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2022 Best Value Colleges for Theological & Ministerial Studies (Income $48-$75k) in the Southwest Region

16 Ranked Colleges
1,124 Degrees Awarded
Best Value Theology Schools in the Southwest Region For Those Making $48-$75k

When pursuing a degree in today’s world, students have many different options to choose from. At College Factual, we’re committed to helping you make that decision by providing information such as that found in our “Best Value Theology Schools in the Southwest Region For Those Making $48-$75k” ranking.

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.

This year’s “Best Value Theology Schools in the Southwest Region For Those Making $48-$75k” ranking looked at 16 colleges that offer degrees in a bachelor’s 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.

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.

One Size Does Not Fit All

Since picking the right college can be one of the most important decisions of your life, we’ve developed the “Best Value Theology Schools in the Southwest Region For Those Making $48-$75k” ranking, along with many other major-related rankings, to help you make that decision.

We’ve created a tool called College Combat that lets you create your own customized comparisons 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 in the Southwest Region For Those Making $48-$75k

The colleges and universities below are the best for southwest region theology students whose families make $48-$75k.

Top 16 Best Value Colleges for Theological & Ministerial Studies (Income $48-$75k) in the Southwest Region

#1

University of St. Thomas

Houston, Texas

Out of the 16 schools in the Best Value Theology Schools in the Southwest Region For Those Making $48-$75k that were part of this year’s ranking, University of St. Thomas landed the #1 spot on the list. University of St. Thomas is a small private not-for-profit school situated in Houston, Texas. It awarded 46 ’s theology degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at UST, the school also landed the #13 spot in our “Best Theological & Ministerial Studies Schools in the Southwest Region” ranking. It costs about $17,429 for southwest region theology students whose families make $48-$75k per year to attend University of St. Thomas.

Read more about Theological & Ministerial Studies at University of St. Thomas

#2

University of Dallas

Irving, Texas

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend University of Dallas. The school came in at #2 for the Best Value Theology Schools in the Southwest Region For Those Making $48-$75k. University of Dallas is a small private not-for-profit school situated in Irving, Texas. It awarded 64 ’s theology degrees in 2019-2020.

UD did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #6 on our “Best Theological & Ministerial Studies Schools in the Southwest Region” list. The estimated yearly cost for University of Dallas is $19,433 for Southwest Region Theology students whose families make $48-$75k.

The school has an impressive student loan default rate. It’s only 2.6%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Full University of Dallas Theological & Ministerial Studies Report

#3

Mid-America Christian University

Oklahoma City, Oklahoma

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Mid-America Christian University. The school came in at #3 for the Best Value Theology Schools in the Southwest Region For Those Making $48-$75k. This small school is located in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, and it awarded 58 ’s theology degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at MACU, the school also landed the #11 spot in our “Best Theological & Ministerial Studies Schools in the Southwest Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend MACU is $20,040 for Southwest Region Theology students whose families make $48-$75k.

Read full report on Theological & Ministerial Studies at MACU

#4

Grand Canyon University

Phoenix, Arizona

Out of the 16 schools in the Best Value Theology Schools in the Southwest Region For Those Making $48-$75k that were part of this year’s ranking, Grand Canyon University landed the #4 spot on the list. This large school is located in Phoenix, Arizona, and it awarded 34 ’s theology degrees in 2019-2020.

Grand Canyon University also made our “Best Theological & Ministerial Studies Schools in the Southwest Region” list, coming in at #5. The yearly cost to attend Grand Canyon University is $21,380 for Southwest Region Theology students whose families make $48-$75k.

Full Grand Canyon University Theological & Ministerial Studies Report

#5

Criswell College

Dallas, Texas

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Criswell College. It ranked #5 on our 2022 Best Value Theology Schools in the Southwest Region For Those Making $48-$75k list. Criswell College is a private not-for-profit institution located in Dallas, Texas. The school has a small population, and it awarded 12 ’s degrees in 2019-2020.

Criswell College also made our “Best Theological & Ministerial Studies Schools in the Southwest Region” list, coming in at #9. It costs about $15,896 for Southwest Region Theology students whose families make $48-$75k per year to attend Criswell College.

The 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

With a ranking of #6, Lubbock Christian University did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Theology Schools in the Southwest Region For Those Making $48-$75k list. LCU is a small private not-for-profit school situated in Lubbock, Texas. It awarded 2 ’s theology degrees in 2019-2020.

LCU did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #4 on our “Best Theological & Ministerial Studies Schools in the Southwest Region” list. The estimated yearly cost for LCU is $23,347 for southwest region theology students whose families make $48-$75k.

Full LCU Theological & Ministerial Studies Report

#7

Oral Roberts University

Tulsa, Oklahoma

Oral Roberts University came in at #7 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Theology Schools in the Southwest Region For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. Oral Roberts University is a small private not-for-profit school situated in Tulsa, Oklahoma. It awarded 96 ’s theology degrees in 2019-2020.

ORU not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #10 on our “Best Theological & Ministerial Studies Schools in the Southwest Region” list. The yearly cost to attend ORU is $25,145 for Southwest Region Theology students whose families make $48-$75k.

Full ORU Theological & Ministerial Studies Report

Hardin - Simmons University landed the #8 spot on the 2022 Best Value Theology Schools in the Southwest Region For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. This small school is located in Abilene, Texas, and it awarded 46 ’s theology degrees in 2019-2020.

Hardin - Simmons also took the #18 spot in our “Best Theological & Ministerial Studies Schools in the Southwest Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Hardin - Simmons is $18,450 for Southwest Region Theology students whose families make $48-$75k.

Read more about 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 $48-$75k ranking, coming in at #9. HBU is a small private not-for-profit school situated in Houston, Texas. It awarded 48 ’s theology degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at HBU, the school also landed the #19 spot in our “Best Theological & Ministerial Studies Schools in the Southwest Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Houston Baptist University is $18,653 for Southwest Region Theology students whose families make $48-$75k.

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

#10

Oklahoma Wesleyan University

Bartlesville, Oklahoma

Oklahoma Wesleyan University came in at #10 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Theology Schools in the Southwest Region For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. Oklahoma Wesleyan University is located in Bartlesville, Oklahoma and, has a small student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 12 ’s theology degrees to qualified students.

OKWU or OWU also made our “Best Theological & Ministerial Studies Schools in the Southwest Region” list, coming in at #8. It costs about $24,660 for southwest region theology students whose families make $48-$75k per year to attend OKWU or OWU.

The impressive student-to-faculty ratio of 9 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 Oklahoma Wesleyan University

Southern Methodist University landed the #11 spot on the 2022 Best Value Theology Schools in the Southwest Region For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. SMU is a fairly large private not-for-profit school situated in Dallas, Texas. It awarded 47 ’s theology 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 $31,813 for Southwest Region Theology students whose families make $48-$75k per year to attend SMU.

Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 90%. 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%.

Full Southern Methodist University Theological & Ministerial Studies Report

#12

Dallas Baptist University

Dallas, Texas

Dallas Baptist University landed the #12 spot on the 2022 Best Value Theology Schools in the Southwest Region For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. This small school is located in Dallas, Texas, and it awarded 17 ’s theology degrees in 2019-2020.

DBU did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #16 on our “Best Theological & Ministerial Studies Schools in the Southwest Region” list. The yearly cost to attend Dallas Baptist University is $26,055 for Southwest Region Theology students whose families make $48-$75k.

Read more about Theological & Ministerial Studies at DBU

Southwestern Assemblies of God University landed the #13 spot on the 2022 Best Value Theology Schools in the Southwest Region For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. Located in Waxahachie, Texas, this small private not-for-profit school handed out 17 diplomas to qualified ’s theology students in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Southwestern Assemblies of God University, the school also landed the #15 spot in our “Best Theological & Ministerial Studies Schools in the Southwest Region” ranking. It costs about $24,918 for Southwest Region Theology students whose families make $48-$75k per year to attend Southwestern Assemblies of God University.

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

With a ranking of #14, Abilene Christian University did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Theology Schools in the Southwest Region For Those Making $48-$75k list. Abilene Christian is a private not-for-profit institution located in Abilene, Texas. The school has a medium-sized population, and it awarded 12 ’s degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Abilene Christian, the school also landed the #12 spot in our “Best Theological & Ministerial Studies Schools in the Southwest Region” ranking. It costs about $25,207 for Southwest Region Theology students whose families make $48-$75k per year to attend Abilene Christian University.

Read more about Theological & Ministerial Studies at Abilene Christian

#15

Baylor University

Waco, Texas

Baylor University came in at #15 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Theology Schools in the Southwest Region For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. Waco, Texas is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out ’s theology degrees to 81 students in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our southwest region theology students whose families make $48-$75k list, Baylor has also earned the #7 rank in our “Best Theological & Ministerial Studies Schools in the Southwest Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Baylor University is $31,343 for southwest region theology students whose families make $48-$75k.

The low student loan default rate of 3.7% 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 school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 91%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.

Full Baylor 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 $48-$75k list. This small school is located in Southlake, Texas, and it awarded 52 ’s theology degrees 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. It costs about $24,600 for Southwest Region Theology students whose families make $48-$75k per year to attend The King’s University.

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.

Full The King’s University Theological & Ministerial Studies Report

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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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