by our College Data Analytics Team
[Theological & Ministerial Studies](/majors/theology-and-religious-vocations/theological-ministerial-studies/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 16 schools to find the best return on investment 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.
Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary earned the #1 spot for value among theological & ministerial studies schools in North Carolina. 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. Early-career theological & ministerial studies graduates make about $54,863. Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary admits about 75% of applicants.
Students looking for strong value in theological & ministerial studies will find it at Shaw University, which ranked #2. Set in the city of Raleigh, Shaw University is a small private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $17,738 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for theological & ministerial studies graduates is $37,044. 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.
Lenoir Rhyne University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in theological & ministerial studies, landing the #3 spot this year. Lenoir Rhyne University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Hickory. Students from in state pay about $31,900 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for theological & ministerial studies graduates is $26,900. Soon after graduation, theological & ministerial studies degree recipients from Lenoir Rhyne University generally make around $49,985. That is a strong return on a $26,900 median debt. The acceptance rate is 85%.
Piedmont International University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in theological & ministerial studies, landing the #4 spot this year. Piedmont International University is a small private not-for-profit school located in the city of Winston-Salem. In-state tuition and fees average $17,575. Theological & Ministerial Studies graduates carry a median of $35,382 in student loans. Early-career theological & ministerial studies graduates make about $48,372. That is a strong return on a $35,382 median debt. Piedmont International University admits about 40% of applicants.
A rank of #5 makes Campbell University one of the best values for theological & ministerial studies. Set in the town of Buies Creek, Campbell University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $41,600. Typical student debt for theological & ministerial studies graduates is $23,641. Early-career theological & ministerial studies graduates make about $40,858. Set against $23,641 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 87% of applicants are accepted.
Grace College Of Divinity placed #6 among the best values for theological & ministerial studies. Located in the city of Fayetteville, Grace College Of Divinity is a small private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,105. The acceptance rate is 53%.
Wake Forest University ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best value theological & ministerial studies schools. Located in the city of Winston-Salem, Wake Forest University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $67,642. Students borrow a median of $21,577 to complete the theological & ministerial studies program here. Early-career theological & ministerial studies graduates make about $40,732. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Wake Forest University admits about 22% of applicants.
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Duke University placed #8 among the best values for theological & ministerial studies. Duke University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Durham. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $68,758. Theological & Ministerial Studies graduates carry a median of $13,296 in student loans. Theological & Ministerial Studies graduates of Duke University earn a median of $70,809 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $13,296 median debt. The acceptance rate is 6%.
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 · 16 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 1 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.