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2022 Best Value Theology Schools in the Southwest Region For Those Making $0-$30k

16 Ranked Colleges
1,124 Degrees Awarded
$20,600 Avg Net Price*
Best Value Theology Schools in the Southwest Region For Those Making $0-$30k

Students have lots of options to chooose from today when trying to decide which college to attend. Our mission at College Factual is to arm you with as much information as we can to help you make that decision. Our “Best Value Theology Schools in the Southwest Region For Those Making $0-$30k” ranking is one tool we have developed to help in this regard.

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 Southwest region, there were 1,124 theological and ministerial studies graduates with average earnings and debt of $39,650 and $42,687 respectively.

For this year’s “Best Value Theology Schools in the Southwest Region For Those Making $0-$30k” ranking, we looked at 16 colleges that offer a degree in theological and ministerial studies. Not only do the schools that top this list have excellent theological and ministerial studies programs, but they also cost less that schools of similar quality.

To come up with these rankings, we looked at factors such as the cost to attend the school after aid is awarded and overall quality of the theological and ministerial studies program at the school. See our ranking methodology to learn more.

More Ways to Rank Theological & Ministerial Studies Schools

When choosing the right school for you, it’s important to arm yourself with all the facts you can. To that end, we’ve created a number of major-specific rankings, including this “Best Value Theology Schools in the Southwest Region For Those Making $0-$30k” list to help you make the college 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. Go ahead and give it a try, or bookmark the link so you can check it out later.

Best Value Theology Schools in the Southwest Region For Those Making $0-$30k

The colleges and universities below are the best for southwest region theology students whose families make $0-$30k.

Top 16 Best Value Colleges for Theological & Ministerial Studies (Income $0-$30k) in the Southwest Region

#1

University of Dallas

Irving, Texas

Out of the 16 schools in the Best Value Theology Schools in the Southwest Region For Those Making $0-$30k that were part of this year’s ranking, University of Dallas landed the #1 spot on the list. This small school is located in Irving, Texas, and it awarded 64 ’s theology degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at UD, the school also landed the #6 spot in our “Best Theological & Ministerial Studies Schools in the Southwest Region” ranking. It costs about $15,759 for Southwest Region Theology students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend UD.

The low student loan default rate of 2.6% 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%.

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

#2

Criswell College

Dallas, Texas

Out of the 16 schools in the Best Value Theology Schools in the Southwest Region For Those Making $0-$30k that were part of this year’s ranking, Criswell College landed the #2 spot on the list. Criswell College is located in Dallas, Texas and, has a small student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 12 ’s theology degrees to qualified students.

Criswell College also made our “Best Theological & Ministerial Studies Schools in the Southwest Region” list, coming in at #9. The yearly cost to attend Criswell College is $14,056 for Southwest Region Theology students whose families make $0-$30k.

The impressive student-to-faculty ratio of 7 to 1 means that students may have more opportunities to work more closely with their professors than they would at other schools.

Read full report on Theological & Ministerial Studies at Criswell College

#3

Grand Canyon University

Phoenix, Arizona

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Grand Canyon University. It ranked #3 on our 2022 Best Value Theology Schools in the Southwest Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. This large school is located in Phoenix, Arizona, and it awarded 34 ’s theology degrees in 2019-2020.

Grand Canyon University did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #5 on our “Best Theological & Ministerial Studies Schools in the Southwest Region” list. The yearly cost to attend Grand Canyon University is $18,405 for Southwest Region Theology students whose families make $0-$30k.

Full Grand Canyon University Theological & Ministerial Studies Report

#4

University of St. Thomas

Houston, Texas

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend University of St. Thomas. It ranked #4 on our 2022 Best Value Theology Schools in the Southwest Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. UST is a small school located in Houston, Texas that handed out 46 ’s theology degrees in 2019-2020.

UST also took the #13 spot in our “Best Theological & Ministerial Studies Schools in the Southwest Region” ranking. It costs about $16,969 for southwest region theology students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend UST.

Full University of St. Thomas Theological & Ministerial Studies Report

#5

Oral Roberts University

Tulsa, Oklahoma

Out of the 16 schools in the Best Value Theology Schools in the Southwest Region For Those Making $0-$30k that were part of this year’s ranking, Oral Roberts University landed the #5 spot on the list. This small school is located in Tulsa, Oklahoma, and it awarded 96 ’s theology degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at ORU, the school also landed the #10 spot in our “Best Theological & Ministerial Studies Schools in the Southwest Region” ranking. It costs about $17,078 for southwest region theology students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend Oral Roberts University.

Read more about Theological & Ministerial Studies at ORU

Hardin - Simmons University came in at #6 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Theology Schools in the Southwest Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Hardin - Simmons University is a private not-for-profit institution located in Abilene, Texas. The school has a small population, and it awarded 46 ’s degrees in 2019-2020.

Hardin - Simmons did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #18 on our “Best Theological & Ministerial Studies Schools in the Southwest Region” list. The yearly cost to attend Hardin - Simmons University is $16,627 for Southwest Region Theology students whose families make $0-$30k.

Read full report on Theological & Ministerial Studies at Hardin - Simmons

Houston Baptist University did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Theology Schools in the Southwest Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #7. HBU is a small school located in Houston, Texas that handed out 48 ’s theology degrees in 2019-2020.

HBU did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #19 on our “Best Theological & Ministerial Studies Schools in the Southwest Region” list. The estimated yearly cost for Houston Baptist University is $19,550 for Southwest Region Theology students whose families make $0-$30k.

Read full report on Theological & Ministerial Studies at Houston Baptist University

#8

Mid-America Christian University

Oklahoma City, Oklahoma

Mid-America Christian University ranked #8 on this year’s Best Value Theology Schools in the Southwest Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. Oklahoma City, Oklahoma is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out ’s theology degrees to 58 students in 2019-2020.

MACU also took the #11 spot in our “Best Theological & Ministerial Studies Schools in the Southwest Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend MACU is $21,099 for Southwest Region Theology students whose families make $0-$30k.

Full Mid-America Christian University Theological & Ministerial Studies Report

Lubbock Christian University landed the #9 spot on the 2022 Best Value Theology Schools in the Southwest Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. LCU is a small private not-for-profit school situated in Lubbock, Texas. It awarded 2 ’s theology degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at LCU, the school also landed the #4 spot in our “Best Theological & Ministerial Studies Schools in the Southwest Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for LCU is $21,361 for Southwest Region Theology students whose families make $0-$30k.

Read more about Theological & Ministerial Studies at LCU

#10

Dallas Baptist University

Dallas, Texas

With a ranking of #10, Dallas Baptist University did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Theology Schools in the Southwest Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. Dallas, Texas is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out ’s theology degrees to 17 students in 2019-2020.

DBU also made our “Best Theological & Ministerial Studies Schools in the Southwest Region” list, coming in at #16. The estimated yearly cost for Dallas Baptist University is $22,428 for southwest region theology students whose families make $0-$30k.

Full DBU Theological & Ministerial Studies Report

Southwestern Assemblies of God University did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Theology Schools in the Southwest Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #11. Southwestern Assemblies of God University is located in Waxahachie, Texas and, has a small student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 17 ’s theology degrees to qualified students.

Southwestern Assemblies of God University did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #15 on our “Best Theological & Ministerial Studies Schools in the Southwest Region” list. The estimated yearly cost for Southwestern Assemblies of God University is $23,726 for Southwest Region Theology students whose families make $0-$30k.

Read full report on Theological & Ministerial Studies at Southwestern Assemblies of God University

#12

Oklahoma Wesleyan University

Bartlesville, Oklahoma

Oklahoma Wesleyan University landed the #12 spot on the 2022 Best Value Theology Schools in the Southwest Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Bartlesville, Oklahoma is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out ’s theology degrees to 12 students in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our southwest region theology students whose families make $0-$30k list, OKWU or OWU has also earned the #8 rank in our “Best Theological & Ministerial Studies Schools in the Southwest Region” ranking. It costs about $22,189 for Southwest Region Theology students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend OKWU or OWU.

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.

Read more about Theological & Ministerial Studies at Oklahoma Wesleyan University

With a ranking of #13, Southern Methodist University did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Theology Schools in the Southwest Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. SMU is a private not-for-profit institution located in Dallas, Texas. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 47 ’s degrees in 2019-2020.

SMU not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #3 on our “Best Theological & Ministerial Studies Schools in the Southwest Region” list. It costs about $26,718 for southwest region theology students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend Southern Methodist University.

The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 90%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. The low 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%.

Read more about Theological & Ministerial Studies at Southern Methodist University

#14

Baylor University

Waco, Texas

With a ranking of #14, Baylor University did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Theology Schools in the Southwest Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. This fairly large school is located in Waco, Texas, and it awarded 81 ’s theology degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Baylor, the school also landed the #7 spot in our “Best Theological & Ministerial Studies Schools in the Southwest Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Baylor is $26,726 for Southwest Region Theology students whose families make $0-$30k.

The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 91%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. The school has an impressive student loan default rate. It’s only 3.7%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Theological & Ministerial Studies at Baylor University

Abilene Christian University ranked #15 on this year’s Best Value Theology Schools in the Southwest Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. This medium-sized school is located in Abilene, Texas, and it awarded 12 ’s theology degrees in 2019-2020.

Abilene Christian not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #12 on our “Best Theological & Ministerial Studies Schools in the Southwest Region” list. The estimated yearly cost for Abilene Christian is $24,153 for southwest region theology students whose families make $0-$30k.

Full Abilene Christian Theological & Ministerial Studies Report

#16

The King's University

Southlake, Texas

The King’s University ranked #16 on this year’s Best Value Theology Schools in the Southwest Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. Located in Southlake, Texas, this small private not-for-profit school awarded 52 diplomas to qualified ’s theology students in 2019-2020.

TKU did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #20 on our “Best Theological & Ministerial Studies Schools in the Southwest Region” list. The yearly cost to attend The King’s University is $22,438 for Southwest Region Theology students whose families make $0-$30k.

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 TKU

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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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