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2025 Best Theological & Ministerial Studies Schools in the Plains States Region

6 Colleges in the Plains States Region
1,636 Theology Degrees Awarded
$49,215 Avg Early-Career Salary
Theological & Ministerial Studies is above average in terms of popularity with it being the #63 most popular degree program in the country. As a result, there are many college that offer the degree, making your choice of school a hard one.

For its 2025 ranking, College Factual looked at 6 schools in the Plains States Region to determine which ones were the best for theological & ministerial studies students pursuing a degree. Combined, these schools handed out 1,636 degrees in theological & ministerial studies to qualified students.

Jump to one of the following sections: * Degree-Level Rankings

Choosing a Great Theological & Ministerial Studies School

Best Theological & Ministerial Studies Schools in the Plains States Region Your choice of theological & ministerial studies school matters, so we have put together these rankings to help you make your decision. For our Best Overall Theological & Ministerial Studies School rankings, we roll up the results of our degree-level rankings, weighted by the number of degrees awarded at that level.

You may want to choose one of the degree levels below to find the schools of most interest to you.

Pick Your Theological & Ministerial Studies Degree Level

Bachelor's Degrees in Theology
Master's Degrees in Theology
Doctor's Degrees in Theology

Since the program you select can have a significant impact on your future, we've developed a number of rankings, including this Best Theological & Ministerial Studies Schools in the Plains States Region list, to help you choose the best school for you. If you'd like to restrict your choices to just one part of the country, you can filter this list by location.

In addition to our rankings, you can take two colleges and compare them based on the criteria that matters most to you in our unique tool, College Combat. 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.

If you want to learn more about how we derive our rankings, see College Factual's Methodology.

Best Schools for Theological & Ministerial Studies in the Plains States Region

If you aren't interested in a particular degree level and want to know which schools are the overall best at delivering an education for the theology degrees they offer, see the list below.

Top Plains States Region Schools in Theology

1
Doctor's Degree Highest Degree Type
394 Theology Degrees Awarded
$55,312 Median Starting Salary

It is hard to beat Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary if you wish to pursue a degree in theological & ministerial studies. MBTS is a small private not-for-profit school located in the large city of Kansas City.

There were approximately 394 theological & ministerial studies students who graduated with this degree at MBTS in the most recent year we have data available. Degree recipients from the theological & ministerial studies program at Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary get $6,097 more than the typical graduate with the same degree shortly after graduation.

More information about a degree in theological & ministerial studies from Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary

2
Doctor's Degree Highest Degree Type
57 Theology Degrees Awarded
$46,813 Median Starting Salary

Bethel University Minnesota is a good decision for students interested in a degree in theological & ministerial studies. Located in the suburb of Saint Paul, Bethel University Minnesota is a private not-for-profit university with a small student population. A Best Colleges rank of #476 out of 2,152 schools nationwide means Bethel University Minnesota is a great university overall.

There were roughly 57 theological & ministerial studies students who graduated with this degree at Bethel University Minnesota in the most recent data year. Students who receive their degree from the theology program make around $46,813 for their early career.

More information about a degree in theological & ministerial studies from Bethel University Minnesota

3
Master's Degree Highest Degree Type
55 Theology Degrees Awarded
32.7% Growth in Graduates

Martin Luther College is one of the best schools in the United States for getting a degree in theological & ministerial studies. Located in the distant town of New Ulm, MLC is a private not-for-profit college with a fairly small student population.

There were roughly 55 theological & ministerial studies students who graduated with this degree at MLC in the most recent year we have data available. Soon after graduation, theology degree recipients usually earn an average of $15,327 in their early careers.

More information about a degree in theological & ministerial studies from Martin Luther College

4

Every student who is interested in theological & ministerial studies needs to take a look at University of Northwestern - St Paul. Northwestern is a small private not-for-profit university located in the large suburb of Saint Paul. A Best Colleges rank of #441 out of 2,152 schools nationwide means Northwestern is a great university overall.

There were about 30 theological & ministerial studies students who graduated with this degree at Northwestern in the most recent data year. Students who graduate with their degree from the theology program report average early career wages of $43,287.

More information about a degree in theological & ministerial studies from University of Northwestern - St Paul

5
Benedictine College crest
Benedictine College
Atchison, KS
Bachelor's Degree Highest Degree Type
48 Theology Degrees Awarded
12.5% Growth in Graduates

Located in the distant town of Atchison, Benedictine College is a private not-for-profit college with a small student population. This college ranks 19th out of 44 colleges for overall quality in the state of Kansas.

There were about 48 theological & ministerial studies students who graduated with this degree at Benedictine College in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, theology degree recipients usually make an average of $32,202 in their early careers.

More information about a degree in theological & ministerial studies from Benedictine College

6
Crown crest
Crown College
Saint Bonifacius, MN
Master's Degree Highest Degree Type
9th Most Popular In MN

Crown is a small private not-for-profit college located in the rural area of Saint Bonifacius. This college ranks 50th out of 52 schools for overall quality in the state of Minnesota.

There were about 9 theological & ministerial studies students who graduated with this degree at Crown in the most recent data year.

More information about a degree in theological & ministerial studies from Crown College

Best Theological & Ministerial Studies Colleges by State

Explore the best theological & ministerial studies colleges for a specific state in the Plains States Region .

State Colleges Degrees Awarded
Minnesota 284 396
Missouri 283 781
Kansas 266 108
Iowa 264 92
Nebraska 238 28
North Dakota 210 35
South Dakota 204 32

View All Rankings >

Theological & Ministerial Studies is one of 7 different types of Theology & Religious Vocations programs to choose from.

Theology Focus Areas

Major Annual Graduates
Divinity/Ministry 754
Theology 637
Other Theological & Ministerial Studies 190
Pre-Theology/Pre-Ministerial Studies 55

View All Theology Concentrations >

Related Major Annual Graduates
Biblical Studies 699
Pastoral Counseling & Specialized Ministries 334
Missionary Studies 219
Religious Education 126
Theology & Religious Vocations (Other) 121
Sacred Music 32
Religious Institution Administration and Law 18

View All Theology Related Majors >

Notes and References

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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