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2026 Best Value Pastoral Studies/Counseling Schools in the United States
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in pastoral studies/counseling, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Pastoral Studies/Counseling Schools
Our analysis ranked Andrews University the best value for a degree in pastoral studies/counseling in the United States. 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. Typical student debt for pastoral studies/counseling graduates is $26,314. Soon after graduation, pastoral studies/counseling degree recipients from Andrews University generally make around $57,865. Set against $26,314 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 82%.
A rank of #2 makes Luther Rice University And Seminary one of the best values for pastoral studies/counseling. Luther Rice University And Seminary is a small private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Lithonia. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,320. Typical student debt for pastoral studies/counseling graduates is $36,730. Early-career pastoral studies/counseling graduates make about $38,760. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 92%.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at University Of St Thomas Texas earned it the #3 place for pastoral studies/counseling. Located in the city of Houston, University Of St Thomas Texas is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $34,634. Typical student debt for pastoral studies/counseling graduates is $23,628. Pastoral Studies/counseling graduates of University Of St Thomas Texas earn a median of $58,265 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of St Thomas Texas admits about 90% of applicants.
Grace College And Theological Seminary is a great value for students pursuing a degree in pastoral studies/counseling, landing the #4 spot this year. Located in the town of Winona Lake, Grace College And Theological Seminary is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $29,645. Pastoral Studies/counseling graduates carry a median of $25,500 in student loans. Soon after graduation, pastoral studies/counseling degree recipients from Grace College And Theological Seminary generally make around $43,966. That is a strong return on a $25,500 median debt. Grace College And Theological Seminary admits about 82% of applicants.
Vanguard University Of Southern California came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best value pastoral studies/counseling schools. Located in the city of Costa Mesa, Vanguard University Of Southern California is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $41,700. Typical student debt for pastoral studies/counseling graduates is $21,111. 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. Vanguard University Of Southern California admits about 62% of applicants.
ADBLOCK #101
The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary came in at #6 for value in pastoral studies/counseling this year. Located in the city of Louisville, The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,046. Early-career pastoral studies/counseling graduates make about $74,388. The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary admits about 56% of applicants.
New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary came in at #7 for value in pastoral studies/counseling this year. New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of New Orleans. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,368.
World Mission University earned the #8 position for value in pastoral studies/counseling this year. World Mission University is a small private not-for-profit school located in the city of Los Angeles. Students from in state pay about $6,920 in tuition and fees.
Maranatha Baptist Bible College came in at #9 for value in pastoral studies/counseling this year. Located in the town of Watertown, Maranatha Baptist Bible College is a small private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $21,550 in tuition and fees. Early-career pastoral studies/counseling graduates make about $56,298. Roughly 72% of applicants are accepted.
Amridge University ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best value pastoral studies/counseling schools. Amridge University is a small private not-for-profit school located in the city of Montgomery. In-state tuition and fees average $10,470. Pastoral Studies/counseling graduates of Amridge University earn a median of $46,125 early in their careers.
Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary earned the #11 position for value in pastoral studies/counseling this year. 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. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 96%.
Universidad Pentecostal Mizpa earned the #12 position for value in pastoral studies/counseling this year. 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. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $21,410.
Asbury Theological Seminary ranked #13 on our 2026 list of the best value pastoral studies/counseling schools. Located in the town of Wilmore, Asbury Theological Seminary is a small private not-for-profit university. Soon after graduation, pastoral studies/counseling degree recipients from Asbury Theological Seminary generally make around $44,082.
Bethel University Minnesota landed the #14 spot for pastoral studies/counseling value this year. Set in the suburb of Saint Paul, Bethel University Minnesota is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $44,226. Pastoral Studies/counseling graduates carry a median of $25,639 in student loans. Pastoral Studies/counseling graduates of Bethel University Minnesota earn a median of $45,641 early in their careers. Set against $25,639 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 88% of applicants are accepted.
Biola University ranked #15 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. 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. Early-career pastoral studies/counseling graduates make about $45,003. Set against $25,308 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Biola University admits about 74% of applicants.
Neumann University landed the #16 spot for pastoral studies/counseling value this year. Located in the suburb of Aston, Neumann University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $39,100. Students borrow a median of $28,450 to complete the pastoral studies/counseling program here. Soon after graduation, pastoral studies/counseling degree recipients from Neumann University generally make around $56,542. Set against $28,450 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Neumann University admits about 81% of applicants.
Naropa University placed #17 among the best values for pastoral studies/counseling. Set in the city of Boulder, Naropa University is a small private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $36,620. Pastoral Studies/counseling graduates carry a median of $33,250 in student loans. Soon after graduation, pastoral studies/counseling degree recipients from Naropa University generally make around $27,750. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 100%.
Southeastern University placed #18 among the best values for pastoral studies/counseling. Set in the city of Lakeland, Southeastern University is a large private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $32,950 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for pastoral studies/counseling graduates is $26,000. Soon after graduation, pastoral studies/counseling degree recipients from Southeastern University generally make around $35,209. Set against $26,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 53% of applicants are accepted.
The Masters College And Seminary ranked #19 on our 2026 list of the best value pastoral studies/counseling schools. Set in the suburb of Santa Clarita, The Masters College And Seminary is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $39,020. Typical student debt for pastoral studies/counseling graduates is $22,089. Early-career pastoral studies/counseling graduates make about $41,502. Set against $22,089 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 84% of applicants are accepted.
Dallas Theological Seminary earned the #20 position for value in pastoral studies/counseling this year. Set in the city of Dallas, Dallas Theological Seminary is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Early-career pastoral studies/counseling graduates make about $45,207.
[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.
