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2023 Best Value Colleges for Divinity/Ministry (Income $0-$30k)

66 Ranked Colleges
7,238 Degrees Awarded
$13,700 Avg Net Price*
Best Value Divinity Studies Schools For Those Making $0-$30k

Students have lots of options to chooose from today when trying to decide which college to attend. College Factual was founded, in part, to help students make the decision as to what would be the best school for them. Our “Best Value Divinity Studies Schools For Those Making $0-$30k” ranking is part of that endeavor.

Divinity/Ministry is the 113th most popular major in the country with 7,238 degrees awarded in 2020-2021.

This year’s “Best Value Divinity Studies Schools For Those Making $0-$30k” ranking looked at 66 colleges that offer degrees in a bachelor’s in divinity/ministry. Not only do the schools that top this list have excellent divinity/ministry programs, but they also cost less that schools of similar quality.

Some of the factors we look at when determining these rankings are overall quality of the divinity/ministry program at the school and the cost of the school after aid is awarded among other things. Check out our ranking methodology for more information.

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Since the program you select can have a significant impact on your future, we’ve developed a number of rankings, including this “Best Value Divinity Studies Schools For Those Making $0-$30k” list, to help you choose the best school for you.

One of our other unique offerings is College Combat. This tool lets you build your own customized comparisons utilizing the factors that are most important to you. We encourage you to try it out and pit your favorite colleges and universities head to head! If you don’t have time right now, you can bookmark it for later.

Best Value Divinity Studies Schools For Those Making $0-$30k

The following schools top our list of the Best Best Value Divinity Studies Schools For Those Making $0-$30k.

Top 25 Best Value Colleges for Divinity/Ministry (Income $0-$30k)

1
Duke crest
Duke University
Durham, North Carolina

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Duke University. It ranked #1 on our 2023 Best Value Divinity Studies Schools For Those Making $0-$30k list. Located in Durham, North Carolina, this fairly large private not-for-profit school handed out 25 degrees to qualified ’s divinity studies students in 2020-2021.

Duke not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #1 on our “Best Divinity/Ministry Schools” list. It costs about $371 for divinity studies students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend Duke.

Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 97%. The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 0.3%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%. With a undergrad student-to-faculty ratio of 6 to 1, it’s easy to see that the school is committed to helping their undergraduates succeed.

Read more about Divinity/Ministry at Duke

2
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University of Chicago
Chicago, Illinois

Out of the 66 schools in the Best Value Divinity Studies Schools For Those Making $0-$30k that were part of this year’s ranking, University of Chicago landed the #2 spot on the list. University of Chicago is a fairly large school located in Chicago, Illinois that handed out 15 ’s divinity studies degrees in 2020-2021.

UChicago also made our “Best Divinity/Ministry Schools” list, coming in at #5. The yearly cost to attend UChicago is $2,500 for Divinity Studies students whose families make $0-$30k.

The impressive undergraduate student-to-faculty ratio of 5 to 1 means that students may have more opportunities to work more closely with their professors than they would at other schools. The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 1.0%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 100%.

Read more about Divinity/Ministry at UChicago

3
Yale crest
Yale University
New Haven, Connecticut

Out of the 66 schools in the Best Value Divinity Studies Schools For Those Making $0-$30k that were part of this year’s ranking, Yale University landed the #3 spot on the list. Yale University is a fairly large school located in New Haven, Connecticut that handed out 64 ’s divinity studies degrees in 2020-2021.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Yale, the school also landed the #6 spot in our “Best Divinity/Ministry Schools” ranking. It costs about $961 for Divinity Studies students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend Yale.

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 4 to 1 means that students may have more opportunities to work more closely with their professors than they would at other schools.

Full Yale Divinity/Ministry Report

4
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Vanderbilt University
Nashville, Tennessee

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Vanderbilt University. It ranked #4 on our 2023 Best Value Divinity Studies Schools For Those Making $0-$30k list. Vanderbilt University is located in Nashville, Tennessee and, has a fairly large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 32 ’s divinity studies degrees to qualified students.

Vanderbilt also made our “Best Divinity/Ministry Schools” list, coming in at #9. The estimated yearly cost for Vanderbilt is $3,176 for divinity studies students whose families make $0-$30k.

Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 96%. 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. The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 0.9%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Full Vanderbilt University Divinity/Ministry Report

5
Harvard crest
Harvard University
Cambridge, Massachusetts

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Harvard University. The school came in at #5 for the Best Value Divinity Studies Schools For Those Making $0-$30k. This large school is located in Cambridge, Massachusetts, and it awarded 30 ’s divinity studies degrees in 2020-2021.

In addition to being on our divinity studies students whose families make $0-$30k list, Harvard has also earned the #11 rank in our “Best Divinity/Ministry Schools” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Harvard is $2,564 for divinity studies students whose families make $0-$30k.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 0.9%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%. 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 Divinity/Ministry at Harvard

6
Notre Dame crest
University of Notre Dame
Notre Dame, Indiana

University of Notre Dame landed the #6 spot on the 2023 Best Value Divinity Studies Schools For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Notre Dame, Indiana is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out ’s divinity studies degrees to 17 students in 2020-2021.

Notre Dame not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #2 on our “Best Divinity/Ministry Schools” list. It costs about $9,872 for divinity studies students whose families make $0-$30k 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 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%. 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.

Full University of Notre Dame Divinity/Ministry Report

7
Wake Forest University crest
Wake Forest University
Winston-Salem, North Carolina

Wake Forest University landed the #7 spot on the 2023 Best Value Divinity Studies Schools For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Wake Forest University is a medium-sized school located in Winston-Salem, North Carolina that handed out 34 ’s divinity studies degrees in 2020-2021.

The estimated yearly cost for Wake Forest University is $10,401 for Divinity Studies students whose families make $0-$30k.

With a freshman retention rate of 95%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. The low undergrad student loan default rate of 0.6% 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 Wake Forest University Divinity/Ministry Report

8
Emory crest
Emory University
Atlanta, Georgia

Emory University ranked #8 on this year’s Best Value Divinity Studies Schools For Those Making $0-$30k list. This fairly large school is located in Atlanta, Georgia, and it awarded 123 ’s divinity studies degrees in 2020-2021.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Emory, the school also landed the #7 spot in our “Best Divinity/Ministry Schools” ranking. It costs about $8,538 for divinity studies students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend Emory University.

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 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%. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 93%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.

Full Emory University Divinity/Ministry Report

9

Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary landed the #9 spot on the 2023 Best Value Divinity Studies Schools For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. MBTS is a private not-for-profit institution located in Kansas City, Missouri. The school has a small population, and it awarded 247 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

MBTS did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #8 on our “Best Divinity/Ministry Schools” list. The yearly cost to attend Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary is $15,106 for divinity studies students whose families make $0-$30k.

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%.

Read full report on Divinity/Ministry at Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary

10
Johnson University crest
Johnson University
Knoxville, Tennessee

Johnson University ranked #10 on this year’s Best Value Divinity Studies Schools For Those Making $0-$30k list. Located in Knoxville, Tennessee, this small private not-for-profit school awarded 58 diplomas to qualified ’s divinity studies students in 2020-2021.

The yearly cost to attend Johnson University is $12,827 for divinity studies students whose families make $0-$30k.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 3.5%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%. 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.

Full Johnson University Divinity/Ministry Report

11
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Olivet Nazarene University
Bourbonnais, Illinois

Olivet Nazarene University came in at #11 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Divinity Studies Schools For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Olivet Nazarene University is a private not-for-profit institution located in Bourbonnais, Illinois. The school has a small population, and it awarded 23 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

Olivet Nazarene also took the #16 spot in our “Best Divinity/Ministry Schools” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Olivet Nazarene is $16,451 for Divinity Studies students whose families make $0-$30k.

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%.

Read full report on Divinity/Ministry at Olivet Nazarene

12

Lincoln Christian University came in at #12 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Divinity Studies Schools For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Lincoln Christian College and Seminary is a small school located in Lincoln, Illinois that handed out 47 ’s divinity studies degrees in 2020-2021.

The estimated yearly cost for Lincoln Christian University is $16,161 for Divinity Studies students whose families make $0-$30k.

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 Divinity/Ministry Report

13
Harding crest
Harding University
Searcy, Arkansas

Harding University did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Divinity Studies Schools For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #13. Located in Searcy, Arkansas, this small private not-for-profit school handed out 29 degrees to qualified ’s divinity studies students in 2020-2021.

The estimated yearly cost for Harding University is $15,856 for Divinity Studies students whose families make $0-$30k.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 3.1%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%. With a freshman retention rate of 87%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.

Read more about Divinity/Ministry at Harding

14
Drew crest
Drew University
Madison, New Jersey

Drew University landed the #14 spot on the 2023 Best Value Divinity Studies Schools For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Located in Madison, New Jersey, this small private not-for-profit school handed out 45 degrees to qualified ’s divinity studies students in 2020-2021.

Drew did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #18 on our “Best Divinity/Ministry Schools” list. The estimated yearly cost for Drew University is $16,895 for divinity studies students whose families make $0-$30k.

With a freshman retention rate of 88%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 3.9%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on Divinity/Ministry at Drew University

15
Fresno Pacific crest
Fresno Pacific University
Fresno, California

Fresno Pacific University came in at #15 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Divinity Studies Schools For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Fresno Pacific is a private not-for-profit institution located in Fresno, California. The school has a small population, and it awarded 5 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

The estimated yearly cost for Fresno Pacific is $17,544 for Divinity Studies students whose families make $0-$30k.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 4.5%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Full Fresno Pacific University Divinity/Ministry Report

16

Sewanee - The University of the South did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Divinity Studies Schools For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #16. Sewanee is a small private not-for-profit school situated in Sewanee, Tennessee. It awarded 17 ’s divinity studies degrees in 2020-2021.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Sewanee, the school also landed the #14 spot in our “Best Divinity/Ministry Schools” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Sewanee - The University of the South is $23,567 for Divinity Studies students whose families make $0-$30k.

With a freshman retention rate of 87%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 2.0%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 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 Divinity/Ministry at Sewanee

17
Moody Theological Seminary and Graduate School crest
Moody Bible Institute
Chicago, Illinois

With a ranking of #17, Moody Bible Institute did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Divinity Studies Schools For Those Making $0-$30k list. Moody Theological Seminary and Graduate School is a small private not-for-profit school situated in Chicago, Illinois. It awarded 43 ’s divinity studies 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 #15 spot in our “Best Divinity/Ministry Schools” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Moody Theological Seminary and Graduate School is $20,301 for divinity studies students whose families make $0-$30k.

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%.

Read full report on Divinity/Ministry at Moody Bible Institute

18
Regent crest
Regent University
Virginia Beach, Virginia

Regent University did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Divinity Studies Schools For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #18. Virginia Beach, Virginia is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out ’s divinity studies degrees to 109 students in 2020-2021.

It costs about $20,479 for divinity studies students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend Regent University.

Full Regent Divinity/Ministry Report

19
CIU crest
Columbia International University
Columbia, South Carolina

Columbia International University ranked #19 on this year’s Best Value Divinity Studies Schools For Those Making $0-$30k list. Columbia International University is a small private not-for-profit school situated in Columbia, South Carolina. It awarded 21 ’s divinity studies degrees in 2020-2021.

It costs about $15,997 for Divinity Studies students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend CIU.

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 Columbia International University Divinity/Ministry Report

20
ORU crest
Oral Roberts University
Tulsa, Oklahoma

Oral Roberts University did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Divinity Studies Schools For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #20. Located in Tulsa, Oklahoma, this small private not-for-profit school handed out 70 diplomas to qualified ’s divinity studies students in 2020-2021.

ORU not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #24 on our “Best Divinity/Ministry Schools” list. The yearly cost to attend ORU is $16,080 for Divinity Studies students whose families make $0-$30k.

Full Oral Roberts University Divinity/Ministry Report

21
FHU crest
Freed-Hardeman University
Henderson, Tennessee

Freed-Hardeman University ranked #21 on this year’s Best Value Divinity Studies Schools For Those Making $0-$30k list. Henderson, Tennessee is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out ’s divinity studies degrees to 5 students in 2020-2021.

The estimated yearly cost for Freed-Hardeman University is $12,813 for divinity studies students whose families make $0-$30k.

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%.

Read full report on Divinity/Ministry at Freed-Hardeman University

22
Bethel University Minnesota crest
Bethel University Minnesota
Saint Paul, Minnesota

Bethel University Minnesota came in at #22 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Divinity Studies Schools For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Saint Paul, Minnesota is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out ’s divinity studies degrees to 47 students in 2020-2021.

Bethel University Minnesota also made our “Best Divinity/Ministry Schools” list, coming in at #22. The estimated yearly cost for Bethel University Minnesota is $21,313 for divinity studies students whose families make $0-$30k.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 1.9%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 85%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.

Read more about Divinity/Ministry at Bethel University Minnesota

23
Andrews crest
Andrews University
Berrien Springs, Michigan

With a ranking of #23, Andrews University did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Divinity Studies Schools For Those Making $0-$30k list. Andrews is a small school located in Berrien Springs, Michigan that handed out 148 ’s divinity studies degrees in 2020-2021.

It costs about $19,916 for divinity studies students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend Andrews.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 3.5%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%. The undergraduate student-to-faculty ratio of 10 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 85%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.

Read more about Divinity/Ministry at Andrews

24
SEU crest
Southeastern University
Lakeland, Florida

Southeastern University came in at #24 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Divinity Studies Schools For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Located in Lakeland, Florida, this medium-sized private not-for-profit school handed out 441 diplomas to qualified ’s divinity studies students in 2020-2021.

In addition to being on our divinity studies students whose families make $0-$30k list, SEU has also earned the #4 rank in our “Best Divinity/Ministry Schools” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Southeastern University is $25,798 for divinity studies students whose families make $0-$30k.

Full SEU Divinity/Ministry Report

25
Grand Canyon University crest
Grand Canyon University
Phoenix, Arizona

Grand Canyon University did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Divinity Studies Schools For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #25. Grand Canyon University is a large school located in Phoenix, Arizona that handed out 47 ’s divinity studies degrees in 2020-2021.

It costs about $17,460 for divinity studies students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend Grand Canyon University.

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 Divinity/Ministry at Grand Canyon University

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