by our College Data Analytics Team
[Divinity/Ministry](/majors/theology-and-religious-vocations/theological-ministerial-studies/divinity-ministry/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong divinity/ministry education at a price that pays off.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 270 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for divinity/ministry students.
What’s on this page:
The divinity/ministry program you select can have a big impact on your finances and your future. To help, we created our Best Value Divinity/Ministry Schools ranking. We score each school on the balance of tuition, student debt, and post-graduation earnings to surface the best value.
Since the program you select can have a significant impact on your future, we offer several rankings, including this Best Value Divinity/Ministry Schools list, to help you choose. More interested in schools in a specific area of the country? Filter this list by region or state.
Want to compare schools head to head? Try our College Combat tool to weigh the factors that matter most to you.
Learn more about our methodology
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the divinity/ministry degrees they offer, see the list below.
For return on investment in divinity/ministry, no school beat Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary this year. Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Wake Forest. In-state tuition and fees average $11,318. Early-career divinity/ministry graduates make about $54,863. Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary admits about 75% of applicants.
A rank of #2 makes Luther Rice University And Seminary one of the best values for divinity/ministry. Luther Rice University And Seminary is a small private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Lithonia. Students from in state pay about $11,320 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for divinity/ministry graduates is $36,730. Early-career divinity/ministry graduates make about $58,008. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Luther Rice University And Seminary admits about 92% of applicants.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Harvard University earned it the #3 place for divinity/ministry. Set in the city of Cambridge, Harvard University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $61,676 in tuition and fees. Divinity/ministry graduates carry a median of $16,616 in student loans. Soon after graduation, divinity/ministry degree recipients from Harvard University generally make around $40,838. That is a strong return on a $16,616 median debt. The acceptance rate is 4%.
North Park University came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best value divinity/ministry schools. North Park University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Chicago. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $36,710. Typical student debt for divinity/ministry graduates is $27,360. Early-career divinity/ministry graduates make about $51,611. That is a strong return on a $27,360 median debt. Roughly 68% of applicants are accepted.
Students looking for strong value in divinity/ministry will find it at Hellenic College Holy Cross Greek Orthodox School Of Theology, which ranked #5. Hellenic College Holy Cross Greek Orthodox School Of Theology is a small private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Brookline. Students from in state pay about $22,490 in tuition and fees. Median earnings reach $51,724 ten years out. Hellenic College Holy Cross Greek Orthodox School Of Theology admits about 80% of applicants.
Andrews University placed #6 among the best values for divinity/ministry. 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. Typical student debt for divinity/ministry graduates is $26,314. Early-career divinity/ministry graduates make about $68,117. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 82% of applicants are accepted.
Grace College And Theological Seminary earned the #7 position for value in divinity/ministry this year. 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 divinity/ministry graduates is $21,211. Soon after graduation, divinity/ministry degree recipients from Grace College And Theological Seminary generally make around $42,188. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 82%.
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Vanderbilt University earned the #8 position for value in divinity/ministry this year. Set in the city of Nashville, Vanderbilt University is a large private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $67,498. Divinity/ministry graduates carry a median of $13,975 in student loans. Soon after graduation, divinity/ministry degree recipients from Vanderbilt University generally make around $42,583. Set against $13,975 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 6% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Chicago landed the #9 spot for divinity/ministry value this year. Located in the city of Chicago, University Of Chicago is a very large private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $69,324 in tuition and fees. Divinity/ministry graduates carry a median of $15,854 in student loans. Early-career divinity/ministry graduates make about $45,985. Set against $15,854 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 4%.
University Of St Thomas Texas landed the #10 spot for divinity/ministry value this year. Located in the city of Houston, University Of St Thomas Texas is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $34,634 in tuition and fees. Divinity/ministry graduates carry a median of $23,628 in student loans. Early-career divinity/ministry graduates make about $58,265. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of St Thomas Texas admits about 90% of applicants.
Evangel University earned the #11 position for value in divinity/ministry this year. Set in the city of Springfield, Evangel University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $28,548. Typical student debt for divinity/ministry graduates is $24,876. Early-career divinity/ministry graduates make about $57,895. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 72%.
Regent University placed #12 among the best values for divinity/ministry. Regent University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Virginia Beach. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $21,650. Students borrow a median of $29,451 to complete the divinity/ministry program here. Early-career divinity/ministry graduates make about $49,840. Set against $29,451 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Regent University admits about 38% of applicants.
Freed Hardeman University ranked #13 on our 2026 list of the best value divinity/ministry schools. Freed Hardeman University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the town of Henderson. Students from in state pay about $25,620 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for divinity/ministry graduates is $24,479. Soon after graduation, divinity/ministry degree recipients from Freed Hardeman University generally make around $54,530. Set against $24,479 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 60%.
Harding University placed #14 among the best values for divinity/ministry. Located in the town of Searcy, Harding University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $25,962. Students borrow a median of $26,715 to complete the divinity/ministry program here. Soon after graduation, divinity/ministry degree recipients from Harding University generally make around $53,629. Set against $26,715 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Harding University admits about 70% of applicants.
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Shaw University came in at #15 for value in divinity/ministry this year. Set in the city of Raleigh, Shaw University is a small private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $17,738. Divinity/ministry graduates carry a median of $37,044 in student loans. Soon after graduation, divinity/ministry degree recipients from Shaw University generally make around $28,533. Set against $37,044 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Shaw University admits about 80% of applicants.
Houston Baptist University earned the #16 position for value in divinity/ministry this year. Set in the city of Houston, Houston Baptist University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $39,430. Typical student debt for divinity/ministry graduates is $25,601. Soon after graduation, divinity/ministry degree recipients from Houston Baptist University generally make around $51,968. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 84% of applicants are accepted.
Johnson University landed the #17 spot for divinity/ministry value this year. Set in the rural area of Knoxville, Johnson University is a small private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $21,122. Typical student debt for divinity/ministry graduates is $23,250. Divinity/ministry graduates of Johnson University earn a median of $37,989 early in their careers. Set against $23,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 65%.
Milligan College landed the #18 spot for divinity/ministry value this year. Milligan College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Milligan. In-state tuition and fees average $40,450. Typical student debt for divinity/ministry graduates is $26,150. Divinity/ministry graduates of Milligan College earn a median of $64,327 early in their careers. Set against $26,150 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Milligan College admits about 72% of applicants.
Azusa Pacific University came in at #19 for value in divinity/ministry this year. Located in the suburb of Azusa, Azusa Pacific University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $44,458. Divinity/ministry graduates carry a median of $23,709 in student loans. Soon after graduation, divinity/ministry degree recipients from Azusa Pacific University generally make around $58,302. Set against $23,709 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 88% of applicants are accepted.
Trinity International University Illinois ranked #20 on our 2026 list of the best value divinity/ministry schools. Located in the suburb of Deerfield, Trinity International University Illinois is a small private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,320. Typical student debt for divinity/ministry graduates is $26,892. Early-career divinity/ministry graduates make about $50,178. Set against $26,892 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Trinity International University Illinois admits about 100% of applicants.
Southwestern Assemblies Of God University ranked #21 on our 2026 list of the best value divinity/ministry schools. Located in the suburb of Waxahachie, Southwestern Assemblies Of God University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $25,064. Students borrow a median of $28,248 to complete the divinity/ministry program here. Soon after graduation, divinity/ministry degree recipients from Southwestern Assemblies Of God University generally make around $47,762. That is a strong return on a $28,248 median debt. The acceptance rate is 89%.
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Columbia International University landed the #22 spot for divinity/ministry value this year. Located in the city of Columbia, Columbia International University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $27,900. Divinity/ministry graduates carry a median of $21,667 in student loans. Divinity/ministry graduates of Columbia International University earn a median of $32,296 early in their careers. Set against $21,667 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 94% of applicants are accepted.
Virginia Union University came in at #23 for value in divinity/ministry this year. Virginia Union University is a small private not-for-profit school located in the city of Richmond. In-state tuition and fees average $17,830. Students borrow a median of $30,593 to complete the divinity/ministry program here. Divinity/ministry graduates of Virginia Union University earn a median of $25,910 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 98% of applicants are accepted.
Central Christian College Of The Bible earned the #24 position for value in divinity/ministry this year. Located in the town of Moberly, Central Christian College Of The Bible is a small private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,200. Divinity/ministry graduates carry a median of $26,000 in student loans. Median earnings reach $34,675 ten years out. That is a strong return on a $26,000 median debt.
Sum Bible College And Theological Seminary landed the #25 spot for divinity/ministry value this year. Set in the suburb of El Dorado Hills, Sum Bible College And Theological Seminary is a small private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,460. Typical student debt for divinity/ministry graduates is $29,299. Soon after graduation, divinity/ministry degree recipients from Sum Bible College And Theological Seminary generally make around $26,407. That is a strong return on a $29,299 median debt. Sum Bible College And Theological Seminary admits about 41% of applicants.
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Not far behind, these schools also offered excellent value in divinity/ministry:
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Divinity/Ministry is one of many programs to choose from within the area of study. Browse the parent area of study.
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 · 270 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 31 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.
