2026 Best Value Pastoral Counseling & Specialized Ministries Schools in California
[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. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong pastoral counseling & specialized ministries education at a price that pays off.
College Factual analyzed 21 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best value pastoral counseling & specialized ministries schools.
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2026 Best Value Pastoral Counseling & Specialized Ministries Schools in California
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
Vanguard University Of Southern California earned the #1 spot for value among pastoral counseling & specialized ministries schools in California. Set in the city of Costa Mesa, Vanguard University Of Southern California is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $41,700. Typical student debt for pastoral counseling & specialized ministries graduates is $21,111. Early-career pastoral counseling & specialized ministries graduates make about $80,727. That is a strong return on a $21,111 median debt. Vanguard University Of Southern California admits about 62% of applicants.
Life Pacific College came in at #2 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. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $22,118. Pastoral Counseling & Specialized Ministries graduates carry a median of $24,083 in student loans. Pastoral Counseling & Specialized Ministries graduates of Life Pacific College earn a median of $37,436 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 96%.
World Mission University came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best value pastoral counseling & specialized ministries schools. Set in the city of Los Angeles, World Mission University is a small private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,920.
Biola University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in pastoral counseling & specialized ministries, landing the #4 spot this year. Located in the suburb of La Mirada, Biola University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $48,984. Typical student debt for pastoral counseling & specialized ministries graduates is $25,308. Early-career pastoral counseling & specialized ministries graduates make about $45,003. Set against $25,308 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Biola University admits about 74% of applicants.
Students looking for strong value in pastoral counseling & specialized ministries will find it at The Masters College And Seminary, which ranked #5. Set in the suburb of Santa Clarita, The Masters College And Seminary is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $39,020. Typical student debt for pastoral counseling & specialized ministries graduates is $22,089. Soon after graduation, pastoral counseling & specialized ministries degree recipients from The Masters College And Seminary generally make around $46,541. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The Masters College And Seminary admits about 84% of applicants.
Loyola Marymount University earned the #6 position for value in pastoral counseling & specialized ministries this year. Located in the city of Los Angeles, Loyola Marymount University is a large private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $61,867. Students borrow a median of $22,248 to complete the pastoral counseling & specialized ministries program here. Early-career pastoral counseling & specialized ministries graduates make about $52,935. Set against $22,248 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Loyola Marymount University admits about 45% 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 · 21 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 3 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.
