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2023 Best Value Colleges for Theological & Ministerial Studies in the Great Lakes Region (With Aid)

17 Ranked Colleges
2,366 Degrees Awarded
$23,300 Avg Net Price*
Best Value Theology Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Getting Aid

With all of the options students have for higher education today, it can be tough to choose which direction to take. 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 Great Lakes Region For Those Getting Aid” ranking is one tool we have developed to help in this regard.

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.

Across the Great Lakes region, there were 2,366 theological and ministerial studies graduates with average earnings and debt of $41,653 and $21,394 respectively.

This year’s “Best Value Theology Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Getting Aid” ranking analyzed 17 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.

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. See our ranking methodology to learn more.

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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 Great Lakes Region For Those Getting Aid” ranking, along with many other major-related rankings, to help you make that decision.

You can create your own custom comparison that focuses on the factors most important to you using our tool, College Combat. When you have some time, check it out - you may want to bookmark the link so you don’t forget it.

Best Value Theology Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Getting Aid

The following schools top our list of the Best Best Value Theology Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Getting Aid.

Top 17 Best Value Colleges for Theological & Ministerial Studies in the Great Lakes Region (With Aid)

1
Moody Theological Seminary and Graduate School crest
Moody Bible Institute
Chicago, Illinois

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Moody Bible Institute. It ranked #1 on our 2023 Best Value Theology Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Getting Aid list. Moody Bible Institute is a small private not-for-profit school situated in Chicago, Illinois. It awarded 200 ’s theology degrees in 2020-2021.

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 Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Moody Bible Institute is $19,679 for Great Lakes Region Theology students with aid.

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%.

Read full report on Theological & Ministerial Studies at Moody Theological Seminary and Graduate School

2

Out of the 17 schools in the Best Value Theology Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Getting Aid that were part of this year’s ranking, Lincoln Christian University landed the #2 spot on the list. Lincoln Christian College and Seminary is a private not-for-profit institution located in Lincoln, Illinois. The school has a small population, and it awarded 60 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

Lincoln Christian College and Seminary also took the #6 spot in our “Best Theological & Ministerial Studies Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Lincoln Christian College and Seminary is $19,638 for great lakes region theology students with aid.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 5.0%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Full Lincoln Christian College and Seminary Theological & Ministerial Studies Report

3
Olivet Nazarene crest
Olivet Nazarene University
Bourbonnais, Illinois

Out of the 17 schools in the Best Value Theology Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Getting Aid that were part of this year’s ranking, Olivet Nazarene University landed the #3 spot on the list. This small school is located in Bourbonnais, Illinois, and it awarded 24 ’s theology degrees in 2020-2021.

In addition to being on our great lakes region theology students with aid list, Olivet Nazarene has also earned the #4 rank in our “Best Theological & Ministerial Studies Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Olivet Nazarene University is $19,470 for Great Lakes Region Theology students with aid.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 2.7%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on Theological & Ministerial Studies at Olivet Nazarene

4
Notre Dame crest
University of Notre Dame
Notre Dame, Indiana

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend University of Notre Dame. The school came in at #4 for the Best Value Theology Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Getting Aid. Notre Dame is located in Notre Dame, Indiana and, has a fairly large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 139 ’s theology degrees to qualified students.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Notre Dame, the school also landed the #1 spot in our “Best Theological & Ministerial Studies Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. It costs about $31,101 for great lakes region theology students with aid per year to attend Notre Dame.

The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 97%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. 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.

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

5
Andrews crest
Andrews University
Berrien Springs, Michigan

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Andrews University. The school came in at #5 for the Best Value Theology Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Getting Aid. Andrews is a small private not-for-profit school situated in Berrien Springs, Michigan. It awarded 154 ’s theology degrees in 2020-2021.

Andrews also took the #9 spot in our “Best Theological & Ministerial Studies Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Andrews University is $23,408 for great lakes region theology students with aid.

The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 85%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 3.5%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%. The undergraduate student-to-faculty ratio of 10 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 Andrews University

6

Grace College and Theological Seminary came in at #6 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Theology Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Getting Aid ranking. Grace College and Theological Seminary is a small private not-for-profit school situated in Winona Lake, Indiana. It awarded 9 ’s theology degrees in 2020-2021.

Grace College also took the #12 spot in our “Best Theological & Ministerial Studies Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Grace College is $20,060 for great lakes region theology students with aid.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 3.1%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Full Grace College and Theological Seminary Theological & Ministerial Studies Report

7
Ashland crest
Ashland University
Ashland, Ohio

With a ranking of #7, Ashland University did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Theology Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Getting Aid list. This small school is located in Ashland, Ohio, and it awarded 17 ’s theology degrees in 2020-2021.

Ashland not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #16 on our “Best Theological & Ministerial Studies Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. The yearly cost to attend Ashland is $20,974 for Great Lakes Region Theology students with aid.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 4.1%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Full Ashland Theological & Ministerial Studies Report

8
OCU crest
Ohio Christian University
Circleville, Ohio

With a ranking of #8, Ohio Christian University did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Theology Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Getting Aid list. OCU is a small private not-for-profit school situated in Circleville, Ohio. It awarded 156 ’s theology degrees in 2020-2021.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at OCU, the school also landed the #8 spot in our “Best Theological & Ministerial Studies Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Ohio Christian University is $22,901 for great lakes region theology students with aid.

With a undergrad student-to-faculty ratio of 8 to 1, it’s easy to see that the school is committed to helping their undergraduates succeed.

Full OCU Theological & Ministerial Studies Report

9

Indiana Wesleyan University - National & Global ranked #9 on this year’s Best Value Theology Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Getting Aid list. IWU is a fairly large private not-for-profit school situated in Marion, Indiana. It awarded 36 ’s theology degrees in 2020-2021.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at IWU, the school also landed the #14 spot in our “Best Theological & Ministerial Studies Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. It costs about $18,904 for Great Lakes Region Theology students with aid per year to attend IWU.

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 full report on Theological & Ministerial Studies at Indiana Wesleyan University - National & Global

10
Cornerstone crest
Cornerstone University
Grand Rapids, Michigan

With a ranking of #10, Cornerstone University did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Theology Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Getting Aid list. Cornerstone University is located in Grand Rapids, Michigan and, has a small student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 42 ’s theology degrees to qualified students.

Cornerstone also made our “Best Theological & Ministerial Studies Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list, coming in at #19. It costs about $20,397 for great lakes region theology students with aid per year to attend Cornerstone.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 4.3%, 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 86%.

Read more about Theological & Ministerial Studies at Cornerstone University

11

Indiana Wesleyan University came in at #11 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Theology Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Getting Aid ranking. Indiana Wesleyan University is a private not-for-profit institution located in Marion, Indiana. The school has a small population, and it awarded 10 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

IWU not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #15 on our “Best Theological & Ministerial Studies Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. The yearly cost to attend IWU is $21,204 for Great Lakes Region Theology students with aid.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 5.0%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Theological & Ministerial Studies at IWU

12

Franciscan University of Steubenville landed the #12 spot on the 2023 Best Value Theology Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Getting Aid ranking. Franciscan University of Steubenville is located in Steubenville, Ohio and, has a small student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 205 ’s theology degrees to qualified students.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Franciscan U, the school also landed the #7 spot in our “Best Theological & Ministerial Studies Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. It costs about $23,415 for great lakes region theology students with aid per year to attend Franciscan U.

Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 86%. The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 1.4%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on Theological & Ministerial Studies at Franciscan University of Steubenville

13

Trinity International University - Illinois came in at #13 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Theology Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Getting Aid ranking. TIU Illinois is a small private not-for-profit school situated in Deerfield, Illinois. It awarded 99 ’s theology degrees in 2020-2021.

In addition to being on our great lakes region theology students with aid list, TIU Illinois has also earned the #18 rank in our “Best Theological & Ministerial Studies Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Trinity International University - Illinois is $21,200 for Great Lakes Region Theology students with aid.

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.

Read full report on Theological & Ministerial Studies at Trinity International University - Illinois

14

Concordia University, Wisconsin ranked #14 on this year’s Best Value Theology Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Getting Aid list. Concordia University, Wisconsin is a medium-sized private not-for-profit school situated in Mequon, Wisconsin. It awarded 7 ’s theology degrees in 2020-2021.

Concordia University, Wisconsin not only placed well in this ranking. It is also # on our "" list. The estimated yearly cost for Concordia University, Wisconsin is $22,996 for Great Lakes Region Theology students with aid.

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%.

Full Concordia University, Wisconsin Theological & Ministerial Studies Report

15
UChicago crest
University of Chicago
Chicago, Illinois

University of Chicago came in at #15 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Theology Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Getting Aid ranking. University of Chicago is a fairly large school located in Chicago, Illinois that handed out 99 ’s theology degrees in 2020-2021.

UChicago not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #2 on our “Best Theological & Ministerial Studies Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. The estimated yearly cost for UChicago is $28,517 for Great Lakes Region Theology students with aid.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 1.0%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 100%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. The impressive undergraduate student-to-faculty ratio of 5 to 1 means that students may have more opportunities to work more closely with their professors than they would at other schools.

Full University of Chicago Theological & Ministerial Studies Report

16
Wheaton College Illinois crest
Wheaton College Illinois
Wheaton, Illinois

Wheaton College Illinois did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Theology Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Getting Aid ranking, coming in at #16. Wheaton College Illinois is a small private not-for-profit school situated in Wheaton, Illinois. It awarded 25 ’s theology degrees in 2020-2021.

Wheaton College Illinois also made our “Best Theological & Ministerial Studies Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list, coming in at #11. The estimated yearly cost for Wheaton College Illinois is $25,692 for great lakes region theology students with aid.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 0.5%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%. The undergraduate student-to-faculty ratio of 10 to 1 is a sign that students will have more opportunities to engage with their professors one-on-one. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 90%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.

Read more about Theological & Ministerial Studies at Wheaton College Illinois

17
Loyola Chicago crest
Loyola University Chicago
Chicago, Illinois

Loyola University Chicago did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Theology Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Getting Aid ranking, coming in at #17. Loyola University Chicago is a fairly large private not-for-profit school situated in Chicago, Illinois. It awarded 17 ’s theology degrees in 2020-2021.

In addition to being on our great lakes region theology students with aid list, Loyola Chicago has also earned the #5 rank in our “Best Theological & Ministerial Studies Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. It costs about $36,434 for great lakes region theology students with aid per year to attend Loyola University Chicago.

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%. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 85%.

Read full report on Theological & Ministerial Studies at Loyola University Chicago

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