[Pastoral Counseling & Specialized Ministries](/majors/theology-and-religious-vocations/pastoral-counseling-specialized-ministries/) 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 278 schools to find the best return on investment for pastoral counseling & specialized ministries students.
Finding the Best Value Pastoral Counseling & Specialized Ministries School for You
The right pastoral counseling & specialized ministries school can pay off for years to come. To help, we created our Best Value Pastoral Counseling & Specialized Ministries Schools ranking. It weighs the cost of a degree against the outcomes graduates go on to achieve, so you can find the strongest return on your investment.
We offer a number of rankings, including this Best Value Pastoral Counseling & Specialized Ministries Schools list, to help you decide. More interested in schools in a specific area of the country? Filter this list by region or state.
For return on investment in pastoral counseling & specialized ministries, no school beat Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary this year. Set in the suburb of Wake Forest, Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,318. Pastoral Counseling & Specialized Ministries graduates of Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary earn a median of $54,863 early in their careers. The acceptance rate is 75%.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Luther Rice University And Seminary earned it the #2 place for pastoral counseling & specialized ministries. Set in the suburb of Lithonia, Luther Rice University And Seminary is a small private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $11,320. Students borrow a median of $36,730 to complete the pastoral counseling & specialized ministries program here. Soon after graduation, pastoral counseling & specialized ministries degree recipients from Luther Rice University And Seminary generally make around $38,760. Set against $36,730 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 92%.
Students looking for strong value in pastoral counseling & specialized ministries will find it at Andrews University, which ranked #3. Located in the town of Berrien Springs, Andrews University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $35,056 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $26,314 to complete the pastoral counseling & specialized ministries program here. Soon after graduation, pastoral counseling & specialized ministries degree recipients from Andrews University generally make around $57,865. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Andrews University admits about 82% of applicants.
Ozark Christian College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in pastoral counseling & specialized ministries, landing the #4 spot this year. Set in the city of Joplin, Ozark Christian College is a small private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $16,000 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $23,500 to complete the pastoral counseling & specialized ministries program here. Soon after graduation, pastoral counseling & specialized ministries degree recipients from Ozark Christian College generally make around $26,422. That is a strong return on a $23,500 median debt. Roughly 94% of applicants are accepted.
A rank of #5 makes Indiana Wesleyan University National And Global one of the best values for pastoral counseling & specialized ministries. Located in the rural area of Marion, Indiana Wesleyan University National And Global is a large private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $9,648 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for pastoral counseling & specialized ministries graduates is $26,338. Soon after graduation, pastoral counseling & specialized ministries degree recipients from Indiana Wesleyan University National And Global generally make around $37,004. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
University Of St Thomas Texas ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best value pastoral counseling & specialized ministries schools. 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 counseling & specialized ministries graduates is $23,628. Soon after graduation, pastoral counseling & specialized ministries degree recipients from University Of St Thomas Texas generally make around $58,265. That is a strong return on a $23,628 median debt. The acceptance rate is 90%.
Grace College And Theological Seminary placed #7 among the best values for pastoral counseling & specialized ministries. Set in the town of Winona Lake, Grace College And Theological Seminary is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $29,645. Typical student debt for pastoral counseling & specialized ministries graduates is $25,500. Soon after graduation, pastoral counseling & specialized ministries degree recipients from Grace College And Theological Seminary generally make around $34,513. Set against $25,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 82%.
Vanguard University Of Southern California ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best value pastoral counseling & specialized ministries schools. Set in the city of Costa Mesa, Vanguard University Of Southern California is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $41,700. Pastoral Counseling & Specialized Ministries graduates carry a median of $21,111 in student loans. Pastoral Counseling & Specialized Ministries 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. Roughly 62% of applicants are accepted.
Bethel College Mishawaka placed #9 among the best values for pastoral counseling & specialized ministries. Located in the city of Mishawaka, Bethel College Mishawaka is a small private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $34,600. Students borrow a median of $23,319 to complete the pastoral counseling & specialized ministries program here. Early-career pastoral counseling & specialized ministries graduates make about $31,046. That is a strong return on a $23,319 median debt. The acceptance rate is 98%.
Southwestern Assemblies Of God University came in at #10 for value in pastoral counseling & specialized ministries this year. Located in the suburb of Waxahachie, Southwestern Assemblies Of God University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $25,064 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $26,750 to complete the pastoral counseling & specialized ministries program here. Soon after graduation, pastoral counseling & specialized ministries degree recipients from Southwestern Assemblies Of God University generally make around $30,910. That is a strong return on a $26,750 median debt. Southwestern Assemblies Of God University admits about 89% of applicants.
Milligan College placed #11 among the best values for pastoral counseling & specialized ministries. Set in the suburb of Milligan, Milligan College is a small private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $40,450 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $26,150 to complete the pastoral counseling & specialized ministries program here. Early-career pastoral counseling & specialized ministries graduates make about $64,327. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Milligan College admits about 72% of applicants.
Lee University landed the #12 spot for pastoral counseling & specialized ministries value this year. Set in the city of Cleveland, Lee University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $23,790. Students borrow a median of $28,750 to complete the pastoral counseling & specialized ministries program here. Soon after graduation, pastoral counseling & specialized ministries degree recipients from Lee University generally make around $35,189. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Lee University admits about 70% of applicants.
Regent University ranked #13 on our 2026 list of the best value pastoral counseling & specialized ministries schools. Regent University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Virginia Beach. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $21,650. Pastoral Counseling & Specialized Ministries graduates carry a median of $35,500 in student loans. Soon after graduation, pastoral counseling & specialized ministries degree recipients from Regent University generally make around $33,407. Set against $35,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 38% of applicants are accepted.
Life Pacific College ranked #14 on our 2026 list of the best value pastoral counseling & specialized ministries schools. Set in the suburb of San Dimas, Life Pacific College is a small private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $22,118. Pastoral Counseling & Specialized Ministries graduates carry a median of $24,083 in student loans. Early-career pastoral counseling & specialized ministries graduates make about $37,436. Set against $24,083 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 96% of applicants are accepted.
Lancaster Bible College landed the #15 spot for pastoral counseling & specialized ministries value this year. Lancaster Bible College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Lancaster. Students from in state pay about $29,990 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $22,584 to complete the pastoral counseling & specialized ministries program here. Pastoral Counseling & Specialized Ministries graduates of Lancaster Bible College earn a median of $35,286 early in their careers. Set against $22,584 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 56%.
Grace Bible College placed #16 among the best values for pastoral counseling & specialized ministries. Grace Bible College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the city of Wyoming. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $17,190. Pastoral Counseling & Specialized Ministries graduates carry a median of $30,118 in student loans. Soon after graduation, pastoral counseling & specialized ministries degree recipients from Grace Bible College generally make around $41,219. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 99%.
Indiana Wesleyan University ranked #17 on our 2026 list of the best value pastoral counseling & specialized ministries schools. Set in the town of Marion, Indiana Wesleyan University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $32,352. Pastoral Counseling & Specialized Ministries graduates carry a median of $24,221 in student loans. Pastoral Counseling & Specialized Ministries graduates of Indiana Wesleyan University earn a median of $31,281 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 89%.
Cornerstone University came in at #18 for value in pastoral counseling & specialized ministries this year. Located in the city of Grand Rapids, Cornerstone University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $23,000. Typical student debt for pastoral counseling & specialized ministries graduates is $29,243. Soon after graduation, pastoral counseling & specialized ministries degree recipients from Cornerstone University generally make around $44,501. Set against $29,243 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 78%.
Southeastern Free Will Baptist Bible College ranked #19 on our 2026 list of the best value pastoral counseling & specialized ministries schools. Southeastern Free Will Baptist Bible College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the rural area of Wendell. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,739.
North Central University came in at #20 for value in pastoral counseling & specialized ministries this year. North Central University is a small private not-for-profit school located in the city of Minneapolis. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $32,220. Students borrow a median of $26,750 to complete the pastoral counseling & specialized ministries program here. Pastoral Counseling & Specialized Ministries 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.
Taylor University landed the #21 spot for pastoral counseling & specialized ministries value this year. Taylor University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the rural area of Upland. Students from in state pay about $40,490 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for pastoral counseling & specialized ministries graduates is $21,832. Pastoral Counseling & Specialized Ministries graduates of Taylor University earn a median of $37,035 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Taylor University admits about 74% of applicants.
World Mission University landed the #22 spot for pastoral counseling & specialized ministries value this year. World Mission University is a small private not-for-profit school located in the city of Los Angeles. In-state tuition and fees average $6,920.
Calvin College placed #23 among the best values for pastoral counseling & specialized ministries. Located in the city of Grand Rapids, Calvin College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $39,350 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $22,707 to complete the pastoral counseling & specialized ministries program here. Soon after graduation, pastoral counseling & specialized ministries degree recipients from Calvin College generally make around $44,220. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 71% of applicants are accepted.
Maranatha Baptist Bible College placed #24 among the best values for pastoral counseling & specialized ministries. Maranatha Baptist Bible College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the town of Watertown. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $21,550. Early-career pastoral counseling & specialized ministries graduates make about $56,298. Maranatha Baptist Bible College admits about 72% of applicants.
Universidad Teologica Del Caribe placed #25 among the best values for pastoral counseling & specialized ministries. Set in the suburb of Trujillo Alto, Universidad Teologica Del Caribe is a small private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $6,660. Graduates go on to earn a median of $23,536 ten years after entry.
Rest of the Top 49 Best Value Pastoral Counseling & Specialized Ministries Schools
Not far behind, these schools also offered excellent value in pastoral counseling & specialized ministries:
The ranking above is published 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 · 278 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 28 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).
[Pastoral Counseling & Specialized Ministries](/majors/theology-and-religious-vocations/pastoral-counseling-specialized-ministries/) 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.
