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2022 Best Value Doctor’s Degree Colleges for Theology (Income $0-$30k)

21 Ranked Colleges
528 Degrees Awarded
$25,600 Avg Grad Tuition & Fees*
Best Value Theology Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $0-$30k

When it comes to choosing a college, students have a lot of options - but not all of them are good. 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 for a Doctorate For Those Making $0-$30k” ranking is one tool we have developed to help in this regard.

In 2019-2020, 5,846 people earned their degree in theology, making the major the 131st most popular in the United States.

At the doctor’s degree level specifically, there were 528 theology graduates with average earnings and debt of $72,680 and $116,043 respectively.

This year’s “Best Value Theology Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $0-$30k” ranking looked at 21 colleges that offer degrees in a bachelor’s in theology. Not only do the schools that top this list have excellent theology 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 theology program at the school and the cost of the school after aid is awarded among other things. For more information, check out our ranking methodology.

More Ways to Rank Theology 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 for a Doctorate For Those Making $0-$30k” list to help you make the college decision.

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. We encourage you to try it out and pit your favorite colleges and universities head to head! If you don’t have time right now, you can bookmark it for later.

Best Value Theology Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $0-$30k

The following schools top our list of the Best Best Value Theology Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $0-$30k.

Top 21 Best Value Doctor’s Degree Colleges for Theology (Income $0-$30k)

#1

Duke University

Durham, North Carolina
#2 in overall quality

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Duke University. The school came in at #1 for the Best Value Theology Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $0-$30k. Durham, North Carolina is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out doctorate’s theology degrees to 9 students in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our doctor’s degree theology students whose families make $0-$30k list, Duke has also earned the #2 rank in our “Best Theology Doctor’s Degree Schools” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at Duke University are $59,140, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Full Duke Theology Report

#2

University of Chicago

Chicago, Illinois
#4 in overall quality

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend University of Chicago. The school came in at #2 for the Best Value Theology Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $0-$30k. UChicago is located in Chicago, Illinois and, has a fairly large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 14 doctorate’s theology degrees to qualified students.

UChicago not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #4 on our “Best Theology Doctor’s Degree Schools” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at University of Chicago are $61,548, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read full report on Theology at UChicago

#3

University of Notre Dame

Notre Dame, Indiana
#1 in overall quality

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend University of Notre Dame. The school came in at #3 for the Best Value Theology Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $0-$30k. University of Notre Dame is located in Notre Dame, Indiana and, has a fairly large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 21 doctorate’s theology degrees to qualified students.

Notre Dame not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #1 on our “Best Theology Doctor’s Degree Schools” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at University of Notre Dame are $57,522, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read full report on Theology at Notre Dame

#4

Boston College

Chestnut Hill, Massachusetts
#5 in overall quality

Out of the 21 schools in the Best Value Theology Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $0-$30k that were part of this year’s ranking, Boston College landed the #4 spot on the list. Chestnut Hill, Massachusetts is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out doctorate’s theology degrees to 15 students in 2019-2020.

Boston College not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #5 on our “Best Theology Doctor’s Degree Schools” list. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at Boston College are $31,930.

Read more about Theology at Boston College

#5

Boston University

Boston, Massachusetts
#11 in overall quality

Out of the 21 schools in the Best Value Theology Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $0-$30k that were part of this year’s ranking, Boston University landed the #5 spot on the list. This large school is located in Boston, Massachusetts, and it awarded 7 doctorate’s theology degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Boston U, the school also landed the #11 spot in our “Best Theology Doctor’s Degree Schools” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at Boston U are $57,666, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Full Boston U Theology Report

#8 in overall quality

Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary came in at #6 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Theology Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. MBTS is a small school located in Kansas City, Missouri that handed out 34 doctorate’s theology degrees in 2019-2020.

MBTS did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #8 on our “Best Theology Doctor’s Degree Schools” list. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at MBTS are $6,950.

Full Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary Theology Report

#7

Drew University

Madison, New Jersey
#9 in overall quality

Drew University came in at #7 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Theology Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Drew University is located in Madison, New Jersey and, has a small student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 22 doctorate’s theology degrees to qualified students.

Drew did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #9 on our “Best Theology Doctor’s Degree Schools” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at Drew are $19,871, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read more about Theology at Drew

#8

Wheaton College Illinois

Wheaton, Illinois
#15 in overall quality

Wheaton College Illinois ranked #8 on this year’s Best Value Theology Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $0-$30k list. Wheaton College Illinois is a private not-for-profit institution located in Wheaton, Illinois. The school has a small population, and it awarded 5 doctorate’s degrees in 2019-2020.

Wheaton College Illinois not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #15 on our “Best Theology Doctor’s Degree Schools” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at Wheaton College Illinois are $17,424, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read more about Theology at Wheaton College Illinois

#9

Saint Louis University

Saint Louis, Missouri
#18 in overall quality

Saint Louis University did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Theology Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #9. SLU is a fairly large private not-for-profit school situated in Saint Louis, Missouri. It awarded 1 doctorate’s theology degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at SLU, the school also landed the #18 spot in our “Best Theology Doctor’s Degree Schools” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at SLU are $22,074, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Full SLU Theology Report

#10

Bob Jones University

Greenville, South Carolina
#24 in overall quality

Bob Jones University came in at #10 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Theology Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Bob Jones University is a private not-for-profit institution located in Greenville, South Carolina. The school has a small population, and it awarded 3 doctorate’s degrees in 2019-2020.

Bob Jones University did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #24 on our “Best Theology Doctor’s Degree Schools” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at Bob Jones University are $9,573, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read more about Theology at Bob Jones University

#11

Ave Maria University

Ave Maria, Florida
#25 in overall quality

Ave Maria University landed the #11 spot on the 2022 Best Value Theology Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Ave Maria University is a private not-for-profit institution located in Ave Maria, Florida. The school has a small population, and it awarded 3 doctorate’s degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at AMU, the school also landed the #25 spot in our “Best Theology Doctor’s Degree Schools” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at Ave Maria University are $15,386, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Full AMU Theology Report

#12

Oral Roberts University

Tulsa, Oklahoma
#19 in overall quality

Oral Roberts University did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Theology Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #12. This small school is located in Tulsa, Oklahoma, and it awarded 4 doctorate’s theology degrees in 2019-2020.

ORU did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #19 on our “Best Theology Doctor’s Degree Schools” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at ORU are $12,282, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read full report on Theology at Oral Roberts University

#13

Santa Clara University

Santa Clara, California
#6 in overall quality

Santa Clara University ranked #13 on this year’s Best Value Theology Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $0-$30k list. SCU is located in Santa Clara, California and, has a medium-sized student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 27 doctorate’s theology degrees to qualified students.

SCU also made our “Best Theology Doctor’s Degree Schools” list, coming in at #6. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at SCU are $23,507.

Read full report on Theology at SCU

Trinity International University - Illinois did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Theology Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #14. TIU Illinois is a private not-for-profit institution located in Deerfield, Illinois. The school has a small population, and it awarded 9 doctorate’s degrees in 2019-2020.

Average graduate tuition and fees at Trinity International University - Illinois are $17,780, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read more about Theology at Trinity International University - Illinois

#15

Anderson University Indiana

Anderson, Indiana
#23 in overall quality

Anderson University Indiana came in at #15 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Theology Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Anderson University Indiana is a small private not-for-profit school situated in Anderson, Indiana. It awarded 5 doctorate’s theology degrees in 2019-2020.

Anderson University Indiana also made our “Best Theology Doctor’s Degree Schools” list, coming in at #23. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at Anderson University Indiana are $11,455.

Read full report on Theology at Anderson University Indiana

#16

Regent University

Virginia Beach, Virginia
#14 in overall quality

Regent University came in at #16 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Theology Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Regent is a private not-for-profit institution located in Virginia Beach, Virginia. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 14 doctorate’s degrees in 2019-2020.

Regent also made our “Best Theology Doctor’s Degree Schools” list, coming in at #14. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at Regent are $17,052.

Full Regent Theology Report

#16 in overall quality

Southern Methodist University came in at #17 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Theology Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Southern Methodist University is a fairly large private not-for-profit school situated in Dallas, Texas. It awarded 1 doctorate’s theology degrees in 2019-2020.

SMU did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #16 on our “Best Theology Doctor’s Degree Schools” list. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at SMU are $47,478.

Full SMU Theology Report

#18

Evangel University

Springfield, Missouri
#22 in overall quality

Evangel University came in at #18 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Theology Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Evangel University is located in Springfield, Missouri and, has a small student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 3 doctorate’s theology degrees to qualified students.

Evangel also took the #22 spot in our “Best Theology Doctor’s Degree Schools” ranking. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at Evangel are $8,838.

Full Evangel Theology Report

#19

Loyola University Chicago

Chicago, Illinois
#13 in overall quality

Loyola University Chicago did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Theology Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #19. Loyola Chicago is located in Chicago, Illinois and, has a fairly large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 1 doctorate’s theology degrees to qualified students.

Loyola Chicago did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #13 on our “Best Theology Doctor’s Degree Schools” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at Loyola University Chicago are $19,154, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read full report on Theology at Loyola University Chicago

#20

Liberty University

Lynchburg, Virginia
#17 in overall quality

Liberty University came in at #20 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Theology Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Liberty University is a private not-for-profit institution located in Lynchburg, Virginia. The school has a large population, and it awarded 75 doctorate’s degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Liberty University, the school also landed the #17 spot in our “Best Theology Doctor’s Degree Schools” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at Liberty University are $8,349, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Full Liberty University Theology Report

#21

Union University

Jackson, Tennessee

With a ranking of #21, Union University did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Theology Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $0-$30k list. This small school is located in Jackson, Tennessee, and it awarded 3 doctorate’s theology degrees in 2019-2020.

Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at Union are $10,671.

Read full report on Theology at Union University

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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