2027 Best Value Theology & Religious Vocations Schools in the Great Lakes Region
[Theology & Religious Vocations](/majors/theology-and-religious-vocations/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong theology & religious vocations education at a price that pays off.
College Factual analyzed 34 schools to build this 2027 ranking of the best value theology & religious vocations schools.
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2027 Best Value Theology & Religious Vocations Schools in the Great Lakes Region
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in theology & religious vocations, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Theology & Religious Vocations Schools
Our analysis ranked Trinity International University Illinois the best value for a degree in theology & religious vocations in the Great Lakes Region. Set in the suburb of Deerfield, Trinity International University Illinois is a small private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $12,320. Theology & Religious Vocations graduates carry a median of $32,934 in student loans. Soon after graduation, theology & religious vocations degree recipients from Trinity International University Illinois generally make around $50,091. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 100%.
Andrews University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in theology & religious vocations, landing the #2 spot this year. Located in the town of Berrien Springs, Andrews University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $35,056. Students borrow a median of $26,314 to complete the theology & religious vocations program here. Soon after graduation, theology & religious vocations degree recipients from Andrews University generally make around $64,008. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 82% of applicants are accepted.
A rank of #3 makes Sacred Heart Major Seminary one of the best values for theology & religious vocations. Located in the city of Detroit, Sacred Heart Major Seminary is a small private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $24,140 in tuition and fees. Median earnings reach $49,295 ten years out. The acceptance rate is 100%.
A rank of #4 makes University Of Chicago one of the best values for theology & religious vocations. Located in the city of Chicago, University Of Chicago is a very large private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $69,324. Students borrow a median of $15,854 to complete the theology & religious vocations program here. Early-career theology & religious vocations graduates make about $45,985. Set against $15,854 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Chicago admits about 4% of applicants.
North Park University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in theology & religious vocations, landing the #5 spot this year. North Park University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Chicago. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $36,710. Students borrow a median of $27,360 to complete the theology & religious vocations program here. Theology & Religious Vocations graduates of North Park University earn a median of $51,611 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $27,360 median debt. Roughly 68% of applicants are accepted.
Indiana Wesleyan University National And Global earned the #6 position for value in theology & religious vocations this year. Located in the rural area of Marion, Indiana Wesleyan University National And Global is a large private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,648. Theology & Religious Vocations graduates carry a median of $26,585 in student loans. Soon after graduation, theology & religious vocations degree recipients from Indiana Wesleyan University National And Global generally make around $40,261. That is a strong return on a $26,585 median debt.
Bethel College Mishawaka placed #7 among the best values for theology & religious vocations. Bethel College Mishawaka is a small private not-for-profit school located in the city of Mishawaka. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $34,600. Students borrow a median of $23,319 to complete the theology & religious vocations program here. Theology & Religious Vocations graduates of Bethel College Mishawaka earn a median of $32,827 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 98% of applicants are accepted.
Grace College And Theological Seminary placed #8 among the best values for theology & religious vocations. Located in the town of Winona Lake, Grace College And Theological Seminary is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $29,645. Theology & Religious Vocations graduates carry a median of $25,460 in student loans. Early-career theology & religious vocations graduates make about $34,513. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 82% of applicants are accepted.
Rosedale Bible College ranked #9 on our 2027 list of the best value theology & religious vocations schools. Set in the rural area of Irwin, Rosedale Bible College is a small private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $10,088 in tuition and fees. Graduates go on to earn a median of $35,558 ten years after entry.
Olivet Nazarene University came in at #10 for value in theology & religious vocations this year. Set in the suburb of Bourbonnais, Olivet Nazarene University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $38,900. Theology & Religious Vocations graduates carry a median of $26,797 in student loans. Theology & Religious Vocations graduates of Olivet Nazarene University earn a median of $48,505 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 56%.
Cornerstone University placed #11 among the best values for theology & religious vocations. Located in the city of Grand Rapids, Cornerstone University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $23,000 in tuition and fees. Theology & Religious Vocations graduates carry a median of $43,009 in student loans. Early-career theology & religious vocations graduates make about $46,456. Set against $43,009 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 78% of applicants are accepted.
Malone University came in at #12 for value in theology & religious vocations this year. Malone University is a small private not-for-profit school located in the city of Canton. In-state tuition and fees average $37,160. Theology & Religious Vocations graduates carry a median of $27,956 in student loans. Soon after graduation, theology & religious vocations degree recipients from Malone University generally make around $48,359. Set against $27,956 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 76%.
Viterbo University ranked #13 on our 2027 list of the best value theology & religious vocations schools. Set in the city of La Crosse, Viterbo University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $34,250. Typical student debt for theology & religious vocations graduates is $29,107. Early-career theology & religious vocations graduates make about $60,309. Set against $29,107 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Viterbo University admits about 72% of applicants.
Grace Bible College came in at #14 for value in theology & religious vocations this year. Set in the city of Wyoming, Grace Bible College is a small private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $17,190. Typical student debt for theology & religious vocations graduates is $30,069. Early-career theology & religious vocations graduates make about $41,146. That is a strong return on a $30,069 median debt. The acceptance rate is 99%.
Moody Bible Institute landed the #15 spot for theology & religious vocations value this year. Set in the city of Chicago, Moody Bible Institute is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $15,786. Typical student debt for theology & religious vocations graduates is $13,064. Early-career theology & religious vocations graduates make about $43,134. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 83%.
Ohio Christian University ranked #16 on our 2027 list of the best value theology & religious vocations schools. Located in the rural area of Circleville, Ohio Christian University is a small private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $19,190. Theology & Religious Vocations graduates carry a median of $30,947 in student loans. Soon after graduation, theology & religious vocations degree recipients from Ohio Christian University generally make around $45,829. Set against $30,947 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 38% of applicants are accepted.
Ashland University placed #17 among the best values for theology & religious vocations. Located in the town of Ashland, Ashland University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $31,210 in tuition and fees. Theology & Religious Vocations graduates carry a median of $24,536 in student loans. Theology & Religious Vocations graduates of Ashland University earn a median of $52,813 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $24,536 median debt. The acceptance rate is 76%.
Mount Vernon Nazarene University placed #18 among the best values for theology & religious vocations. Mount Vernon Nazarene University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the town of Mount Vernon. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $27,193. Students borrow a median of $26,602 to complete the theology & religious vocations program here. Soon after graduation, theology & religious vocations degree recipients from Mount Vernon Nazarene University generally make around $53,377. Set against $26,602 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 84%.
Calvin College placed #19 among the best values for theology & religious vocations. Located in the city of Grand Rapids, Calvin College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $39,350. Typical student debt for theology & religious vocations graduates is $22,707. Early-career theology & religious vocations graduates make about $44,220. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Calvin College admits about 71% of applicants.
Capital University placed #20 among the best values for theology & religious vocations. Located in the suburb of Columbus, Capital University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $43,234. Typical student debt for theology & religious vocations graduates is $28,269. Early-career theology & religious vocations graduates make about $46,516. That is a strong return on a $28,269 median debt. Capital University admits about 70% of applicants.
Indiana Wesleyan University landed the #21 spot for theology & religious vocations value this year. Located in the town of Marion, Indiana Wesleyan University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $32,352. Theology & Religious Vocations graduates carry a median of $24,510 in student loans. Soon after graduation, theology & religious vocations degree recipients from Indiana Wesleyan University generally make around $33,461. Set against $24,510 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 89%.
Franciscan University Of Steubenville came in at #22 for value in theology & religious vocations this year. Franciscan University Of Steubenville is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Steubenville. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $34,100. Students borrow a median of $25,054 to complete the theology & religious vocations program here. Early-career theology & religious vocations graduates make about $37,083. That is a strong return on a $25,054 median debt. Franciscan University Of Steubenville admits about 58% of applicants.
Cedarville University ranked #23 on our 2027 list of the best value theology & religious vocations schools. Cedarville University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the rural area of Cedarville. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $37,150. Typical student debt for theology & religious vocations graduates is $25,000. Soon after graduation, theology & religious vocations degree recipients from Cedarville University generally make around $41,554. That is a strong return on a $25,000 median debt. Cedarville University admits about 65% of applicants.
Taylor University landed the #24 spot for theology & religious vocations value this year. Located in the rural area of Upland, Taylor University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $40,490. Typical student debt for theology & religious vocations graduates is $21,832. Early-career theology & religious vocations graduates make about $37,035. Set against $21,832 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 74%.
Earlham College landed the #25 spot for theology & religious vocations value this year. Set in the town of Richmond, Earlham College is a small private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $53,930. Theology & Religious Vocations graduates carry a median of $25,125 in student loans. Soon after graduation, theology & religious vocations degree recipients from Earlham College generally make around $43,038. That is a strong return on a $25,125 median debt. Roughly 73% of applicants are accepted.
Rest of the Top 34 Best Value Theology & Religious Vocations Schools
These schools also delivered strong value for theology & religious vocations this year:
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Notes and References
This list is compiled by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 edition. The methodology weighs the cost of a degree against the earnings graduates go on to achieve, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 34 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 34 ranked schools only.
- 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).
More about our data sources and methodologies.
