2026 Best Value Theological & Ministerial Studies Schools in the Southeast Region
[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 117 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for theological & ministerial studies students.
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2026 Best Value Theological & Ministerial Studies Schools in the Southeast Region
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
Leading the list is Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary, our #1 best value for theological & ministerial studies in the Southeast Region. Located in the suburb of Wake Forest, Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $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.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Luther Rice University And Seminary earned it the #2 place for theological & ministerial studies. Located in the suburb of Lithonia, Luther Rice University And Seminary is a small private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,320. Theological & Ministerial Studies graduates carry a median of $36,730 in student loans. Soon after graduation, theological & ministerial studies degree recipients from Luther Rice University And Seminary generally make around $58,008. That is a strong return on a $36,730 median debt. The acceptance rate is 92%.
The Baptist College Of Florida came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best value theological & ministerial studies schools. The Baptist College Of Florida is a small private not-for-profit school located in the rural area of Graceville. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,000. Students borrow a median of $24,916 to complete the theological & ministerial studies program here. Soon after graduation, theological & ministerial studies degree recipients from The Baptist College Of Florida generally make around $34,350. That is a strong return on a $24,916 median debt. The acceptance rate is 36%.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Vanderbilt University earned it the #4 place for theological & ministerial studies. Set in the city of Nashville, Vanderbilt University is a large private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $67,498. Theological & Ministerial Studies graduates carry a median of $13,975 in student loans. Soon after graduation, theological & ministerial studies degree recipients from Vanderbilt University generally make around $42,583. That is a strong return on a $13,975 median debt. The acceptance rate is 6%.
A rank of #5 makes Campbellsville University one of the best values for theological & ministerial studies. Set in the town of Campbellsville, Campbellsville University is a large private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $27,998. Theological & Ministerial Studies graduates carry a median of $24,148 in student loans. Soon after graduation, theological & ministerial studies degree recipients from Campbellsville University generally make around $54,029. Set against $24,148 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 80%.
Shaw University ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best value theological & ministerial studies schools. Located in the city of Raleigh, Shaw University is a small private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $17,738 in tuition and fees. 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. Set against $37,044 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 80% of applicants are accepted.
Saint Leo University ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best value theological & ministerial studies schools. Saint Leo University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the town of Saint Leo. Students from in state pay about $30,000 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $32,116 to complete the theological & ministerial studies program here. Theological & Ministerial Studies graduates of Saint Leo University earn a median of $57,662 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 78%.
Regent University placed #8 among the best values for theological & ministerial studies. Located in the city of Virginia Beach, Regent University is a large private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $21,650 in tuition and fees. 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. The acceptance rate is 38%.
Freed Hardeman University ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the best value theological & ministerial studies schools. Set in the town of Henderson, Freed Hardeman University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $25,620 in tuition and fees. Theological & Ministerial Studies graduates carry a median of $24,479 in student loans. Theological & Ministerial Studies graduates of Freed Hardeman University earn a median of $54,530 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $24,479 median debt. Roughly 60% of applicants are accepted.
Johnson University landed the #10 spot for theological & ministerial studies value this year. Johnson University is a small private not-for-profit school located in the rural area of Knoxville. In-state tuition and fees average $21,122. Typical student debt for theological & ministerial studies graduates is $23,250. Soon after graduation, theological & ministerial studies degree recipients from Johnson University generally make around $37,989. Set against $23,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 65%.
Harding University came in at #11 for value in theological & ministerial studies this year. Harding University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the town of Searcy. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $25,962. Theological & Ministerial Studies graduates carry a median of $26,715 in student loans. Theological & Ministerial Studies graduates of Harding University earn a median of $53,629 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $26,715 median debt. Roughly 70% of applicants are accepted.
Lee University ranked #12 on our 2026 list of the best value theological & ministerial studies schools. Set in the city of Cleveland, Lee University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $23,790. Theological & Ministerial Studies graduates carry a median of $26,422 in student loans. Soon after graduation, theological & ministerial studies degree recipients from Lee University generally make around $42,658. That is a strong return on a $26,422 median debt. Roughly 70% of applicants are accepted.
Virginia Union University placed #13 among the best values for theological & ministerial studies. Virginia Union University is a small private not-for-profit school located in the city of Richmond. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $17,830. Typical student debt for theological & ministerial studies graduates is $30,593. Early-career theological & ministerial studies graduates make about $25,910. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 98%.
Milligan College placed #14 among the best values for theological & ministerial studies. Milligan College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Milligan. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $40,450. Theological & Ministerial Studies graduates carry a median of $26,150 in student loans. Early-career theological & ministerial studies graduates make about $64,327. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 72%.
Bob Jones University landed the #15 spot for theological & ministerial studies value this year. Bob Jones University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Greenville. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $22,892. 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. Set against $20,497 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Columbia International University ranked #16 on our 2026 list of the best value theological & ministerial studies schools. Set in the city of Columbia, Columbia International University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $27,900. Typical student debt for theological & ministerial studies graduates is $21,667. Soon after graduation, theological & ministerial studies degree recipients from Columbia International University generally make around $32,296. Set against $21,667 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 94% of applicants are accepted.
Erskine College And Seminary earned the #17 position for value in theological & ministerial studies this year. Erskine College And Seminary is a small private not-for-profit school located in the rural area of Due West. In-state tuition and fees average $36,710. Theological & Ministerial Studies graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Theological & Ministerial Studies graduates of Erskine College And Seminary earn a median of $35,695 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 63% of applicants are accepted.
Brewton Parker College ranked #18 on our 2026 list of the best value theological & ministerial studies schools. Located in the rural area of Mount Vernon, Brewton Parker College is a small private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $20,120. Graduates go on to earn a median of $42,009 ten years after entry. Brewton Parker College admits about 96% of applicants.
Piedmont International University landed the #19 spot for theological & ministerial studies value this year. Located in the city of Winston-Salem, Piedmont International University is a small private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $17,575. Theological & Ministerial Studies graduates carry a median of $35,382 in student loans. Theological & Ministerial Studies graduates of Piedmont International University earn a median of $48,372 early in their careers. Set against $35,382 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Piedmont International University admits about 40% of applicants.
Loyola University New Orleans ranked #20 on our 2026 list of the best value theological & ministerial studies schools. Set in the city of New Orleans, Loyola University New Orleans is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $49,440. Theological & Ministerial Studies graduates carry a median of $26,606 in student loans. Soon after graduation, theological & ministerial studies degree recipients from Loyola University New Orleans generally make around $48,040. Set against $26,606 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 93% of applicants are accepted.
Mercer University came in at #21 for value in theological & ministerial studies this year. Mercer University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Macon. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $31,565. Typical student debt for theological & ministerial studies graduates is $32,463. Early-career theological & ministerial studies graduates make about $42,866. Set against $32,463 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 69%.
Lenoir Rhyne University ranked #22 on our 2026 list of the best value theological & ministerial studies schools. Lenoir Rhyne University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Hickory. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $31,900. Typical student debt for theological & ministerial studies graduates is $26,900. Early-career theological & ministerial studies graduates make about $49,985. Set against $26,900 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 85%.
Grace College Of Divinity landed the #23 spot for theological & ministerial studies value this year. Set in the city of Fayetteville, Grace College Of Divinity is a small private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,105. Roughly 53% of applicants are accepted.
Emory University placed #24 among the best values for theological & ministerial studies. Set in the city of Atlanta, Emory University is a large private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $64,280 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $19,431 to complete the theological & ministerial studies program here. Theological & Ministerial Studies graduates of Emory University earn a median of $74,348 early in their careers. Set against $19,431 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 11%.
Ave Maria University ranked #25 on our 2026 list of the best value theological & ministerial studies schools. Located in the rural area of Ave Maria, Ave Maria University is a small private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $30,198. Theological & Ministerial Studies graduates carry a median of $21,102 in student loans. Soon after graduation, theological & ministerial studies degree recipients from Ave Maria University generally make around $26,924. Set against $21,102 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Ave Maria University admits about 41% of applicants.
Rest of the Top 37 Best Value Theological & Ministerial Studies Schools
Not far behind, these schools also offered excellent value in theological & ministerial studies:
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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 · 117 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 14 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.
