2023 Best Value Colleges for Theological & Ministerial Studies (Income $48-$75k)
92
Ranked Colleges
15,832
Degrees Awarded
When it comes to choosing a college, students have a lot of options - but not all of them are good. One of our goals at College Factual is to give you as much information as we can - such as our “Best Value Theology Schools For Those Making $48-$75k” ranking - to help you make that 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 Making $48-$75k” ranking looked at 92 colleges that offer degrees in a bachelor’s 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. Check out our ranking methodology for more information.
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 Those Making $48-$75k” ranking, along with many other major-related rankings, to help you make that decision.
To further help you make the college decision, we’ve developed a unique tool called College Combat that allows you to compare schools based on the factors that matter the most to you. Test it out by comparing your favorite schools against others you are considering, or bookmark the tool so you can experiment with it later.
Best Value Theology Schools For Those Making $48-$75k
The colleges and universities below are the best for theology students whose families make $48-$75k.
Top 25 Best Value Colleges for Theological & Ministerial Studies (Income $48-$75k)
You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Duke University. It ranked #1 on our 2023 Best Value Theology Schools For Those Making $48-$75k 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 not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #1 on our “Best Theological & Ministerial Studies Schools” list. It costs about $7,160 for Theology students whose families make $48-$75k per year to attend Duke University.
Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 97%. The undergraduate student-to-faculty ratio of 6 to 1 is a sign that students will have more opportunities to engage with their professors one-on-one. The low undergrad student loan default rate of 0.3% 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 full report on Theological & Ministerial Studies at Duke University
Out of the 92 schools in the Best Value Theology Schools For Those Making $48-$75k 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 124 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.
Yale also took the #6 spot in our “Best Theological & Ministerial Studies Schools” ranking. It costs about $2,815 for theology students whose families make $48-$75k 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 Harvard University. It ranked #3 on our 2023 Best Value Theology Schools For Those Making $48-$75k list. Harvard is a large school located in Cambridge, Massachusetts that handed out 94 ’s theology degrees in 2020-2021.
Harvard also took the #13 spot in our “Best Theological & Ministerial Studies Schools” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Harvard University is $2,669 for Theology students whose families make $48-$75k.
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%. The undergraduate 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.
Read full report on Theological & Ministerial Studies at Harvard University
You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend University of Chicago. It ranked #4 on our 2023 Best Value Theology Schools For Those Making $48-$75k list. University of Chicago is a fairly large school located in Chicago, Illinois that handed out 99 ’s theology degrees in 2020-2021.
UChicago did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #5 on our “Best Theological & Ministerial Studies Schools” list. The yearly cost to attend University of Chicago is $8,375 for Theology students whose families make $48-$75k.
The low undergrad student loan default rate of 1.0% 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%. With a freshman retention rate of 100%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. The undergraduate 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.
Read more about Theological & Ministerial Studies at University of Chicago
Out of the 92 schools in the Best Value Theology Schools For Those Making $48-$75k that were part of this year’s ranking, Vanderbilt University landed the #5 spot on the list. Vanderbilt University is located in Nashville, Tennessee and, has a fairly large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 57 ’s theology degrees to qualified students.
Vanderbilt also made our “Best Theological & Ministerial Studies Schools” list, coming in at #11. The estimated yearly cost for Vanderbilt University is $7,694 for theology students whose families make $48-$75k.
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. The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 0.9%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%. With a freshman retention rate of 96%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.
Read full report on Theological & Ministerial Studies at Vanderbilt University
With a ranking of #6, University of Notre Dame did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Theology Schools For Those Making $48-$75k list. This fairly large school is located in Notre Dame, Indiana, and it awarded 139 ’s theology degrees in 2020-2021.
Notre Dame did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #2 on our “Best Theological & Ministerial Studies Schools” list. It costs about $14,020 for Theology students whose families make $48-$75k per year to attend University of Notre Dame.
The low undergrad student loan default rate of 0.7% 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%. The undergraduate student-to-faculty ratio of 9 to 1 is a sign that students will have more opportunities to engage with their professors one-on-one. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 97%.
Full Notre Dame Theological & Ministerial Studies Report
Moody Bible Institute came in at #7 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Theology Schools For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. 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 took the #9 spot in our “Best Theological & Ministerial Studies Schools” ranking. It costs about $19,450 for theology students whose families make $48-$75k per year to attend Moody Theological Seminary and Graduate School.
The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 3.3%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.
Full Moody Bible Institute Theological & Ministerial Studies Report
With a ranking of #8, Wake Forest University did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Theology Schools For Those Making $48-$75k list. Winston-Salem, North Carolina is the setting for this medium-sized institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out ’s theology degrees to 34 students in 2020-2021.
The yearly cost to attend Wake Forest University is $10,228 for Theology students whose families make $48-$75k.
The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 0.6%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 95%.
Read full report on Theological & Ministerial Studies at Wake Forest University
Boston College came in at #9 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Theology Schools For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. Boston College is a fairly large school located in Chestnut Hill, Massachusetts that handed out 110 ’s theology degrees in 2020-2021.
Boston College did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #10 on our “Best Theological & Ministerial Studies Schools” list. The yearly cost to attend Boston College is $17,098 for Theology students whose families make $48-$75k.
The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 0.9%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%. With a freshman retention rate of 93%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.
Full Boston College Theological & Ministerial Studies Report
Ave Maria University landed the #10 spot on the 2023 Best Value Theology Schools For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. Located in Ave Maria, Florida, this small private not-for-profit school handed out 37 diplomas to qualified ’s theology students in 2020-2021.
The yearly cost to attend AMU is $16,140 for Theology students whose families make $48-$75k.
The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 4.2%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.
Read more about Theological & Ministerial Studies at AMU
Emory University landed the #11 spot on the 2023 Best Value Theology Schools For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. 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 whose families make $48-$75k list, Emory has also earned the #7 rank in our “Best Theological & Ministerial Studies Schools” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Emory is $16,646 for theology students whose families make $48-$75k.
The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 1.4%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%. With a freshman retention rate of 93%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. With a undergrad student-to-faculty ratio of 9 to 1, it’s easy to see that the school is committed to helping their undergraduates succeed.
Full Emory Theological & Ministerial Studies Report
Olivet Nazarene University ranked #12 on this year’s Best Value Theology Schools For Those Making $48-$75k list. Olivet Nazarene is a small private not-for-profit school situated in Bourbonnais, Illinois. It awarded 24 ’s theology degrees in 2020-2021.
As a testament to the quality of education offered at Olivet Nazarene, the school also landed the #17 spot in our “Best Theological & Ministerial Studies Schools” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Olivet Nazarene University is $17,206 for theology students whose families make $48-$75k.
The low undergrad student loan default rate of 2.7% 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 Olivet Nazarene University
Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary ranked #13 on this year’s Best Value Theology Schools For Those Making $48-$75k list. Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary is a small private not-for-profit school situated in Kansas City, Missouri. It awarded 464 ’s theology degrees in 2020-2021.
MBTS did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #8 on our “Best Theological & Ministerial Studies Schools” list. The yearly cost to attend Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary is $19,087 for Theology students whose families make $48-$75k.
The low undergrad student loan default rate of 2.7% 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 Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary
Regent University came in at #14 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Theology Schools For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. This fairly large school is located in Virginia Beach, Virginia, and it awarded 198 ’s theology degrees in 2020-2021.
The yearly cost to attend Regent University is $24,954 for Theology students whose families make $48-$75k.
Full Regent University Theological & Ministerial Studies Report
With a ranking of #15, Lincoln Christian University did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Theology Schools For Those Making $48-$75k list. Lincoln Christian College and Seminary is a small private not-for-profit school situated in Lincoln, Illinois. It awarded 60 ’s theology degrees in 2020-2021.
As a testament to the quality of education it offers, Lincoln Christian College and Seminary is also in the top of our “Best Theological & Ministerial Studies Schools” ranking. It’s in the top [COLLEGE_QUALITY_PECTENTILE_ALL_LEVES]% of all schools in this category. The estimated yearly cost for Lincoln Christian College and Seminary is $17,602 for theology students whose families make $48-$75k.
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 Lincoln Christian University
Clarks Summit University did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Theology Schools For Those Making $48-$75k ranking, coming in at #16. CSU is a private not-for-profit institution located in South Abington Township, Pennsylvania. The school has a small population, and it awarded 33 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.
The yearly cost to attend Clarks Summit University is $17,729 for Theology students whose families make $48-$75k.
Read more about Theological & Ministerial Studies at Clarks Summit University
Freed-Hardeman University landed the #17 spot on the 2023 Best Value Theology Schools For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. FHU 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 not only placed well in this ranking. It is also # on our "" list. The yearly cost to attend Freed-Hardeman University is $16,797 for Theology students whose families make $48-$75k.
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%.
Full FHU Theological & Ministerial Studies Report
With a ranking of #18, Columbia International University did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Theology Schools For Those Making $48-$75k list. This small school is located in Columbia, South Carolina, and it awarded 47 ’s theology degrees in 2020-2021.
The estimated yearly cost for CIU is $17,307 for theology students whose families make $48-$75k.
The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 4.3%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.
Full Columbia International University Theological & Ministerial Studies Report
With a ranking of #19, Johnson University did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Theology Schools For Those Making $48-$75k list. Johnson University is a private not-for-profit institution located in Knoxville, Tennessee. The school has a small population, and it awarded 58 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.
It costs about $18,212 for theology students whose families make $48-$75k per year to attend Johnson University.
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. The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 3.5%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.
Read more about Theological & Ministerial Studies at Johnson University
Martin Luther College did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Theology Schools For Those Making $48-$75k ranking, coming in at #20. Martin Luther College is located in New Ulm, Minnesota and, has a small student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 37 ’s theology degrees to qualified students.
It costs about $18,610 for Theology students whose families make $48-$75k per year to attend Martin Luther College.
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%. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 88%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.
Read more about Theological & Ministerial Studies at Martin Luther College
Harding University ranked #21 on this year’s Best Value Theology Schools For Those Making $48-$75k list. Harding is a small school located in Searcy, Arkansas that handed out 31 ’s theology degrees in 2020-2021.
It costs about $17,077 for Theology students whose families make $48-$75k per year to attend Harding.
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%. With a freshman retention rate of 87%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.
Read more about Theological & Ministerial Studies at Harding University
With a ranking of #22, University of Northwestern - St Paul did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Theology Schools For Those Making $48-$75k list. Northwestern is a private not-for-profit institution located in Saint Paul, Minnesota. The school has a small population, and it awarded 25 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.
The estimated yearly cost for Northwestern is $18,229 for Theology students whose families make $48-$75k.
The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 2.4%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.
Read full report on Theological & Ministerial Studies at Northwestern
Drew University ranked #23 on this year’s Best Value Theology Schools For Those Making $48-$75k list. Drew University is located in Madison, New Jersey and, has a small student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 80 ’s theology degrees to qualified students.
In addition to being on our theology students whose families make $48-$75k list, Drew has also earned the #15 rank in our “Best Theological & Ministerial Studies Schools” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Drew University is $20,243 for theology students whose families make $48-$75k.
The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 3.9%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%. With a freshman retention rate of 88%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.
Read full report on Theological & Ministerial Studies at Drew
The Baptist College of Florida came in at #24 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Theology Schools For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. BCF is located in Graceville, Florida and, has a small student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 16 ’s theology degrees to qualified students.
The estimated yearly cost for The Baptist College of Florida is $14,509 for Theology students whose families make $48-$75k.
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 BCF Theological & Ministerial Studies Report
Southeastern University ranked #25 on this year’s Best Value Theology Schools For Those Making $48-$75k list. SEU is a medium-sized school located in Lakeland, Florida that handed out 466 ’s theology degrees in 2020-2021.
As a testament to the quality of education offered at SEU, the school also landed the #4 spot in our “Best Theological & Ministerial Studies Schools” ranking. It costs about $25,990 for Theology students whose families make $48-$75k per year to attend SEU.
Full SEU Theological & Ministerial Studies Report
