2023 Best Value Colleges for Theology & Religious Vocations in the Great Lakes Region (With Aid)
19
Ranked Colleges
4,636
Degrees Awarded
$22,200
Avg Net Price*
When it comes to choosing a college, students have a lot of options - but not all of them are good. Our mission at College Factual is to arm you with as much information as we can to help you make that decision. Our “Best Value Theology & Religious Vocations Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Getting Aid” ranking is one tool we have developed to help in this regard.
In 2020-2021, 27,459 people earned their degree in theology and religious vocations, making the major the 26th most popular in the United States. In 2019-2020, theology and religious vocations graduates who were awarded their degree in 2017-2019, earned an average of $36,020 and had an average of $26,322 in loans still to pay off.
Across the Great Lakes region, there were 4,636 theology and religious vocations graduates with average earnings and debt of $36,355 and $22,551 respectively.
This year’s “Best Value Theology & Religious Vocations Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Getting Aid” ranking looked at 19 colleges that offer degrees in a bachelor’s in theology and religious vocations. Not only do the schools that top this list have excellent theology and religious vocations 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 theology and religious vocations 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 the program you select can have a significant impact on your future, we’ve developed a number of rankings, including this “Best Value Theology & Religious Vocations Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Getting Aid” list, to help you choose the best school for you.
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 Theology & Religious Vocations Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Getting Aid
The colleges and universities below are the best for great lakes region theology & religious vocations students with aid.
Top 19 Best Value Colleges for Theology & Religious Vocations in the Great Lakes Region (With Aid)
Out of the 19 schools in the Best Value Theology & Religious Vocations Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Getting Aid that were part of this year’s ranking, Moody Bible Institute landed the #1 spot on the list. Moody Theological Seminary and Graduate School is a small private not-for-profit school situated in Chicago, Illinois. It awarded 706 ’s theology and religious vocations degrees in 2020-2021.
Moody Theological Seminary and Graduate School also took the #3 spot in our “Best Theology & Religious Vocations Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Moody Theological Seminary and Graduate School is $19,679 for Great Lakes Region Theology & Religious Vocations students with aid.
The low undergrad student loan default rate of 3.3% 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 Moody Theological Seminary and Graduate School Theology & Religious Vocations Report
You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Olivet Nazarene University. The school came in at #2 for the Best Value Theology & Religious Vocations Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Getting Aid. Olivet Nazarene University is a private not-for-profit institution located in Bourbonnais, Illinois. The school has a small population, and it awarded 83 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.
Olivet Nazarene also made our “Best Theology & Religious Vocations Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list, coming in at #5. The yearly cost to attend Olivet Nazarene is $19,470 for Great Lakes Region Theology & Religious Vocations 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 full report on Theology & Religious Vocations at Olivet Nazarene University
You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Grace Christian University. It ranked #3 on our 2023 Best Value Theology & Religious Vocations Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Getting Aid list. Wyoming, Michigan is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out ’s theology and religious vocations degrees to 92 students in 2020-2021.
As a testament to the quality of education offered at Grace, the school also landed the #18 spot in our “Best Theology & Religious Vocations Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. It costs about $13,795 for Great Lakes Region Theology & Religious Vocations students with aid per year to attend Grace Christian University.
Read full report on Theology & Religious Vocations at Grace
You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Lincoln Christian University. The school came in at #4 for the Best Value Theology & Religious Vocations Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Getting Aid. Lincoln Christian College and Seminary is a small private not-for-profit school situated in Lincoln, Illinois. It awarded 107 ’s theology and religious vocations degrees in 2020-2021.
Lincoln Christian College and Seminary did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #10 on our “Best Theology & Religious Vocations Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. The estimated yearly cost for Lincoln Christian University is $19,638 for great lakes region theology & religious vocations 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 Lincoln Christian College and Seminary Theology & Religious Vocations Report
You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Grace College and Theological Seminary. The school came in at #5 for the Best Value Theology & Religious Vocations Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Getting Aid. Grace College and Theological Seminary is a private not-for-profit institution located in Winona Lake, Indiana. The school has a small population, and it awarded 87 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.
In addition to being on our great lakes region theology & religious vocations students with aid list, Grace College has also earned the #7 rank in our “Best Theology & Religious Vocations Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Grace College is $20,060 for great lakes region theology & religious vocations 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 and Theological Seminary Theology & Religious Vocations Report
Andrews University did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Theology & Religious Vocations Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Getting Aid ranking, coming in at #6. Andrews University is located in Berrien Springs, Michigan and, has a small student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 241 ’s theology and religious vocations degrees to qualified students.
Andrews also took the #11 spot in our “Best Theology & Religious Vocations Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Andrews University is $23,408 for great lakes region theology & religious vocations students with aid.
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. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 85%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. 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%.
Read full report on Theology & Religious Vocations at Andrews University
Indiana Wesleyan University - National & Global landed the #7 spot on the 2023 Best Value Theology & Religious Vocations Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Getting Aid ranking. Indiana Wesleyan University - National & Global is a fairly large private not-for-profit school situated in Marion, Indiana. It awarded 238 ’s theology and religious vocations degrees in 2020-2021.
IWU also took the #13 spot in our “Best Theology & Religious Vocations Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. It costs about $18,904 for Great Lakes Region Theology & Religious Vocations students with aid per year to attend IWU.
The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 5.0%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.
Read more about Theology & Religious Vocations at Indiana Wesleyan University - National & Global
Indiana Wesleyan University did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Theology & Religious Vocations Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Getting Aid ranking, coming in at #8. Indiana Wesleyan University is a small school located in Marion, Indiana that handed out 75 ’s theology and religious vocations degrees in 2020-2021.
IWU not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #15 on our “Best Theology & Religious Vocations Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. The estimated yearly cost for IWU is $21,204 for great lakes region theology & religious vocations 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 Theology & Religious Vocations at IWU
University of Notre Dame landed the #9 spot on the 2023 Best Value Theology & Religious Vocations Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Getting Aid ranking. University of Notre Dame is a fairly large private not-for-profit school situated in Notre Dame, Indiana. It awarded 150 ’s theology and religious vocations degrees in 2020-2021.
Notre Dame also made our “Best Theology & Religious Vocations Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list, coming in at #1. It costs about $31,101 for Great Lakes Region Theology & Religious Vocations students with aid per year to attend Notre Dame.
The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 97%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. The low undergrad student loan default rate of 0.7% 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%. 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.
Read more about Theology & Religious Vocations at University of Notre Dame
Trinity International University - Illinois landed the #10 spot on the 2023 Best Value Theology & Religious Vocations Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Getting Aid ranking. TIU Illinois is a small private not-for-profit school situated in Deerfield, Illinois. It awarded 197 ’s theology and religious vocations degrees in 2020-2021.
TIU Illinois did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #17 on our “Best Theology & Religious Vocations Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. It costs about $21,200 for great lakes region theology & religious vocations students with aid per year to attend TIU Illinois.
With a undergrad student-to-faculty ratio of 8 to 1, it’s easy to see that the school is committed to helping their undergraduates succeed.
Read full report on Theology & Religious Vocations at Trinity International University - Illinois
With a ranking of #11, Franciscan University of Steubenville did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Theology & Religious Vocations Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Getting Aid list. Steubenville, Ohio is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out ’s theology and religious vocations degrees to 268 students in 2020-2021.
Franciscan U did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #6 on our “Best Theology & Religious Vocations Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. The estimated yearly cost for Franciscan U is $23,415 for great lakes region theology & religious vocations students with aid.
Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 86%. The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 1.4%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.
Read more about Theology & Religious Vocations at Franciscan U
Ohio Christian University ranked #12 on this year’s Best Value Theology & Religious Vocations Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Getting Aid list. Ohio Christian University is located in Circleville, Ohio and, has a small student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 169 ’s theology and religious vocations degrees to qualified students.
OCU also took the #12 spot in our “Best Theology & Religious Vocations Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for OCU is $22,901 for great lakes region theology & religious vocations students with aid.
Since the school has a undergrad student-to-faculty ratio of 8 to 1, those pursuing a degree will have more opportunities to interact with their professors.
Read more about Theology & Religious Vocations at OCU
Valor Christian College did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Theology & Religious Vocations Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Getting Aid ranking, coming in at #13. Valor Christian College is a small school located in Canal Winchester, Ohio that handed out 93 ’s theology and religious vocations degrees in 2020-2021.
Valor Christian College not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #23 on our “Best Theology & Religious Vocations Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. It costs about $13,674 for Great Lakes Region Theology & Religious Vocations students with aid per year to attend Valor Christian College.
Full Valor Christian College Theology & Religious Vocations Report
Ashland University ranked #14 on this year’s Best Value Theology & Religious Vocations Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Getting Aid list. Located in Ashland, Ohio, this small private not-for-profit school handed out 47 degrees to qualified ’s theology and religious vocations students in 2020-2021.
In addition to being on our great lakes region theology & religious vocations students with aid list, Ashland has also earned the #19 rank in our “Best Theology & Religious Vocations Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Ashland is $20,974 for Great Lakes Region Theology & Religious Vocations students with aid.
The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 4.1%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.
Read full report on Theology & Religious Vocations at Ashland
Cornerstone University came in at #15 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Theology & Religious Vocations Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Getting Aid ranking. Located in Grand Rapids, Michigan, this small private not-for-profit school handed out 79 diplomas to qualified ’s theology and religious vocations students in 2020-2021.
Cornerstone also took the #20 spot in our “Best Theology & Religious Vocations Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. It costs about $20,397 for Great Lakes Region Theology & Religious Vocations students with aid per year to attend Cornerstone University.
The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 86%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 4.3%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.
Full Cornerstone University Theology & Religious Vocations Report
Wheaton College Illinois did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Theology & Religious Vocations Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Getting Aid ranking, coming in at #16. Wheaton College Illinois is a small private not-for-profit school situated in Wheaton, Illinois. It awarded 94 ’s theology and religious vocations degrees in 2020-2021.
Wheaton College Illinois not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #9 on our “Best Theology & Religious Vocations Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. It costs about $25,692 for great lakes region theology & religious vocations students with aid per year to attend Wheaton College Illinois.
Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 90%. With a undergrad student-to-faculty ratio of 10 to 1, it’s easy to see that the school is committed to helping their undergraduates succeed. The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 0.5%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.
Read more about Theology & Religious Vocations at Wheaton College Illinois
University of Chicago did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Theology & Religious Vocations Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Getting Aid ranking, coming in at #17. Chicago, Illinois is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out ’s theology and religious vocations degrees to 99 students in 2020-2021.
UChicago also took the #2 spot in our “Best Theology & Religious Vocations Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend University of Chicago is $28,517 for Great Lakes Region Theology & Religious Vocations students with aid.
The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 1.0%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 100%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. With a undergrad student-to-faculty ratio of 5 to 1, it’s easy to see that the school is committed to helping their undergraduates succeed.
Read more about Theology & Religious Vocations at UChicago
Spring Arbor University ranked #18 on this year’s Best Value Theology & Religious Vocations Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Getting Aid list. Located in Spring Arbor, Michigan, this small private not-for-profit school awarded 12 degrees to qualified ’s theology and religious vocations students in 2020-2021.
Spring Arbor not only placed well in this ranking. It is also # on our "" list. It costs about $20,543 for Great Lakes Region Theology & Religious Vocations students with aid per year to attend Spring Arbor University.
The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 3.6%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.
Read full report on Theology & Religious Vocations at Spring Arbor
Loyola University Chicago did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Theology & Religious Vocations Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Getting Aid ranking, coming in at #19. Chicago, Illinois is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out ’s theology and religious vocations degrees to 63 students in 2020-2021.
Loyola Chicago did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #4 on our “Best Theology & Religious Vocations Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. The estimated yearly cost for Loyola University Chicago is $36,434 for Great Lakes Region Theology & Religious Vocations students with aid.
Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 85%. The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 2.7%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.
Read more about Theology & Religious Vocations at Loyola Chicago
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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
- *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.
Credits
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