2026 Best Value Theological & Ministerial Studies Schools in California
[Theological & Ministerial Studies](/majors/theology-and-religious-vocations/theological-ministerial-studies/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong theological & ministerial studies education at a price that pays off.
For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 44 schools to find the best return on investment for theological & ministerial studies students.
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2026 Best Value Theological & Ministerial Studies Schools in California
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the theological & ministerial studies degrees they offer, see the list below.
Best Value Theological & Ministerial Studies Schools
For return on investment in theological & ministerial studies, no school beat Vanguard University Of Southern California this year. Set in the city of Costa Mesa, Vanguard University Of Southern California is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $41,700 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $21,111 to complete the theological & ministerial studies program here. Soon after graduation, theological & ministerial studies degree recipients from Vanguard University Of Southern California generally make around $80,727. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 62% of applicants are accepted.
Azusa Pacific University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in theological & ministerial studies, landing the #2 spot this year. Set in the suburb of Azusa, Azusa Pacific University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $44,458. Theological & Ministerial Studies graduates carry a median of $23,709 in student loans. Early-career theological & ministerial studies graduates make about $58,302. Set against $23,709 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Azusa Pacific University admits about 88% of applicants.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Life Pacific College earned it the #3 place for theological & ministerial studies. Set in the suburb of San Dimas, Life Pacific College is a small private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $22,118. Students borrow a median of $22,521 to complete the theological & ministerial studies program here. Theological & Ministerial Studies graduates of Life Pacific College earn a median of $39,411 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $22,521 median debt. Roughly 96% of applicants are accepted.
Sum Bible College And Theological Seminary is a great value for students pursuing a degree in theological & ministerial studies, landing the #4 spot this year. Sum Bible College And Theological Seminary is a small private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of El Dorado Hills. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,460. Theological & Ministerial Studies graduates carry a median of $29,299 in student loans. Soon after graduation, theological & ministerial studies degree recipients from Sum Bible College And Theological Seminary generally make around $26,407. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Sum Bible College And Theological Seminary admits about 41% of applicants.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at World Mission University earned it the #5 place for theological & ministerial studies. Set in the city of Los Angeles, World Mission University is a small private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,920.
Hope International University earned the #6 position for value in theological & ministerial studies this year. Located in the suburb of Fullerton, Hope International University is a small private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $38,125. Theological & Ministerial Studies graduates carry a median of $18,054 in student loans. Early-career theological & ministerial studies graduates make about $50,661. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 33%.
Concordia University Irvine ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best value theological & ministerial studies schools. Located in the city of Irvine, Concordia University Irvine is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $43,480. Typical student debt for theological & ministerial studies graduates is $26,085. Early-career theological & ministerial studies graduates make about $58,590. Set against $26,085 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 66% of applicants are accepted.
Biola University earned the #8 position for value in theological & ministerial studies this year. Set in the suburb of La Mirada, Biola University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $48,984. Students borrow a median of $25,308 to complete the theological & ministerial studies program here. Early-career theological & ministerial studies graduates make about $42,625. That is a strong return on a $25,308 median debt. Roughly 74% of applicants are accepted.
The Masters College And Seminary placed #9 among the best values for theological & ministerial studies. Located in the suburb of Santa Clarita, The Masters College And Seminary is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $39,020 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $23,774 to complete the theological & ministerial studies program here. Soon after graduation, theological & ministerial studies degree recipients from The Masters College And Seminary generally make around $55,300. Set against $23,774 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 84%.
Loyola Marymount University placed #10 among the best values for theological & ministerial studies. Set in the city of Los Angeles, Loyola Marymount University is a large private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $61,867. Theological & Ministerial Studies graduates carry a median of $22,248 in student loans. Early-career theological & ministerial studies graduates make about $52,935. That is a strong return on a $22,248 median debt. The acceptance rate is 45%.
Santa Clara University placed #11 among the best values for theological & ministerial studies. Located in the city of Santa Clara, Santa Clara University is a large private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $61,293. Theological & Ministerial Studies graduates carry a median of $20,144 in student loans. Early-career theological & ministerial studies graduates make about $79,380. Set against $20,144 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Santa Clara University admits about 48% of applicants.
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Notes and References
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 · 44 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 6 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.
