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. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 270 schools to find the best return on investment for divinity/ministry students.
What’s on this page:
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the divinity/ministry degrees they offer, see the list below.
Leading the list is Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary, our #1 best value for divinity/ministry in the United States. Set in the suburb of Wake Forest, Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. 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.
Johnson University came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best value divinity/ministry schools. Johnson University is a small private not-for-profit school located in the rural area of Knoxville. In-state tuition and fees average $21,122. Students borrow a median of $23,250 to complete the divinity/ministry program here. Early-career divinity/ministry graduates make about $33,627. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 65%.
Students looking for strong value in divinity/ministry will find it at Sum Bible College And Theological Seminary, which ranked #3. Located in the suburb of El Dorado Hills, Sum Bible College And Theological Seminary is a small private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $10,460. Divinity/ministry graduates carry a median of $29,299 in student loans. Early-career divinity/ministry graduates make about $26,407. Set against $29,299 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Sum Bible College And Theological Seminary admits about 41% of applicants.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Bob Jones University earned it the #4 place for divinity/ministry. Bob Jones University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Greenville. Students from in state pay about $22,892 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for divinity/ministry graduates is $20,497. Soon after graduation, divinity/ministry degree recipients from Bob Jones University generally make around $28,325. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Grand Canyon University earned it the #5 place for divinity/ministry. Grand Canyon University is a very large private for-profit school located in the city of Phoenix. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $18,508. Students borrow a median of $30,027 to complete the divinity/ministry program here. Soon after graduation, divinity/ministry degree recipients from Grand Canyon University generally make around $56,285. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 79% of applicants are accepted.
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Cornerstone University earned the #6 position for value in divinity/ministry this year. Set in the city of Grand Rapids, Cornerstone University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $23,000. Divinity/ministry graduates carry a median of $43,009 in student loans. Divinity/ministry graduates of Cornerstone University earn a median of $40,873 early in their careers. Set against $43,009 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 78% of applicants are accepted.
Southern Adventist University came in at #7 for value in divinity/ministry this year. Located in the suburb of Collegedale, Southern Adventist University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $27,300. Students borrow a median of $25,498 to complete the divinity/ministry program here. Soon after graduation, divinity/ministry degree recipients from Southern Adventist University generally make around $61,366. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Southern Adventist University admits about 66% of applicants.
Moody Bible Institute came in at #8 for value in divinity/ministry this year. Located in the city of Chicago, Moody Bible Institute is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,786. Divinity/ministry graduates carry a median of $14,000 in student loans. Divinity/ministry graduates of Moody Bible Institute earn a median of $33,488 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $14,000 median debt. Moody Bible Institute admits about 83% of applicants.
Oral Roberts University placed #9 among the best values for divinity/ministry. Set in the city of Tulsa, Oral Roberts University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $35,470. Students borrow a median of $30,750 to complete the divinity/ministry program here. Soon after graduation, divinity/ministry degree recipients from Oral Roberts University generally make around $27,088. That is a strong return on a $30,750 median debt. Roughly 99% of applicants are accepted.
Northwestern College Minnesota landed the #10 spot for divinity/ministry value this year. Set in the suburb of Saint Paul, Northwestern College Minnesota is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $37,920. Divinity/ministry graduates carry a median of $22,000 in student loans. Early-career divinity/ministry graduates make about $32,815. Set against $22,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Northwestern College Minnesota admits about 94% of applicants.
Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary earned the #11 position for value in divinity/ministry this year. Set in the city of Kansas City, Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,530. Divinity/ministry graduates carry a median of $15,559 in student loans. Divinity/ministry graduates of Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary earn a median of $73,186 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $15,559 median debt. Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary admits about 96% of applicants.
Grace College Of Divinity placed #12 among the best values for divinity/ministry. Located in the city of Fayetteville, Grace College Of Divinity is a small private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $9,105 in tuition and fees. Roughly 53% of applicants are accepted.
Colorado Christian University earned the #13 position for value in divinity/ministry this year. Colorado Christian University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Lakewood. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $28,846. Divinity/ministry graduates carry a median of $36,092 in student loans. Divinity/ministry graduates of Colorado Christian University earn a median of $47,333 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
University Of Notre Dame landed the #14 spot for divinity/ministry value this year. University Of Notre Dame is a large private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Notre Dame. Students from in state pay about $65,025 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for divinity/ministry graduates is $19,000. Divinity/ministry graduates of University Of Notre Dame earn a median of $45,874 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $19,000 median debt. University Of Notre Dame admits about 11% of applicants.
Valley Forge Christian College came in at #15 for value in divinity/ministry this year. Valley Forge Christian College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Phoenixville. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $25,240. Typical student debt for divinity/ministry graduates is $28,000. Soon after graduation, divinity/ministry degree recipients from Valley Forge Christian College generally make around $25,051. Set against $28,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Valley Forge Christian College admits about 61% of applicants.
Biola University came in at #16 for value in divinity/ministry this year. Located in the suburb of La Mirada, Biola University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $48,984 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for divinity/ministry graduates is $25,308. Soon after graduation, divinity/ministry degree recipients from Biola University generally make around $42,625. Set against $25,308 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Biola University admits about 74% of applicants.
Seton Hall University landed the #17 spot for divinity/ministry value this year. Seton Hall University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of South Orange. Students from in state pay about $53,170 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for divinity/ministry graduates is $23,422. Early-career divinity/ministry graduates make about $63,871. Set against $23,422 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 73% of applicants are accepted.
Liberty University ranked #18 on our 2026 list of the best value divinity/ministry schools. Liberty University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Lynchburg. In-state tuition and fees average $16,173. Divinity/ministry graduates carry a median of $27,414 in student loans. Soon after graduation, divinity/ministry degree recipients from Liberty University generally make around $53,626. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 99% of applicants are accepted.
Southeastern University ranked #19 on our 2026 list of the best value divinity/ministry schools. Southeastern University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Lakeland. Students from in state pay about $32,950 in tuition and fees. Divinity/ministry graduates carry a median of $23,218 in student loans. Early-career divinity/ministry graduates make about $29,809. That is a strong return on a $23,218 median debt. Roughly 53% of applicants are accepted.
The Masters College And Seminary earned the #20 position for value in divinity/ministry this year. The Masters College And Seminary is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Santa Clarita. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $39,020. Typical student debt for divinity/ministry graduates is $23,774. Early-career divinity/ministry graduates make about $43,677. Set against $23,774 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 84% of applicants are accepted.
Looking for a different degree level? Compare best-value Divinity/Ministry rankings across degree levels:
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 · 270 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 9 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.