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 7 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for divinity/ministry students.
What’s on this page:
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in divinity/ministry, balancing cost against outcomes.
Leading the list is Bob Jones University, our #1 best value for divinity/ministry in South Carolina. Set in the city of Greenville, Bob Jones University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $22,892. Divinity/ministry graduates carry a median of $20,497 in student loans. Divinity/ministry graduates of Bob Jones University earn a median of $28,325 early in their careers. Set against $20,497 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
A rank of #2 makes Columbia International University one of the best values for divinity/ministry. Located in the city of Columbia, Columbia International University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $27,900. Students borrow a median of $21,667 to complete the divinity/ministry program here. Soon after graduation, divinity/ministry degree recipients from Columbia International University generally make around $32,296. That is a strong return on a $21,667 median debt. Columbia International University admits about 94% of applicants.
Students looking for strong value in divinity/ministry will find it at Erskine College And Seminary, which ranked #3. Set in the rural area of Due West, Erskine College And Seminary is a small private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $36,710. Divinity/ministry graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Early-career divinity/ministry graduates make about $35,695. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 63% of applicants are accepted.
A rank of #4 makes Anderson University Sc one of the best values for divinity/ministry. Set in the city of Anderson, Anderson University Sc is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $34,970. Students borrow a median of $28,034 to complete the divinity/ministry program here. Soon after graduation, divinity/ministry degree recipients from Anderson University Sc generally make around $49,036. Set against $28,034 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 55%.
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This ranking is produced 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 · 7 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 1 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.