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2026 Best Value Pastoral Studies/Counseling Schools in Illinois

[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. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong pastoral studies/counseling education at a price that pays off.

College Factual analyzed 11 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best value pastoral studies/counseling schools.

What’s on this page:

• Best Value Pastoral Studies/Counseling Schools in Illinois

2026 Best Value Pastoral Studies/Counseling Schools in Illinois

Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in pastoral studies/counseling, balancing cost against outcomes.

Best Value Pastoral Studies/Counseling Schools

1

Moody Bible Institute
Chicago, IL

$15,786 In-State Tuition & Fees

$12,000 Avg Student Debt

$45,399 Median Earnings (10yr)

Our analysis ranked Moody Bible Institute the best value for a degree in pastoral studies/counseling in Illinois. Located in the city of Chicago, Moody Bible Institute is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $15,786. Pastoral Studies/counseling graduates carry a median of $12,000 in student loans. Early-career pastoral studies/counseling graduates make about $35,426. Set against $12,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 83%.

2

Loyola University Chicago
Chicago, IL

$53,710 In-State Tuition & Fees

$23,521 Avg Student Debt

$71,530 Median Earnings (10yr)

A rank of #2 makes Loyola University Chicago one of the best values for pastoral studies/counseling. Set in the city of Chicago, Loyola University Chicago is a large private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $53,710 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for pastoral studies/counseling graduates is $23,521. Pastoral Studies/counseling graduates of Loyola University Chicago earn a median of $46,241 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $23,521 median debt. Loyola University Chicago admits about 82% of applicants.

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Notes and References

The ranking above is published 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 · 11 schools evaluated.

*Averages shown above reflect the top 1 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.