2026 Best Value Divinity/Ministry Schools in the Southwest Region
[Divinity/Ministry](/majors/theology-and-religious-vocations/theological-ministerial-studies/divinity-ministry/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. 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 25 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for divinity/ministry students.
What’s on this page:
2026 Best Value Divinity/Ministry Schools in the Southwest Region
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
University Of St Thomas Texas tops our 2026 list of the best value divinity/ministry schools in the Southwest Region. 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. Divinity/ministry graduates carry a median of $23,628 in student loans. Early-career divinity/ministry graduates make about $58,265. That is a strong return on a $23,628 median debt. University Of St Thomas Texas admits about 90% of applicants.
Southwestern Assemblies Of God University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in divinity/ministry, landing the #2 spot this year. Located in the suburb of Waxahachie, Southwestern Assemblies Of God University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $25,064 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for divinity/ministry graduates is $28,248. Early-career divinity/ministry graduates make about $47,762. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 89% of applicants are accepted.
Houston Baptist University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in divinity/ministry, landing the #3 spot this year. Located in the city of Houston, Houston Baptist University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $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. The acceptance rate is 84%.
Students looking for strong value in divinity/ministry will find it at Grand Canyon University, which ranked #4. Grand Canyon University is a very large private for-profit school located in the city of Phoenix. In-state tuition and fees average $18,508. Typical student debt for divinity/ministry graduates is $30,027. Early-career divinity/ministry graduates make about $56,285. That is a strong return on a $30,027 median debt. Grand Canyon University admits about 79% of applicants.
Oral Roberts University came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best value divinity/ministry schools. Set in the city of Tulsa, Oral Roberts University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $35,470 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for divinity/ministry graduates is $30,750. Soon after graduation, divinity/ministry degree recipients from Oral Roberts University generally make around $34,577. That is a strong return on a $30,750 median debt. Oral Roberts University admits about 99% of applicants.
Abilene Christian University landed the #6 spot for divinity/ministry value this year. Abilene Christian University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Abilene. In-state tuition and fees average $44,200. Students borrow a median of $23,772 to complete the divinity/ministry program here. Divinity/ministry graduates of Abilene Christian University earn a median of $56,463 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Abilene Christian University admits about 66% of applicants.
Kings University placed #7 among the best values for divinity/ministry. Kings University is a small private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Southlake. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,480. Divinity/ministry graduates carry a median of $48,998 in student loans. Divinity/ministry graduates of Kings University earn a median of $41,066 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 61% of applicants are accepted.
Southern Methodist University ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best value divinity/ministry schools. Southern Methodist University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Dallas. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $67,040. Typical student debt for divinity/ministry graduates is $20,712. Early-career divinity/ministry graduates make about $54,351. Set against $20,712 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 63%.
Baylor University landed the #9 spot for divinity/ministry value this year. Set in the city of Waco, Baylor University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $58,100 in tuition and fees. Divinity/ministry graduates carry a median of $23,928 in student loans. Soon after graduation, divinity/ministry degree recipients from Baylor University generally make around $44,601. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 51%.
Narrow Divinity/Ministry Schools by State
More Divinity/Ministry Rankings
View All Divinity/Ministry Rankings >
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 · 25 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 4 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.
