2023 Most Veteran Friendly in the Southwest Region for Theology & Religious Vocations
13
Ranked Colleges
2,641
Degrees Awarded
$30,800
Avg Cost*
When pursuing a degree in today’s world, veterans have many different options to choose from. College Factual was founded, in part, to help students make the decision as to what would be the best school for them. Our “Most Veteran Friendly in the Southwest Region for Theology & Religious Vocations” ranking is part of that endeavor.
Theology & Religious Vocations is the 26th most popular major in the country with 27,459 degrees awarded in 2020-2021. In 2019-2020, theology and religious vocations graduates who were awarded their degree in 2017-2019, earned an average of $36,020 and had an average of $26,322 in loans still to pay off.
Across the Southwest region, there were 2,641 theology and religious vocations graduates with average earnings and debt of $37,545 and $31,524 respectively.
This year’s “Most Veteran Friendly in the Southwest Region for Theology & Religious Vocations” ranking analyzed 13 colleges that offered 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 offer a lot of support to veterans and active service members.
Some of the factors we look at when determining these rankings are overall quality of the theology and religious vocations program at the school, veteran affordability, and veteran population. Check out our ranking methodology for more information.
One Size Does Not Fit All
Since picking the right college can be one of the most important decisions of your life, we’ve developed the “Most Veteran Friendly in the Southwest Region for Theology & Religious Vocations” ranking, along with many other major-related rankings, to help you make that 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. Test it out by comparing your favorite schools against others you are considering, or bookmark the tool so you can experiment with it later.
Most Veteran Friendly in the Southwest Region for Theology & Religious Vocations
The following schools top our list of the Best “Most Veteran Friendly in the Southwest Region for Theology & Religious Vocations”.
Top 13 Best Theology & Religious Vocations Colleges for Veterans in the Southwest Region
Out of the 13 schools in the Most Veteran Friendly in the Southwest Region for Theology & Religious Vocations that were part of this year’s ranking, Grand Canyon University landed the #1 spot on the list. Grand Canyon University is a large private for-profit school situated in Phoenix, Arizona. It awarded 462 ’s theology and religious vocations degrees in 2020-2021.
Grand Canyon University also took the #[COLLEGE_QUALITY_RANK_ALL_LEVELS] spot in our “[COLLEGE_QUALITY_NAME_ALL_LEVELS]” ranking.Our most recent data shows that 7,172 of the 103,427 students enrolled at Grand Canyon University were GI Bill® students, of which 4,951 were Post-9/11 GI Bill® recipients. The average Post-9/11 GI Bill® award for tuition and fees at the school was $5,970. On top of their other funding sources, 5 students received funds through the Yellow Ribbon Program. Eligible students may be able to receive credit for their military training.
The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only [DEFAULT_RATE_STRING]%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.
[Read full report on veteran student life at Grand Canyon University]](/colleges/grand-canyon-university/student-life/veterans/)
You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Oral Roberts University. The school came in at #2 for the Most Veteran Friendly in the Southwest Region for Theology & Religious Vocations. Oral Roberts University is a small school located in Tulsa, Oklahoma that handed out 181 ’s theology and religious vocations degrees in 2020-2021.
ORU also took the #[COLLEGE_QUALITY_RANK_ALL_LEVELS] spot in our “[COLLEGE_QUALITY_NAME_ALL_LEVELS]” ranking.Our most recent data shows that 135 of the 4,317 students enrolled at ORU were GI Bill® students, of which 76 were Post-9/11 GI Bill® recipients. The average tuition and fees award for the Post-9/11 GI Bill® recipients was $10,157. To help with additional expenses, 4 students qualified for the Yellow Ribbon Program. Students may be able to receive credit for their military training, depending on their background.
Full ORU Veteran Student Life Report
Out of the 13 schools in the Most Veteran Friendly in the Southwest Region for Theology & Religious Vocations that were part of this year’s ranking, Dallas Baptist University landed the #3 spot on the list. This small school is located in Dallas, Texas, and it awarded 147 ’s theology and religious vocations degrees in 2020-2021.
DBU did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #[COLLEGE_QUALITY_RANK_ALL_LEVELS] on our “[COLLEGE_QUALITY_NAME_ALL_LEVELS]” list.Of the 4,247 students enrolled at Dallas Baptist University, 200 were GI Bill® students, according to our most recent data. Out of that number, 150 were Post-9/11 GI Bill® recipients. The average Post-9/11 GI Bill® award for tuition and fees at the school was $14,924. On top of their other funding sources, 39 students qualified for the Yellow Ribbon Program. Dallas Baptist University offers credit for military training for eligible students.
Read More…
You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Mid-America Christian University. The school came in at #4 for the Most Veteran Friendly in the Southwest Region for Theology & Religious Vocations. Located in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, this small private not-for-profit school handed out 44 diplomas to qualified ’s theology and religious vocations students in 2020-2021.
MACU did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #[COLLEGE_QUALITY_RANK_ALL_LEVELS] on our “[COLLEGE_QUALITY_NAME_ALL_LEVELS]” list.Of the 2,083 students enrolled at Mid-America Christian University, 198 were GI Bill® students, according to our most recent data. Out of that number, 133 were Post-9/11 GI Bill® recipients. The average Post-9/11 GI Bill® award for tuition and fees at the school was $6,026. On top of their other funding sources, 0 students received funds through the Yellow Ribbon Program. Students may be able to receive credit for their military training, depending on their background.
[Read full report on veteran student life at Mid-America Christian University]](/colleges/mid-america-christian-university/student-life/veterans/)
Out of the 13 schools in the Most Veteran Friendly in the Southwest Region for Theology & Religious Vocations that were part of this year’s ranking, Southern Methodist University landed the #5 spot on the list. Dallas, Texas is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out ’s theology and religious vocations degrees to 83 students in 2020-2021.
SMU also made our “[COLLEGE_QUALITY_NAME_ALL_LEVELS]” list, coming in at #[COLLEGE_QUALITY_RANK_ALL_LEVELS].Of the 12,373 students enrolled at SMU, 327 were GI Bill® students, according to our most recent data. Out of that number, 215 were Post-9/11 GI Bill® recipients. The average Post-9/11 GI Bill® award for tuition and fees at the school was $15,612. On top of their other funding sources, 103 students received scholarships through the Yellow Ribbon Program. Eligible students may be able to receive credit for their military training.
The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is [DEFAULT_RATE_STRING]%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 90%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.
[Read full report on veteran student life at SMU]](/colleges/southern-methodist-university/student-life/veterans/)
Dallas Theological Seminary ranked #6 on this year’s Most Veteran Friendly in the Southwest Region for Theology & Religious Vocations list. Dallas Theological Seminary is located in Dallas, Texas and, has a small student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 430 ’s theology and religious vocations degrees to qualified students.
DTS Dallas did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #[COLLEGE_QUALITY_RANK_ALL_LEVELS] on our “[COLLEGE_QUALITY_NAME_ALL_LEVELS]” list.According to our most recent data, DTS Dallas supports 2,447 students, and 25 of those are GI Bill® students, of which 22 are Post-9/11 GI Bill® recipients. The average tuition and fees award for the Post-9/11 GI Bill® recipients was $3,919. During this same period, 0 students received funds through the Yellow Ribbon Program.
The undergraduate student-to-faculty ratio of to 1 is a sign that students will have more opportunities to engage with their professors one-on-one. The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is [DEFAULT_RATE_STRING]%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.
Read More…
Houston Baptist University landed the #7 spot on the 2023 Most Veteran Friendly in the Southwest Region for Theology & Religious Vocations ranking. HBU is a private not-for-profit institution located in Houston, Texas. The school has a small population, and it awarded 50 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.
HBU also took the #[COLLEGE_QUALITY_RANK_ALL_LEVELS] spot in our “[COLLEGE_QUALITY_NAME_ALL_LEVELS]” ranking.According to our most recent data, HBU supports 3,963 students, and 176 of those are GI Bill® students, of which 111 are Post-9/11 GI Bill® recipients. The average Post-9/11 GI Bill® award for tuition and fees at the school was $12,106. During this same period, 19 students received funds through the Yellow Ribbon Program. Students may be able to receive credit for their military training, depending on their background.
Full Houston Baptist University Veteran Student Life Report
With a ranking of #8, Southwestern Assemblies of God University did quite well on the 2023 Most Veteran Friendly in the Southwest Region for Theology & Religious Vocations list. This small school is located in Waxahachie, Texas, and it awarded 187 ’s theology and religious vocations degrees in 2020-2021.
Southwestern Assemblies of God University not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #[COLLEGE_QUALITY_RANK_ALL_LEVELS] on our “[COLLEGE_QUALITY_NAME_ALL_LEVELS]” list.Of the 1,985 students enrolled at Southwestern Assemblies of God University, 90 were GI Bill® students, according to our most recent data. Out of that number, 65 were Post-9/11 GI Bill® recipients. The average tuition and fees award for the Post-9/11 GI Bill® recipients was $9,820. During this same period, 2 students qualified for the Yellow Ribbon Program. Eligible students may be able to receive credit for their military training.
Read More…
Baylor University landed the #9 spot on the 2023 Most Veteran Friendly in the Southwest Region for Theology & Religious Vocations ranking. Baylor University is a large private not-for-profit school situated in Waco, Texas. It awarded 73 ’s theology and religious vocations degrees in 2020-2021.
Baylor not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #[COLLEGE_QUALITY_RANK_ALL_LEVELS] on our “[COLLEGE_QUALITY_NAME_ALL_LEVELS]” list.Our most recent data shows that 876 of the 19,297 students enrolled at Baylor University were GI Bill® students, of which 593 were Post-9/11 GI Bill® recipients. The average Post-9/11 GI Bill® award for tuition and fees at the school was $17,744. To help with additional expenses, 263 students qualified for the Yellow Ribbon Program. Students may be able to receive credit for their military training, depending on their background.
The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is [DEFAULT_RATE_STRING]%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 91%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.
[Read full report on veteran student life at Baylor]](/colleges/baylor-university/student-life/veterans/)
Hardin - Simmons University did quite well in the 2023 Most Veteran Friendly in the Southwest Region for Theology & Religious Vocations ranking, coming in at #10. Hardin - Simmons University is located in Abilene, Texas and, has a small student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 39 ’s theology and religious vocations degrees to qualified students.
Hardin - Simmons not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #[COLLEGE_QUALITY_RANK_ALL_LEVELS] on our “[COLLEGE_QUALITY_NAME_ALL_LEVELS]” list.Of the 2,128 students enrolled at Hardin - Simmons University, 125 were GI Bill® students, according to our most recent data. Out of that number, 66 were Post-9/11 GI Bill® recipients. The average Post-9/11 GI Bill® award for tuition and fees at the school was $11,160. In addition to receiving other benefits, 4 students qualified for the Yellow Ribbon Program.
Full Hardin - Simmons Veteran Student Life Report
With a ranking of #11, The King’s University did quite well on the 2023 Most Veteran Friendly in the Southwest Region for Theology & Religious Vocations list. The King’s University is a small school located in Southlake, Texas that handed out 81 ’s theology and religious vocations degrees in 2020-2021.
In addition to being on our southwest region vets studying theology & religious vocations list, TKU has also earned the #[COLLEGE_QUALITY_RANK_ALL_LEVELS] rank in our “[COLLEGE_QUALITY_NAME_ALL_LEVELS]” ranking.According to our most recent data, The King’s University supports 666 students, and 44 of those are GI Bill® students, of which 33 are Post-9/11 GI Bill® recipients. The average Post-9/11 GI Bill® award for tuition and fees at the school was $7,516. During this same period, 0 students received funds through the Yellow Ribbon Program.
The undergraduate student-to-faculty ratio of 10 to 1 is a sign that students will have more opportunities to engage with their professors one-on-one.
Full The King’s University Veteran Student Life Report
With a ranking of #12, Criswell College did quite well on the 2023 Most Veteran Friendly in the Southwest Region for Theology & Religious Vocations list. Located in Dallas, Texas, this small private not-for-profit school handed out 21 diplomas to qualified ’s theology and religious vocations students in 2020-2021.
Criswell College not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #[COLLEGE_QUALITY_RANK_ALL_LEVELS] on our “[COLLEGE_QUALITY_NAME_ALL_LEVELS]” list.According to our most recent data, Criswell College supports 209 students, and 7 of those are GI Bill® students, of which 4 are Post-9/11 GI Bill® recipients. The average tuition and fees award for the Post-9/11 GI Bill® recipients was $3,596. During this same period, 0 students qualified for the Yellow Ribbon Program.
With a undergrad student-to-faculty ratio of 7 to 1, it’s easy to see that the school is committed to helping their undergraduates succeed.
[Read full report on veteran student life at Criswell College]](/colleges/criswell-college/student-life/veterans/)
Phillips Theological Seminary came in at #13 in this year’s edition of the Most Veteran Friendly in the Southwest Region for Theology & Religious Vocations ranking. Tulsa, Oklahoma is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out ’s theology and religious vocations degrees to 21 students in 2020-2021.
Phillips Theological Seminary also made our “[COLLEGE_QUALITY_NAME_ALL_LEVELS]” list, coming in at #[COLLEGE_QUALITY_RANK_ALL_LEVELS].Our most recent data shows that 3 of the 170 students enrolled at Phillips Theological Seminary were GI Bill® students, of which 1 were Post-9/11 GI Bill® recipients. The average tuition and fees award for the Post-9/11 GI Bill® recipients was $1,661. During this same period, 0 students received scholarships through the Yellow Ribbon Program.
The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is [DEFAULT_RATE_STRING]%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%. The undergraduate student-to-faculty ratio of to 1 is a sign that students will have more opportunities to engage with their professors one-on-one.
Read More…
Focus on a Specific Degree Level
Switch to a Similar Major
Switch to a More Focused Major
Switch to a Different Ranking Method
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).
- Veteran-specific data can be found at the U.S. Department of Veteran Affairs.
- 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
- *Avg Salary and Avg 4-Year Grad Rate are for the top schools only.
- **GI Bill® student total includes all chapters of the GI Bill® program (e.g., Post-9/11, Montgomery GI Bill, Reserve Education Assistance Program, and Veteran Readiness and Employment)
- 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.
college factual
