2026 Best Value Theological & Ministerial Studies Schools in the The Plains States Region
[Theological & Ministerial Studies](/majors/theology-and-religious-vocations/theological-ministerial-studies/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 55 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 the The Plains States 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
Our analysis ranked Martin Luther College the best value for a degree in theological & ministerial studies in the The Plains States Region. Located in the town of New Ulm, Martin Luther College is a small private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $18,120 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for theological & ministerial studies graduates is $18,949. Early-career theological & ministerial studies graduates make about $15,327. Set against $18,949 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Martin Luther College admits about 87% of applicants.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Evangel University earned it the #2 place for theological & ministerial studies. Evangel University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Springfield. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $28,548. Students borrow a median of $24,876 to complete the theological & ministerial studies program here. Early-career theological & ministerial studies graduates make about $57,895. Set against $24,876 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Evangel University admits about 72% of applicants.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Central Christian College Of The Bible earned it the #3 place for theological & ministerial studies. Located in the town of Moberly, Central Christian College Of The Bible is a small private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $12,200. Theological & Ministerial Studies graduates carry a median of $26,000 in student loans. Graduates go on to earn a median of $34,675 ten years after entry. Set against $26,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
City Vision University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in theological & ministerial studies, landing the #4 spot this year. City Vision University is a small private not-for-profit school located in the city of Kansas City. Students from in state pay about $6,600 in tuition and fees. Median earnings reach $21,123 ten years out.
Students looking for strong value in theological & ministerial studies will find it at University Of Dubuque, which ranked #5. University Of Dubuque is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Dubuque. Students from in state pay about $42,095 in tuition and fees. Theological & Ministerial Studies graduates carry a median of $27,204 in student loans. Soon after graduation, theological & ministerial studies degree recipients from University Of Dubuque generally make around $51,725. Set against $27,204 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 89% of applicants are accepted.
Trinity Bible College placed #6 among the best values for theological & ministerial studies. Located in the rural area of Ellendale, Trinity Bible College is a small private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $19,700. Median earnings reach $35,604 ten years out. Roughly 26% of applicants are accepted.
Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary came in at #7 for value in theological & ministerial studies this year. Located in the city of Kansas City, Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $11,530. Theological & Ministerial Studies graduates carry a median of $15,559 in student loans. Early-career theological & ministerial studies graduates make about $73,186. That is a strong return on a $15,559 median debt. The acceptance rate is 96%.
Northwestern College Minnesota ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best value theological & ministerial studies schools. Located in the suburb of Saint Paul, Northwestern College Minnesota is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $37,920. Students borrow a median of $22,000 to complete the theological & ministerial studies program here. Theological & Ministerial Studies graduates of Northwestern College Minnesota earn a median of $40,532 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $22,000 median debt. Roughly 94% of applicants are accepted.
Saint Johns University earned the #9 position for value in theological & ministerial studies this year. Set in the rural area of Collegeville, Saint Johns University is a small private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $55,816. Students borrow a median of $26,646 to complete the theological & ministerial studies program here. Early-career theological & ministerial studies graduates make about $47,238. That is a strong return on a $26,646 median debt. The acceptance rate is 91%.
Benedictine College ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best value theological & ministerial studies schools. Located in the town of Atchison, Benedictine College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $36,350. Typical student debt for theological & ministerial studies graduates is $23,250. Theological & Ministerial Studies graduates of Benedictine College earn a median of $32,202 early in their careers. Set against $23,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 98% of applicants are accepted.
Bethel University Minnesota placed #11 among the best values for theological & ministerial studies. Set in the suburb of Saint Paul, Bethel University Minnesota is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $44,226. Typical student debt for theological & ministerial studies graduates is $25,639. Early-career theological & ministerial studies graduates make about $46,813. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Bethel University Minnesota admits about 88% of applicants.
University Of St Thomas Minnesota placed #12 among the best values for theological & ministerial studies. Set in the city of Saint Paul, University Of St Thomas Minnesota is a large private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $54,398. Typical student debt for theological & ministerial studies graduates is $23,923. Soon after graduation, theological & ministerial studies degree recipients from University Of St Thomas Minnesota generally make around $71,681. Set against $23,923 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 85%.
Creighton University placed #13 among the best values for theological & ministerial studies. Located in the city of Omaha, Creighton University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $48,856. Students borrow a median of $25,831 to complete the theological & ministerial studies program here. Theological & Ministerial Studies graduates of Creighton University earn a median of $64,369 early in their careers. Set against $25,831 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 80% of applicants are accepted.
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Notes and References
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 · 55 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 6 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.
