2026 Best Value Theological & Ministerial Studies Schools in the Southwest Region
[Theological & Ministerial Studies](/majors/theology-and-religious-vocations/theological-ministerial-studies/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. 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 42 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 Southwest Region
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in theological & ministerial studies, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Theological & Ministerial Studies Schools
University Of St Thomas Texas earned the #1 spot for value among theological & ministerial studies schools in the Southwest Region. Set in the city of Houston, University Of St Thomas Texas is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $34,634. Theological & Ministerial Studies graduates carry a median of $23,628 in student loans. Theological & Ministerial Studies graduates of University Of St Thomas Texas earn a median of $58,265 early in their careers. Set against $23,628 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of St Thomas Texas admits about 90% of applicants.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Mid America Christian University earned it the #2 place for theological & ministerial studies. Located in the city of Oklahoma City, Mid America Christian University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $21,294. Typical student debt for theological & ministerial studies graduates is $41,422. Early-career theological & ministerial studies graduates make about $27,391. That is a strong return on a $41,422 median debt. Roughly 92% of applicants are accepted.
Students looking for strong value in theological & ministerial studies will find it at Houston Baptist University, which ranked #3. Located in the city of Houston, Houston Baptist University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $39,430. Typical student debt for theological & ministerial studies graduates is $25,601. Early-career theological & ministerial studies graduates make about $51,968. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 84%.
A rank of #4 makes Southwestern Assemblies Of God University one of the best values for theological & ministerial studies. Southwestern Assemblies Of God University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Waxahachie. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $25,064. Typical student debt for theological & ministerial studies graduates is $28,248. Early-career theological & ministerial studies graduates make about $47,762. Set against $28,248 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 89%.
Grand Canyon University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in theological & ministerial studies, landing the #5 spot this year. Located in the city of Phoenix, Grand Canyon University is a very large private for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $18,508. Students borrow a median of $30,027 to complete the theological & ministerial studies program here. Soon after graduation, theological & ministerial studies degree recipients from Grand Canyon University generally make around $56,285. That is a strong return on a $30,027 median debt. Roughly 79% of applicants are accepted.
Oral Roberts University ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best value theological & ministerial studies schools. Located in the city of Tulsa, Oral Roberts University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $35,470 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $30,750 to complete the theological & ministerial studies program here. Theological & Ministerial Studies graduates of Oral Roberts University earn a median of $34,577 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $30,750 median debt. Oral Roberts University admits about 99% of applicants.
University Of Dallas came in at #7 for value in theological & ministerial studies this year. University Of Dallas is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Irving. In-state tuition and fees average $53,930. Typical student debt for theological & ministerial studies graduates is $23,411. Early-career theological & ministerial studies graduates make about $58,396. Set against $23,411 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Dallas admits about 53% of applicants.
Kings University landed the #8 spot for theological & ministerial studies value this year. Located in the suburb of Southlake, Kings University is a small private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,480. Typical student debt for theological & ministerial studies graduates is $48,998. Theological & Ministerial Studies graduates of Kings University earn a median of $41,066 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Kings University admits about 61% of applicants.
Abilene Christian University earned the #9 position for value in theological & ministerial studies this year. Set in the city of Abilene, Abilene Christian University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $44,200. Students borrow a median of $23,772 to complete the theological & ministerial studies program here. Soon after graduation, theological & ministerial studies degree recipients from Abilene Christian University generally make around $56,463. That is a strong return on a $23,772 median debt. The acceptance rate is 66%.
Dallas Baptist University landed the #10 spot for theological & ministerial studies value this year. Located in the city of Dallas, Dallas Baptist University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $40,190. Theological & Ministerial Studies graduates carry a median of $22,819 in student loans. Theological & Ministerial Studies graduates of Dallas Baptist University earn a median of $48,822 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Dallas Baptist University admits about 89% of applicants.
Southern Methodist University placed #11 among the best values for theological & ministerial studies. Located in the suburb of Dallas, Southern Methodist University is a large private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $67,040. Students borrow a median of $20,712 to complete the theological & ministerial studies program here. Soon after graduation, theological & ministerial studies degree recipients from Southern Methodist University generally make around $54,351. Set against $20,712 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Southern Methodist University admits about 63% of applicants.
Baylor University came in at #12 for value in theological & ministerial studies this year. Located in the city of Waco, Baylor University is a very large private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $58,100 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for theological & ministerial studies graduates is $23,928. Theological & Ministerial Studies graduates of Baylor University earn a median of $44,601 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $23,928 median debt. The acceptance rate is 51%.
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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 · 42 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 9 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.
