2026 Best Value Pastoral Studies/Counseling Schools in the Far Western Region
[Pastoral Studies/Counseling](/majors/theology-and-religious-vocations/pastoral-counseling-specialized-ministries/pastoral-studies-counseling/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 23 schools to find the best return on investment for pastoral studies/counseling students.
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2026 Best Value Pastoral Studies/Counseling Schools in the Far Western Region
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in pastoral studies/counseling, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Pastoral Studies/Counseling Schools
Vanguard University Of Southern California earned the #1 spot for value among pastoral studies/counseling schools in the Far Western Region. Vanguard University Of Southern California is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Costa Mesa. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $41,700. Typical student debt for pastoral studies/counseling graduates is $21,111. Pastoral Studies/counseling graduates of Vanguard University Of Southern California earn a median of $80,727 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $21,111 median debt. Vanguard University Of Southern California admits about 62% of applicants.
Life Pacific College came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best value pastoral studies/counseling schools. Set in the suburb of San Dimas, Life Pacific College is a small private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $22,118 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $24,083 to complete the pastoral studies/counseling program here. Early-career pastoral studies/counseling graduates make about $37,436. Set against $24,083 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 96%.
World Mission University came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best value pastoral studies/counseling schools. Located in the city of Los Angeles, World Mission University is a small private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $6,920.
Students looking for strong value in pastoral studies/counseling will find it at Biola University, which ranked #4. Set in the suburb of La Mirada, Biola University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $48,984. Students borrow a median of $25,308 to complete the pastoral studies/counseling program here. Soon after graduation, pastoral studies/counseling degree recipients from Biola University generally make around $45,003. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 74%.
Students looking for strong value in pastoral studies/counseling will find it at George Fox University, which ranked #5. George Fox University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the town of Newberg. Students from in state pay about $41,320 in tuition and fees. Pastoral Studies/counseling graduates carry a median of $25,324 in student loans. Early-career pastoral studies/counseling graduates make about $74,619. Set against $25,324 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 94%.
The Masters College And Seminary landed the #6 spot for pastoral studies/counseling value this year. Set in the suburb of Santa Clarita, The Masters College And Seminary is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $39,020. Typical student debt for pastoral studies/counseling graduates is $22,089. Pastoral Studies/counseling graduates of The Masters College And Seminary earn a median of $46,541 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $22,089 median debt. The acceptance rate is 84%.
Loyola Marymount University ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best value pastoral studies/counseling schools. Set in the city of Los Angeles, Loyola Marymount University is a large private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $61,867 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for pastoral studies/counseling graduates is $22,248. Early-career pastoral studies/counseling graduates make about $52,935. Set against $22,248 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Loyola Marymount University admits about 45% of applicants.
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Notes and References
This ranking is produced 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 · 23 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 3 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.
