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2025 Best Theological & Ministerial Studies Schools in the Great Lakes Region

11 Colleges in the Great Lakes Region
2,250 Theology Degrees Awarded
$49,215 Avg Early-Career Salary
If you plan on majoring in theological & ministerial studies, you won't be alone since the degree program is ranked #63 in the country in terms of popularity. This means you won't have too much trouble finding schools that offer the degree.

In 2025, College Factual analyzed 11 schools in order to identify the top ones for its Best Theological & Ministerial Studies Schools in the Great Lakes Region ranking. Combined, these schools handed out 2,250 degrees in theological & ministerial studies to qualified students.

What's on this page: * Degree-Level Rankings

Choosing a Great Theological & Ministerial Studies School

Best Theological & Ministerial Studies Schools in the Great Lakes Region The theology program you select can have a big impact on your future. That's why we developed our collection of Best Schools for Theological & Ministerial Studies rankings. We derive our Best Overall Theological & Ministerial Studies School rankings by rolling up our degree-level rankings after weighting them by the number of degrees awarded at each school.

In order to find the schools that are the best fit for you, you may want to filter to one of the degree levels below.

Theological & Ministerial Studies Rankings by Degree Level

Associate Degrees in Theology
Bachelor's Degrees in Theology
Master's Degrees in Theology
Doctor's Degrees in Theology

Since the program you select can have a significant impact on your future, we've developed a number of rankings, including this Best Theological & Ministerial Studies Schools in the Great Lakes Region list, to help you choose the best school for you. You can also filter this list by location to find schools closer to you.

In addition to College Factual's rankings, you may want to take a look at College Combat, our unique tool that lets you pit your favorite schools head-to-head and compare how they rate on factors that most interest you. When you have some time, check it out - you may want to bookmark the link so you don't forget it.

More information on how we come up with our rankings can be found here: College Factual's Data Methodology.

Best Schools for Theological & Ministerial Studies in the Great Lakes Region

The schools below may not offer all types of theology degrees so you may want to filter by degree level first. However, they are great for the degree levels they do offer.

10 Top Great Lakes Region Schools in Theology

1
Doctor's Degree Highest Degree Type
130 Theology Degrees Awarded
$44,214 Median Starting Salary

University of Notre Dame is one of the finest schools in the country for getting a degree in theological & ministerial studies. Notre Dame is a fairly large private not-for-profit university located in the suburb of Notre Dame. A Best Colleges rank of #29 out of 2,152 schools nationwide means Notre Dame is a great university overall.

There were approximately 130 theological & ministerial studies students who graduated with this degree at Notre Dame in the most recent year we have data available. Students who graduate with their degree from the theology program state that they receive average early career earnings of $44,214.

More information about a degree in theological & ministerial studies from University of Notre Dame

2
Master's Degree Highest Degree Type
196 Theology Degrees Awarded
$41,640 Median Starting Salary

Moody Bible Institute is a good decision for students interested in a degree in theological & ministerial studies. Located in the large city of Chicago, Moody Theological Seminary and Graduate School is a private not-for-profit school with a small student population.

There were roughly 196 theological & ministerial studies students who graduated with this degree at Moody Theological Seminary and Graduate School in the most recent data year. Graduates who receive their degree from the theology program earn about $41,640 for their early career.

More information about a degree in theological & ministerial studies from Moody Bible Institute

3
Bachelor's Degree Highest Degree Type
$57,119 Median Starting Salary

It's hard to beat Indiana Wesleyan University if you want to pursue a degree in theological & ministerial studies. IWU is a small private not-for-profit university located in the town of Marion. A Best Colleges rank of #555 out of 2,152 schools nationwide means IWU is a great university overall.

There were approximately 6 theological & ministerial studies students who graduated with this degree at IWU in the most recent year we have data available. Those theological & ministerial studies students who get their degree from Indiana Wesleyan University earn $7,904 more than the typical theology student.

More information about a degree in theological & ministerial studies from Indiana Wesleyan University

4
Master's Degree Highest Degree Type
191 Theology Degrees Awarded
$31,968 Median Starting Salary

Franciscan University of Steubenville is a good decision for students pursuing a degree in theological & ministerial studies. Located in the city of Steubenville, Franciscan U is a private not-for-profit university with a small student population. This university ranks 26th out of 91 schools for overall quality in the state of Ohio.

There were roughly 191 theological & ministerial studies students who graduated with this degree at Franciscan U in the most recent data year. Students who graduate with their degree from the theology program state that they receive average early career earnings of $31,968.

More information about a degree in theological & ministerial studies from Franciscan University of Steubenville

5
Master's Degree Highest Degree Type
12th Most Popular In IN

Located in the distant town of Winona Lake, Grace College is a private not-for-profit college with a small student population. This college ranks 25th out of 41 schools for overall quality in the state of Indiana.

There were approximately 7 theological & ministerial studies students who graduated with this degree at Grace College in the most recent data year.

More information about a degree in theological & ministerial studies from Grace College and Theological Seminary

6
Doctor's Degree Highest Degree Type
104 Theology Degrees Awarded
4.8% Growth in Graduates

TIU Illinois is a fairly small private not-for-profit university located in the large suburb of Deerfield. This university ranks 702nd out of 2,152 schools for overall quality nationwide.

There were about 104 theological & ministerial studies students who graduated with this degree at TIU Illinois in the most recent year we have data available. Students who graduate with their degree from the theology program state that they receive average early career income of $50,178.

More information about a degree in theological & ministerial studies from Trinity International University - Illinois

7
Doctor's Degree Highest Degree Type
48 Theology Degrees Awarded
$28,299 Median Starting Salary

Located in the distant town of Lincoln, Lincoln Christian College and Seminary is a private not-for-profit university with a fairly small student population.

There were roughly 48 theological & ministerial studies students who graduated with this degree at Lincoln Christian College and Seminary in the most recent data year. Students who graduate with their degree from the theology program state that they receive average early career earnings of $28,299.

More information about a degree in theological & ministerial studies from Lincoln Christian University

8
Master's Degree Highest Degree Type
39 Theology Degrees Awarded
7.7% Growth in Graduates

IWU is a large private not-for-profit university located in the rural area of Marion. A Best Colleges rank of #224 out of 2,152 schools nationwide means IWU is a great university overall.

There were approximately 39 theological & ministerial studies students who graduated with this degree at IWU in the most recent year we have data available. Those theological & ministerial studies students who get their degree from Indiana Wesleyan University - National & Global earn $7,904 more than the typical theology student.

More information about a degree in theological & ministerial studies from Indiana Wesleyan University - National & Global

9

Located in the large suburb of Wheaton, Wheaton College Illinois is a private not-for-profit college with a small student population. A Best Colleges rank of #407 out of 2,152 colleges nationwide means Wheaton College Illinois is a great college overall.

There were roughly 30 theological & ministerial studies students who graduated with this degree at Wheaton College Illinois in the most recent data year. Degree recipients from the theological & ministerial studies degree program at Wheaton College Illinois earn $6,854 more than the standard college graduate with the same degree shortly after graduation.

More information about a degree in theological & ministerial studies from Wheaton College Illinois

10
Cedarville crest
Cedarville University
Cedarville, OH
Master's Degree Highest Degree Type
11th Most Popular In OH
33.3% Growth in Graduates

Cedarville is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university located in the rural area of Cedarville. This university ranks 31st out of 91 schools for overall quality in the state of Ohio.

There were roughly 15 theological & ministerial studies students who graduated with this degree at Cedarville in the most recent data year.

More information about a degree in theological & ministerial studies from Cedarville University

Best Theological & Ministerial Studies Colleges by State

Explore the best theological & ministerial studies colleges for a specific state in the Great Lakes Region .

State Colleges Degrees Awarded
Michigan 322 328
Ohio 314 609
Illinois 304 812
Indiana 294 391
Wisconsin 273 80

View All Rankings >

One of 7 majors within the Theology & Religious Vocations area of study, Theological & Ministerial Studies has other similar majors worth exploring.

Theology Concentrations

Major Annual Graduates
Theology 1,070
Divinity/Ministry 923
Other Theological & Ministerial Studies 221
Pre-Theology/Pre-Ministerial Studies 36

View All Theology Focus Areas >

Related Major Annual Graduates
Pastoral Counseling & Specialized Ministries 775
Biblical Studies 479
Theology & Religious Vocations (Other) 344
Religious Education 244
Missionary Studies 183
Sacred Music 83
Religious Institution Administration and Law 9

View All Theology Related Majors >

Notes and References

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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