2026 Best Value Theological & Ministerial Studies Schools in Tennessee
[Theological & Ministerial Studies](/majors/theology-and-religious-vocations/theological-ministerial-studies/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. 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 18 schools to find the best return on investment for theological & ministerial studies students.
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2026 Best Value Theological & Ministerial Studies Schools in Tennessee
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in theological & ministerial studies, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Theological & Ministerial Studies Schools
Vanderbilt University tops our 2026 list of the best value theological & ministerial studies schools in Tennessee. Set in the city of Nashville, Vanderbilt University is a large private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $67,498 in tuition and fees. 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. That is a strong return on a $13,975 median debt. The acceptance rate is 6%.
A rank of #2 makes Freed Hardeman University one of the best values for theological & ministerial studies. Set in the town of Henderson, Freed Hardeman University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $25,620. Typical student debt for theological & ministerial studies graduates is $24,479. Early-career theological & ministerial studies graduates make about $54,530. That is a strong return on a $24,479 median debt. Freed Hardeman University admits about 60% of applicants.
Johnson University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in theological & ministerial studies, landing the #3 spot 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%.
Lee University came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best value theological & ministerial studies schools. Lee University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Cleveland. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $23,790. Theological & Ministerial Studies graduates carry a median of $26,422 in student loans. Early-career theological & ministerial studies graduates make about $42,658. Set against $26,422 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 70%.
A rank of #5 makes Milligan College one of the best values for theological & ministerial studies. Located in the suburb of Milligan, Milligan College is a small private not-for-profit university. 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. Set against $26,150 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 72%.
Southern Adventist University placed #6 among the best values for theological & ministerial studies. Set in the suburb of Collegedale, Southern Adventist University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $27,300 in tuition and fees. Theological & Ministerial Studies graduates carry a median of $25,498 in student loans. Theological & Ministerial Studies graduates of Southern Adventist University earn a median of $61,366 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 66%.
Lipscomb University landed the #7 spot for theological & ministerial studies value this year. Set in the city of Nashville, Lipscomb University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $40,572. Theological & Ministerial Studies graduates carry a median of $23,529 in student loans. Theological & Ministerial Studies graduates of Lipscomb University earn a median of $48,949 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $23,529 median debt. Roughly 68% of applicants are accepted.
Sewanee The University Of The South landed the #8 spot for theological & ministerial studies value this year. Located in the rural area of Sewanee, Sewanee The University Of The South is a small private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $56,120 in tuition and fees. Theological & Ministerial Studies graduates carry a median of $22,091 in student loans. Early-career theological & ministerial studies graduates make about $36,927. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 57% of applicants are accepted.
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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 · 18 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.
