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.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 9 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes 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 Regent University, our #1 best value for divinity/ministry in Virginia. Set in the city of Virginia Beach, Regent University is a large private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $21,650. Students borrow a median of $29,451 to complete the divinity/ministry program here. Early-career divinity/ministry graduates make about $49,840. Set against $29,451 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 38%.
A rank of #2 makes Virginia Union University one of the best values for divinity/ministry. Located in the city of Richmond, Virginia Union University is a small private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $17,830. Students borrow a median of $30,593 to complete the divinity/ministry program here. Early-career divinity/ministry graduates make about $25,910. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 98%.
A rank of #3 makes Liberty University one of the best values for divinity/ministry. Located in the city of Lynchburg, Liberty University is a very large private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $16,173. Typical student debt for divinity/ministry graduates is $27,414. Early-career divinity/ministry graduates make about $53,626. Set against $27,414 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 99% of applicants are accepted.
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This ranking is produced 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 · 9 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 2 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.