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2026 Best Value Pastoral Counseling & Specialized Ministries Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region

[Pastoral Counseling & Specialized Ministries](/majors/theology-and-religious-vocations/pastoral-counseling-specialized-ministries/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.

For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 8 schools to find the best return on investment for pastoral counseling & specialized ministries students.

What’s on this page:

• Best Value Pastoral Counseling & Specialized Ministries Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region

2026 Best Value Pastoral Counseling & Specialized Ministries Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region

Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in pastoral counseling & specialized ministries, balancing cost against outcomes.

Best Value Pastoral Counseling & Specialized Ministries Schools

1

Colorado Christian University
Lakewood, CO

$28,846 In-State Tuition & Fees

$36,092 Avg Student Debt

$50,416 Median Earnings (10yr)

Leading the list is Colorado Christian University, our #1 best value for pastoral counseling & specialized ministries in the Rocky Mountains Region. Colorado Christian University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Lakewood. In-state tuition and fees average $28,846. Typical student debt for pastoral counseling & specialized ministries graduates is $36,092. Soon after graduation, pastoral counseling & specialized ministries degree recipients from Colorado Christian University generally make around $47,333. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

2

Naropa University
Boulder, CO

$36,620 In-State Tuition & Fees

$33,250 Avg Student Debt

$28,720 Median Earnings (10yr)

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Naropa University earned it the #2 place for pastoral counseling & specialized ministries. 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. Students borrow a median of $33,250 to complete the pastoral counseling & specialized ministries program here. Soon after graduation, pastoral counseling & specialized ministries degree recipients from Naropa University generally make around $27,750. Set against $33,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 100%.

View All Pastoral Counseling & Specialized Ministries 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 · 8 schools evaluated.

*Averages shown above reflect the top 2 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.