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2022 Best Value Master’s Degree Colleges for Theological & Ministerial Studies (Income $0-$30k)

108 Ranked Colleges
10,027 Degrees Awarded
$28,100 Avg Grad Tuition & Fees*
Best Value Theology Schools for a Master's For Those Making $0-$30k

When pursuing a degree in today’s world, students have many different options to choose from. 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 Master’s 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.

At the master’s degree level specifically, there were 10,027 theological and ministerial studies graduates with average earnings and debt of $56,398 and $43,194 respectively.

This year’s “Best Value Theology Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $0-$30k” ranking analyzed 108 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. See our ranking methodology to learn more.

More Ways to Rank Theological & Ministerial Studies Schools

Since the program you select can have a significant impact on your future, we’ve developed a number of rankings, including this “Best Value Theology Schools for a Master’s 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. 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 Master’s For Those Making $0-$30k

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

Top 25 Best Value Master’s Degree Colleges for Theological & Ministerial Studies (Income $0-$30k)

#1

Duke University

Durham, North Carolina

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Duke University. The school came in at #1 for the Best Value Theology Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $0-$30k. Located in Durham, North Carolina, this fairly large private not-for-profit school handed out 140 degrees to qualified masters’s theology students in 2019-2020.

Duke also took the #1 spot in our “Best Theological & Ministerial Studies Master’s Degree Schools” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at Duke University are $59,140, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read more about Theological & Ministerial Studies at Duke

#2

Yale University

New Haven, Connecticut

Out of the 108 schools in the Best Value Theology Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $0-$30k that were part of this year’s ranking, Yale University landed the #2 spot on the list. Yale is a private not-for-profit institution located in New Haven, Connecticut. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 114 masters’s degrees in 2019-2020.

Yale did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #3 on our “Best Theological & Ministerial Studies Master’s Degree Schools” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at Yale are $44,500, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read more about Theological & Ministerial Studies at Yale University

#3

Harvard University

Cambridge, Massachusetts

Out of the 108 schools in the Best Value Theology Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $0-$30k that were part of this year’s ranking, Harvard University landed the #3 spot on the list. Harvard University is located in Cambridge, Massachusetts and, has a large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 115 masters’s theology degrees to qualified students.

Harvard also took the #5 spot in our “Best Theological & Ministerial Studies Master’s Degree Schools” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at Harvard University are $50,654, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read full report on Theological & Ministerial Studies at Harvard University

#4

University of Chicago

Chicago, Illinois

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend University of Chicago. The school came in at #4 for the Best Value Theology Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $0-$30k. University of Chicago is a private not-for-profit institution located in Chicago, Illinois. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 59 masters’s degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at UChicago, the school also landed the #4 spot in our “Best Theological & Ministerial Studies Master’s Degree Schools” ranking. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at UChicago are $61,548.

Full University of Chicago Theological & Ministerial Studies Report

#5

Vanderbilt University

Nashville, Tennessee

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Vanderbilt University. It ranked #5 on our 2022 Best Value Theology Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $0-$30k list. Nashville, Tennessee is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out masters’s theology degrees to 65 students in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our master’s degree theology students whose families make $0-$30k list, Vanderbilt has also earned the #15 rank in our “Best Theological & Ministerial Studies Master’s Degree Schools” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at Vanderbilt University are $50,624, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read more about Theological & Ministerial Studies at Vanderbilt

#6

University of Notre Dame

Notre Dame, Indiana

University of Notre Dame landed the #6 spot on the 2022 Best Value Theology Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. This fairly large school is located in Notre Dame, Indiana, and it awarded 68 masters’s theology degrees in 2019-2020.

Notre Dame also took the #2 spot in our “Best Theological & Ministerial Studies Master’s Degree Schools” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at University of Notre Dame are $57,522, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read full report on Theological & Ministerial Studies at University of Notre Dame

#7

Emory University

Atlanta, Georgia

With a ranking of #7, Emory University did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Theology Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $0-$30k list. Emory University is a fairly large school located in Atlanta, Georgia that handed out 97 masters’s theology degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Emory, the school also landed the #8 spot in our “Best Theological & Ministerial Studies Master’s Degree Schools” ranking. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at Emory University are $44,676.

Full Emory Theological & Ministerial Studies Report

#8

Boston College

Chestnut Hill, Massachusetts

Boston College landed the #8 spot on the 2022 Best Value Theology Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Boston College is located in Chestnut Hill, Massachusetts and, has a fairly large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 77 masters’s theology degrees to qualified students.

Boston College did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #10 on our “Best Theological & Ministerial Studies Master’s Degree Schools” list. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at Boston College are $31,930.

Full Boston College Theological & Ministerial Studies Report

#9

Wake Forest University

Winston-Salem, North Carolina

Wake Forest University ranked #9 on this year’s Best Value Theology Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $0-$30k list. Winston-Salem, North Carolina is the setting for this medium-sized institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out masters’s theology degrees to 34 students in 2019-2020.

Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at Wake Forest University are $39,216.

Read full report on Theological & Ministerial Studies at Wake Forest University

#10

Trevecca Nazarene University

Nashville, Tennessee

Trevecca Nazarene University landed the #10 spot on the 2022 Best Value Theology Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Trevecca Nazarene University is a small private not-for-profit school situated in Nashville, Tennessee. It awarded 15 masters’s theology degrees in 2019-2020.

Average graduate tuition and fees at Trevecca Nazarene University are $9,282, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read full report on Theological & Ministerial Studies at TNU

#11

Boston University

Boston, Massachusetts

With a ranking of #11, Boston University did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Theology Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $0-$30k list. Boston, Massachusetts is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out masters’s theology degrees to 58 students in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Boston U, the school also landed the #17 spot in our “Best Theological & Ministerial Studies Master’s Degree Schools” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at Boston University are $57,666, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read more about Theological & Ministerial Studies at Boston U

#12

Freed-Hardeman University

Henderson, Tennessee

Freed-Hardeman University came in at #12 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Theology Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Freed-Hardeman University is a private not-for-profit institution located in Henderson, Tennessee. The school has a small population, and it awarded 10 masters’s degrees in 2019-2020.

Average graduate tuition and fees at FHU are $10,980, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read full report on Theological & Ministerial Studies at FHU

Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Theology Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #13. MBTS is a private not-for-profit institution located in Kansas City, Missouri. The school has a small population, and it awarded 192 masters’s degrees in 2019-2020.

MBTS also made our “Best Theological & Ministerial Studies Master’s Degree Schools” list, coming in at #13. Average graduate tuition and fees at MBTS are $6,950, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read more about Theological & Ministerial Studies at MBTS

#14

Saint Johns University

Collegeville, Minnesota

Saint Johns University landed the #14 spot on the 2022 Best Value Theology Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Located in Collegeville, Minnesota, this small private not-for-profit school handed out 14 diplomas to qualified masters’s theology students in 2019-2020.

Average graduate tuition and fees at SJU are $17,760, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read full report on Theological & Ministerial Studies at SJU

#15

Harding University

Searcy, Arkansas
Top 20% in overall quality

With a ranking of #15, Harding University did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Theology Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $0-$30k list. Harding is a private not-for-profit institution located in Searcy, Arkansas. The school has a small population, and it awarded 15 masters’s degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education it offers, Harding is also in the top of our “Best Theological & Ministerial Studies Master’s Degree Schools” ranking. It’s ranked in the top 20% of all schools on our “Best Theological & Ministerial Studies Master’s Degree Schools” list. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at Harding University are $11,928.

Full Harding Theological & Ministerial Studies Report

#16

Clarks Summit University

South Abington Township, Pennsylvania

Clarks Summit University did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Theology Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #16. Clarks Summit University is a small private not-for-profit school situated in South Abington Township, Pennsylvania. It awarded 22 masters’s theology degrees in 2019-2020.

Average graduate tuition and fees at CSU are $8,280, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Full Clarks Summit University Theological & Ministerial Studies Report

#17

Wheaton College Illinois

Wheaton, Illinois

Wheaton College Illinois ranked #17 on this year’s Best Value Theology Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $0-$30k list. Wheaton College Illinois is a private not-for-profit institution located in Wheaton, Illinois. The school has a small population, and it awarded 33 masters’s degrees in 2019-2020.

Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at Wheaton College Illinois are $17,424.

Read full report on Theological & Ministerial Studies at Wheaton College Illinois

#18

The Baptist College of Florida

Graceville, Florida

With a ranking of #18, The Baptist College of Florida did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Theology Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $0-$30k list. Located in Graceville, Florida, this small private not-for-profit school handed out 1 degrees to qualified masters’s theology students in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at BCF, the school also landed the #0 spot in our “Best Theological & Ministerial Studies Master’s Degree Schools” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at BCF are $4,860, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read full report on Theological & Ministerial Studies at The Baptist College of Florida

Vanguard University of Southern California did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Theology Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #19. This small school is located in Costa Mesa, California, and it awarded 4 masters’s theology degrees in 2019-2020.

Vanguard also made our “Best Theological & Ministerial Studies Master’s Degree Schools” list, coming in at #0. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at Vanguard are $16,180.

Read full report on Theological & Ministerial Studies at Vanguard

With a ranking of #20, Grace College and Theological Seminary did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Theology Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $0-$30k list. Winona Lake, Indiana is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out masters’s theology degrees to 12 students in 2019-2020.

Average graduate tuition and fees at Grace College and Theological Seminary are $7,872, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Full Grace College and Theological Seminary Theological & Ministerial Studies Report

#21

Bethel University Minnesota

Saint Paul, Minnesota

With a ranking of #21, Bethel University Minnesota did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Theology Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $0-$30k list. Located in Saint Paul, Minnesota, this small private not-for-profit school awarded 47 degrees to qualified masters’s theology students in 2019-2020.

Bethel University Minnesota not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #7 on our “Best Theological & Ministerial Studies Master’s Degree Schools” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at Bethel University Minnesota are $11,700, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read full report on Theological & Ministerial Studies at Bethel University Minnesota

#22

Johnson University

Knoxville, Tennessee

Johnson University did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Theology Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #22. Johnson University is a small private not-for-profit school situated in Knoxville, Tennessee. It awarded 14 masters’s theology degrees in 2019-2020.

Average graduate tuition and fees at Johnson University are $12,070, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read full report on Theological & Ministerial Studies at Johnson University

#23

Criswell College

Dallas, Texas

Criswell College landed the #23 spot on the 2022 Best Value Theology Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Criswell College is a small school located in Dallas, Texas that handed out 9 masters’s theology degrees in 2019-2020.

Average graduate tuition and fees at Criswell College are $10,224, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read more about Theological & Ministerial Studies at Criswell College

#24

Saint Louis University

Saint Louis, Missouri

Saint Louis University did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Theology Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #24. SLU is a fairly large private not-for-profit school situated in Saint Louis, Missouri. It awarded 4 masters’s theology degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our master’s degree theology students whose families make $0-$30k list, SLU has also earned the #0 rank in our “Best Theological & Ministerial Studies Master’s Degree Schools” ranking. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at Saint Louis University are $22,074.

Full Saint Louis University Theological & Ministerial Studies Report

#25

University of Dallas

Irving, Texas

University of Dallas came in at #25 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Theology Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. University of Dallas is located in Irving, Texas and, has a small student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 23 masters’s theology degrees to qualified students.

Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at UD are $33,750.

Read full report on Theological & Ministerial Studies at University of Dallas

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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.

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