by our College Data Analytics Team
[Theological & Ministerial Studies](/majors/theology-and-religious-vocations/theological-ministerial-studies/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong theological & ministerial studies education at a price that pays off.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 22 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for theological & ministerial studies students.
What’s on this page:
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in theological & ministerial studies, balancing cost against outcomes.
Leading the list is Mesivta Torah Vodaath Rabbinical Seminary, our #1 best value for theological & ministerial studies in New York. Located in the city of Brooklyn, Mesivta Torah Vodaath Rabbinical Seminary is a small private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $15,200. Theological & Ministerial Studies graduates of Mesivta Torah Vodaath Rabbinical Seminary earn a median of $15,903 early in their careers. Roughly 80% of applicants are accepted.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Rabbinical College Of Ohr Shimon Yisroel earned it the #2 place for theological & ministerial studies. Rabbinical College Of Ohr Shimon Yisroel is a small private not-for-profit school located in the city of Brooklyn. In-state tuition and fees average $22,300.
Jewish Theological Seminary Of America is a great value for students pursuing a degree in theological & ministerial studies, landing the #3 spot this year. Jewish Theological Seminary Of America is a small private not-for-profit school located in the city of New York. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $71,910. Students borrow a median of $16,750 to complete the theological & ministerial studies program here. Early-career theological & ministerial studies graduates make about $78,469. That is a strong return on a $16,750 median debt. The acceptance rate is 49%.
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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 · 22 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 1 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.