Find Schools

Study Area & Zipcode

Theological & Ministerial Studies

Find Schools Near

2022 Best Value Theology Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k

16 Ranked Colleges
532 Degrees Awarded
$18,300 Avg Net Price*
Best Value Theology Schools for a Bachelor's in the Great Lakes Region 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 Theology Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k” ranking is part of that endeavor.

In 2019-2020, 15,051 people earned their degree in theological and ministerial studies, making the major the 55th most popular in the United States. In 2017-2018, theological and ministerial studies graduates who were awarded their degree in 2015-2017, earned an average of $36,911 and had an average of $41,597 in loans still to pay off.

Across the Great Lakes region, there were 2,268 theological and ministerial studies graduates with average earnings and debt of $41,132 and $45,038 respectively. At the bachelor’s degree level specifically, there were 532 theological and ministerial studies graduates with average earnings and debt of $39,075 and $25,381 respectively.

For this year’s “Best Value Theology Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k” ranking, we looked at 16 colleges that offer a degree in theological and ministerial studies. This ranking identifies schools with high-quality theological and ministerial studies 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 theological and ministerial studies program at the school and the cost of the school after aid is awarded among other things. For more information, check out our ranking methodology.

More Ways to Rank Theological & Ministerial Studies Schools

Since picking the right college can be one of the most important decisions of your life, we’ve developed the “Best Value Theology Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k” ranking, along with many other major-related rankings, to help you make that decision.

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. 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 a Bachelor’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k

The colleges and universities below are the best for great lakes region bachelor’s degree theology students whose families make $0-$30k.

Top 16 Best Value Bachelor’s Degree Colleges for Theological & Ministerial Studies (Income $0-$30k) in the Great Lakes Region

#1

University of Chicago

Chicago, Illinois
#2 in overall quality

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend University of Chicago. It ranked #1 on our 2022 Best Value Theology Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. UChicago is a private not-for-profit institution located in Chicago, Illinois. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 4 bachelors’s degrees in 2019-2020.

UChicago also took the #2 spot in our “Best Theological & Ministerial Studies Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend UChicago is $2,712 for great lakes region bachelor’s degree theology students whose families make $0-$30k.

The 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 low 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%. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 100%.

Read more about Theological & Ministerial Studies at University of Chicago

#2

University of Notre Dame

Notre Dame, Indiana

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend University of Notre Dame. It ranked #2 on our 2022 Best Value Theology Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. This fairly large school is located in Notre Dame, Indiana, and it awarded 48 bachelors’s theology degrees in 2019-2020.

Notre Dame also took the #1 spot in our “Best Theological & Ministerial Studies Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. It costs about $12,498 for great lakes region bachelor’s degree theology students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend University of Notre Dame.

Since the school has a student-to-faculty ratio of 9 to 1, those pursuing a degree will have more opportunities to interact with their professors. The student loan default rate at the school is 0.7%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%. 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 more about Theological & Ministerial Studies at University of Notre Dame

#3

Kuyper College

Grand Rapids, Michigan
#4 in overall quality

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Kuyper College. It ranked #3 on our 2022 Best Value Theology Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. Grand Rapids, Michigan is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out bachelors’s theology degrees to 10 students in 2019-2020.

Kuyper not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #4 on our “Best Theological & Ministerial Studies Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. The estimated yearly cost for Kuyper College is $19,056 for Great Lakes Region Bachelor’s Degree Theology students whose families make $0-$30k.

With a student-to-faculty ratio of 9 to 1, it’s easy to see that the school is committed to helping their undergraduates succeed. The student loan default rate at the school is 4.4%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Full Kuyper Theological & Ministerial Studies Report

Out of the 16 schools in the Best Value Theology Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k that were part of this year’s ranking, Franciscan University of Steubenville landed the #4 spot on the list. Located in Steubenville, Ohio, this small private not-for-profit school handed out 91 diplomas to qualified bachelors’s theology students in 2019-2020.

Franciscan U not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #5 on our “Best Theological & Ministerial Studies Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. The estimated yearly cost for Franciscan U is $18,799 for Great Lakes Region Bachelor’s Degree Theology students whose families make $0-$30k.

Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 86%. The student loan default rate at the school is 2.4%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Full Franciscan University of Steubenville Theological & Ministerial Studies Report

#5

Moody Bible Institute

Chicago, Illinois

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Moody Bible Institute. The school came in at #5 for the Best Value Theology Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k. Moody Bible Institute is located in Chicago, Illinois and, has a small student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 137 bachelors’s theology degrees to qualified students.

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 Theological & Ministerial Studies Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Moody Theological Seminary and Graduate School is $17,212 for great lakes region bachelor’s degree theology students whose families make $0-$30k.

Read more about Theological & Ministerial Studies at Moody Theological Seminary and Graduate School

#9 in overall quality

With a ranking of #6, Indiana Wesleyan University did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Theology Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. This small school is located in Marion, Indiana, and it awarded 8 bachelors’s theology degrees in 2019-2020.

IWU not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #9 on our “Best Theological & Ministerial Studies Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. The yearly cost to attend Indiana Wesleyan University is $17,450 for Great Lakes Region Bachelor’s Degree Theology students whose families make $0-$30k.

Read full report on Theological & Ministerial Studies at IWU

#7

Olivet Nazarene University

Bourbonnais, Illinois
#8 in overall quality

With a ranking of #7, Olivet Nazarene University did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Theology Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. Olivet Nazarene is a small school located in Bourbonnais, Illinois that handed out 8 bachelors’s theology degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Olivet Nazarene, the school also landed the #8 spot in our “Best Theological & Ministerial Studies Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Olivet Nazarene is $15,806 for great lakes region bachelor’s degree theology students whose families make $0-$30k.

The school has an impressive student loan default rate. It’s only 3.4%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Full Olivet Nazarene University Theological & Ministerial Studies Report

#8

Malone University

Canton, Ohio
#12 in overall quality

Malone University ranked #8 on this year’s Best Value Theology Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. This small school is located in Canton, Ohio, and it awarded 2 bachelors’s theology degrees in 2019-2020.

Malone also made our “Best Theological & Ministerial Studies Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list, coming in at #12. The estimated yearly cost for Malone is $17,721 for Great Lakes Region Bachelor’s Degree Theology students whose families make $0-$30k.

Read full report on Theological & Ministerial Studies at Malone University

#9

Andrews University

Berrien Springs, Michigan
#6 in overall quality

Andrews University came in at #9 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Theology Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Andrews is a small private not-for-profit school situated in Berrien Springs, Michigan. It awarded 13 bachelors’s theology degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Andrews, the school also landed the #6 spot in our “Best Theological & Ministerial Studies Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Andrews is $16,868 for Great Lakes Region Bachelor’s Degree Theology students whose families make $0-$30k.

Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 85%. The impressive 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. The low student loan default rate of 4.8% 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 Andrews University Theological & Ministerial Studies Report

#10 in overall quality

With a ranking of #10, Indiana Wesleyan University - National & Global did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Theology Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. Indiana Wesleyan University - National & Global is a fairly large school located in Marion, Indiana that handed out 11 bachelors’s theology degrees in 2019-2020.

IWU also made our “Best Theological & Ministerial Studies Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list, coming in at #10. The yearly cost to attend Indiana Wesleyan University - National & Global is $21,589 for Great Lakes Region Bachelor’s Degree Theology students whose families make $0-$30k.

Full Indiana Wesleyan University - National & Global Theological & Ministerial Studies Report

#11

Concordia University, Wisconsin

Mequon, Wisconsin

Concordia University, Wisconsin ranked #11 on this year’s Best Value Theology Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. Concordia University, Wisconsin is a medium-sized private not-for-profit school situated in Mequon, Wisconsin. It awarded 10 bachelors’s theology degrees in 2019-2020.

Concordia University, Wisconsin not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #13 on our “Best Theological & Ministerial Studies Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. The estimated yearly cost for Concordia University, Wisconsin is $20,297 for great lakes region bachelor’s degree theology students whose families make $0-$30k.

The student loan default rate at the school is 4.6%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Full Concordia University, Wisconsin Theological & Ministerial Studies Report

#12

Cornerstone University

Grand Rapids, Michigan
#15 in overall quality

Cornerstone University landed the #12 spot on the 2022 Best Value Theology Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Cornerstone University is located in Grand Rapids, Michigan and, has a small student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 16 bachelors’s theology degrees to qualified students.

Cornerstone also took the #15 spot in our “Best Theological & Ministerial Studies Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Cornerstone is $18,169 for Great Lakes Region Bachelor’s Degree Theology students whose families make $0-$30k.

With a freshman retention rate of 86%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its students.

Full Cornerstone Theological & Ministerial Studies Report

#13

Anderson University Indiana

Anderson, Indiana
#14 in overall quality

Anderson University Indiana did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Theology Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #13. Anderson University Indiana is a private not-for-profit institution located in Anderson, Indiana. The school has a small population, and it awarded 3 bachelors’s degrees in 2019-2020.

Anderson University Indiana also took the #14 spot in our “Best Theological & Ministerial Studies Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. It costs about $16,528 for great lakes region bachelor’s degree theology students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend Anderson University Indiana.

The 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 full report on Theological & Ministerial Studies at Anderson University Indiana

#14

Ohio Christian University

Circleville, Ohio
#11 in overall quality

With a ranking of #14, Ohio Christian University did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Theology Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. Ohio Christian University is located in Circleville, Ohio and, has a small student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 52 bachelors’s theology degrees to qualified students.

OCU not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #11 on our “Best Theological & Ministerial Studies Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. It costs about $26,390 for great lakes region bachelor’s degree theology students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend OCU.

The impressive 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 Theological & Ministerial Studies at OCU

#15

Loyola University Chicago

Chicago, Illinois
#7 in overall quality

Loyola University Chicago came in at #15 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Theology Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Loyola Chicago is located in Chicago, Illinois and, has a fairly large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 3 bachelors’s theology degrees to qualified students.

Loyola Chicago also took the #7 spot in our “Best Theological & Ministerial Studies Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Loyola Chicago is $29,440 for great lakes region bachelor’s degree theology students whose families make $0-$30k.

The low student loan default rate of 3.4% 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 85%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its students.

Read full report on Theological & Ministerial Studies at Loyola Chicago

#16

Concordia University, Ann Arbor

Ann Arbor, Michigan

Concordia University, Ann Arbor came in at #16 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Theology Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Ann Arbor, Michigan is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out bachelors’s theology degrees to 2 students in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our great lakes region bachelor’s degree theology students whose families make $0-$30k list, Concordia University, Ann Arbor has also earned the #16 rank in our “Best Theological & Ministerial Studies Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. It costs about $22,810 for Great Lakes Region Bachelor’s Degree Theology students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend Concordia University, Ann Arbor.

The student loan default rate at the school is 4.6%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%. With a 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 Theological & Ministerial Studies at Concordia University, Ann Arbor

Switch to a Different Ranking Method

Notes and References

References

  • The Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), a branch of the U.S. Department of Education (DOE) serves as the core of our data about colleges.
  • Some other college data, including much of the graduate earnings data, comes from the U.S. Department of Education’s (College Scorecard).
  • Information about the national average student loan default rate is from the U.S. Department of Education and refers to data about the 2016 borrower cohort tracking period for which the cohort default rate (CDR) was 10.1%.

Read more about our data sources and methodologies

Footnotes

  • *Average salary, average net price, and average tuition and fees are for the top schools only.
  • Some schools otherwise deserving of recognition may have been removed from this ranking in the event that new data identified post-publication warranted it, or at the request of the school.

Credits

  • Credit for the banner image above goes to Jonund.

Featured Philosophy and Religious Studies Schools

Find Schools Near You