2023 Best Value Theology & Religious Vocations Schools in the Great Lakes Region
25
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. College Factual has developed its “Best Value Theology & Religious Vocations Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking as one item you can use to help make this decision.
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” ranking looked at 25 colleges that offer degrees in a bachelor’s in theology and religious vocations. This ranking identifies schools with high-quality theology and religious vocations programs that also have a lower cost than schools of similar quality.
Some of the factors we look at when determining these rankings are overall quality of the theology and religious vocations program at the school and the cost of the school after aid is awarded among other things. See our ranking methodology to learn more.
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 Theology & Religious Vocations Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking, along with many other major-related rankings, to help you make that decision.
In addition to our rankings, you can take two colleges and compare them based on the criteria that matters most to you in our unique tool, College Combat. 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 Theology & Religious Vocations Schools in the Great Lakes Region
The colleges and universities below are the best for great lakes region theology & religious vocations students.
Top 25 Best Value Colleges for Theology & Religious Vocations in the Great Lakes Region
Out of the 25 schools in the Best Value Theology & Religious Vocations Schools in the Great Lakes Region 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 school located in Chicago, Illinois that handed out 706 ’s theology and religious vocations degrees in 2020-2021.
As a testament to the quality of education offered at Moody Theological Seminary and Graduate School, the school also landed the #3 spot in our “Best Theology & Religious Vocations Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. It costs about $19,679 for great lakes region theology & religious vocations students per year to attend Moody Theological Seminary and Graduate School.
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 Theology & Religious Vocations Report
You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Lincoln Christian University. It ranked #2 on our 2023 Best Value Theology & Religious Vocations Schools in the Great Lakes Region list. Lincoln Christian University is located in Lincoln, Illinois and, has a small student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 107 ’s theology and religious vocations degrees to qualified students.
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. It costs about $19,638 for great lakes region theology & religious vocations students per year to attend Lincoln Christian College and Seminary.
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 full report on Theology & Religious Vocations at Lincoln Christian College and Seminary
Out of the 25 schools in the Best Value Theology & Religious Vocations Schools in the Great Lakes Region that were part of this year’s ranking, Ohio Christian University landed the #3 spot on the list. Circleville, 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 169 students in 2020-2021.
As a testament to the quality of education offered at OCU, the school also landed the #12 spot in our “Best Theology & Religious Vocations Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Ohio Christian University is $22,901 for great lakes region theology & religious vocations students.
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 full report on Theology & Religious Vocations at OCU
You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Grace College and Theological Seminary. The school came in at #4 for the Best Value Theology & Religious Vocations Schools in the Great Lakes Region. Grace College and Theological Seminary is located in Winona Lake, Indiana and, has a small student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 87 ’s theology and religious vocations degrees to qualified students.
As a testament to the quality of education offered at Grace College, the school also landed the #7 spot 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.
The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 3.1%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.
Full Grace College Theology & Religious Vocations Report
You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Indiana Wesleyan University - National & Global. It ranked #5 on our 2023 Best Value Theology & Religious Vocations Schools in the Great Lakes Region list. 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 not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #13 on our “Best Theology & Religious Vocations Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. The yearly cost to attend IWU is $18,904 for Great Lakes Region Theology & Religious Vocations students.
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 Theology & Religious Vocations at Indiana Wesleyan University - National & Global
McCormick Theological Seminary came in at #6 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Theology & Religious Vocations Schools in the Great Lakes Region ranking. This small school is located in Chicago, Illinois, and it awarded 49 ’s theology and religious vocations degrees in 2020-2021.
McCormick Theological Seminary not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #16 on our “Best Theology & Religious Vocations Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list.
The low undergrad student loan default rate of 4.2% 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 undergrad student-to-faculty ratio of to 1, it’s easy to see that the school is committed to helping their undergraduates succeed.
Read more about Theology & Religious Vocations at McCormick Theological Seminary
Olivet Nazarene University landed the #7 spot on the 2023 Best Value Theology & Religious Vocations Schools in the Great Lakes Region ranking. Bourbonnais, Illinois 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 83 students in 2020-2021.
Olivet Nazarene also made our “Best Theology & Religious Vocations Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list, coming in at #5. The estimated yearly cost for Olivet Nazarene University is $19,470 for Great Lakes Region Theology & Religious Vocations students.
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 Olivet Nazarene
Ashland University did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Theology & Religious Vocations Schools in the Great Lakes Region ranking, coming in at #8. Ashland University is located in Ashland, Ohio and, has a small student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 47 ’s theology and religious vocations degrees to qualified students.
Ashland also took the #19 spot in our “Best Theology & Religious Vocations Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. It costs about $20,974 for great lakes region theology & religious vocations students per year to attend Ashland.
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%.
Full Ashland Theology & Religious Vocations Report
Franciscan University of Steubenville landed the #9 spot on the 2023 Best Value Theology & Religious Vocations Schools in the Great Lakes Region ranking. Franciscan University of Steubenville is a private not-for-profit institution located in Steubenville, Ohio. The school has a small population, and it awarded 268 ’s degrees 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. It costs about $23,415 for Great Lakes Region Theology & Religious Vocations students per year to attend Franciscan University of Steubenville.
Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 86%. 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 Theology & Religious Vocations at Franciscan University of Steubenville
With a ranking of #10, Loyola University Chicago did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Theology & Religious Vocations Schools in the Great Lakes Region list. Loyola University Chicago is located in Chicago, Illinois and, has a fairly large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 63 ’s theology and religious vocations degrees to qualified students.
Loyola Chicago not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #4 on our “Best Theology & Religious Vocations Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. The yearly cost to attend Loyola University Chicago is $36,434 for Great Lakes Region Theology & Religious Vocations students.
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 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 Theology & Religious Vocations at Loyola University Chicago
Lutheran School of Theology at Chicago ranked #11 on this year’s Best Value Theology & Religious Vocations Schools in the Great Lakes Region list. Lutheran School of Theology at Chicago is a private not-for-profit institution located in Chicago, Illinois. The school has a small population, and it awarded 45 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.
LSTC not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #14 on our “Best Theology & Religious Vocations Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list.
The impressive undergraduate student-to-faculty ratio of 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 Lutheran School of Theology at Chicago
With a ranking of #12, Grace Christian University did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Theology & Religious Vocations Schools in the Great Lakes Region list. Grace Christian University is located in Wyoming, Michigan and, has a small student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 92 ’s theology and religious vocations degrees to qualified students.
Grace not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #18 on our “Best Theology & Religious Vocations Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. The yearly cost to attend Grace Christian University is $13,795 for Great Lakes Region Theology & Religious Vocations students.
Read more about Theology & Religious Vocations at Grace Christian University
With a ranking of #13, Indiana Wesleyan University did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Theology & Religious Vocations Schools in the Great Lakes Region list. Located in Marion, Indiana, this small private not-for-profit school handed out 75 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 list, IWU has also earned the #15 rank in our “Best Theology & Religious Vocations Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Indiana Wesleyan University is $21,204 for great lakes region theology & religious vocations students.
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 full report on Theology & Religious Vocations at Indiana Wesleyan University
Trinity International University - Illinois did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Theology & Religious Vocations Schools in the Great Lakes Region ranking, coming in at #14. TIU Illinois is a private not-for-profit institution located in Deerfield, Illinois. The school has a small population, and it awarded 197 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.
As a testament to the quality of education offered at TIU Illinois, the school also landed the #17 spot in our “Best Theology & Religious Vocations Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. It costs about $21,200 for great lakes region theology & religious vocations students per year to attend Trinity International University - Illinois.
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.
Read more about Theology & Religious Vocations at TIU Illinois
Christian Theological Seminary did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Theology & Religious Vocations Schools in the Great Lakes Region ranking, coming in at #15. Christian Theological Seminary is a small private not-for-profit school situated in Indianapolis, Indiana. It awarded 23 ’s theology and religious vocations degrees in 2020-2021.
As a testament to the quality of education offered at Christian Theological Seminary, the school also landed the #22 spot in our “Best Theology & Religious Vocations Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking.
The undergraduate student-to-faculty ratio of to 1 is a sign that students will have more opportunities to engage with their professors one-on-one.
Full Christian Theological Seminary Theology & Religious Vocations Report
Northern Baptist Theological Seminary did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Theology & Religious Vocations Schools in the Great Lakes Region ranking, coming in at #16. Northern Baptist Theological Seminary is a private not-for-profit institution located in Lisle, Illinois. The school has a small population, and it awarded 36 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.
Northern Seminary also took the #21 spot in our “Best Theology & Religious Vocations Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking.
The low undergrad student loan default rate of 4.0% 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%. With a undergrad student-to-faculty ratio of to 1, it’s easy to see that the school is committed to helping their undergraduates succeed.
Read more about Theology & Religious Vocations at Northern Baptist Theological Seminary
With a ranking of #17, Andrews University did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Theology & Religious Vocations Schools in the Great Lakes Region list. Berrien Springs, 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 241 students in 2020-2021.
Andrews not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #11 on our “Best Theology & Religious Vocations Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. The estimated yearly cost for Andrews University is $23,408 for Great Lakes Region Theology & Religious Vocations students.
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 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%. 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.
Read full report on Theology & Religious Vocations at Andrews
Valor Christian College ranked #18 on this year’s Best Value Theology & Religious Vocations Schools in the Great Lakes Region list. Canal Winchester, 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 93 students in 2020-2021.
Valor Christian College also made our “Best Theology & Religious Vocations Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list, coming in at #23. The estimated yearly cost for Valor Christian College is $13,674 for Great Lakes Region Theology & Religious Vocations students.
Read full report on Theology & Religious Vocations at Valor Christian College
With a ranking of #19, Wheaton College Illinois did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Theology & Religious Vocations Schools in the Great Lakes Region list. Wheaton College Illinois is a small school located in Wheaton, Illinois that handed out 94 ’s theology and religious vocations degrees in 2020-2021.
As a testament to the quality of education offered at Wheaton College Illinois, the school also landed the #9 spot in our “Best Theology & Religious Vocations Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Wheaton College Illinois is $25,692 for Great Lakes Region Theology & Religious Vocations students.
The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 90%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. 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%.
Full Wheaton College Illinois Theology & Religious Vocations Report
Cornerstone University landed the #20 spot on the 2023 Best Value Theology & Religious Vocations Schools in the Great Lakes Region ranking. Cornerstone is a private not-for-profit institution located in Grand Rapids, Michigan. The school has a small population, and it awarded 79 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.
Cornerstone did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #20 on our “Best Theology & Religious Vocations Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. It costs about $20,397 for great lakes region theology & religious vocations students per year to attend Cornerstone University.
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 4.3%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.
Full Cornerstone University Theology & Religious Vocations Report
With a ranking of #21, Concordia Theological Seminary did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Theology & Religious Vocations Schools in the Great Lakes Region list. Fort Wayne, Indiana 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 75 students in 2020-2021.
As a testament to the quality of education offered at Concordia Theological Seminary, the school also landed the #8 spot in our “Best Theology & Religious Vocations Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking.
The impressive undergraduate student-to-faculty ratio of to 1 means that students may have more opportunities to work more closely with their professors than they would at other schools. The low undergrad student loan default rate of 2.0% 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 Concordia Theological Seminary Theology & Religious Vocations Report
Meadville Lombard Theological School did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Theology & Religious Vocations Schools in the Great Lakes Region ranking, coming in at #22. Located in Chicago, Illinois, this small private not-for-profit school awarded 13 degrees to qualified ’s theology and religious vocations students in 2020-2021.
Meadville Lombard Theological School did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #24 on our “Best Theology & Religious Vocations Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list.
The undergraduate student-to-faculty ratio of to 1 is a sign that students will have more opportunities to engage with their professors one-on-one. The low undergrad student loan default rate of 3.9% 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%.
Read more about Theology & Religious Vocations at Meadville Lombard Theological School
With a ranking of #23, Payne Theological Seminary did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Theology & Religious Vocations Schools in the Great Lakes Region list. Payne Theological Seminary is a small private not-for-profit school situated in Wilberforce, Ohio. It awarded 40 ’s theology and religious vocations degrees in 2020-2021.
Payne Theological Seminary not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #25 on our “Best Theology & Religious Vocations Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list.
Since the school has a undergrad student-to-faculty ratio of to 1, those pursuing a degree will have more opportunities to interact with their professors.
Full Payne Theological Seminary Theology & Religious Vocations Report
University of Notre Dame did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Theology & Religious Vocations Schools in the Great Lakes Region ranking, coming in at #24. Located in Notre Dame, Indiana, this fairly large private not-for-profit school handed out 150 diplomas to qualified ’s theology and religious vocations students in 2020-2021.
Notre Dame also took the #1 spot in our “Best Theology & Religious Vocations Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Notre Dame is $31,101 for Great Lakes Region Theology & Religious Vocations students.
The undergraduate student-to-faculty ratio of 9 to 1 is a sign that students will have more opportunities to engage with their professors one-on-one. 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 school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 0.7%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.
Read full report on Theology & Religious Vocations at University of Notre Dame
University of Chicago landed the #25 spot on the 2023 Best Value Theology & Religious Vocations Schools in the Great Lakes Region ranking. University of Chicago is a fairly large private not-for-profit school situated in Chicago, Illinois. It awarded 99 ’s theology and religious vocations degrees 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 UChicago is $28,517 for Great Lakes Region Theology & Religious Vocations students.
The undergraduate student-to-faculty ratio of 5 to 1 is a sign that students will have more opportunities to engage with their professors one-on-one. 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.
Read more about Theology & Religious Vocations at University of Chicago
