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College Factual  by our College Data Analytics Team
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2026 Best Value Pastoral Counseling & Specialized Ministries Associate’s Degree Schools

4 Colleges in the United States
$22,392 Avg Student Debt
$49,383 Avg Median Earnings (10yr)
2026 Best Value Pastoral Counseling & Specialized Ministries Associate's Degree Badge [Pastoral Counseling & Specialized Ministries](/majors/theology-and-religious-vocations/pastoral-counseling-specialized-ministries/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. 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.

What’s on this page:

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2026 Best Value Pastoral Counseling & Specialized Ministries Schools in the United States

If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the pastoral counseling & specialized ministries degrees they offer, see the list below.

Best Value Pastoral Counseling & Specialized Ministries Schools

1

Our analysis ranked Ozark Christian College the best value for a degree in pastoral counseling & specialized ministries in the United States. Located in the city of Joplin, Ozark Christian College is a small private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $16,000. Students borrow a median of $23,500 to complete the pastoral counseling & specialized ministries program here. Early-career pastoral counseling & specialized ministries graduates make about $26,422. That is a strong return on a $23,500 median debt. Ozark Christian College admits about 94% of applicants.

2

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Indiana Wesleyan University National And Global earned it the #2 place 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. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,648. Pastoral Counseling & Specialized Ministries graduates carry a median of $26,338 in student loans. Soon after graduation, pastoral counseling & specialized ministries degree recipients from Indiana Wesleyan University National And Global generally make around $35,736. That is a strong return on a $26,338 median debt.

3

Students looking for strong value in pastoral counseling & specialized ministries will find it at Grace Bible College, which ranked #3. Set in the city of Wyoming, Grace Bible College is a small private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $17,190. Pastoral Counseling & Specialized Ministries graduates carry a median of $21,782 in student loans. Soon after graduation, pastoral counseling & specialized ministries degree recipients from Grace Bible College generally make around $33,522. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 99% of applicants are accepted.

4

A rank of #4 makes Southeastern Free Will Baptist Bible College one of the best values for pastoral counseling & specialized ministries. Set in the rural area of Wendell, Southeastern Free Will Baptist Bible College is a small private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,739.

5
Calvin College crest
Calvin College
Grand Rapids, MI

Calvin College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in pastoral counseling & specialized ministries, landing the #5 spot this year. Located in the city of Grand Rapids, Calvin College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $39,350. Students borrow a median of $22,707 to complete the pastoral counseling & specialized ministries program here. Early-career pastoral counseling & specialized ministries graduates make about $44,220. That is a strong return on a $22,707 median debt. The acceptance rate is 71%.

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6

Maranatha Baptist Bible College ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best value pastoral counseling & specialized ministries schools. 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. Roughly 72% of applicants are accepted.

7
Valor Christian College crest
Valor Christian College
Canal Winchester, OH

Valor Christian College placed #7 among the best values for pastoral counseling & specialized ministries. Set in the city of Canal Winchester, Valor Christian College is a small private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $10,612 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for pastoral counseling & specialized ministries graduates is $17,635. Soon after graduation, pastoral counseling & specialized ministries degree recipients from Valor Christian College generally make around $29,571.

Other Pastoral Counseling & Specialized Ministries Degree Levels

Looking for a different degree level? Compare best-value Pastoral Counseling & Specialized Ministries rankings across degree levels:

All Degree Levels in Pastoral Counseling & Specialized Ministries
Bachelor's Degrees in Pastoral Counseling & Specialized Ministries
Master's Degrees in Pastoral Counseling & Specialized Ministries
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View All Pastoral Counseling & Specialized Ministries Rankings >

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Notes and References

This list is compiled 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 4 ranked schools only.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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