2023 Best Value Colleges for Theological & Ministerial Studies (With Aid)
92
Ranked Colleges
15,832
Degrees Awarded
$20,100
Avg Net Price*
It’s not easy to decide which college to attend when there so many options available for students. College Factual has developed its “Best Value Theology Schools For Those Getting Aid” ranking as one item you can use to help make this decision.
In 2020-2021, 15,832 people earned their degree in theological and ministerial studies, making the major the 63rd most popular in the United States. In 2019-2020, theological and ministerial studies graduates who were awarded their degree in 2017-2019, earned an average of $40,590 and had an average of $26,272 in loans still to pay off.
This year’s “Best Value Theology Schools For Those Getting Aid” ranking analyzed 92 colleges that offered a degree in theological and ministerial studies. The schools that top this list are recognized because they have great theological and ministerial studies programs and cost less that schools of similar quality.
When determining these rankings, we looked at things such as overall quality of the theological and ministerial studies program at the school and the cost to attend the school once aid has been awarded. Check out our ranking methodology for more information.
More Ways to Rank Theological & Ministerial Studies Schools
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 “Best Value Theology Schools For Those Getting Aid”.
You can create your own custom comparison that focuses on the factors most important to you using our 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.
Best Value Theology Schools For Those Getting Aid
The colleges and universities below are the best for theology students with aid.
Top 25 Best Value Colleges for Theological & Ministerial Studies (With Aid)
You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Moody Bible Institute. It ranked #1 on our 2023 Best Value Theology Schools For Those Getting Aid list. Moody Bible Institute is a private not-for-profit institution located in Chicago, Illinois. The school has a small population, and it awarded 200 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.
Moody Theological Seminary and Graduate School also made our “Best Theological & Ministerial Studies Schools” list, coming in at #9. The estimated yearly cost for Moody Bible Institute is $19,679 for theology 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%.
Read more about Theological & Ministerial Studies at Moody Bible Institute
You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Yale University. The school came in at #2 for the Best Value Theology Schools For Those Getting Aid. Yale is a fairly large school located in New Haven, Connecticut that handed out 124 ’s theology degrees in 2020-2021.
Yale also took the #6 spot in our “Best Theological & Ministerial Studies Schools” ranking. It costs about $15,296 for Theology students with aid per year to attend Yale.
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%. Since the school has a undergrad student-to-faculty ratio of 4 to 1, those pursuing a degree will have more opportunities to interact with their professors.
Read full report on Theological & Ministerial Studies at Yale University
You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary. It ranked #3 on our 2023 Best Value Theology Schools For Those Getting Aid list. MBTS is located in Kansas City, Missouri and, has a small student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 464 ’s theology degrees to qualified students.
As a testament to the quality of education offered at MBTS, the school also landed the #8 spot in our “Best Theological & Ministerial Studies Schools” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary is $19,405 for Theology students with aid.
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 Theological & Ministerial Studies at Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary
Out of the 92 schools in the Best Value Theology Schools For Those Getting Aid that were part of this year’s ranking, Harvard University landed the #4 spot on the list. This large school is located in Cambridge, Massachusetts, and it awarded 94 ’s theology degrees in 2020-2021.
Harvard also took the #13 spot in our “Best Theological & Ministerial Studies Schools” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Harvard University is $13,872 for Theology students with aid.
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 low undergrad student loan default rate of 0.9% 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 full report on Theological & Ministerial Studies at Harvard University
Out of the 92 schools in the Best Value Theology Schools For Those Getting Aid that were part of this year’s ranking, Duke University landed the #5 spot on the list. Durham, North Carolina is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out ’s theology degrees to 185 students in 2020-2021.
Duke did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #1 on our “Best Theological & Ministerial Studies Schools” list. The yearly cost to attend Duke University is $32,459 for theology students with aid.
The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 0.3%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%. Since the school has a undergrad student-to-faculty ratio of 6 to 1, those pursuing a degree will have more opportunities to interact with their professors. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 97%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.
Read full report on Theological & Ministerial Studies at Duke
Regent University ranked #6 on this year’s Best Value Theology Schools For Those Getting Aid list. Virginia Beach, Virginia is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out ’s theology degrees to 198 students in 2020-2021.
The yearly cost to attend Regent is $24,888 for Theology students with aid.
Read full report on Theological & Ministerial Studies at Regent University
The Baptist College of Florida came in at #7 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Theology Schools For Those Getting Aid ranking. This small school is located in Graceville, Florida, and it awarded 16 ’s theology degrees in 2020-2021.
The yearly cost to attend The Baptist College of Florida is $11,764 for Theology students with aid.
The undergraduate student-to-faculty ratio of 8 to 1 is a sign that students will have more opportunities to engage with their professors one-on-one.
Read more about Theological & Ministerial Studies at BCF
Columbia International University did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Theology Schools For Those Getting Aid ranking, coming in at #8. Located in Columbia, South Carolina, this small private not-for-profit school awarded 47 diplomas to qualified ’s theology students in 2020-2021.
The yearly cost to attend CIU is $18,222 for theology students with aid.
The low undergrad student loan default rate of 4.3% 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 CIU Theological & Ministerial Studies Report
Ave Maria University came in at #9 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Theology Schools For Those Getting Aid ranking. Ave Maria University is a small school located in Ave Maria, Florida that handed out 37 ’s theology degrees in 2020-2021.
It costs about $18,264 for theology students with aid per year to attend Ave Maria University.
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%.
Read full report on Theological & Ministerial Studies at Ave Maria University
Lincoln Christian University ranked #10 on this year’s Best Value Theology Schools For Those Getting Aid list. Located in Lincoln, Illinois, this small private not-for-profit school awarded 60 degrees to qualified ’s theology students in 2020-2021.
Lincoln Christian College and Seminary also claimed a top spot on our “Best Theological & Ministerial Studies Schools” list. It’s ranked in the top 20% of all schools on our “Best Theological & Ministerial Studies Schools” list. It costs about $19,638 for Theology students with aid per year to attend Lincoln Christian University.
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 Theological & Ministerial Studies at Lincoln Christian College and Seminary
Johnson University came in at #11 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Theology Schools For Those Getting Aid ranking. Johnson University is a small school located in Knoxville, Tennessee that handed out 58 ’s theology degrees in 2020-2021.
The estimated yearly cost for Johnson University is $17,671 for Theology students with aid.
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%. 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.
Full Johnson University Theological & Ministerial Studies Report
Olivet Nazarene University came in at #12 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Theology Schools For Those Getting Aid ranking. Olivet Nazarene is a small school located in Bourbonnais, Illinois that handed out 24 ’s theology degrees in 2020-2021.
Olivet Nazarene did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #17 on our “Best Theological & Ministerial Studies Schools” list. It costs about $19,470 for Theology students with aid per year to attend Olivet Nazarene.
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%.
Full Olivet Nazarene Theological & Ministerial Studies Report
Southeastern University did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Theology Schools For Those Getting Aid ranking, coming in at #13. This medium-sized school is located in Lakeland, Florida, and it awarded 466 ’s theology degrees in 2020-2021.
SEU not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #4 on our “Best Theological & Ministerial Studies Schools” list. The estimated yearly cost for Southeastern University is $26,640 for Theology students with aid.
Full Southeastern University Theological & Ministerial Studies Report
Harding University ranked #14 on this year’s Best Value Theology Schools For Those Getting Aid list. Harding University is a small school located in Searcy, Arkansas that handed out 31 ’s theology degrees in 2020-2021.
It costs about $19,456 for Theology students with aid per year to attend Harding.
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%. With a freshman retention rate of 87%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.
Full Harding Theological & Ministerial Studies Report
With a ranking of #15, Clarks Summit University did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Theology Schools For Those Getting Aid list. South Abington Township, Pennsylvania is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out ’s theology degrees to 33 students in 2020-2021.
The estimated yearly cost for Clarks Summit University is $17,398 for theology students with aid.
Full CSU Theological & Ministerial Studies Report
Freed-Hardeman University landed the #16 spot on the 2023 Best Value Theology Schools For Those Getting Aid ranking. Freed-Hardeman University is a private not-for-profit institution located in Henderson, Tennessee. The school has a small population, and it awarded 7 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.
FHU did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed # on our "" list. The yearly cost to attend FHU is $17,152 for Theology students with aid.
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 Theological & Ministerial Studies at Freed-Hardeman University
With a ranking of #17, Oral Roberts University did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Theology Schools For Those Getting Aid list. Located in Tulsa, Oklahoma, this small private not-for-profit school handed out 128 diplomas to qualified ’s theology students in 2020-2021.
It costs about $19,355 for theology students with aid per year to attend ORU.
Read full report on Theological & Ministerial Studies at ORU
Criswell College landed the #18 spot on the 2023 Best Value Theology Schools For Those Getting Aid ranking. Criswell College is located in Dallas, Texas and, has a small student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 8 ’s theology degrees to qualified students.
In addition to being on our theology students with aid list, Criswell College has also earned the # rank in our "" ranking. The yearly cost to attend Criswell College is $13,919 for Theology students with aid.
The undergraduate student-to-faculty ratio of 7 to 1 is a sign that students will have more opportunities to engage with their professors one-on-one.
Read full report on Theological & Ministerial Studies at Criswell College
Emory University ranked #19 on this year’s Best Value Theology Schools For Those Getting Aid list. Emory is located in Atlanta, Georgia and, has a fairly large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 145 ’s theology degrees to qualified students.
In addition to being on our theology students with aid list, Emory has also earned the #7 rank in our “Best Theological & Ministerial Studies Schools” ranking. It costs about $22,597 for theology students with aid per year to attend Emory University.
Since the school has a undergrad student-to-faculty ratio of 9 to 1, those pursuing a degree will have more opportunities to interact with their professors. 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.
Read more about Theological & Ministerial Studies at Emory University
Martin Luther College came in at #20 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Theology Schools For Those Getting Aid ranking. This small school is located in New Ulm, Minnesota, and it awarded 37 ’s theology degrees in 2020-2021.
It costs about $22,205 for Theology students with aid per year to attend MLC.
With a freshman retention rate of 88%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. The low undergrad student loan default rate of 0.5% 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 Theological & Ministerial Studies at MLC
Grand Canyon University landed the #21 spot on the 2023 Best Value Theology Schools For Those Getting Aid ranking. Located in Phoenix, Arizona, this large private for-profit school handed out 47 degrees to qualified ’s theology students in 2020-2021.
The yearly cost to attend Grand Canyon University is $20,585 for Theology 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%.
Read more about Theological & Ministerial Studies at Grand Canyon University
Mid-America Christian University came in at #22 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Theology Schools For Those Getting Aid ranking. Mid-America Christian University is a small school located in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma that handed out 44 ’s theology degrees in 2020-2021.
The yearly cost to attend Mid-America Christian University is $18,635 for Theology students with aid.
Full Mid-America Christian University Theological & Ministerial Studies Report
With a ranking of #23, Vanderbilt University did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Theology Schools For Those Getting Aid list. This fairly large school is located in Nashville, Tennessee, and it awarded 57 ’s theology degrees in 2020-2021.
Vanderbilt not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #11 on our “Best Theological & Ministerial Studies Schools” list. The yearly cost to attend Vanderbilt is $19,970 for theology students with aid.
The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 96%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. 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. The low undergrad student loan default rate of 0.9% 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 full report on Theological & Ministerial Studies at Vanderbilt
University of Notre Dame ranked #24 on this year’s Best Value Theology Schools For Those Getting Aid list. University of Notre Dame is located in Notre Dame, Indiana and, has a fairly large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 139 ’s theology degrees to qualified students.
In addition to being on our theology students with aid list, Notre Dame has also earned the #2 rank in our “Best Theological & Ministerial Studies Schools” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Notre Dame is $31,101 for theology students with aid.
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%. Since the school has a undergrad student-to-faculty ratio of 9 to 1, those pursuing a degree will have more opportunities to interact with their professors. With a freshman retention rate of 97%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.
Read full report on Theological & Ministerial Studies at University of Notre Dame
Andrews University landed the #25 spot on the 2023 Best Value Theology Schools For Those Getting Aid ranking. Berrien Springs, Michigan is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out ’s theology degrees to 154 students in 2020-2021.
It costs about $23,408 for theology students with aid per year to attend Andrews.
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 3.5%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%. The impressive undergraduate student-to-faculty ratio of 10 to 1 means that students may have more opportunities to work more closely with their professors than they would at other schools.
Full Andrews Theological & Ministerial Studies Report
