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2022 Best Value Pastoral Counseling Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $30-$48k

39 Ranked Colleges
1,068 Degrees Awarded
$15,100 Avg Grad Tuition & Fees*
Best Value Pastoral Counseling Schools for a Master's For Those Making $30-$48k

When it comes to choosing a college, students have a lot of options - but not all of them are good. One of our goals at College Factual is to give you as much information as we can - such as our “Best Value Pastoral Counseling Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $30-$48k” ranking - to help you make that decision.

In 2019-2020, 3,028 people earned their degree in pastoral counseling and specialized ministries, making the major the 168th most popular in the United States. In 2017-2018, pastoral counseling and specialized ministries graduates who were awarded their degree in 2015-2017, earned an average of $32,316 and had an average of $31,905 in loans still to pay off.

At the master’s degree level specifically, there were 1,068 pastoral counseling and specialized ministries graduates with average earnings and debt of $56,398 and $43,194 respectively.

For this year’s “Best Value Pastoral Counseling Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $30-$48k” ranking, we looked at 39 colleges that offer a degree 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.

When determining these rankings, we looked at things such as overall quality of the pastoral counseling and specialized ministries program at the school and the cost to attend the school once aid has been awarded. Check out our ranking methodology for more information.

One Size Does Not Fit All

Since picking the right college can be one of the most important decisions of your life, we’ve developed the “Best Value Pastoral Counseling Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $30-$48k” ranking, along with many other major-related rankings, to help you make that decision.

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. Test it out by comparing your favorite schools against others you are considering, or bookmark the tool so you can experiment with it later.

Best Value Pastoral Counseling Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $30-$48k

The following schools top our list of the Best Best Value Pastoral Counseling Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $30-$48k.

Top 25 Best Value Master’s Degree Colleges for Pastoral Counseling & Specialized Ministries (Income $30-$48k)

#1

Emory University

Atlanta, Georgia
#4 in overall quality

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Emory University. The school came in at #1 for the Best Value Pastoral Counseling Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $30-$48k. This fairly large school is located in Atlanta, Georgia, and it awarded 2 masters’s pastoral counseling degrees in 2019-2020.

Emory also made our “Best Pastoral Counseling & Specialized Ministries Master’s Degree Schools” list, coming in at #4. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at Emory University are $44,676.

Full Emory University Pastoral Counseling & Specialized Ministries Report

#2

Trevecca Nazarene University

Nashville, Tennessee
#6 in overall quality

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Trevecca Nazarene University. It ranked #2 on our 2022 Best Value Pastoral Counseling Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $30-$48k list. TNU is located in Nashville, Tennessee and, has a small student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 21 masters’s pastoral counseling degrees to qualified students.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at TNU, the school also landed the #6 spot in our “Best Pastoral Counseling & Specialized Ministries Master’s Degree Schools” ranking. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at TNU are $9,282.

Read full report on Pastoral Counseling & Specialized Ministries at TNU

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Vanguard University of Southern California. It ranked #3 on our 2022 Best Value Pastoral Counseling Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $30-$48k list. Vanguard University of Southern California is a private not-for-profit institution located in Costa Mesa, California. The school has a small population, and it awarded 17 masters’s degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our master’s degree pastoral counseling students whose families make $30-$48k list, Vanguard has also earned the #12 rank in our “Best Pastoral Counseling & Specialized Ministries Master’s Degree Schools” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at Vanguard are $16,180, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read full report on Pastoral Counseling & Specialized Ministries at Vanguard

#4

Lancaster Bible College

Lancaster, Pennsylvania
#10 in overall quality

Out of the 39 schools in the Best Value Pastoral Counseling Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $30-$48k that were part of this year’s ranking, Lancaster Bible College landed the #4 spot on the list. Lancaster Bible College is a small private not-for-profit school situated in Lancaster, Pennsylvania. It awarded 21 masters’s pastoral counseling degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our master’s degree pastoral counseling students whose families make $30-$48k list, Lancaster Bible College has also earned the #10 rank in our “Best Pastoral Counseling & Specialized Ministries Master’s Degree Schools” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at Lancaster Bible College are $11,460, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read more about Pastoral Counseling & Specialized Ministries at Lancaster Bible College

#5

Freed-Hardeman University

Henderson, Tennessee

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Freed-Hardeman University. It ranked #5 on our 2022 Best Value Pastoral Counseling Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $30-$48k list. FHU is a small private not-for-profit school situated in Henderson, Tennessee. It awarded 2 masters’s pastoral counseling degrees in 2019-2020.

Average graduate tuition and fees at FHU are $10,980, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read more about Pastoral Counseling & Specialized Ministries at Freed-Hardeman University

#6

Harding University

Searcy, Arkansas
#17 in overall quality

Harding University did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Pastoral Counseling Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #6. This small school is located in Searcy, Arkansas, and it awarded 4 masters’s pastoral counseling degrees in 2019-2020.

Harding did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #17 on our “Best Pastoral Counseling & Specialized Ministries Master’s Degree Schools” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at Harding are $11,928, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Full Harding Pastoral Counseling & Specialized Ministries Report

#7

Andrews University

Berrien Springs, Michigan
#3 in overall quality

Andrews University ranked #7 on this year’s Best Value Pastoral Counseling Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $30-$48k list. This small school is located in Berrien Springs, Michigan, and it awarded 58 masters’s pastoral counseling degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Andrews, the school also landed the #3 spot in our “Best Pastoral Counseling & Specialized Ministries Master’s Degree Schools” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at Andrews are $28,910, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read full report on Pastoral Counseling & Specialized Ministries at Andrews

With a ranking of #8, Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Pastoral Counseling Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $30-$48k list. Located in Kansas City, Missouri, this small private not-for-profit school awarded 5 degrees to qualified masters’s pastoral counseling students in 2019-2020.

Average graduate tuition and fees at MBTS are $6,950, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read more about Pastoral Counseling & Specialized Ministries at Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary

#9

Bethel University Minnesota

Saint Paul, Minnesota

With a ranking of #9, Bethel University Minnesota did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Pastoral Counseling Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $30-$48k list. Bethel University Minnesota is a small school located in Saint Paul, Minnesota that handed out 15 masters’s pastoral counseling degrees in 2019-2020.

Bethel University Minnesota also made our “Best Pastoral Counseling & Specialized Ministries Master’s Degree Schools” list, coming in at #2. Average graduate tuition and fees at Bethel University Minnesota are $11,700, but some majors have different tuition rates.

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

#10

Olivet Nazarene University

Bourbonnais, Illinois
#14 in overall quality

With a ranking of #10, Olivet Nazarene University did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Pastoral Counseling Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $30-$48k list. This small school is located in Bourbonnais, Illinois, and it awarded 7 masters’s pastoral counseling degrees in 2019-2020.

Olivet Nazarene also took the #14 spot in our “Best Pastoral Counseling & Specialized Ministries Master’s Degree Schools” ranking. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at Olivet Nazarene are $13,393.

Read full report on Pastoral Counseling & Specialized Ministries at Olivet Nazarene University

#13 in overall quality

Grace College and Theological Seminary did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Pastoral Counseling Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #11. This small school is located in Winona Lake, Indiana, and it awarded 16 masters’s pastoral counseling degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our master’s degree pastoral counseling students whose families make $30-$48k list, Grace College has also earned the #13 rank in our “Best Pastoral Counseling & Specialized Ministries Master’s Degree Schools” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at Grace College are $7,872, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Full Grace College and Theological Seminary Pastoral Counseling & Specialized Ministries Report

#12

Lenoir - Rhyne University

Hickory, North Carolina

Lenoir - Rhyne University ranked #12 on this year’s Best Value Pastoral Counseling Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $30-$48k list. Lenoir - Rhyne University is a small private not-for-profit school situated in Hickory, North Carolina. It awarded 2 masters’s pastoral counseling degrees in 2019-2020.

Average graduate tuition and fees at Lenoir - Rhyne University are $11,700, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read more about Pastoral Counseling & Specialized Ministries at Lenoir - Rhyne University

#13

Moody Bible Institute

Chicago, Illinois
#7 in overall quality

Moody Bible Institute ranked #13 on this year’s Best Value Pastoral Counseling Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $30-$48k list. This small school is located in Chicago, Illinois, and it awarded 7 masters’s pastoral counseling degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our master’s degree pastoral counseling students whose families make $30-$48k list, Moody Theological Seminary and Graduate School has also earned the #7 rank in our “Best Pastoral Counseling & Specialized Ministries Master’s Degree Schools” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at Moody Bible Institute are $8,930, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read full report on Pastoral Counseling & Specialized Ministries at Moody Theological Seminary and Graduate School

#14

University of Dallas

Irving, Texas
#18 in overall quality

University of Dallas did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Pastoral Counseling Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #14. University of Dallas is a small school located in Irving, Texas that handed out 5 masters’s pastoral counseling degrees in 2019-2020.

UD also took the #18 spot in our “Best Pastoral Counseling & Specialized Ministries Master’s Degree Schools” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at UD are $33,750, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Full University of Dallas Pastoral Counseling & Specialized Ministries Report

#15

Lee University

Cleveland, Tennessee
#25 in overall quality

Lee University landed the #15 spot on the 2022 Best Value Pastoral Counseling Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Lee University is a private not-for-profit institution located in Cleveland, Tennessee. The school has a medium-sized population, and it awarded 4 masters’s degrees in 2019-2020.

Lee University also made our “Best Pastoral Counseling & Specialized Ministries Master’s Degree Schools” list, coming in at #25. Average graduate tuition and fees at Lee University are $14,330, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Full Lee University Pastoral Counseling & Specialized Ministries Report

#16

Columbia International University

Columbia, South Carolina
#21 in overall quality

With a ranking of #16, Columbia International University did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Pastoral Counseling Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $30-$48k list. CIU is a small private not-for-profit school situated in Columbia, South Carolina. It awarded 3 masters’s pastoral counseling degrees in 2019-2020.

CIU also took the #21 spot in our “Best Pastoral Counseling & Specialized Ministries Master’s Degree Schools” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at Columbia International University are $10,640, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Full Columbia International University Pastoral Counseling & Specialized Ministries Report

#17

Nyack College

Nyack, New York

Nyack College landed the #17 spot on the 2022 Best Value Pastoral Counseling Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Nyack is a small school located in Nyack, New York that handed out 5 masters’s pastoral counseling degrees in 2019-2020.

Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at Nyack College are $13,800.

Full Nyack College Pastoral Counseling & Specialized Ministries Report

#18

Oral Roberts University

Tulsa, Oklahoma

Oral Roberts University ranked #18 on this year’s Best Value Pastoral Counseling Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $30-$48k list. Tulsa, Oklahoma is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out masters’s pastoral counseling degrees to 3 students in 2019-2020.

Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at ORU are $12,282.

Read full report on Pastoral Counseling & Specialized Ministries at Oral Roberts University

#19

Indiana Wesleyan University

Marion, Indiana

Indiana Wesleyan University did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Pastoral Counseling Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #19. IWU is a small private not-for-profit school situated in Marion, Indiana. It awarded 7 masters’s pastoral counseling degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our master’s degree pastoral counseling students whose families make $30-$48k list, IWU has also earned the #19 rank in our “Best Pastoral Counseling & Specialized Ministries Master’s Degree Schools” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at IWU are $13,512, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read more about Pastoral Counseling & Specialized Ministries at IWU

#20

University of Northwestern - St Paul

Saint Paul, Minnesota

University of Northwestern - St Paul came in at #20 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Pastoral Counseling Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Located in Saint Paul, Minnesota, this small private not-for-profit school handed out 1 degrees to qualified masters’s pastoral counseling students in 2019-2020.

Northwestern also made our “Best Pastoral Counseling & Specialized Ministries Master’s Degree Schools” list, coming in at #0. Average graduate tuition and fees at University of Northwestern - St Paul are $8,982, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read more about Pastoral Counseling & Specialized Ministries at Northwestern

#21

University of St. Thomas

Houston, Texas

With a ranking of #21, University of St. Thomas did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Pastoral Counseling Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $30-$48k list. UST is located in Houston, Texas and, has a small student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 2 masters’s pastoral counseling degrees to qualified students.

Average graduate tuition and fees at University of St. Thomas are $21,634, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read more about Pastoral Counseling & Specialized Ministries at UST

#22

Maranatha Baptist University

Watertown, Wisconsin
#24 in overall quality

With a ranking of #22, Maranatha Baptist University did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Pastoral Counseling Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $30-$48k list. Maranatha Baptist University is a private not-for-profit institution located in Watertown, Wisconsin. The school has a small population, and it awarded 7 masters’s degrees in 2019-2020.

MBU not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #24 on our “Best Pastoral Counseling & Specialized Ministries Master’s Degree Schools” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at MBU are $7,010, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Full MBU Pastoral Counseling & Specialized Ministries Report

#23

Moravian College

Bethlehem, Pennsylvania
#20 in overall quality

Moravian College came in at #23 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Pastoral Counseling Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. This small school is located in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, and it awarded 2 masters’s pastoral counseling degrees in 2019-2020.

Moravian did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #20 on our “Best Pastoral Counseling & Specialized Ministries Master’s Degree Schools” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at Moravian are $17,442, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read full report on Pastoral Counseling & Specialized Ministries at Moravian College

Northwest Nazarene University landed the #24 spot on the 2022 Best Value Pastoral Counseling Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. NNU is located in Nampa, Idaho and, has a small student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 3 masters’s pastoral counseling degrees to qualified students.

Average graduate tuition and fees at Northwest Nazarene University are $11,121, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read full report on Pastoral Counseling & Specialized Ministries at NNU

#25

George Fox University

Newberg, Oregon
#15 in overall quality

George Fox University did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Pastoral Counseling Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #25. GFU is a small school located in Newberg, Oregon that handed out 3 masters’s pastoral counseling degrees in 2019-2020.

GFU also made our “Best Pastoral Counseling & Specialized Ministries Master’s Degree Schools” list, coming in at #15. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at GFU are $14,247.

Read more about Pastoral Counseling & Specialized Ministries at GFU

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Notes and References

References

  • 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).
  • Information about the national average student loan default rate is from the U.S. Department of Education and refers to data about the 2016 borrower cohort tracking period for which the cohort default rate (CDR) was 10.1%.

Read more about our data sources and methodologies

Footnotes

  • *Average salary, average net price, and average tuition and fees are for the top schools only.
  • Some schools otherwise deserving of recognition may have been removed from this ranking in the event that new data identified post-publication warranted it, or at the request of the school.

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