2026 Best Value Divinity/Ministry Schools in Tennessee
[Divinity/Ministry](/majors/theology-and-religious-vocations/theological-ministerial-studies/divinity-ministry/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 14 schools to find the best return on investment for divinity/ministry students.
What’s on this page:
2026 Best Value Divinity/Ministry Schools in Tennessee
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the divinity/ministry degrees they offer, see the list below.
Best Value Divinity/Ministry Schools
Our analysis ranked Vanderbilt University the best value for a degree in divinity/ministry in Tennessee. Vanderbilt University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Nashville. Students from in state pay about $67,498 in tuition and fees. 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. That is a strong return on a $13,975 median debt. The acceptance rate is 6%.
A rank of #2 makes Freed Hardeman University one of the best values for divinity/ministry. Freed Hardeman University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the town of Henderson. In-state tuition and fees average $25,620. Divinity/ministry graduates carry a median of $24,479 in student loans. Divinity/ministry graduates of Freed Hardeman University earn a median of $54,530 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $24,479 median debt. Roughly 60% of applicants are accepted.
Johnson University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in divinity/ministry, landing the #3 spot this year. Set in the rural area of Knoxville, Johnson University is a small private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $21,122. Students borrow a median of $23,250 to complete the divinity/ministry program here. Soon after graduation, divinity/ministry degree recipients from Johnson University generally make around $37,989. Set against $23,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 65% of applicants are accepted.
Milligan College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in divinity/ministry, landing the #4 spot this year. Set in the suburb of Milligan, Milligan College is a small private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $40,450. Students borrow a median of $26,150 to complete the divinity/ministry program here. Divinity/ministry graduates of Milligan College earn a median of $64,327 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $26,150 median debt. Milligan College admits about 72% of applicants.
A rank of #5 makes Southern Adventist University one of the best values for divinity/ministry. Southern Adventist University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Collegedale. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $27,300. Divinity/ministry graduates carry a median of $25,498 in student loans. Early-career divinity/ministry graduates make about $61,366. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Southern Adventist University admits about 66% of applicants.
Lipscomb University came in at #6 for value in divinity/ministry this year. Located in the city of Nashville, Lipscomb University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $40,572. Typical student debt for divinity/ministry graduates is $23,529. Divinity/ministry graduates of Lipscomb University earn a median of $48,949 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Lipscomb University admits about 68% of applicants.
Sewanee The University Of The South placed #7 among the best values for divinity/ministry. Set in the rural area of Sewanee, Sewanee The University Of The South is a small private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $56,120. Typical student debt for divinity/ministry graduates is $22,091. Divinity/ministry graduates of Sewanee The University Of The South earn a median of $36,927 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Sewanee The University Of The South admits about 57% of applicants.
More Divinity/Ministry Rankings
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Notes and References
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 · 14 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 1 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.
