2026 Best Value Theological & Ministerial Studies Schools in the Middle Atlantic Region
[Theological & Ministerial Studies](/majors/theology-and-religious-vocations/theological-ministerial-studies/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
College Factual analyzed 67 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best value theological & ministerial studies schools.
What’s on this page:
2026 Best Value Theological & Ministerial Studies Schools in the Middle Atlantic Region
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in theological & ministerial studies, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Theological & Ministerial Studies Schools
Lancaster Bible College earned the #1 spot for value among theological & ministerial studies schools in the Middle Atlantic Region. Lancaster Bible College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Lancaster. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $29,990. Theological & Ministerial Studies graduates carry a median of $28,507 in student loans. Early-career theological & ministerial studies graduates make about $35,130. Set against $28,507 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 56% of applicants are accepted.
A rank of #2 makes Mount St Marys University one of the best values for theological & ministerial studies. Set in the rural area of Emmitsburg, Mount St Marys University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $48,630. Typical student debt for theological & ministerial studies graduates is $23,539. Soon after graduation, theological & ministerial studies degree recipients from Mount St Marys University generally make around $50,657. Set against $23,539 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 74%.
A rank of #3 makes Mesivta Torah Vodaath Rabbinical Seminary one of the best values for theological & ministerial studies. Mesivta Torah Vodaath Rabbinical Seminary is a small private not-for-profit school located in the city of Brooklyn. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,200. Early-career theological & ministerial studies graduates make about $15,903. The acceptance rate is 80%.
A rank of #4 makes Drew University one of the best values for theological & ministerial studies. Drew University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Madison. In-state tuition and fees average $47,100. Students borrow a median of $26,449 to complete the theological & ministerial studies program here. Early-career theological & ministerial studies graduates make about $49,241. That is a strong return on a $26,449 median debt. Drew University admits about 68% of applicants.
Rabbinical College Of Ohr Shimon Yisroel is a great value for students pursuing a degree in theological & ministerial studies, landing the #5 spot this year. Set in the city of Brooklyn, Rabbinical College Of Ohr Shimon Yisroel is a small private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $22,300.
Eastern University placed #6 among the best values for theological & ministerial studies. Located in the suburb of Saint Davids, Eastern University is a large private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $38,400. Theological & Ministerial Studies graduates carry a median of $28,584 in student loans. Soon after graduation, theological & ministerial studies degree recipients from Eastern University generally make around $47,185. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 91% of applicants are accepted.
Seton Hall University earned the #7 position for value in theological & ministerial studies this year. Located in the suburb of South Orange, Seton Hall University is a large private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $53,170. Theological & Ministerial Studies graduates carry a median of $23,422 in student loans. Theological & Ministerial Studies graduates of Seton Hall University earn a median of $63,871 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 73% of applicants are accepted.
Valley Forge Christian College placed #8 among the best values for theological & ministerial studies. Located in the suburb of Phoenixville, Valley Forge Christian College is a small private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $25,240 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $28,000 to complete the theological & ministerial studies program here. Theological & Ministerial Studies graduates of Valley Forge Christian College earn a median of $25,051 early in their careers. Set against $28,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 61%.
Jewish Theological Seminary Of America landed the #9 spot for theological & ministerial studies value this year. Jewish Theological Seminary Of America is a small private not-for-profit school located in the city of New York. Students from in state pay about $71,910 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for theological & ministerial studies graduates is $16,750. Soon after graduation, theological & ministerial studies degree recipients from Jewish Theological Seminary Of America generally make around $78,469. Set against $16,750 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 49%.
Catholic University Of America earned the #10 position for value in theological & ministerial studies this year. Catholic University Of America is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Washington. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $58,378. Theological & Ministerial Studies graduates carry a median of $25,771 in student loans. Soon after graduation, theological & ministerial studies degree recipients from Catholic University Of America generally make around $65,120. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Catholic University Of America admits about 83% of applicants.
Saint Charles Borromeo Seminary Overbrook earned the #11 position for value in theological & ministerial studies this year. Located in the suburb of Ambler, Saint Charles Borromeo Seminary Overbrook is a small private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $25,774. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $55,225. Roughly 100% of applicants are accepted.
Villanova University landed the #12 spot for theological & ministerial studies value this year. Villanova University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Villanova. Students from in state pay about $67,776 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for theological & ministerial studies graduates is $26,184. Theological & Ministerial Studies graduates of Villanova University earn a median of $72,601 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $26,184 median debt. The acceptance rate is 27%.
Howard University came in at #13 for value in theological & ministerial studies this year. Set in the city of Washington, Howard University is a large private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $35,810 in tuition and fees. Theological & Ministerial Studies graduates carry a median of $25,498 in student loans. Soon after graduation, theological & ministerial studies degree recipients from Howard University generally make around $58,495. Set against $25,498 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Howard University admits about 41% of applicants.
Narrow Theological & Ministerial Studies Schools by State
More Theological & Ministerial Studies Rankings
View All Theological & Ministerial Studies Rankings >
Notes and References
This list is compiled 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 · 67 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.
