2026 Best Value Divinity/Ministry Schools in the Far Western Region
[Divinity/Ministry](/majors/theology-and-religious-vocations/theological-ministerial-studies/divinity-ministry/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. 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 40 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for divinity/ministry students.
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2026 Best Value Divinity/Ministry Schools in the Far Western Region
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in divinity/ministry, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Divinity/Ministry Schools
Our analysis ranked Azusa Pacific University the best value for a degree in divinity/ministry in the Far Western Region. Set in the suburb of Azusa, Azusa Pacific University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $44,458 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $23,709 to complete the divinity/ministry program here. Soon after graduation, divinity/ministry degree recipients from Azusa Pacific University generally make around $58,302. That is a strong return on a $23,709 median debt. The acceptance rate is 88%.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Life Pacific College earned it the #2 place for divinity/ministry. Located in the suburb of San Dimas, Life Pacific College is a small private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $22,118. Students borrow a median of $22,521 to complete the divinity/ministry program here. Divinity/ministry graduates of Life Pacific College earn a median of $39,411 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Life Pacific College admits about 96% of applicants.
Students looking for strong value in divinity/ministry will find it at Sum Bible College And Theological Seminary, which ranked #3. Set in the suburb of El Dorado Hills, Sum Bible College And Theological Seminary is a small private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $10,460 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $29,299 to complete the divinity/ministry program here. Divinity/ministry graduates of Sum Bible College And Theological Seminary earn a median of $26,407 early in their careers. Set against $29,299 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 41% of applicants are accepted.
A rank of #4 makes Corban University one of the best values for divinity/ministry. Corban University is a small private not-for-profit school located in the city of Salem. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $37,963. Divinity/ministry graduates carry a median of $24,318 in student loans. Soon after graduation, divinity/ministry degree recipients from Corban University generally make around $41,194. That is a strong return on a $24,318 median debt. Corban University admits about 94% of applicants.
A rank of #5 makes World Mission University one of the best values for divinity/ministry. World Mission University is a small private not-for-profit school located in the city of Los Angeles. In-state tuition and fees average $6,920.
Faith Evangelical College And Seminary earned the #6 position for value in divinity/ministry this year. Set in the city of Tacoma, Faith Evangelical College And Seminary is a small private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $8,850 in tuition and fees. Divinity/ministry graduates carry a median of $17,813 in student loans. Soon after graduation, divinity/ministry degree recipients from Faith Evangelical College And Seminary generally make around $42,103. That is a strong return on a $17,813 median debt.
Hope International University placed #7 among the best values for divinity/ministry. Hope International University is a small private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Fullerton. In-state tuition and fees average $38,125. Typical student debt for divinity/ministry graduates is $18,054. Soon after graduation, divinity/ministry degree recipients from Hope International University generally make around $50,661. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 33%.
Biola University ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best value divinity/ministry schools. Set in the suburb of La Mirada, Biola University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $48,984. Students borrow a median of $25,308 to complete the divinity/ministry program here. Soon after graduation, divinity/ministry degree recipients from Biola University generally make around $42,625. That is a strong return on a $25,308 median debt. Biola University admits about 74% of applicants.
George Fox University earned the #9 position for value in divinity/ministry this year. Set in the town of Newberg, George Fox University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $41,320 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $25,324 to complete the divinity/ministry program here. Early-career divinity/ministry graduates make about $39,270. That is a strong return on a $25,324 median debt. George Fox University admits about 94% of applicants.
The Masters College And Seminary ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best value divinity/ministry schools. Located in the suburb of Santa Clarita, The Masters College And Seminary is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $39,020. Divinity/ministry graduates carry a median of $23,774 in student loans. Early-career divinity/ministry graduates make about $55,300. Set against $23,774 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The Masters College And Seminary admits about 84% of applicants.
Santa Clara University ranked #11 on our 2026 list of the best value divinity/ministry schools. Located in the city of Santa Clara, Santa Clara University is a large private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $61,293. Divinity/ministry graduates carry a median of $20,144 in student loans. Early-career divinity/ministry graduates make about $79,380. Set against $20,144 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 48%.
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Notes and References
This list is compiled 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 · 40 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.
