2026 Best Value Pastoral Counseling & Specialized Ministries Schools in the Southwest 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.
College Factual analyzed 31 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 the Southwest Region
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
University Of St Thomas Texas tops our 2026 list of the best value pastoral counseling & specialized ministries schools in the Southwest Region. University Of St Thomas Texas is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Houston. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $34,634. Typical student debt for pastoral counseling & specialized ministries graduates is $23,628. Pastoral Counseling & Specialized Ministries graduates of University Of St Thomas Texas earn a median of $58,265 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $23,628 median debt. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Southwestern Assemblies Of God University earned it the #2 place for pastoral counseling & specialized ministries. Southwestern Assemblies Of God University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Waxahachie. 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. Pastoral Counseling & Specialized Ministries graduates of Southwestern Assemblies Of God University earn a median of $30,910 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $26,750 median debt. The acceptance rate is 89%.
A rank of #3 makes Oral Roberts University one of the best values for pastoral counseling & specialized ministries. Set in the city of Tulsa, Oral Roberts University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $35,470 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for pastoral counseling & specialized ministries graduates is $37,000. Pastoral Counseling & Specialized Ministries graduates of Oral Roberts University earn a median of $41,180 early in their careers. Set against $37,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 99%.
Lubbock Christian University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in pastoral counseling & specialized ministries, landing the #4 spot this year. Located in the city of Lubbock, Lubbock Christian University is a small private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $28,540. Students borrow a median of $28,337 to complete the pastoral counseling & specialized ministries program here. Early-career pastoral counseling & specialized ministries graduates make about $38,473. That is a strong return on a $28,337 median debt. Lubbock Christian University admits about 73% of applicants.
Kings University came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best value pastoral counseling & specialized ministries schools. Kings University is a small private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Southlake. In-state tuition and fees average $12,480. Typical student debt for pastoral counseling & specialized ministries graduates is $48,998. Soon after graduation, pastoral counseling & specialized ministries degree recipients from Kings University generally make around $40,888. That is a strong return on a $48,998 median debt. Kings University admits about 61% of applicants.
Abilene Christian University ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best value pastoral counseling & specialized ministries schools. Abilene Christian University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Abilene. In-state tuition and fees average $44,200. Typical student debt for pastoral counseling & specialized ministries graduates is $23,772. Early-career pastoral counseling & specialized ministries graduates make about $56,463. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 66%.
Dallas Baptist University placed #7 among the best values for pastoral counseling & specialized ministries. Set in the city of Dallas, Dallas Baptist University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $40,190. Typical student debt for pastoral counseling & specialized ministries graduates is $22,819. Early-career pastoral counseling & specialized ministries graduates make about $40,502. Set against $22,819 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 89%.
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Notes and References
This list is compiled 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 · 31 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 5 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.
