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2022 Best Value Theology & Religious Vocations Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k

21 Ranked Colleges
1,570 Degrees Awarded
$17,900 Avg Net Price*
Best Value Theology & Religious Vocations Schools for a Bachelor's in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k

With all of the options students have for higher education today, it can be tough to choose which direction to take. One of our goals at College Factual is to give you as much information as we can - such as our “Best Value Theology & Religious Vocations Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k” ranking - to help you make that decision.

In 2019-2020, 26,872 people earned their degree in theology and religious vocations, making the major the 25th most popular in the United States. In 2017-2018, theology and religious vocations graduates who were awarded their degree in 2015-2017, earned an average of $34,203 and had an average of $35,660 in loans still to pay off.

Across the Great Lakes region, there were 4,572 theology and religious vocations graduates with average earnings and debt of $36,777 and $36,047 respectively. At the bachelor’s degree level specifically, there were 1,570 theology and religious vocations graduates with average earnings and debt of $39,075 and $25,381 respectively.

For this year’s “Best Value Theology & Religious Vocations Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k” ranking, we looked at 21 colleges that offer a degree in theology and religious vocations. Not only do the schools that top this list have excellent theology and religious vocations programs, but they also cost less that schools of similar quality.

When determining these rankings, we looked at things such as overall quality of the theology and religious vocations program at the school and the cost to attend the school once aid has been awarded. For more information, check out our ranking methodology.

One Size Does Not Fit All

Since the program you select can have a significant impact on your future, we’ve developed a number of rankings, including this “Best Value Theology & Religious Vocations Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k” list, to help you choose the best school for you.

You can create your own custom comparison that focuses on the factors most important to you using our tool, College Combat. 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 & Religious Vocations Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k

The colleges and universities below are the best for great lakes region bachelor’s degree theology & religious vocations students whose families make $30-$48k.

Top 21 Best Value Bachelor’s Degree Colleges for Theology & Religious Vocations (Income $30-$48k) in the Great Lakes Region

#1

University of Chicago

Chicago, Illinois
#2 in overall quality

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend University of Chicago. It ranked #1 on our 2022 Best Value Theology & Religious Vocations Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. UChicago is a fairly large private not-for-profit school situated in Chicago, Illinois. It awarded 4 bachelors’s theology and religious vocations degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at UChicago, the school also landed the #2 spot in our “Best Theology & Religious Vocations Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. It costs about $2,800 for Great Lakes Region Bachelor’s Degree Theology & Religious Vocations students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend UChicago.

The impressive 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. With a freshman retention rate of 100%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its students. The low student loan default rate of 0.6% 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 UChicago Theology & Religious Vocations Report

#2

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 #2 for the Best Value Theology & Religious Vocations Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k. Located in Notre Dame, Indiana, this fairly large private not-for-profit school handed out 48 diplomas to qualified bachelors’s theology and religious vocations students in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our great lakes region bachelor’s degree theology & religious vocations students whose families make $30-$48k list, Notre Dame has also earned the #1 rank in our “Best Theology & Religious Vocations Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Notre Dame is $15,609 for Great Lakes Region Bachelor’s Degree Theology & Religious Vocations students whose families make $30-$48k.

Since the school has a student-to-faculty ratio of 9 to 1, those pursuing a degree will have more opportunities to interact with their professors. 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 school has an impressive student loan default rate. It’s only 0.7%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on Theology & Religious Vocations at University of Notre Dame

#3

Moody Bible Institute

Chicago, Illinois
#4 in overall quality

Out of the 21 schools in the Best Value Theology & Religious Vocations Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k that were part of this year’s ranking, Moody Bible Institute landed the #3 spot on the list. Chicago, Illinois is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out bachelors’s theology and religious vocations degrees to 512 students in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Moody Theological Seminary and Graduate School, the school also landed the #4 spot in our “Best Theology & Religious Vocations Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Moody Bible Institute is $16,582 for Great Lakes Region Bachelor’s Degree Theology & Religious Vocations students whose families make $30-$48k.

Read more about Theology & Religious Vocations at Moody Theological Seminary and Graduate School

#4

Taylor University

Upland, Indiana
#6 in overall quality

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Taylor University. It ranked #4 on our 2022 Best Value Theology & Religious Vocations Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. Located in Upland, Indiana, this small private not-for-profit school awarded 24 degrees to qualified bachelors’s theology and religious vocations students in 2019-2020.

Taylor U did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #6 on our “Best Theology & Religious Vocations Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. The yearly cost to attend Taylor University is $21,171 for great lakes region bachelor’s degree theology & religious vocations students whose families make $30-$48k.

The low student loan default rate of 1.9% 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 school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 89%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.

Full Taylor University Theology & Religious Vocations Report

#12 in overall quality

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Grace College and Theological Seminary. It ranked #5 on our 2022 Best Value Theology & Religious Vocations Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. This small school is located in Winona Lake, Indiana, and it awarded 57 bachelors’s theology and religious vocations degrees in 2019-2020.

Grace College also took the #12 spot in our “Best Theology & Religious Vocations Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. It costs about $15,373 for great lakes region bachelor’s degree theology & religious vocations students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend Grace College and Theological Seminary.

The school has an impressive student loan default rate. It’s only 4.5%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Theology & Religious Vocations at Grace College

#6

Olivet Nazarene University

Bourbonnais, Illinois
#11 in overall quality

Olivet Nazarene University landed the #6 spot on the 2022 Best Value Theology & Religious Vocations Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Olivet Nazarene University is a private not-for-profit institution located in Bourbonnais, Illinois. The school has a small population, and it awarded 34 bachelors’s degrees in 2019-2020.

Olivet Nazarene did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #11 on our “Best Theology & Religious Vocations Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. The estimated yearly cost for Olivet Nazarene University is $15,390 for Great Lakes Region Bachelor’s Degree Theology & Religious Vocations students whose families make $30-$48k.

The student loan default rate at the school is 3.4%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Full Olivet Nazarene University Theology & Religious Vocations Report

#7

Andrews University

Berrien Springs, Michigan
#8 in overall quality

Andrews University came in at #7 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Theology & Religious Vocations Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. This small school is located in Berrien Springs, Michigan, and it awarded 13 bachelors’s theology and religious vocations degrees in 2019-2020.

Andrews did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #8 on our “Best Theology & Religious Vocations Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. The estimated yearly cost for Andrews is $20,330 for great lakes region bachelor’s degree theology & religious vocations students whose families make $30-$48k.

The school has an impressive student loan default rate. It’s only 4.8%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%. With a student-to-faculty ratio of 10 to 1, it’s easy to see that the school is committed to helping their undergraduates succeed. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 85%.

Read full report on Theology & Religious Vocations at Andrews University

#7 in overall quality

Franciscan University of Steubenville came in at #8 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Theology & Religious Vocations Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. This small school is located in Steubenville, Ohio, and it awarded 122 bachelors’s theology and religious vocations degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our great lakes region bachelor’s degree theology & religious vocations students whose families make $30-$48k list, Franciscan U has also earned the #7 rank in our “Best Theology & Religious Vocations Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. It costs about $19,812 for great lakes region bachelor’s degree theology & religious vocations students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend Franciscan University of Steubenville.

The school has an impressive student loan default rate. It’s only 2.4%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%. With a freshman retention rate of 86%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its students.

Full Franciscan University of Steubenville Theology & Religious Vocations Report

#9

Grace Christian University

Wyoming, Michigan
#16 in overall quality

Grace Christian University ranked #9 on this year’s Best Value Theology & Religious Vocations Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. Located in Wyoming, Michigan, this small private not-for-profit school awarded 56 diplomas to qualified bachelors’s theology and religious vocations students in 2019-2020.

Grace also took the #16 spot in our “Best Theology & Religious Vocations Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. It costs about $10,716 for great lakes region bachelor’s degree theology & religious vocations students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend Grace.

Read full report on Theology & Religious Vocations at Grace Christian University

#10

Wheaton College Illinois

Wheaton, Illinois
#5 in overall quality

Wheaton College Illinois landed the #10 spot on the 2022 Best Value Theology & Religious Vocations Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Wheaton, Illinois is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out bachelors’s theology and religious vocations degrees to 46 students in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our great lakes region bachelor’s degree theology & religious vocations students whose families make $30-$48k list, Wheaton College Illinois has also earned the #5 rank in our “Best Theology & Religious Vocations Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Wheaton College Illinois is $16,212 for Great Lakes Region Bachelor’s Degree Theology & Religious Vocations students whose families make $30-$48k.

The low 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 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. With a freshman retention rate of 90%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its students.

Read more about Theology & Religious Vocations at Wheaton College Illinois

#11

Indiana Wesleyan University

Marion, Indiana
#10 in overall quality

Indiana Wesleyan University ranked #11 on this year’s Best Value Theology & Religious Vocations Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. IWU is a private not-for-profit institution located in Marion, Indiana. The school has a small population, and it awarded 58 bachelors’s degrees in 2019-2020.

IWU also made our “Best Theology & Religious Vocations Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list, coming in at #10. The estimated yearly cost for IWU is $15,005 for great lakes region bachelor’s degree theology & religious vocations students whose families make $30-$48k.

Full Indiana Wesleyan University Theology & Religious Vocations Report

#12

Malone University

Canton, Ohio
#17 in overall quality

With a ranking of #12, Malone University did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Theology & Religious Vocations Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. This small school is located in Canton, Ohio, and it awarded 17 bachelors’s theology and religious vocations degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our great lakes region bachelor’s degree theology & religious vocations students whose families make $30-$48k list, Malone has also earned the #17 rank in our “Best Theology & Religious Vocations Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Malone is $16,284 for Great Lakes Region Bachelor’s Degree Theology & Religious Vocations students whose families make $30-$48k.

Read more about Theology & Religious Vocations at Malone

#13 in overall quality

With a ranking of #13, Indiana Wesleyan University - National & Global did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Theology & Religious Vocations Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. IWU is a private not-for-profit institution located in Marion, Indiana. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 46 bachelors’s degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our great lakes region bachelor’s degree theology & religious vocations students whose families make $30-$48k list, IWU has also earned the #13 rank in our “Best Theology & Religious Vocations Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend IWU is $21,688 for Great Lakes Region Bachelor’s Degree Theology & Religious Vocations students whose families make $30-$48k.

Read full report on Theology & Religious Vocations at IWU

#14

Maranatha Baptist University

Watertown, Wisconsin
#15 in overall quality

Maranatha Baptist University did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Theology & Religious Vocations Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #14. MBU is a small private not-for-profit school situated in Watertown, Wisconsin. It awarded 17 bachelors’s theology and religious vocations degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our great lakes region bachelor’s degree theology & religious vocations students whose families make $30-$48k list, MBU has also earned the #15 rank in our “Best Theology & Religious Vocations Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Maranatha Baptist University is $17,184 for Great Lakes Region Bachelor’s Degree Theology & Religious Vocations students whose families make $30-$48k.

Read more about Theology & Religious Vocations at Maranatha Baptist University

#14 in overall quality

Trinity International University - Illinois came in at #15 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Theology & Religious Vocations Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. TIU Illinois is located in Deerfield, Illinois and, has a small student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 21 bachelors’s theology and religious vocations degrees to qualified students.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at TIU Illinois, the school also landed the #14 spot in our “Best Theology & Religious Vocations Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend TIU Illinois is $20,693 for Great Lakes Region Bachelor’s Degree Theology & Religious Vocations students whose families make $30-$48k.

The 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 Theology & Religious Vocations at TIU Illinois

#16

Anderson University Indiana

Anderson, Indiana
#20 in overall quality

Anderson University Indiana came in at #16 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Theology & Religious Vocations Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Located in Anderson, Indiana, this small private not-for-profit school handed out 7 diplomas to qualified bachelors’s theology and religious vocations students in 2019-2020.

Anderson University Indiana also made our “Best Theology & Religious Vocations Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list, coming in at #20. The yearly cost to attend Anderson University Indiana is $18,121 for Great Lakes Region Bachelor’s Degree Theology & Religious Vocations students whose families make $30-$48k.

The impressive student-to-faculty ratio of 8 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 Theology & Religious Vocations at Anderson University Indiana

#17

Ohio Christian University

Circleville, Ohio
#18 in overall quality

Ohio Christian University did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Theology & Religious Vocations Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #17. OCU is a small private not-for-profit school situated in Circleville, Ohio. It awarded 56 bachelors’s theology and religious vocations degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at OCU, the school also landed the #18 spot in our “Best Theology & Religious Vocations Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for OCU is $22,353 for great lakes region bachelor’s degree theology & religious vocations students whose families make $30-$48k.

The 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 more about Theology & Religious Vocations at OCU

#18

Concordia University, Wisconsin

Mequon, Wisconsin
#19 in overall quality

Concordia University, Wisconsin came in at #18 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Theology & Religious Vocations Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Mequon, Wisconsin is the setting for this medium-sized institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out bachelors’s theology and religious vocations degrees to 12 students in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Concordia University, Wisconsin, the school also landed the #19 spot in our “Best Theology & Religious Vocations Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. It costs about $20,893 for great lakes region bachelor’s degree theology & religious vocations students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend Concordia University, Wisconsin.

The student loan default rate at the school is 4.6%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on Theology & Religious Vocations at Concordia University, Wisconsin

#19

Cornerstone University

Grand Rapids, Michigan
#21 in overall quality

Cornerstone University came in at #19 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Theology & Religious Vocations Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Cornerstone is a small school located in Grand Rapids, Michigan that handed out 27 bachelors’s theology and religious vocations degrees in 2019-2020.

Cornerstone not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #21 on our “Best Theology & Religious Vocations Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. The yearly cost to attend Cornerstone University is $17,478 for great lakes region bachelor’s degree theology & religious vocations students whose families make $30-$48k.

With a freshman retention rate of 86%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its students.

Full Cornerstone University Theology & Religious Vocations Report

#20

Loyola University Chicago

Chicago, Illinois
#9 in overall quality

With a ranking of #20, Loyola University Chicago did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Theology & Religious Vocations Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. Located in Chicago, Illinois, this fairly large private not-for-profit school awarded 10 diplomas to qualified bachelors’s theology and religious vocations students in 2019-2020.

Loyola Chicago not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #9 on our “Best Theology & Religious Vocations Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. The estimated yearly cost for Loyola University Chicago is $29,788 for Great Lakes Region Bachelor’s Degree Theology & Religious Vocations students whose families make $30-$48k.

Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 85%. The school has an impressive student loan default rate. It’s only 3.4%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Full Loyola Chicago Theology & Religious Vocations Report

#21

Concordia University, Ann Arbor

Ann Arbor, Michigan
#22 in overall quality

Concordia University, Ann Arbor came in at #21 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Theology & Religious Vocations Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Concordia University, Ann Arbor is located in Ann Arbor, Michigan and, has a small student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 3 bachelors’s theology and religious vocations degrees to qualified students.

Concordia University, Ann Arbor not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #22 on our “Best Theology & Religious Vocations Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. The estimated yearly cost for Concordia University, Ann Arbor is $23,413 for Great Lakes Region Bachelor’s Degree Theology & Religious Vocations students whose families make $30-$48k.

The student loan default rate at the school is 4.6%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%. 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.

Read full report on Theology & Religious Vocations at Concordia University, Ann Arbor

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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 Daderot.

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