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2023 Best Value Colleges for Pastoral Counseling & Specialized Ministries (With Aid)

61 Ranked Colleges
3,116 Degrees Awarded
$20,200 Avg Net Price*
Best Value Pastoral Counseling Schools For Those Getting Aid

With all of the options students have for higher education today, it can be tough to choose which direction to take. College Factual has developed its “Best Value Pastoral Counseling Schools For Those Getting Aid” ranking as one item you can use to help make this decision.

In 2020-2021, 3,116 people earned their degree in pastoral counseling and specialized ministries, making the major the 171st most popular in the United States. In 2019-2020, pastoral counseling and specialized ministries graduates who were awarded their degree in 2017-2019, earned an average of $31,592 and had an average of $26,577 in loans still to pay off.

This year’s “Best Value Pastoral Counseling Schools For Those Getting Aid” ranking looked at 61 colleges that offer degrees in a bachelor’s in pastoral counseling and specialized ministries. Not only do the schools that top this list have excellent pastoral counseling and specialized ministries programs, but they also cost less that schools of similar quality.

To come up with these rankings, we looked at factors such as the cost to attend the school after aid is awarded and overall quality of the pastoral counseling and specialized ministries program at the school. See our ranking methodology to learn more.

More Ways to Rank Pastoral Counseling & Specialized Ministries Schools

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The pastoral counseling school you choose to invest your time and money in matters. To help you make the decision that is right for you, we’ve developed a number of major-specific rankings, including this list of “Best Value Pastoral Counseling Schools For Those Getting Aid”.

We’ve created a tool called College Combat that lets you create your own customized comparisons based on the factors that matter the most to you. Go ahead and give it a try, or bookmark the link so you can check it out later.

Best Value Pastoral Counseling Schools For Those Getting Aid

The following schools top our list of the Best Best Value Pastoral Counseling Schools For Those Getting Aid.

Top 25 Best Value Colleges for Pastoral Counseling & Specialized Ministries (With Aid)

1
Moody Theological Seminary and Graduate School crest
Moody Bible Institute
Chicago, Illinois

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Moody Bible Institute. The school came in at #1 for the Best Value Pastoral Counseling Schools For Those Getting Aid. Moody Theological Seminary and Graduate School is a small school located in Chicago, Illinois that handed out 94 ’s pastoral counseling degrees in 2020-2021.

Moody Theological Seminary and Graduate School also took the #1 spot in our “Best Pastoral Counseling & Specialized Ministries Schools” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Moody Bible Institute is $19,679 for Pastoral Counseling students with aid.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 3.3%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Full Moody Theological Seminary and Graduate School Pastoral Counseling & Specialized Ministries Report

2
Ozark Christian College crest
Ozark Christian College
Joplin, Missouri

Out of the 61 schools in the Best Value Pastoral Counseling Schools For Those Getting Aid that were part of this year’s ranking, Ozark Christian College landed the #2 spot on the list. Located in Joplin, Missouri, this small private not-for-profit school awarded 90 diplomas to qualified ’s pastoral counseling students in 2020-2021.

Ozark Christian College also made our “Best Pastoral Counseling & Specialized Ministries Schools” list, coming in at #14. It costs about $17,052 for pastoral counseling students with aid per year to attend Ozark Christian College.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 2.9%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Full Ozark Christian College Pastoral Counseling & Specialized Ministries Report

3
Olivet Nazarene crest
Olivet Nazarene University
Bourbonnais, Illinois

Out of the 61 schools in the Best Value Pastoral Counseling Schools For Those Getting Aid that were part of this year’s ranking, Olivet Nazarene University landed the #3 spot on the list. Bourbonnais, Illinois is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out ’s pastoral counseling degrees to 38 students in 2020-2021.

In addition to being on our pastoral counseling students with aid list, Olivet Nazarene has also earned the #4 rank in our “Best Pastoral Counseling & Specialized Ministries Schools” ranking. It costs about $19,470 for pastoral counseling students with aid per year to attend Olivet Nazarene.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 2.7% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.

Full Olivet Nazarene Pastoral Counseling & Specialized Ministries Report

4

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Indiana Wesleyan University - National & Global. The school came in at #4 for the Best Value Pastoral Counseling Schools For Those Getting Aid. Indiana Wesleyan University - National & Global is a fairly large private not-for-profit school situated in Marion, Indiana. It awarded 37 ’s pastoral counseling degrees in 2020-2021.

In addition to being on our pastoral counseling students with aid list, IWU has also earned the #5 rank in our “Best Pastoral Counseling & Specialized Ministries Schools” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for IWU is $18,904 for Pastoral Counseling students with aid.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 5.0%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Pastoral Counseling & Specialized Ministries at IWU

5
Lee University crest
Lee University
Cleveland, Tennessee

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Lee University. It ranked #5 on our 2023 Best Value Pastoral Counseling Schools For Those Getting Aid list. Lee University is a small private not-for-profit school situated in Cleveland, Tennessee. It awarded 84 ’s pastoral counseling degrees in 2020-2021.

Lee University not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #17 on our “Best Pastoral Counseling & Specialized Ministries Schools” list. The estimated yearly cost for Lee University is $18,219 for pastoral counseling students with aid.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 4.5% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.

Read more about Pastoral Counseling & Specialized Ministries at Lee University

6
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Grace Christian University
Wyoming, Michigan

Grace Christian University landed the #6 spot on the 2023 Best Value Pastoral Counseling Schools For Those Getting Aid ranking. Located in Wyoming, Michigan, this small private not-for-profit school handed out 65 degrees to qualified ’s pastoral counseling students in 2020-2021.

The estimated yearly cost for Grace Christian University is $13,795 for Pastoral Counseling students with aid.

Full Grace Christian University Pastoral Counseling & Specialized Ministries Report

7
CIU crest
Columbia International University
Columbia, South Carolina

With a ranking of #7, Columbia International University did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Pastoral Counseling Schools For Those Getting Aid list. CIU is located in Columbia, South Carolina and, has a small student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 14 ’s pastoral counseling degrees to qualified students.

CIU did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #20 on our “Best Pastoral Counseling & Specialized Ministries Schools” list. It costs about $18,222 for pastoral counseling students with aid per year to attend Columbia International University.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 4.3%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Full CIU Pastoral Counseling & Specialized Ministries Report

8
Johnson University crest
Johnson University
Knoxville, Tennessee

Johnson University did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Pastoral Counseling Schools For Those Getting Aid ranking, coming in at #8. Johnson University is a private not-for-profit institution located in Knoxville, Tennessee. The school has a small population, and it awarded 11 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

In addition to being on our pastoral counseling students with aid list, Johnson University has also earned the #19 rank in our “Best Pastoral Counseling & Specialized Ministries Schools” ranking. It costs about $17,671 for pastoral counseling students with aid per year to attend Johnson University.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 3.5%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%. The undergraduate student-to-faculty ratio of 8 to 1 is a sign that students will have more opportunities to engage with their professors one-on-one.

Read more about Pastoral Counseling & Specialized Ministries at Johnson University

9

Grace College and Theological Seminary landed the #9 spot on the 2023 Best Value Pastoral Counseling Schools For Those Getting Aid ranking. Grace College and Theological Seminary is a small private not-for-profit school situated in Winona Lake, Indiana. It awarded 33 ’s pastoral counseling degrees in 2020-2021.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Grace College, the school also landed the #13 spot in our “Best Pastoral Counseling & Specialized Ministries Schools” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Grace College and Theological Seminary is $20,060 for pastoral counseling students with aid.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 3.1% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.

Full Grace College Pastoral Counseling & Specialized Ministries Report

10
Regent crest
Regent University
Virginia Beach, Virginia

Regent University came in at #10 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Pastoral Counseling Schools For Those Getting Aid ranking. Virginia Beach, Virginia is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out ’s pastoral counseling degrees to 46 students in 2020-2021.

It costs about $24,888 for pastoral counseling students with aid per year to attend Regent University.

Read more about Pastoral Counseling & Specialized Ministries at Regent University

11
Lancaster Bible College crest
Lancaster Bible College
Lancaster, Pennsylvania

Lancaster Bible College landed the #11 spot on the 2023 Best Value Pastoral Counseling Schools For Those Getting Aid ranking. Located in Lancaster, Pennsylvania, this small private not-for-profit school handed out 57 degrees to qualified ’s pastoral counseling students in 2020-2021.

Lancaster Bible College also made our “Best Pastoral Counseling & Specialized Ministries Schools” list, coming in at #11. It costs about $21,430 for Pastoral Counseling students with aid per year to attend Lancaster Bible College.

Full Lancaster Bible College Pastoral Counseling & Specialized Ministries Report

12
North Central University crest
North Central University
Minneapolis, Minnesota

North Central University did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Pastoral Counseling Schools For Those Getting Aid ranking, coming in at #12. North Central University is a private not-for-profit institution located in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The school has a small population, and it awarded 25 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

North Central University also made our “Best Pastoral Counseling & Specialized Ministries Schools” list, coming in at #16. The estimated yearly cost for North Central University is $22,270 for pastoral counseling students with aid.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 3.6%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Full North Central University Pastoral Counseling & Specialized Ministries Report

13
Harding crest
Harding University
Searcy, Arkansas

Harding University ranked #13 on this year’s Best Value Pastoral Counseling Schools For Those Getting Aid list. Harding University is a small private not-for-profit school situated in Searcy, Arkansas. It awarded 6 ’s pastoral counseling degrees in 2020-2021.

It costs about $19,456 for Pastoral Counseling students with aid per year to attend Harding University.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 3.1% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%. With a freshman retention rate of 87%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.

Read full report on Pastoral Counseling & Specialized Ministries at Harding

14

Indiana Wesleyan University did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Pastoral Counseling Schools For Those Getting Aid ranking, coming in at #14. Indiana Wesleyan University is a private not-for-profit institution located in Marion, Indiana. The school has a small population, and it awarded 54 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

In addition to being on our pastoral counseling students with aid list, IWU has also earned the #22 rank in our “Best Pastoral Counseling & Specialized Ministries Schools” ranking. The yearly cost to attend IWU is $21,204 for Pastoral Counseling students with aid.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 5.0% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.

Full IWU Pastoral Counseling & Specialized Ministries Report

15
Andrews crest
Andrews University
Berrien Springs, Michigan

With a ranking of #15, Andrews University did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Pastoral Counseling Schools For Those Getting Aid list. This small school is located in Berrien Springs, Michigan, and it awarded 85 ’s pastoral counseling degrees in 2020-2021.

Andrews did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #18 on our “Best Pastoral Counseling & Specialized Ministries Schools” list. It costs about $23,408 for Pastoral Counseling students with aid per year to attend Andrews.

With a freshman retention rate of 85%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. The low undergrad student loan default rate of 3.5% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%. Since the school has a undergrad student-to-faculty ratio of 10 to 1, those pursuing a degree will have more opportunities to interact with their professors.

Read full report on Pastoral Counseling & Specialized Ministries at Andrews

16
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University of Valley Forge
Phoenixville, Pennsylvania

With a ranking of #16, University of Valley Forge did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Pastoral Counseling Schools For Those Getting Aid list. Located in Phoenixville, Pennsylvania, this small private not-for-profit school awarded 9 degrees to qualified ’s pastoral counseling students in 2020-2021.

The estimated yearly cost for UVF is $21,509 for pastoral counseling students with aid.

Read full report on Pastoral Counseling & Specialized Ministries at UVF

17
Bethel University Minnesota crest
Bethel University Minnesota
Saint Paul, Minnesota

With a ranking of #17, Bethel University Minnesota did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Pastoral Counseling Schools For Those Getting Aid list. Bethel University Minnesota is located in Saint Paul, Minnesota and, has a small student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 37 ’s pastoral counseling degrees to qualified students.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Bethel University Minnesota, the school also landed the #7 spot in our “Best Pastoral Counseling & Specialized Ministries Schools” ranking. It costs about $28,178 for pastoral counseling students with aid per year to attend Bethel University Minnesota.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 1.9% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%. With a freshman retention rate of 85%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.

Read full report on Pastoral Counseling & Specialized Ministries at Bethel University Minnesota

18

With a ranking of #18, Lincoln Christian University did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Pastoral Counseling Schools For Those Getting Aid list. Located in Lincoln, Illinois, this small private not-for-profit school awarded 7 diplomas to qualified ’s pastoral counseling students in 2020-2021.

The yearly cost to attend Lincoln Christian University is $19,638 for pastoral counseling students with aid.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 5.0% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.

Read full report on Pastoral Counseling & Specialized Ministries at Lincoln Christian University

19

Northwest Nazarene University did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Pastoral Counseling Schools For Those Getting Aid ranking, coming in at #19. Nampa, Idaho is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out ’s pastoral counseling degrees to 16 students in 2020-2021.

It costs about $21,647 for pastoral counseling students with aid per year to attend NNU.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 2.1% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.

Read more about Pastoral Counseling & Specialized Ministries at NNU

20
Emory crest
Emory University
Atlanta, Georgia

With a ranking of #20, Emory University did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Pastoral Counseling Schools For Those Getting Aid list. Emory is a fairly large school located in Atlanta, Georgia that handed out 3 ’s pastoral counseling degrees in 2020-2021.

Emory did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #10 on our “Best Pastoral Counseling & Specialized Ministries Schools” list. The yearly cost to attend Emory University is $22,597 for pastoral counseling students with aid.

The impressive undergraduate student-to-faculty ratio of 9 to 1 means that students may have more opportunities to work more closely with their professors than they would at other schools. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 93%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 1.4%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on Pastoral Counseling & Specialized Ministries at Emory

21
ORU crest
Oral Roberts University
Tulsa, Oklahoma

With a ranking of #21, Oral Roberts University did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Pastoral Counseling Schools For Those Getting Aid list. Tulsa, Oklahoma is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out ’s pastoral counseling degrees to 15 students in 2020-2021.

The yearly cost to attend ORU is $19,355 for Pastoral Counseling students with aid.

Full Oral Roberts University Pastoral Counseling & Specialized Ministries Report

22
Crown crest
Crown College
Saint Bonifacius, Minnesota

Crown College landed the #22 spot on the 2023 Best Value Pastoral Counseling Schools For Those Getting Aid ranking. Crown College is a private not-for-profit institution located in Saint Bonifacius, Minnesota. The school has a small population, and it awarded 34 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

Crown did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #9 on our “Best Pastoral Counseling & Specialized Ministries Schools” list. The estimated yearly cost for Crown is $25,796 for pastoral counseling students with aid.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 4.7% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.

Read full report on Pastoral Counseling & Specialized Ministries at Crown

23

With a ranking of #23, Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Pastoral Counseling Schools For Those Getting Aid list. Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary is located in Kansas City, Missouri and, has a small student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 14 ’s pastoral counseling degrees to qualified students.

The estimated yearly cost for MBTS is $19,405 for pastoral counseling students with aid.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 2.7%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Pastoral Counseling & Specialized Ministries at MBTS

24
JUFL crest
Johnson University Florida
Kissimmee, Florida

Johnson University Florida came in at #24 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Pastoral Counseling Schools For Those Getting Aid ranking. Johnson University Florida is a small private not-for-profit school situated in Kissimmee, Florida. It awarded 3 ’s pastoral counseling degrees in 2020-2021.

The yearly cost to attend JUFL is $18,713 for Pastoral Counseling students with aid.

The impressive undergraduate student-to-faculty ratio of 8 to 1 means that students may have more opportunities to work more closely with their professors than they would at other schools. The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 3.5%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Pastoral Counseling & Specialized Ministries at Johnson University Florida

25
Valor Christian College crest
Valor Christian College
Canal Winchester, Ohio

Valor Christian College did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Pastoral Counseling Schools For Those Getting Aid ranking, coming in at #25. Valor Christian College is a private not-for-profit institution located in Canal Winchester, Ohio. The school has a small population, and it awarded 49 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

The estimated yearly cost for Valor Christian College is $13,674 for pastoral counseling students with aid.

Read more about Pastoral Counseling & Specialized Ministries at Valor Christian College

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