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2025 Best Theological & Ministerial Studies Schools in Illinois

4 Colleges in Illinois
797 Theology Degrees Awarded
$49,215 Avg Early-Career Salary
Theological & Ministerial Studies is above average in terms of popularity with it being the #63 most popular degree program in the country. As a result, there are many college that offer the degree, making your choice of school a hard one.

College Factual looked at 4 colleges and universities when compiling its 2025 Best Theological & Ministerial Studies Schools in Illinois ranking. When you put them all together, these colleges and universities awarded 797 degrees in theological & ministerial studies annually.

Jump to one of the following sections: * Degree-Level Rankings

Choosing a Great Theological & Ministerial Studies School

Best Theological & Ministerial Studies Schools in Illinois Your choice of theological & ministerial studies school matters, so we have put together these rankings to help you make your decision. For our Best Overall Theological & Ministerial Studies School rankings, we roll up the results of our degree-level rankings, weighted by the number of degrees awarded at that level.

You may want to choose one of the degree levels below to find the schools of most interest to you.

Pick Your Theological & Ministerial Studies Degree Level

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

The theology school you choose to invest your time and money in matters. To help you make the decision that is right for you, we've developed a number of major-specific rankings, including this list of the Best Theological & Ministerial Studies Schools in Illinois. If you'd like to restrict your choices to just one part of the country, you can filter this list by location.

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 when you get a chance! You may also want to bookmark the link and share it with others who are trying to make the college decision.

If you want to learn more about how we derive our rankings, see College Factual's Methodology.

Best Schools for Theological & Ministerial Studies in Illinois

If you aren't interested in a particular degree level and want to know which schools are the overall best at delivering an education for the theology degrees they offer, see the list below.

Top Illinois Schools in Theology

1
Master's Degree Highest Degree Type
196 Theology Degrees Awarded
$41,640 Median Starting Salary

Every student pursuing a degree in theological & ministerial studies has to check out Moody Bible Institute. Moody Theological Seminary and Graduate School is a small private not-for-profit school located in the large city of Chicago.

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. After graduation, theology degree recipients usually make an average of $41,640 at the beginning of their careers.

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

2
Doctor's Degree Highest Degree Type
104 Theology Degrees Awarded
4.8% Growth in Graduates

Any student pursuing a degree in theological & ministerial studies has to take a look at Trinity International University - Illinois. Located in the large suburb of Deerfield, TIU Illinois is a private not-for-profit university with a fairly small student population.

There were roughly 104 theological & ministerial studies students who graduated with this degree at TIU Illinois in the most recent year we have data available. Graduates who receive their degree from the theology program earn about $50,178 for their early career.

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

3
Doctor's Degree Highest Degree Type
48 Theology Degrees Awarded
$28,299 Median Starting Salary

Lincoln Christian University is a great decision for students interested in a degree in theological & ministerial studies. Lincoln Christian College and Seminary is a fairly small private not-for-profit university located in the distant town of Lincoln.

There were roughly 48 theological & ministerial studies students who graduated with this degree at Lincoln Christian College and Seminary in the most recent year we have data available. Students who receive their degree from the theology program earn around $28,299 in their early career salary.

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

4

Wheaton College Illinois is one of the best schools in the country for getting a degree in theological & ministerial studies. Wheaton College Illinois is a small private not-for-profit college located in the large suburb of Wheaton.

There were approximately 30 theological & ministerial studies students who graduated with this degree at Wheaton College Illinois in the most recent year we have data available. Theological & Ministerial Studies degree recipients from Wheaton College Illinois get an earnings boost of about $6,854 above the average income of theological & ministerial studies graduates.

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

Best Theological & Ministerial Studies Colleges in the Great Lakes Region

Explore all the Best Theological & Ministerial Studies Colleges in the Great Lakes Area or other specific states within that region.

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

View All Rankings >

Theological & Ministerial Studies is one of 7 different types of Theology & Religious Vocations programs to choose from.

Theology Focus Areas

Major Annual Graduates
Theology 339
Divinity/Ministry 316
Other Theological & Ministerial Studies 134
Pre-Theology/Pre-Ministerial Studies 8

View All Theology Concentrations >

Related Major Annual Graduates
Pastoral Counseling & Specialized Ministries 250
Biblical Studies 196
Missionary Studies 161
Religious Education 121
Theology & Religious Vocations (Other) 100
Sacred Music 29

View All Theology Related Majors >

Notes and References

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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