2026 Best Value Pastoral Studies/Counseling Schools in the Middle Atlantic 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. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 12 schools to find the best return on investment for pastoral studies/counseling students.
What’s on this page:
2026 Best Value Pastoral Studies/Counseling Schools in the Middle Atlantic Region
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in pastoral studies/counseling, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Pastoral Studies/Counseling Schools
Lancaster Bible College earned the #1 spot for value among pastoral studies/counseling schools in the Middle Atlantic Region. Located in the suburb of Lancaster, Lancaster Bible College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $29,990. Students borrow a median of $22,584 to complete the pastoral studies/counseling program here. Soon after graduation, pastoral studies/counseling degree recipients from Lancaster Bible College generally make around $35,130. Set against $22,584 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 56%.
A rank of #2 makes Valley Forge Christian College one of the best values for pastoral studies/counseling. Located in the suburb of Phoenixville, Valley Forge Christian College is a small private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $25,240. Students borrow a median of $27,634 to complete the pastoral studies/counseling program here. Soon after graduation, pastoral studies/counseling degree recipients from Valley Forge Christian College generally make around $34,612. That is a strong return on a $27,634 median debt. The acceptance rate is 61%.
Neumann University came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best value pastoral studies/counseling schools. Located in the suburb of Aston, Neumann University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $39,100 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $28,450 to complete the pastoral studies/counseling program here. Early-career pastoral studies/counseling graduates make about $56,542. That is a strong return on a $28,450 median debt. Roughly 81% of applicants are accepted.
Narrow Pastoral Studies/Counseling Schools by State
More Pastoral Studies/Counseling Rankings
View All Pastoral Studies/Counseling Rankings >
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 · 12 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.
