2026 Best Value Pre-Theology/Pre-Ministerial Studies Schools in the Southeast Region
[Pre-Theology/Pre-Ministerial Studies](/majors/theology-and-religious-vocations/theological-ministerial-studies/pre-theology-pre-ministerial-studies/) 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.
For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 16 schools to find the best return on investment for pre-theology/pre-ministerial studies students.
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2026 Best Value Pre-Theology/Pre-Ministerial Studies Schools in the Southeast Region
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in pre-theology/pre-ministerial studies, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Pre-Theology/Pre-Ministerial Studies Schools
Our analysis ranked Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary the best value for a degree in pre-theology/pre-ministerial studies in the Southeast Region. Set in the suburb of Wake Forest, Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,318. Soon after graduation, pre-theology/pre-ministerial studies degree recipients from Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary generally make around $54,863. The acceptance rate is 75%.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Lee University earned it the #2 place for pre-theology/pre-ministerial studies. Lee University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Cleveland. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $23,790. Students borrow a median of $26,422 to complete the pre-theology/pre-ministerial studies program here. Early-career pre-theology/pre-ministerial studies graduates make about $42,658. Set against $26,422 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 70% of applicants are accepted.
Columbia International University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in pre-theology/pre-ministerial studies, landing the #3 spot this year. Set in the city of Columbia, Columbia International University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $27,900 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $21,667 to complete the pre-theology/pre-ministerial studies program here. Pre-Theology/pre-Ministerial Studies graduates of Columbia International University earn a median of $32,296 early in their careers. Set against $21,667 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 94% of applicants are accepted.
Trinity College Of Florida came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best value pre-theology/pre-ministerial studies schools. Trinity College Of Florida is a small private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Trinity. In-state tuition and fees average $16,300. Median earnings reach $32,465 ten years out. Roughly 92% of applicants are accepted.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Southeastern University earned it the #5 place for pre-theology/pre-ministerial studies. Southeastern University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Lakeland. Students from in state pay about $32,950 in tuition and fees. Pre-Theology/pre-Ministerial Studies graduates carry a median of $19,609 in student loans. Pre-Theology/pre-Ministerial Studies graduates of Southeastern University earn a median of $33,030 early in their careers. Set against $19,609 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 53% of applicants are accepted.
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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 · 16 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 3 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.
