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College Factual  by our College Data Analytics Team
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2026 Best Value Theological & Ministerial Studies Master’s Degree Schools

43 Colleges in the United States
$25,017 Avg Student Debt
$57,994 Avg Median Earnings (10yr)
2026 Best Value Theological & Ministerial Studies Master's Degree Badge [Theological & Ministerial Studies](/majors/theology-and-religious-vocations/theological-ministerial-studies/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. 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 464 schools to find the best return on investment for theological & ministerial studies students.

What’s on this page:

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2026 Best Value Theological & Ministerial Studies Schools in the United States

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

1

Our analysis ranked Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary the best value for a degree in 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. 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. Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary admits about 75% of applicants.

2

Sacred Heart Major Seminary is a great value for students pursuing a degree in theological & ministerial studies, landing the #2 spot this year. 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%.

3

A rank of #3 makes Luther Rice University And Seminary one of the best values for theological & ministerial studies. Located in the suburb of Lithonia, Luther Rice University And Seminary is a small private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,320. Students borrow a median of $36,730 to complete the theological & ministerial studies program here. Theological & Ministerial Studies graduates of Luther Rice University And Seminary earn a median of $58,008 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 92%.

4
Harvard University crest
Harvard University
Cambridge, MA

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Harvard University earned it the #4 place for theological & ministerial studies. Set in the city of Cambridge, Harvard University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $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 $37,385. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 4% of applicants are accepted.

5

North Park University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in theological & ministerial studies, landing the #5 spot this year. Located in the city of Chicago, North Park University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $36,710. Typical student debt for theological & ministerial studies graduates is $27,360. Soon after graduation, theological & ministerial studies degree recipients from North Park University generally make around $51,611. Set against $27,360 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 68% of applicants are accepted.

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Hellenic College Holy Cross Greek Orthodox School Of Theology came in at #6 for value in theological & ministerial studies 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. In-state tuition and fees average $22,490. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $51,724. Roughly 80% of applicants are accepted.

7
Andrews University crest
Andrews University
Berrien Springs, MI

Andrews University earned the #7 position for value in theological & ministerial studies this year. Andrews University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the town of Berrien Springs. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $35,056. Theological & Ministerial Studies graduates carry a median of $26,314 in student loans. Soon after graduation, theological & ministerial studies degree recipients from Andrews University generally make around $68,117. Set against $26,314 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 82%.

8
Vanderbilt University crest
Vanderbilt University
Nashville, TN

Vanderbilt University landed the #8 spot for theological & ministerial studies value this year. Vanderbilt University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Nashville. In-state tuition and fees average $67,498. Students borrow a median of $13,975 to complete the theological & ministerial studies program here. 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. Roughly 6% of applicants are accepted.

9

Grace College And Theological Seminary landed the #9 spot for theological & ministerial studies value this year. Located in the town of Winona Lake, Grace College And Theological Seminary is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $29,645. Students borrow a median of $21,211 to complete the theological & ministerial studies program here. Soon after graduation, theological & ministerial studies degree recipients from Grace College And Theological Seminary generally make around $42,188. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Grace College And Theological Seminary admits about 82% of applicants.

10

University Of Chicago came in at #10 for value in theological & ministerial studies this year. Located in the city of Chicago, University Of Chicago is a very large private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $69,324. Typical student debt for theological & ministerial studies graduates is $15,854. Soon after graduation, theological & ministerial studies degree recipients from University Of Chicago generally make around $34,557. That is a strong return on a $15,854 median debt. University Of Chicago admits about 4% of applicants.

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University Of St Thomas Texas landed the #11 spot for theological & ministerial studies value this year. University Of St Thomas Texas is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Houston. In-state tuition and fees average $34,634. Typical student debt for theological & ministerial studies graduates is $23,628. Soon after graduation, theological & ministerial studies degree recipients from University Of St Thomas Texas generally make around $58,265. Set against $23,628 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.

12

Vanguard University Of Southern California ranked #12 on our 2026 list of the best value theological & ministerial studies schools. Located in the city of Costa Mesa, Vanguard University Of Southern California is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $41,700. Theological & Ministerial Studies graduates carry a median of $21,111 in student loans. Theological & Ministerial Studies graduates of Vanguard University Of Southern California earn a median of $80,727 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 62% of applicants are accepted.

13
Campbellsville University crest
Campbellsville University
Campbellsville, KY

Campbellsville University earned the #13 position for value in theological & ministerial studies this year. Located in the town of Campbellsville, Campbellsville University is a large private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $27,998 in tuition and fees. 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%.

14

The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary earned the #14 position for value in theological & ministerial studies this year. Set in the city of Louisville, The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,046. Theological & Ministerial Studies graduates of The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary earn a median of $56,478 early in their careers. The acceptance rate is 56%.

15

New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary landed the #15 spot for theological & ministerial studies value this year. Located in the city of New Orleans, New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $12,368 in tuition and fees.

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16

Freed Hardeman University placed #16 among the best values for theological & ministerial studies. Freed Hardeman University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the town of Henderson. In-state tuition and fees average $25,620. Theological & Ministerial Studies graduates carry a median of $24,479 in student loans. Early-career theological & ministerial studies graduates make about $54,530. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 60% of applicants are accepted.

17
Saint Leo University crest
Saint Leo University
Saint Leo, FL

Saint Leo University earned the #17 position for value in theological & ministerial studies 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. Students borrow a median of $32,116 to complete the theological & ministerial studies program here. Early-career theological & ministerial studies graduates make about $57,662. That is a strong return on a $32,116 median debt. The acceptance rate is 78%.

18

Harding University landed the #18 spot for theological & ministerial studies value this year. Located in the town of Searcy, Harding University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $25,962. Students borrow a median of $26,715 to complete the theological & ministerial studies program here. Early-career theological & ministerial studies graduates make about $53,629. Set against $26,715 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Harding University admits about 70% of applicants.

19
Evangel University crest
Evangel University
Springfield, MO

Evangel University ranked #19 on our 2026 list of the best value theological & ministerial studies schools. Located in the city of Springfield, Evangel University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $28,548. Students borrow a median of $24,876 to complete the theological & ministerial studies program here. Early-career theological & ministerial studies graduates make about $37,136. Set against $24,876 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 72%.

20

Houston Baptist University earned the #20 position for value in theological & ministerial studies 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. Theological & Ministerial Studies graduates carry a median of $25,601 in student loans. 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. Houston Baptist University admits about 84% of applicants.

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Regent University crest
Regent University
Virginia Beach, VA

Regent University ranked #21 on our 2026 list of the best value theological & ministerial studies schools. Located in the city of Virginia Beach, Regent University is a large private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $21,650. Theological & Ministerial Studies graduates carry a median of $29,451 in student loans. Soon after graduation, theological & ministerial studies degree recipients from Regent University generally make around $49,840. Set against $29,451 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Regent University admits about 38% of applicants.

22
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Shaw University
Raleigh, NC

Shaw University came in at #22 for value in theological & ministerial studies this year. 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. Theological & Ministerial Studies graduates of Shaw University earn a median of $28,533 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $37,044 median debt. Roughly 80% of applicants are accepted.

23
Milligan College crest
Milligan College
Milligan, TN

Milligan College came in at #23 for value in theological & ministerial studies this year. Located in the suburb of Milligan, Milligan College is a small private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $40,450. Theological & Ministerial Studies graduates carry a median of $26,150 in student loans. Soon after graduation, theological & ministerial studies degree recipients from Milligan College generally make around $64,327. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Milligan College admits about 72% of applicants.

24
Lee University crest
Lee University
Cleveland, TN

Lee University ranked #24 on our 2026 list of the best value theological & ministerial studies schools. Located in the city of Cleveland, Lee University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $23,790. 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.

25

Azusa Pacific University landed the #25 spot for theological & ministerial studies value this year. Set in the suburb of Azusa, Azusa Pacific University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $44,458. Students borrow a median of $23,709 to complete the theological & ministerial studies program here. Soon after graduation, theological & ministerial studies degree recipients from Azusa Pacific University generally make around $58,302. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 88%.

Rest of the Top 50 Best Value Theological & Ministerial Studies Schools

Not far behind, these schools also offered excellent value in theological & ministerial studies:

26
27
28
29
30
Viterbo University crest
Viterbo University
La Crosse, WI
31
32
33
Cornerstone University crest
Cornerstone University
Grand Rapids, MI
34
35
36
37
Life Pacific College crest
Life Pacific College
San Dimas, CA
38
Ashland University crest
Ashland University
Ashland, OH
39
40
41
Emory University crest
Emory University
Atlanta, GA
42
Brewton Parker College crest
Brewton Parker College
Mount Vernon, GA
43
Bob Jones University crest
Bob Jones University
Greenville, SC
44
45
46
47
Capital University crest
Capital University
Columbus, OH
48
49
50
Ave Maria University crest
Ave Maria University
Ave Maria, FL

Other Theological & Ministerial Studies Degree Levels

Looking for a different degree level? Compare best-value Theological & Ministerial Studies rankings across degree levels:

All Degree Levels in Theological & Ministerial Studies
Associate's Degrees in Theological & Ministerial Studies
Bachelor's Degrees in Theological & Ministerial Studies
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View All Theological & Ministerial Studies Rankings >

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Notes and References

This list is compiled 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 43 ranked schools only.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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