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. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 464 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for theological & ministerial studies students.
What’s on this page:
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the theological & ministerial studies degrees they offer, see the list below.
Leading the list is Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary, our #1 best value for theological & ministerial studies in the United States. Located in the suburb of Wake Forest, Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $11,318. Soon after graduation, theological & 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 The Baptist College Of Florida earned it the #2 place for theological & ministerial studies. Set in the rural area of Graceville, The Baptist College Of Florida is a small private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $15,000 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for theological & ministerial studies graduates is $24,916. Early-career theological & ministerial studies graduates make about $34,350. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The Baptist College Of Florida admits about 36% of applicants.
A rank of #3 makes Martin Luther College one of the best values for theological & ministerial studies. Set in the town of New Ulm, Martin Luther College is a small private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $18,120 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $18,949 to complete the theological & ministerial studies program here. Early-career theological & ministerial studies graduates make about $15,327. Set against $18,949 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 87% of applicants are accepted.
Johnson University came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best value theological & ministerial studies schools. Set in the rural area of Knoxville, Johnson University is a small private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $21,122. Typical student debt for theological & ministerial studies graduates is $23,250. Theological & Ministerial Studies graduates of Johnson University earn a median of $33,627 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $23,250 median debt. Roughly 65% of applicants are accepted.
Students looking for strong value in theological & ministerial studies will find it at Mid America Christian University, which ranked #5. Set in the city of Oklahoma City, Mid America Christian University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $21,294. Typical student debt for theological & ministerial studies graduates is $41,422. Theological & Ministerial Studies graduates of Mid America Christian University earn a median of $27,391 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $41,422 median debt. Mid America Christian University admits about 92% of applicants.
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Lee University landed the #6 spot for theological & ministerial studies value this year. 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 theological & ministerial studies program here. Soon after graduation, theological & ministerial studies degree recipients from Lee University generally make around $42,658. Set against $26,422 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Lee University admits about 70% of applicants.
Sum Bible College And Theological Seminary ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best value theological & ministerial studies schools. Sum Bible College And Theological Seminary is a small private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of El Dorado Hills. Students from in state pay about $10,460 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for theological & ministerial studies graduates is $29,299. Early-career theological & ministerial studies graduates make about $26,407. Set against $29,299 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 41% of applicants are accepted.
Bob Jones University placed #8 among the best values for theological & ministerial studies. Located in the city of Greenville, Bob Jones University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $22,892 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $20,497 to complete the theological & ministerial studies program here. Early-career theological & ministerial studies graduates make about $28,325. That is a strong return on a $20,497 median debt.
Grand Canyon University landed the #9 spot for theological & ministerial studies value this year. Set in the city of Phoenix, Grand Canyon University is a very large private for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $18,508. Students borrow a median of $30,027 to complete the theological & ministerial studies program here. Soon after graduation, theological & ministerial studies degree recipients from Grand Canyon University generally make around $56,285. Set against $30,027 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 79%.
Cornerstone University placed #10 among the best values for theological & ministerial studies. Cornerstone University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Grand Rapids. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $23,000. Theological & Ministerial Studies graduates carry a median of $43,009 in student loans. Early-career theological & ministerial studies graduates make about $40,873. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Cornerstone University admits about 78% of applicants.
Rabbinical College Of Ohr Shimon Yisroel earned the #11 position for value in theological & ministerial studies this year. Rabbinical College Of Ohr Shimon Yisroel is a small private not-for-profit school located in the city of Brooklyn. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $22,300.
Ave Maria University ranked #12 on our 2026 list of the best value theological & ministerial studies schools. Ave Maria University is a small private not-for-profit school located in the rural area of Ave Maria. In-state tuition and fees average $30,198. Typical student debt for theological & ministerial studies graduates is $21,102. Theological & Ministerial Studies graduates of Ave Maria University earn a median of $26,924 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 41% of applicants are accepted.
Franciscan University Of Steubenville landed the #13 spot for theological & ministerial studies value this year. Franciscan University Of Steubenville is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Steubenville. In-state tuition and fees average $34,100. Students borrow a median of $25,000 to complete the theological & ministerial studies program here. Early-career theological & ministerial studies graduates make about $29,656. That is a strong return on a $25,000 median debt. Franciscan University Of Steubenville admits about 58% of applicants.
Southern Adventist University landed the #14 spot for theological & ministerial studies value this year. Located in the suburb of Collegedale, Southern Adventist University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $27,300. Typical student debt for theological & ministerial studies graduates is $25,498. Theological & Ministerial Studies graduates of Southern Adventist University earn a median of $61,366 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Southern Adventist University admits about 66% of applicants.
Moody Bible Institute came in at #15 for value in theological & ministerial studies this year. Moody Bible Institute is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Chicago. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $15,786. Theological & Ministerial Studies graduates carry a median of $14,000 in student loans. Theological & Ministerial Studies graduates of Moody Bible Institute earn a median of $33,488 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $14,000 median debt. Roughly 83% of applicants are accepted.
Oral Roberts University placed #16 among the best values for theological & ministerial studies. Oral Roberts University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Tulsa. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $35,470. Theological & Ministerial Studies graduates carry a median of $30,750 in student loans. Early-career theological & ministerial studies graduates make about $27,088. Set against $30,750 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Oral Roberts University admits about 99% of applicants.
Grace College Of Divinity placed #17 among the best values for theological & ministerial studies. Located in the city of Fayetteville, Grace College Of Divinity is a small private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $9,105. Grace College Of Divinity admits about 53% of applicants.
Northwestern College Minnesota landed the #18 spot for theological & ministerial studies value this year. Set in the suburb of Saint Paul, Northwestern College Minnesota is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $37,920. Typical student debt for theological & ministerial studies graduates is $22,000. Theological & Ministerial Studies graduates of Northwestern College Minnesota earn a median of $32,815 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 94%.
Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary earned the #19 position for value in theological & ministerial studies this year. Set in the city of Kansas City, Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $11,530 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $15,559 to complete the theological & ministerial studies program here. Theological & Ministerial Studies graduates of Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary earn a median of $73,186 early in their careers. Set against $15,559 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 96%.
University Of Dallas placed #20 among the best values for theological & ministerial studies. Located in the city of Irving, University Of Dallas is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $53,930. Typical student debt for theological & ministerial studies graduates is $23,411. Theological & Ministerial Studies graduates of University Of Dallas earn a median of $58,396 early in their careers. Set against $23,411 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 53%.
Colorado Christian University landed the #21 spot for theological & ministerial studies value this year. Colorado Christian University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Lakewood. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $28,846. Typical student debt for theological & ministerial studies graduates is $36,092. Theological & Ministerial Studies graduates of Colorado Christian University earn a median of $47,333 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Concordia University Wisconsin landed the #22 spot for theological & ministerial studies value this year. Located in the suburb of Mequon, Concordia University Wisconsin is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $35,470. Students borrow a median of $25,926 to complete the theological & ministerial studies program here. Theological & Ministerial Studies graduates of Concordia University Wisconsin earn a median of $58,227 early in their careers. Set against $25,926 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 78% of applicants are accepted.
Trinity College Of Florida ranked #23 on our 2026 list of the best value theological & ministerial studies schools. Set in the suburb of Trinity, Trinity College Of Florida is a small private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $16,300. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $32,465. Trinity College Of Florida admits about 92% of applicants.
Northwest University College Of Adult And Professional Studies placed #24 among the best values for theological & ministerial studies. Located in the suburb of Kirkland, Northwest University College Of Adult And Professional Studies is a small private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $14,652. Typical student debt for theological & ministerial studies graduates is $26,453. Theological & Ministerial Studies graduates of Northwest University College Of Adult And Professional Studies earn a median of $41,139 early in their careers. Set against $26,453 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
University Of Notre Dame came in at #25 for value in theological & ministerial studies this year. Located in the suburb of Notre Dame, University Of Notre Dame is a large private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $65,025. Students borrow a median of $19,000 to complete the theological & ministerial studies program here. Early-career theological & ministerial studies graduates make about $45,874. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 11%.
These schools also delivered strong value for theological & ministerial studies this year:
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Explore the best-value theological & ministerial studies schools at other degree levels:
This ranking is produced 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 31 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.