoral studies/counseling program here. Pastoral Studies/counseling graduates of Lee University earn a median of $35,189 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $28,750 median debt. Roughly 70% of applicants are accepted.
Life Pacific College came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best value pastoral studies/counseling schools. Located in the suburb of San Dimas, Life Pacific College is a small private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $22,118. Pastoral Studies/counseling graduates carry a median of $24,083 in student loans. Early-career pastoral studies/counseling graduates make about $37,436. Set against $24,083 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 96% of applicants are accepted.
ADBLOCK #101
Lancaster Bible College landed the #6 spot for pastoral studies/counseling value this year. Located in the suburb of Lancaster, Lancaster Bible College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $29,990 in tuition and fees. Pastoral Studies/counseling graduates carry a median of $22,584 in student loans. Pastoral Studies/counseling graduates of Lancaster Bible College earn a median of $35,130 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $22,584 median debt. Roughly 56% of applicants are accepted.
Cornerstone University landed the #7 spot for pastoral studies/counseling value this year. Cornerstone University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Grand Rapids. In-state tuition and fees average $23,000. Typical student debt for pastoral studies/counseling graduates is $29,243. Pastoral Studies/counseling graduates of Cornerstone University earn a median of $44,501 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $29,243 median debt. Cornerstone University admits about 78% of applicants.
Indiana Wesleyan University ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best value pastoral studies/counseling schools. Set in the town of Marion, Indiana Wesleyan University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $32,352. Pastoral Studies/counseling graduates carry a median of $22,104 in student loans. Soon after graduation, pastoral studies/counseling degree recipients from Indiana Wesleyan University generally make around $19,836. Set against $22,104 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 89% of applicants are accepted.
North Central University ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the best value pastoral studies/counseling schools. Located in the city of Minneapolis, North Central University is a small private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $32,220. Pastoral Studies/counseling graduates carry a median of $26,750 in student loans. Pastoral Studies/counseling graduates of North Central University earn a median of $27,370 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $26,750 median debt. Roughly 99% of applicants are accepted.
World Mission University came in at #10 for value in pastoral studies/counseling this year. Located in the city of Los Angeles, World Mission University is a small private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,920.
Crown College came in at #16 for value in pastoral studies/counseling this year. Set in the rural area of Saint Bonifacius, Crown College is a small private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $31,410. Typical student debt for pastoral studies/counseling graduates is $27,000. Pastoral Studies/counseling graduates of Crown College earn a median of $26,538 early in their careers. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 23%.
Valley Forge Christian College earned the #17 position for value in pastoral studies/counseling this year. Set in the suburb of Phoenixville, Valley Forge Christian College is a small private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $25,240. Pastoral Studies/counseling graduates carry a median of $27,634 in student loans. Pastoral Studies/counseling graduates of Valley Forge Christian College earn a median of $34,612 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $27,634 median debt. Valley Forge Christian College admits about 61% of applicants.
Kings University came in at #18 for value in pastoral studies/counseling this year. Located in the suburb of Southlake, Kings University is a small private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,480. Students borrow a median of $48,998 to complete the pastoral studies/counseling program here. Soon after graduation, pastoral studies/counseling degree recipients from Kings University generally make around $40,888. Set against $48,998 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 61% of applicants are accepted.
Liberty University landed the #19 spot for pastoral studies/counseling value this year. Set in the city of Lynchburg, Liberty University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $16,173 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for pastoral studies/counseling graduates is $23,750. Early-career pastoral studies/counseling graduates make about $34,083. That is a strong return on a $23,750 median debt. Roughly 99% of applicants are accepted.
The Masters College And Seminary ranked #20 on our 2026 list of the best value pastoral studies/counseling schools. Located in the suburb of Santa Clarita, The Masters College And Seminary is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $39,020 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $22,089 to complete the pastoral studies/counseling program here. Pastoral Studies/counseling graduates of The Masters College And Seminary earn a median of $46,541 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 84% of applicants are accepted.
Other Pastoral Studies/Counseling Degree Levels
Explore the best-value pastoral studies/counseling schools at other degree levels:
[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.
