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2026 Best Value Divinity/Ministry Schools in the United States
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in divinity/ministry, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Divinity/Ministry Schools
Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary tops our 2026 list of the best value divinity/ministry schools in the United States. Located in the suburb of Wake Forest, Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,318. Divinity/ministry graduates of Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary earn a median of $54,863 early in their careers. Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary admits about 75% of applicants.
Harvard University came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best value divinity/ministry schools. Set in the city of Cambridge, Harvard University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $61,676. Divinity/ministry graduates carry a median of $16,616 in student loans. Divinity/ministry graduates of Harvard University earn a median of $37,385 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $16,616 median debt. Harvard University admits about 4% of applicants.
Luther Rice University And Seminary came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best value divinity/ministry schools. Set in the suburb of Lithonia, Luther Rice University And Seminary is a small private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,320. Divinity/ministry graduates carry a median of $36,730 in student loans. Soon after graduation, divinity/ministry degree recipients from Luther Rice University And Seminary generally make around $58,008. That is a strong return on a $36,730 median debt. Luther Rice University And Seminary admits about 92% of applicants.
Students looking for strong value in divinity/ministry will find it at Andrews University, which ranked #4. Andrews University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the town of Berrien Springs. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $35,056. Students borrow a median of $26,314 to complete the divinity/ministry program here. Soon after graduation, divinity/ministry degree recipients from Andrews University generally make around $68,117. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Andrews University admits about 82% of applicants.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at North Park University earned it the #5 place for divinity/ministry. Set in the city of Chicago, North Park University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $36,710. Divinity/ministry graduates carry a median of $27,360 in student loans. Soon after graduation, divinity/ministry degree recipients from North Park University generally make around $51,611. Set against $27,360 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 68% of applicants are accepted.
ADBLOCK #101
Hellenic College Holy Cross Greek Orthodox School Of Theology came in at #6 for value in divinity/ministry this year. Hellenic College Holy Cross Greek Orthodox School Of Theology is a small private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Brookline. In-state tuition and fees average $22,490. Median earnings reach $51,724 ten years out. The acceptance rate is 80%.
Vanderbilt University came in at #7 for value in divinity/ministry this year. Set in the city of Nashville, Vanderbilt University is a large private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $67,498 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $13,975 to complete the divinity/ministry program here. Early-career divinity/ministry graduates make about $42,583. Set against $13,975 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Vanderbilt University admits about 6% of applicants.
Grace College And Theological Seminary earned the #8 position for value in divinity/ministry this year. Located in the town of Winona Lake, Grace College And Theological Seminary is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $29,645. Divinity/ministry graduates carry a median of $21,211 in student loans. Divinity/ministry graduates of Grace College And Theological Seminary earn a median of $42,188 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 82% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Chicago placed #9 among the best values for divinity/ministry. Located in the city of Chicago, University Of Chicago is a very large private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $69,324. Students borrow a median of $15,854 to complete the divinity/ministry program here. Soon after graduation, divinity/ministry degree recipients from University Of Chicago generally make around $34,557. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 4%.
University Of St Thomas Texas came in at #10 for value in divinity/ministry this year. University Of St Thomas Texas is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Houston. Students from in state pay about $34,634 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for divinity/ministry graduates is $23,628. Soon after graduation, divinity/ministry degree recipients from University Of St Thomas Texas generally make around $58,265. That is a strong return on a $23,628 median debt. The acceptance rate is 90%.
The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary ranked #11 on our 2026 list of the best value divinity/ministry schools. The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Louisville. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,046. Soon after graduation, divinity/ministry degree recipients from The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary generally make around $56,478. The acceptance rate is 56%.
New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary landed the #12 spot for divinity/ministry value this year. Set in the city of New Orleans, New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $12,368 in tuition and fees.
Freed Hardeman University placed #13 among the best values for divinity/ministry. Freed Hardeman University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the town of Henderson. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $25,620. Students borrow a median of $24,479 to complete the divinity/ministry program here. Early-career divinity/ministry graduates make about $54,530. That is a strong return on a $24,479 median debt. Roughly 60% of applicants are accepted.
Evangel University came in at #14 for value in divinity/ministry this year. Evangel University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Springfield. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $28,548. Divinity/ministry graduates carry a median of $24,876 in student loans. Early-career divinity/ministry graduates make about $37,136. Set against $24,876 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 72%.
Harding University ranked #15 on our 2026 list of the best value divinity/ministry schools. Located in the town of Searcy, Harding University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $25,962 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $26,715 to complete the divinity/ministry program here. Divinity/ministry graduates of Harding University earn a median of $53,629 early in their careers. Set against $26,715 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Harding University admits about 70% of applicants.
Houston Baptist University landed the #16 spot for divinity/ministry value this year. Located in the city of Houston, Houston Baptist University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $39,430. Divinity/ministry graduates carry a median of $25,601 in student loans. Soon after graduation, divinity/ministry degree recipients from Houston Baptist University generally make around $51,968. That is a strong return on a $25,601 median debt. Roughly 84% of applicants are accepted.
Regent University ranked #17 on our 2026 list of the best value divinity/ministry schools. Set in the city of Virginia Beach, Regent University is a large private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $21,650. Divinity/ministry graduates carry a median of $29,451 in student loans. Soon after graduation, divinity/ministry degree recipients from Regent University generally make around $49,840. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 38%.
Milligan College ranked #18 on our 2026 list of the best value divinity/ministry schools. Located in the suburb of Milligan, Milligan College is a small private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $40,450 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for divinity/ministry graduates is $26,150. Soon after graduation, divinity/ministry degree recipients from Milligan College generally make around $64,327. That is a strong return on a $26,150 median debt. Milligan College admits about 72% of applicants.
Shaw University landed the #19 spot for divinity/ministry value this year. Shaw University is a small private not-for-profit school located in the city of Raleigh. In-state tuition and fees average $17,738. Students borrow a median of $37,044 to complete the divinity/ministry program here. Early-career divinity/ministry graduates make about $28,533. Set against $37,044 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 80%.
Azusa Pacific University came in at #20 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. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $44,458. Students borrow a median of $23,709 to complete the divinity/ministry program here. Divinity/ministry graduates of Azusa Pacific University earn a median of $58,302 early in their careers. Set against $23,709 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 88% of applicants are accepted.
Trinity International University Illinois ranked #21 on our 2026 list of the best value divinity/ministry schools. Trinity International University Illinois is a small private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Deerfield. In-state tuition and fees average $12,320. Divinity/ministry graduates carry a median of $26,892 in student loans. Divinity/ministry graduates of Trinity International University Illinois earn a median of $50,178 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $26,892 median debt. Trinity International University Illinois admits about 100% of applicants.
Columbia International University landed the #22 spot for divinity/ministry value this year. Set in the city of Columbia, Columbia International University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $27,900. Divinity/ministry graduates carry a median of $21,667 in student loans. Soon after graduation, divinity/ministry degree recipients from Columbia International University generally make around $32,296. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Columbia International University admits about 94% of applicants.
Southwestern Assemblies Of God University placed #23 among the best values for divinity/ministry. Located in the suburb of Waxahachie, Southwestern Assemblies Of God University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $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%.
Virginia Union University placed #24 among the best values for divinity/ministry. Set in the city of Richmond, Virginia Union University is a small private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $17,830 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for divinity/ministry graduates is $30,593. Soon after graduation, divinity/ministry degree recipients from Virginia Union University generally make around $25,910. That is a strong return on a $30,593 median debt. Roughly 98% of applicants are accepted.
Sum Bible College And Theological Seminary landed the #25 spot for divinity/ministry value this year. Located in the suburb of El Dorado Hills, Sum Bible College And Theological Seminary is a small private not-for-profit university. 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. 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. Roughly 41% of applicants are accepted.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value Divinity/Ministry Schools
These schools also delivered strong value for divinity/ministry this year:
Other Divinity/Ministry Degree Levels
Explore the best-value divinity/ministry schools at other degree levels:
[Divinity/Ministry](/majors/theology-and-religious-vocations/theological-ministerial-studies/divinity-ministry/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
