2026 Best Value Theological Ministerial Studies Doctoral Degree Schools
Looking for the best-value Theological Ministerial Studies doctoral degree programs in the United States? This list ranks 464 colleges by value — the balance of cost and student outcomes, using our 2026 methodology. The rankings below weigh factors such as tuition, student debt, and post-graduation earnings to surface the strongest return on investment.
To arm you with the information you need, Course Advisor reviewed schools to build 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 Theological Ministerial Studies Doctoral Degree Schools in the United States
Explore the best-value schools below:
Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary tops our 2026 ranking of the best-value Theological Ministerial Studies doctoral degree schools in the United States. Based in Kansas City, MO, Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary is a private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,530. Typical Theological Ministerial Studies student debt is $15,559. Graduates go on to earn a median of $50,535 ten years after entry. Set against $15,559 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary has an acceptance rate of 96%. Get the full Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary report
You'll get strong value at Piedmont International University, which ranked #2 this year. This private not-for-profit school is set in Winston-Salem, NC. In-state tuition and fees average $17,575. Students borrow a median of $35,382 to complete their Theological Ministerial Studies program here. Median earnings reach $32,864 ten years out. That is a strong return on a $35,382 median debt. Piedmont International University has an acceptance rate of 40%. Read the full report on Piedmont International University
You'll get strong value at Luther Rice University And Seminary, which ranked #4 this year. This private not-for-profit school is set in Lithonia, GA. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,320. Students borrow a median of $36,730 to complete their Theological Ministerial Studies program here. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $47,003. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Luther Rice University And Seminary has an acceptance rate of 92%. Get the full Luther Rice University And Seminary report
A rank of #5 makes Ashland University one of the best values in the United States. This private not-for-profit school is set in Ashland, OH. In-state tuition and fees run about $31,210. Graduates carry a median of $24,536 in student loans. Ashland University alumni report median earnings of $52,928 a decade after entry. Set against $24,536 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 76% of applicants are accepted. Read the full report on Ashland University
Southeastern University came in at #6 in this year's value ranking. Southeastern University is a private not-for-profit school based in Lakeland, FL. In-state tuition and fees run about $32,950. Graduates carry a median of $19,609 in student loans. Southeastern University alumni report median earnings of $46,744 a decade after entry. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Southeastern University admits about 53% of applicants. Read more about Southeastern University
Grace College And Theological Seminary came in at #8 in this year's value ranking. Located in Winona Lake, IN, Grace College And Theological Seminary is a private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees run about $29,645. Graduates carry a median of $21,211 in student loans. Graduates go on to earn a median of $45,411 ten years after entry. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 82% of applicants are accepted. Read more about Grace College And Theological Seminary
Nazarene Theological Seminary came in at #9 in this year's value ranking. This private not-for-profit school is set in Kansas City, MO. See the full Nazarene Theological Seminary profile
Saint Paul School Of Theology landed the #10 spot for value in the United States this year. Based in Leawood, KS, Saint Paul School Of Theology is a private not-for-profit institution. More on Saint Paul School Of Theology
Harding University placed #11 among the best-value Theological Ministerial Studies schools in the United States. This private not-for-profit school is set in Searcy, AR. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $25,962. Graduates carry a median of $26,715 in student loans. Graduates go on to earn a median of $52,876 ten years after entry. Set against $26,715 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Harding University has an acceptance rate of 70%. See the full Harding University profile
Bethel University Minnesota placed #12 among the best-value Theological Ministerial Studies schools in the United States. This private not-for-profit school is set in Saint Paul, MN. In-state tuition and fees average $44,226. Typical Theological Ministerial Studies student debt is $25,639. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $63,764. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Bethel University Minnesota has an acceptance rate of 88%. See the full Bethel University Minnesota profile
Evangel University ranked #14 on our 2026 list of the best-value Theological Ministerial Studies schools. Located in Springfield, MO, Evangel University is a private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $28,548. Graduates carry a median of $24,876 in student loans. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $46,573. Set against $24,876 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 72% of applicants are accepted. More on Evangel University
Liberty University ranked #15 on our 2026 list of the best-value Theological Ministerial Studies schools. This private not-for-profit school is set in Lynchburg, VA. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $16,173. Liberty University Theological Ministerial Studies students take on a median of $27,414 in debt. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $44,813. That is a strong return on a $27,414 median debt. Liberty University has an acceptance rate of 99%. Read the full report on Liberty University
Luther Seminary offered strong value this year, earning the #16 position. Luther Seminary is a private not-for-profit school based in Saint Paul, MN. Get the full Luther Seminary report
Kings University ranked #17 on our 2026 list of the best-value Theological Ministerial Studies schools. Kings University is a private not-for-profit school based in Southlake, TX. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,480. Kings University Theological Ministerial Studies students take on a median of $48,998 in debt. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $41,471. That is a strong return on a $48,998 median debt. The acceptance rate is 61%. Read more about Kings University
University Of Dubuque placed #18 among the best-value Theological Ministerial Studies schools in the United States. Set in Dubuque, IA, University Of Dubuque is a private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $42,095. The median Theological Ministerial Studies program debt is $27,204. University Of Dubuque alumni report median earnings of $51,190 a decade after entry. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 89% of applicants are accepted. Read the full report on University Of Dubuque
Southwestern Assemblies Of God University landed the #19 spot for value in the United States this year. Southwestern Assemblies Of God University is a private not-for-profit school based in Waxahachie, TX. In-state tuition and fees average $25,064. Typical Theological Ministerial Studies student debt is $28,248. Graduates go on to earn a median of $46,238 ten years after entry. That is a strong return on a $28,248 median debt. Southwestern Assemblies Of God University admits about 89% of applicants. Read the full report on Southwestern Assemblies Of God University
Lancaster Bible College came in at #20 in this year's value ranking. Set in Lancaster, PA, Lancaster Bible College is a private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $29,990. Typical Theological Ministerial Studies student debt is $28,507. Graduates go on to earn a median of $44,096 ten years after entry. That is a strong return on a $28,507 median debt. Lancaster Bible College has an acceptance rate of 56%. Read the full report on Lancaster Bible College
Columbia International University offered strong value this year, earning the #21 position. Columbia International University is a private not-for-profit school based in Columbia, SC. Students from in state pay about $27,900 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $21,667 to complete their Theological Ministerial Studies program here. Columbia International University alumni report median earnings of $38,951 a decade after entry. Set against $21,667 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Columbia International University has an acceptance rate of 94%. Read the full report on Columbia International University
Seattle University offered strong value this year, earning the #22 position. Based in Seattle, WA, Seattle University is a private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $56,721. The median Theological Ministerial Studies program debt is $22,289. Ten years after enrolling, 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%. Read more about Seattle University
Northeastern Seminary landed the #23 spot for value in the United States this year. Located in Rochester, NY, Northeastern Seminary is a private not-for-profit institution. Read the full report on Northeastern Seminary
Denver Seminary offered strong value this year, earning the #24 position. Based in Littleton, CO, Denver Seminary is a private not-for-profit institution. Read more about Denver Seminary
Erskine College And Seminary offered strong value this year, earning the #25 position. This private not-for-profit school is set in Due West, SC. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $36,710. Erskine College And Seminary Theological Ministerial Studies students take on a median of $27,000 in debt. Median earnings reach $53,459 ten years out. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 63% of applicants are accepted. Get the full Erskine College And Seminary report
Dallas Theological Seminary ranked #25 on our 2026 list of the best-value Theological Ministerial Studies schools. This private not-for-profit school is set in Dallas, TX. Read the full report on Dallas Theological Seminary
Phillips Theological Seminary ranked #27 on our 2026 list of the best-value Theological Ministerial Studies schools. Set in Tulsa, OK, Phillips Theological Seminary is a private not-for-profit institution. More on Phillips Theological Seminary
Brite Divinity School came in at #28 in this year's value ranking. Located in Fort Worth, TX, Brite Divinity School is a private not-for-profit institution. Brite Divinity School alumni report median earnings of $68,424 a decade after entry. Get the full Brite Divinity School report
Rest of the Top 50 Best-Value Theological Ministerial Studies Doctoral Degree Schools in the United States
Not far behind, these schools also offered excellent value:
Asbury Theological Seminary ranked #29 on our 2026 list of the best-value Theological Ministerial Studies schools. Based in Wilmore, KY, Asbury Theological Seminary is a private not-for-profit institution. More on Asbury Theological Seminary
Sewanee The University Of The South placed #30 among the best-value Theological Ministerial Studies schools in the United States. This private not-for-profit school is set in Sewanee, TN. Students from in state pay about $56,120 in tuition and fees. The median Theological Ministerial Studies program debt is $22,091. Graduates go on to earn a median of $64,911 ten years after entry. Set against $22,091 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Sewanee The University Of The South has an acceptance rate of 57%. Read the full report on Sewanee The University Of The South
Eden Theological Seminary ranked #31 on our 2026 list of the best-value Theological Ministerial Studies schools. Based in Webster Groves, MO, Eden Theological Seminary is a private not-for-profit institution. See the full Eden Theological Seminary profile
Drew University offered strong value this year, earning the #32 position. Set in Madison, NJ, Drew University is a private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $47,100. Drew University Theological Ministerial Studies students take on a median of $26,449 in debt. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $63,646. Set against $26,449 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 68%. See the full Drew University profile
Concordia Seminary landed the #32 spot for value in the United States this year. Located in Saint Louis, MO, Concordia Seminary is a private not-for-profit institution. More on Concordia Seminary
Fuller Theological Seminary In California landed the #34 spot for value in the United States this year. This private not-for-profit school is set in Pasadena, CA. More on Fuller Theological Seminary In California
Lipscomb University placed #35 among the best-value Theological Ministerial Studies schools in the United States. Located in Nashville, TN, Lipscomb University is a private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $40,572. Graduates carry a median of $23,529 in student loans. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $55,541. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Lipscomb University admits about 68% of applicants. Read more about Lipscomb University
Loyola University Chicago came in at #36 in this year's value ranking. Set in Chicago, IL, Loyola University Chicago is a private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $53,710. The median Theological Ministerial Studies program debt is $23,521. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $71,530. Set against $23,521 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Loyola University Chicago has an acceptance rate of 82%. More on Loyola University Chicago
Louisville Presbyterian Theological Seminary placed #37 among the best-value Theological Ministerial Studies schools in the United States. Set in Louisville, KY, Louisville Presbyterian Theological Seminary is a private not-for-profit institution. Get the full Louisville Presbyterian Theological Seminary report
Western Seminary landed the #38 spot for value in the United States this year. Set in Portland, OR, Western Seminary is a private not-for-profit institution. Get the full Western Seminary report
Christian Theological Seminary ranked #39 on our 2026 list of the best-value Theological Ministerial Studies schools. Christian Theological Seminary is a private not-for-profit school based in Indianapolis, IN. Read more about Christian Theological Seminary
Wheaton College Illinois landed the #40 spot for value in the United States this year. This private not-for-profit school is set in Wheaton, IL. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $45,546. Wheaton College Illinois Theological Ministerial Studies students take on a median of $23,292 in debt. Median earnings reach $63,756 ten years out. That is a strong return on a $23,292 median debt. Wheaton College Illinois has an acceptance rate of 87%. Read the full report on Wheaton College Illinois
Oral Roberts University came in at #41 in this year's value ranking. This private not-for-profit school is set in Tulsa, OK. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $35,470. The median Theological Ministerial Studies program debt is $30,750. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $46,885. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Oral Roberts University admits about 99% of applicants. Get the full Oral Roberts University report
United Theological Seminary Of The Twin Cities landed the #42 spot for value in the United States this year. Set in St. Paul, MN, United Theological Seminary Of The Twin Cities is a private not-for-profit institution. Get the full United Theological Seminary Of The Twin Cities report
Hardin Simmons University offered strong value this year, earning the #43 position. This private not-for-profit school is set in Abilene, TX. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $32,960. Graduates carry a median of $26,674 in student loans. Hardin Simmons University alumni report median earnings of $54,771 a decade after entry. That is a strong return on a $26,674 median debt. Hardin Simmons University admits about 90% of applicants. Read more about Hardin Simmons University
Lutheran School Of Theology At Chicago offered strong value this year, earning the #44 position. This private not-for-profit school is set in Chicago, IL. Read the full report on Lutheran School Of Theology At Chicago
Mercer University ranked #45 on our 2026 list of the best-value Theological Ministerial Studies schools. Based in Macon, GA, Mercer University is a private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees run about $31,565. Students borrow a median of $32,463 to complete their Theological Ministerial Studies program here. Mercer University alumni report median earnings of $58,354 a decade after entry. That is a strong return on a $32,463 median debt. Mercer University has an acceptance rate of 69%. Read the full report on Mercer University
Regent University landed the #46 spot for value in the United States this year. This private not-for-profit school is set in Virginia Beach, VA. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $21,650. Graduates carry a median of $29,451 in student loans. Graduates go on to earn a median of $44,498 ten years after entry. That is a strong return on a $29,451 median debt. Regent University admits about 38% of applicants. Read the full report on Regent University
Biblical Theological Seminary ranked #47 on our 2026 list of the best-value Theological Ministerial Studies schools. Set in Philadelphia, PA, Biblical Theological Seminary is a private not-for-profit institution. Read the full report on Biblical Theological Seminary
Memphis Theological Seminary landed the #48 spot for value in the United States this year. Set in Memphis, TN, Memphis Theological Seminary is a private not-for-profit institution. Get the full Memphis Theological Seminary report
Gordon Conwell Theological Seminary ranked #49 on our 2026 list of the best-value Theological Ministerial Studies schools. This private not-for-profit school is set in South Hamilton, MA. Read more about Gordon Conwell Theological Seminary
Samford University ranked #50 on our 2026 list of the best-value Theological Ministerial Studies schools. Located in Birmingham, AL, Samford University is a private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $40,150. Students borrow a median of $21,039 to complete their Theological Ministerial Studies program here. Median earnings reach $58,469 ten years out. Set against $21,039 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Samford University has an acceptance rate of 82%. See the full Samford University profile
Hood Theological Seminary placed #51 among the best-value Theological Ministerial Studies schools in the United States. Set in Salisbury, NC, Hood Theological Seminary is a private not-for-profit institution. Read more about Hood Theological Seminary
Trinity International University Illinois landed the #52 spot for value in the United States this year. Located in Deerfield, IL, Trinity International University Illinois is a private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees run about $12,320. Students borrow a median of $26,892 to complete their Theological Ministerial Studies 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
Payne Theological Seminary placed #53 among the best-value Theological Ministerial Studies schools in the United States. Payne Theological Seminary is a private not-for-profit school based in Wilberforce, OH. Read more about Payne Theological Seminary
Related Theological Ministerial Studies Value Rankings
Explore other degree levels:
- Best Value Theological Ministerial Studies Schools (All Levels)
- Best Value Theological Ministerial Studies Certificate Degree Schools
- Best Value Theological Ministerial Studies Undergraduate Certificate Degree Schools
- Best Value Theological Ministerial Studies Associate’s Degree Schools
- Best Value Theological Ministerial Studies Bachelor’s Degree Schools
- Best Value Theological Ministerial Studies Graduate Certificate Degree Schools
- Best Value Theological Ministerial Studies Master’s Degree Schools
Ranking Methodology & Notes
These rankings are produced 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 464 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).
Course Advisor provides higher-education, college and university, degree, program, career, salary, and other helpful information to students, faculty, institutions, and other internet audiences. Presented information and data are subject to change. Inclusion on this website does not imply or represent a direct relationship with the company, school, or brand. Information, though believed correct at time of publication, may not be correct, and no warranty is provided. Contact the schools to verify any information before relying on it. Financial aid may be available for those who qualify. The displayed options may include sponsored or recommended results, not necessarily based on your preferences.
© Course Advisor – All Rights Reserved.