by our College Data Analytics Team
[Theological & Ministerial Studies](/majors/theology-and-religious-vocations/theological-ministerial-studies/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
College Factual analyzed 464 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best value theological & ministerial studies schools.
What’s on this page:
Where you study theological & ministerial studies affects both what you pay and what you earn. To help, we created our Best Value Theological & Ministerial Studies Schools ranking. It weighs the cost of a degree against the outcomes graduates go on to achieve, so you can find the strongest return on your investment.
Read more about our methodology
We offer a number of rankings, including this Best Value Theological & Ministerial Studies Schools list, to help you decide. Want schools in a particular part of the country? Narrow the list by region or state.
Want to compare schools head to head? Try our College Combat tool to weigh the factors that matter most to you.
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the theological & ministerial studies degrees they offer, see the list below.
Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary tops our 2026 list of the best value theological & ministerial studies schools in the United States. Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Wake Forest. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,318. Theological & Ministerial Studies graduates of Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary earn a median of $54,863 early in their careers. The acceptance rate is 75%.
Students looking for strong value in theological & ministerial studies will find it at Sacred Heart Major Seminary, which ranked #2. Set in the city of Detroit, Sacred Heart Major Seminary is a small private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $24,140 in tuition and fees. Graduates go on to earn a median of $49,295 ten years after entry. The acceptance rate is 100%.
Luther Rice University And Seminary came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best value theological & ministerial studies schools. Located in the suburb of Lithonia, Luther Rice University And Seminary is a small private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,320. Theological & Ministerial Studies graduates carry a median of $36,730 in student loans. Soon after graduation, theological & ministerial studies degree recipients from Luther Rice University And Seminary generally make around $58,008. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 92% of applicants are accepted.
Students looking for strong value in theological & ministerial studies will find it at Harvard University, which ranked #4. Set in the city of Cambridge, Harvard University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $61,676. Students borrow a median of $16,616 to complete the theological & ministerial studies program here. Soon after graduation, theological & ministerial studies degree recipients from Harvard University generally make around $40,838. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Harvard University admits about 4% of applicants.
Hellenic College Holy Cross Greek Orthodox School Of Theology is a great value for students pursuing a degree in theological & ministerial studies, landing the #5 spot this year. Hellenic College Holy Cross Greek Orthodox School Of Theology is a small private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Brookline. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $22,490. Median earnings reach $51,724 ten years out. The acceptance rate is 80%.
North Park University landed the #6 spot for theological & ministerial studies value this year. North Park University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Chicago. Students from in state pay about $36,710 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for theological & ministerial studies graduates is $27,360. Theological & Ministerial Studies graduates of North Park University earn a median of $51,611 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. North Park University admits about 68% of applicants.
Andrews University landed the #7 spot for theological & ministerial studies value this year. Located in the town of Berrien Springs, Andrews University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $35,056. Typical student debt for theological & ministerial studies graduates is $26,314. Soon after graduation, theological & ministerial studies degree recipients from Andrews University generally make around $68,117. That is a strong return on a $26,314 median debt. Andrews University admits about 82% of applicants.
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The Baptist College Of Florida came in at #8 for value in theological & ministerial studies this year. The Baptist College Of Florida is a small private not-for-profit school located in the rural area of Graceville. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,000. Theological & Ministerial Studies graduates carry a median of $24,916 in student loans. Theological & Ministerial Studies graduates of The Baptist College Of Florida earn a median of $34,350 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The Baptist College Of Florida admits about 36% of applicants.
Vanderbilt University ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the best value theological & ministerial studies schools. Set in the city of Nashville, Vanderbilt University is a large private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $67,498. Theological & Ministerial Studies graduates carry a median of $13,975 in student loans. Soon after graduation, theological & ministerial studies degree recipients from Vanderbilt University generally make around $42,583. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 6%.
Grace College And Theological Seminary landed the #10 spot for theological & ministerial studies value this year. Grace College And Theological Seminary is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the town of Winona Lake. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $29,645. Theological & Ministerial Studies graduates carry a median of $21,211 in student loans. Early-career theological & ministerial studies graduates make about $42,188. Set against $21,211 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 82%.
University Of Chicago landed the #11 spot for theological & ministerial studies value this year. Located in the city of Chicago, University Of Chicago is a very large private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $69,324 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $15,854 to complete the theological & ministerial studies program here. Theological & Ministerial Studies graduates of University Of Chicago earn a median of $45,985 early in their careers. Set against $15,854 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 4%.
University Of St Thomas Texas placed #12 among the best values for theological & ministerial studies. Located in the city of Houston, University Of St Thomas Texas is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $34,634. Typical student debt for theological & ministerial studies graduates is $23,628. Theological & Ministerial Studies graduates of University Of St Thomas Texas earn a median of $58,265 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $23,628 median debt. University Of St Thomas Texas admits about 90% of applicants.
Vanguard University Of Southern California placed #13 among the best values for theological & ministerial studies. Set in the city of Costa Mesa, Vanguard University Of Southern California is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $41,700. Theological & Ministerial Studies graduates carry a median of $21,111 in student loans. Early-career theological & ministerial studies graduates make about $80,727. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 62% of applicants are accepted.
Campbellsville University ranked #14 on our 2026 list of the best value theological & ministerial studies schools. Set in the town of Campbellsville, Campbellsville University is a large private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $27,998. Students borrow a median of $24,148 to complete the theological & ministerial studies program here. Early-career theological & ministerial studies graduates make about $54,029. Set against $24,148 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 80%.
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Saint Leo University landed the #15 spot for theological & ministerial studies value this year. Saint Leo University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the town of Saint Leo. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $30,000. Typical student debt for theological & ministerial studies graduates is $32,116. Theological & Ministerial Studies graduates of Saint Leo University earn a median of $57,662 early in their careers. Set against $32,116 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Saint Leo University admits about 78% of applicants.
Evangel University landed the #16 spot for theological & ministerial studies value this year. Located in the city of Springfield, Evangel University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $28,548. Typical student debt for theological & ministerial studies graduates is $24,876. Soon after graduation, theological & ministerial studies degree recipients from Evangel University generally make around $57,895. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 72%.
Martin Luther College came in at #17 for value in theological & ministerial studies this year. Martin Luther College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the town of New Ulm. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $18,120. Typical student debt for theological & ministerial studies graduates is $18,949. Early-career theological & ministerial studies graduates make about $15,327. That is a strong return on a $18,949 median debt. Roughly 87% of applicants are accepted.
Freed Hardeman University came in at #18 for value in theological & ministerial studies this year. Freed Hardeman University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the town of Henderson. Students from in state pay about $25,620 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $24,479 to complete the theological & ministerial studies program here. Early-career theological & ministerial studies graduates make about $54,530. Set against $24,479 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 60% of applicants are accepted.
Harding University placed #19 among the best values for theological & ministerial studies. Located in the town of Searcy, Harding University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $25,962 in tuition and fees. Theological & Ministerial Studies graduates carry a median of $26,715 in student loans. Early-career theological & ministerial studies graduates make about $53,629. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Harding University admits about 70% of applicants.
Regent University landed the #20 spot for theological & ministerial studies value this year. Located in the city of Virginia Beach, Regent University is a large private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $21,650. Typical student debt for theological & ministerial studies graduates is $29,451. Early-career theological & ministerial studies graduates make about $49,840. Set against $29,451 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Regent University admits about 38% of applicants.
Shaw University placed #21 among the best values for theological & ministerial studies. Set in the city of Raleigh, Shaw University is a small private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $17,738. Theological & Ministerial Studies graduates carry a median of $37,044 in student loans. Early-career theological & ministerial studies graduates make about $28,533. Set against $37,044 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 80%.
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Johnson University landed the #22 spot for theological & ministerial studies value 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. Typical student debt for theological & ministerial studies graduates is $23,250. Soon after graduation, theological & ministerial studies degree recipients from Johnson University generally make around $37,989. Set against $23,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Johnson University admits about 65% of applicants.
Houston Baptist University landed the #23 spot for theological & ministerial studies value this year. Located in the city of Houston, Houston Baptist University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $39,430. Typical student debt for theological & ministerial studies graduates is $25,601. Soon after graduation, theological & ministerial studies degree recipients from Houston Baptist University generally make around $51,968. Set against $25,601 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 84% of applicants are accepted.
Mid America Christian University placed #24 among the best values for theological & ministerial studies. Located in the city of Oklahoma City, Mid America Christian University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $21,294. Theological & Ministerial Studies graduates carry a median of $41,422 in student loans. Soon after graduation, theological & ministerial studies degree recipients from Mid America Christian University generally make around $27,391. Set against $41,422 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 92%.
Lee University landed the #25 spot for theological & ministerial studies value this year. Located in the city of Cleveland, Lee University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $23,790 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for theological & ministerial studies graduates is $26,422. Theological & Ministerial Studies graduates of Lee University earn a median of $42,658 early in their careers. Set against $26,422 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 70% of applicants are accepted.
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Not far behind, these schools also offered excellent value in theological & ministerial studies:
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Explore other best-value rankings in majors related to Theological & Ministerial Studies. Browse the parent area of study.
| Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| Theology/Theological Studies | 3,723 |
| Divinity/Ministry | 3,647 |
| Theological and Ministerial Studies, Other | 802 |
| Pre-Theology/Pre-Ministerial Studies | 103 |
| Rabbinical Studies | 44 |
View All Theological & Ministerial Studies Concentrations >
The ranking above is published 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 · 464 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 54 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.
