2027 Best Value Theology & Religious Vocations Schools in Illinois
[Theology & Religious Vocations](/majors/theology-and-religious-vocations/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
College Factual analyzed 7 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 Illinois
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in theology & religious vocations, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Theology & Religious Vocations Schools
Leading the list is Trinity International University Illinois, our #1 best value for theology & religious vocations in Illinois. Trinity International University Illinois is a small private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Deerfield. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,320. Students borrow a median of $32,934 to complete the theology & religious vocations program here. Early-career theology & religious vocations graduates make about $50,091. That is a strong return on a $32,934 median debt. Roughly 100% of applicants are accepted.
A rank of #2 makes University Of Chicago one of the best values for theology & religious vocations. University Of Chicago is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Chicago. Students from in state pay about $69,324 in tuition and fees. Theology & Religious Vocations graduates carry a median of $15,854 in student loans. Theology & Religious Vocations graduates of University Of Chicago earn a median of $45,985 early in their careers. Set against $15,854 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 4%.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at North Park University earned it the #3 place for theology & religious vocations. 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. Typical student debt for theology & religious vocations graduates is $27,360. Soon after graduation, theology & religious vocations degree recipients from North Park University generally make around $51,611. Set against $27,360 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 68% of applicants are accepted.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Olivet Nazarene University earned it the #4 place for theology & religious vocations. 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. Students borrow a median of $26,797 to complete the theology & religious vocations program here. Soon after graduation, theology & religious vocations degree recipients from Olivet Nazarene University generally make around $48,505. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 56%.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Moody Bible Institute earned it the #5 place for theology & religious vocations. Located in the city of Chicago, Moody Bible Institute is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $15,786. Typical student debt for theology & religious vocations graduates is $13,064. Theology & Religious Vocations graduates of Moody Bible Institute earn a median of $43,134 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Moody Bible Institute admits about 83% of applicants.
Wheaton College Illinois placed #6 among the best values for theology & religious vocations. Located in the suburb of Wheaton, Wheaton College Illinois is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $45,546. Students borrow a median of $24,074 to complete the theology & religious vocations program here. Theology & Religious Vocations graduates of Wheaton College Illinois earn a median of $55,323 early in their careers. Set against $24,074 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 87%.
Loyola University Chicago earned the #7 position for value in theology & religious vocations this year. Loyola University Chicago is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Chicago. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $53,710. Typical student debt for theology & religious vocations graduates is $23,521. Theology & Religious Vocations graduates of Loyola University Chicago earn a median of $46,241 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Loyola University Chicago admits about 82% of applicants.
More Theology & Religious Vocations Rankings
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Notes and References
The ranking above is published by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 edition. Schools are scored on the balance of cost (tuition and student debt) against student outcomes (post-graduation earnings) — a measure of return on investment, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 7 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 7 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.
