2026 Best Value Pastoral Counseling Specialized Ministries Master’s Degree Schools
Looking for the best-value Pastoral Counseling Specialized Ministries master’s degree programs in the United States? We have ranked 278 institutions by value — the balance of cost and student outcomes, using our 2026 methodology. Each school below is scored on factors such as tuition, student debt, and post-graduation earnings to surface the strongest return on investment.
To help you make your decision, Course Advisor analyzed schools to produce this 2026 value ranking, drawing primarily on U.S. Department of Education data (IPEDS and College Scorecard). View our full ranking methodology.
Top 25 Best-Value Pastoral Counseling Specialized Ministries Master’s Degree Schools in the United States
Here are the top-ranked schools for value:
The Masters College And Seminary came in at #2 on this year's best-value Pastoral Counseling Specialized Ministries ranking in the United States. The Masters College And Seminary is a private not-for-profit school based in Santa Clarita, CA. In-state tuition and fees run about $39,020. The Masters College And Seminary Pastoral Counseling Specialized Ministries students take on a median of $22,089 in debt. The Masters College And Seminary alumni report median earnings of $57,106 a decade after entry. Set against $22,089 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 84%. Read the full report on The Masters College And Seminary
A rank of #3 makes Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary one of the best values in the United States. Set in Kansas City, MO, Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary is a private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $11,530. Typical Pastoral Counseling Specialized Ministries student debt is $15,559. Median earnings reach $50,535 ten years out. Set against $15,559 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 96% of applicants are accepted. Get the full Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary report
Out of the 278 schools in the United States in this year's value ranking, Moody Bible Institute landed the #4 spot. Based in Chicago, IL, Moody Bible Institute is a private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $15,786. Graduates carry a median of $12,000 in student loans. Moody Bible Institute alumni report median earnings of $45,399 a decade after entry. Set against $12,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Moody Bible Institute has an acceptance rate of 83%. Get the full Moody Bible Institute report
Olivet Nazarene University came in at #5 on this year's best-value Pastoral Counseling Specialized Ministries ranking in the United States. Located in Bourbonnais, IL, Olivet Nazarene University is a private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees run about $38,900. Typical Pastoral Counseling Specialized Ministries student debt is $26,797. Olivet Nazarene University alumni report median earnings of $53,213 a decade after entry. That is a strong return on a $26,797 median debt. Olivet Nazarene University has an acceptance rate of 56%. More on Olivet Nazarene University
Luther Rice University And Seminary ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best-value Pastoral Counseling Specialized Ministries schools. This private not-for-profit school is set in Lithonia, GA. Students from in state pay about $11,320 in tuition and fees. Luther Rice University And Seminary Pastoral Counseling Specialized Ministries students take on a median of $36,730 in debt. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $47,003. Set against $36,730 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Luther Rice University And Seminary admits about 92% of applicants. Read more about Luther Rice University And Seminary
Crown College offered strong value this year, earning the #7 position. Set in Saint Bonifacius, MN, Crown College is a private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $31,410. Graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Crown College alumni report median earnings of $48,057 a decade after entry. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 23%. Get the full Crown College report
Bethel University Minnesota offered strong value this year, earning the #8 position. Located in Saint Paul, MN, Bethel University Minnesota is a private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $44,226. Bethel University Minnesota Pastoral Counseling Specialized Ministries students take on a median of $25,639 in debt. Graduates go on to earn a median of $63,764 ten years after entry. That is a strong return on a $25,639 median debt. The acceptance rate is 88%. See the full Bethel University Minnesota profile
Northwestern College Minnesota came in at #9 in this year's value ranking. Set in Saint Paul, MN, Northwestern College Minnesota is a private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $37,920. Northwestern College Minnesota Pastoral Counseling Specialized Ministries students take on a median of $23,505 in debt. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $50,755. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 94% of applicants are accepted. More on Northwestern College Minnesota
Grace College And Theological Seminary offered strong value this year, earning the #10 position. Located in Winona Lake, IN, Grace College And Theological Seminary is a private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $29,645. Students borrow a median of $25,500 to complete their Pastoral Counseling Specialized Ministries program here. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $45,411. That is a strong return on a $25,500 median debt. The acceptance rate is 82%. Read the full report on Grace College And Theological Seminary
Ashland University landed the #11 spot for value in the United States this year. Located in Ashland, OH, Ashland University is a private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees run about $31,210. Graduates carry a median of $24,536 in student loans. Median earnings reach $52,928 ten years out. That is a strong return on a $24,536 median debt. The acceptance rate is 76%. More on Ashland University
Southeastern University landed the #12 spot for value in the United States this year. Based in Lakeland, FL, Southeastern University is a private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $32,950 in tuition and fees. Graduates carry a median of $26,000 in student loans. Southeastern University alumni report median earnings of $46,744 a decade after entry. Set against $26,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 53% of applicants are accepted. Read the full report on Southeastern University
Truett Mcconnell College ranked #13 on our 2026 list of the best-value Pastoral Counseling Specialized Ministries schools. Set in Cleveland, GA, Truett Mcconnell College is a private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees run about $26,792. The median Pastoral Counseling Specialized Ministries program debt is $24,936. Graduates go on to earn a median of $46,700 ten years after entry. That is a strong return on a $24,936 median debt. The acceptance rate is 78%. Get the full Truett Mcconnell College report
Harding University placed #14 among the best-value Pastoral Counseling Specialized Ministries schools in the United States. Based in Searcy, AR, Harding University is a private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $25,962. The median Pastoral Counseling Specialized Ministries program debt is $26,715. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $52,876. That is a strong return on a $26,715 median debt. Harding University admits about 70% of applicants. Read more about Harding University
Northwest Nazarene University ranked #15 on our 2026 list of the best-value Pastoral Counseling Specialized Ministries schools. This private not-for-profit school is set in Nampa, ID. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $40,824. Typical Pastoral Counseling Specialized Ministries student debt is $27,562. Northwest Nazarene University alumni report median earnings of $51,719 a decade after entry. Set against $27,562 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Northwest Nazarene University admits about 65% of applicants. See the full Northwest Nazarene University profile
Lenoir Rhyne University placed #16 among the best-value Pastoral Counseling Specialized Ministries schools in the United States. This private not-for-profit school is set in Hickory, NC. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $31,900. Graduates carry a median of $26,900 in student loans. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $45,543. That is a strong return on a $26,900 median debt. Lenoir Rhyne University has an acceptance rate of 85%. More on Lenoir Rhyne University
Lancaster Bible College landed the #17 spot for value in the United States this year. Set in Lancaster, PA, Lancaster Bible College is a private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees run about $29,990. Lancaster Bible College Pastoral Counseling Specialized Ministries students take on a median of $22,584 in debt. Lancaster Bible College alumni report median earnings of $44,096 a decade after entry. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 56%. Read the full report on Lancaster Bible College
Indiana Wesleyan University National And Global offered strong value this year, earning the #18 position. Indiana Wesleyan University National And Global is a private not-for-profit school based in Marion, IN. Students from in state pay about $9,648 in tuition and fees. The median Pastoral Counseling Specialized Ministries program debt is $26,338. Indiana Wesleyan University National And Global alumni report median earnings of $59,986 a decade after entry. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Get the full Indiana Wesleyan University National And Global report
Southwestern Assemblies Of God University placed #19 among the best-value Pastoral Counseling Specialized Ministries schools in the United States. Set in Waxahachie, TX, Southwestern Assemblies Of God University is a private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $25,064. Southwestern Assemblies Of God University Pastoral Counseling Specialized Ministries students take on a median of $26,750 in debt. Graduates go on to earn a median of $46,238 ten years after entry. That is a strong return on a $26,750 median debt. The acceptance rate is 89%. More on Southwestern Assemblies Of God University
Seattle University came in at #20 in this year's value ranking. Based in Seattle, WA, Seattle University is a private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees run about $56,721. Typical Pastoral Counseling Specialized Ministries student debt is $22,289. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $75,272. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Seattle University has an acceptance rate of 77%. See the full Seattle University profile
Columbia International University landed the #21 spot for value in the United States this year. Located in Columbia, SC, Columbia International University is a private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $27,900. Graduates carry a median of $21,667 in student loans. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $38,951. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. About 94% of those who apply are admitted. Read the full report on Columbia International University
Westminster Theological Seminary placed #22 among the best-value Pastoral Counseling Specialized Ministries schools in the United States. Westminster Theological Seminary is a private not-for-profit school based in Glenside, PA. Get the full Westminster Theological Seminary report
Covenant Theological Seminary placed #23 among the best-value Pastoral Counseling Specialized Ministries schools in the United States. Set in Saint Louis, MO, Covenant Theological Seminary is a private not-for-profit institution. Read the full report on Covenant Theological Seminary
Biola University ranked #24 on our 2026 list of the best-value Pastoral Counseling Specialized Ministries schools. Biola University is a private not-for-profit school based in La Mirada, CA. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $48,984. Students borrow a median of $25,308 to complete their Pastoral Counseling Specialized Ministries program here. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $56,778. That is a strong return on a $25,308 median debt. Biola University admits about 74% of applicants. More on Biola University
Loyola University Chicago landed the #24 spot for value in the United States this year. This private not-for-profit school is set in Chicago, IL. In-state tuition and fees average $53,710. Graduates carry a median of $23,521 in student loans. Loyola University Chicago alumni report median earnings of $71,530 a decade after entry. That is a strong return on a $23,521 median debt. Loyola University Chicago has an acceptance rate of 82%. Read the full report on Loyola University Chicago
Louisville Presbyterian Theological Seminary ranked #26 on our 2026 list of the best-value Pastoral Counseling Specialized Ministries schools. Based in Louisville, KY, Louisville Presbyterian Theological Seminary is a private not-for-profit institution. More on Louisville Presbyterian Theological Seminary
Rest of the Top 50 Best-Value Pastoral Counseling Specialized Ministries Master’s Degree Schools in the United States
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s value ranking:
George Fox University landed the #26 spot for value in the United States this year. Set in Newberg, OR, George Fox University is a private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $41,320. The median Pastoral Counseling Specialized Ministries program debt is $25,324. Median earnings reach $59,761 ten years out. That is a strong return on a $25,324 median debt. George Fox University has an acceptance rate of 94%. See the full George Fox University profile
Cornerstone University placed #28 among the best-value Pastoral Counseling Specialized Ministries schools in the United States. Cornerstone University is a private not-for-profit school based in Grand Rapids, MI. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $23,000. Graduates carry a median of $29,243 in student loans. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $47,314. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 78% of applicants are accepted. More on Cornerstone University
Eden Theological Seminary came in at #30 in this year's value ranking. This private not-for-profit school is set in Webster Groves, MO. Get the full Eden Theological Seminary report
Dallas Theological Seminary offered strong value this year, earning the #31 position. Set in Dallas, TX, Dallas Theological Seminary is a private not-for-profit institution. More on Dallas Theological Seminary
Meadville Lombard Theological School came in at #32 in this year's value ranking. Meadville Lombard Theological School is a private not-for-profit school based in Chicago, IL. More on Meadville Lombard Theological School
Gordon Conwell Theological Seminary came in at #33 in this year's value ranking. Set in South Hamilton, MA, Gordon Conwell Theological Seminary is a private not-for-profit institution. See the full Gordon Conwell Theological Seminary profile
Denver Seminary placed #34 among the best-value Pastoral Counseling Specialized Ministries schools in the United States. Based in Littleton, CO, Denver Seminary is a private not-for-profit institution. Get the full Denver Seminary report
Asbury Theological Seminary landed the #35 spot for value in the United States this year. This private not-for-profit school is set in Wilmore, KY. More on Asbury Theological Seminary
Lee University landed the #35 spot for value in the United States this year. This private not-for-profit school is set in Cleveland, TN. In-state tuition and fees run about $23,790. The median Pastoral Counseling Specialized Ministries program debt is $28,750. Lee University alumni report median earnings of $43,222 a decade after entry. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Lee University admits about 70% of applicants. Get the full Lee University report
Indiana Wesleyan University ranked #37 on our 2026 list of the best-value Pastoral Counseling Specialized Ministries schools. Based in Marion, IN, Indiana Wesleyan University is a private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees run about $32,352. Indiana Wesleyan University Pastoral Counseling Specialized Ministries students take on a median of $24,221 in debt. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $59,986. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Indiana Wesleyan University has an acceptance rate of 89%. Read more about Indiana Wesleyan University
Dallas Baptist University came in at #38 in this year's value ranking. Set in Dallas, TX, Dallas Baptist University is a private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $40,190. Students borrow a median of $22,819 to complete their Pastoral Counseling Specialized Ministries program here. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $56,807. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Dallas Baptist University has an acceptance rate of 89%. Read more about Dallas Baptist University
Trinity International University Illinois offered strong value this year, earning the #39 position. Set in Deerfield, IL, Trinity International University Illinois is a private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,320. Students borrow a median of $26,892 to complete their Pastoral Counseling Specialized Ministries program here. Trinity International University Illinois alumni report median earnings of $46,989 a decade after entry. That is a strong return on a $26,892 median debt. The acceptance rate is 100%. Read the full report on Trinity International University Illinois
Oral Roberts University placed #40 among the best-value Pastoral Counseling Specialized Ministries schools in the United States. This private not-for-profit school is set in Tulsa, OK. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $35,470. Students borrow a median of $37,000 to complete their Pastoral Counseling Specialized Ministries program here. Median earnings reach $46,885 ten years out. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 99%. See the full Oral Roberts University profile
Boston College placed #41 among the best-value Pastoral Counseling Specialized Ministries schools in the United States. Boston College is a private not-for-profit school based in Chestnut Hill, MA. In-state tuition and fees run about $70,702. Typical Pastoral Counseling Specialized Ministries student debt is $18,101. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $103,937. Set against $18,101 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Boston College admits about 16% of applicants. Get the full Boston College report
Emory University came in at #43 in this year's value ranking. Set in Atlanta, GA, Emory University is a private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $64,280. Graduates carry a median of $19,431 in student loans. Median earnings reach $80,137 ten years out. That is a strong return on a $19,431 median debt. Roughly 11% of applicants are accepted. Read the full report on Emory University
Andrews University placed #44 among the best-value Pastoral Counseling Specialized Ministries schools in the United States. Located in Berrien Springs, MI, Andrews University is a private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $35,056 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $26,314 to complete their Pastoral Counseling Specialized Ministries program here. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $53,187. Set against $26,314 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. About 82% of those who apply are admitted. Read more about Andrews University
Cedarville University offered strong value this year, earning the #42 position. Get the full Cedarville University report
Corban University offered strong value this year, earning the #43 position. Get the full Corban University report
John Carroll University landed the #44 spot for value in the United States this year. Get the full John Carroll University report
Saint Ambrose University ranked #45 on our 2026 list of the best-value Pastoral Counseling Specialized Ministries schools. Read more about Saint Ambrose University
University Of The Incarnate Word came in at #46 in this year's value ranking. See the full University Of The Incarnate Word profile
Valor Christian College offered strong value this year, earning the #47 position. Get the full Valor Christian College report
Villanova University came in at #48 in this year's value ranking. Read the full report on Villanova University
America Evangelical University ranked #49 on our 2026 list of the best-value Pastoral Counseling Specialized Ministries schools. More on America Evangelical University
Drew University
Drew University ranked #50 on our 2026 list of the best-value Pastoral Counseling Specialized Ministries schools. Get the full Drew University report
Related Pastoral Counseling Specialized Ministries Value Rankings
Compare value rankings at other degree levels:
- Best Value Pastoral Counseling Specialized Ministries Schools (All Levels)
- Best Value Pastoral Counseling Specialized Ministries Certificate Degree Schools
- Best Value Pastoral Counseling Specialized Ministries Undergraduate Certificate Degree Schools
- Best Value Pastoral Counseling Specialized Ministries Associate’s Degree Schools
- Best Value Pastoral Counseling Specialized Ministries Bachelor’s Degree Schools
- Best Value Pastoral Counseling Specialized Ministries Graduate Certificate Degree Schools
- Best Value Pastoral Counseling Specialized Ministries Doctoral Degree Schools
Ranking Methodology & Notes
This list is compiled by Course Advisor (DMS_RANKING_2023), 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 · Scope: Nation. *Averages shown above reflect the top 278 ranked schools only.
References
- Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) — National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Department of Education (core institutional data).
- College Scorecard — U.S. Department of Education (graduate earnings and outcomes data).
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