2027 Best Theology & Religious Vocations Schools in the Great Lakes Region
Theology & Religious Vocations programs are offered at a focused set of schools across the country. A focused field like this rewards careful comparison of the schools that offer it.
College Factual analyzed 40 schools to build this 2027 ranking of the best theology & religious vocations schools.
What’s on this page:
Best Schools for Theology & Religious Vocations in the Great Lakes Region
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest overall theology & religious vocations education in the Great Lakes Region.
Top Schools in Theology & Religious Vocations
Our analysis ranked Wheaton College Illinois the best school in the country for a degree in theology & religious vocations. Set in the suburb of Wheaton, Wheaton College Illinois is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. About 85% of students finish within six years. Wheaton College Illinois awarded about 114 theology & religious vocations degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their theology & religious vocations degree from Wheaton College Illinois earn around $55,323 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $24,074.
More information about a degree in theology & religious vocations from Wheaton College Illinois
Olivet Nazarene University came in at #2 on our 2027 list of the best theology & religious vocations schools. Located in the suburb of Bourbonnais, Olivet Nazarene University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Roughly 61% of students complete a degree within six years here. Olivet Nazarene University awarded about 51 theology & religious vocations degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, theology & religious vocations degree recipients from Olivet Nazarene University generally make around $48,505. Typical student debt for the program is $26,797.
Read more about the theology & religious vocations program at Olivet Nazarene University
Xavier University came in at #3 on our 2027 list of the best theology & religious vocations schools. Set in the city of Cincinnati, Xavier University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. Xavier University graduates 68% of students within six years. About 14 theology & religious vocations degrees were awarded at Xavier University in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, theology & religious vocations degree recipients from Xavier University generally make around $55,045. Typical student debt for the program is $26,614.
See the full theology & religious vocations program report for Xavier University
Calvin College came in at #4 on our 2027 list of the best theology & religious vocations schools. Calvin College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Grand Rapids. The six-year graduation rate is 74%. There were roughly 20 theology & religious vocations students who graduated with this degree at Calvin College in the most recent data year. Students who receive their theology & religious vocations degree from Calvin College earn around $44,220 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $22,707.
More information about a degree in theology & religious vocations from Calvin College
A rank of #5 makes Andrews University one of the top schools for theology & religious vocations. Set in the town of Berrien Springs, Andrews University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Andrews University graduates 72% of students within six years. About 177 theology & religious vocations degrees were awarded at Andrews University in the most recent year. Graduates of the theology & religious vocations program make about $64,008 in their early career. Andrews University graduates carry a median of $26,314 in student loans.
Read more about the theology & religious vocations program at Andrews University
North Park University came in at #6 for theology & religious vocations this year. North Park University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Chicago. The six-year graduation rate is 58%. About 53 theology & religious vocations degrees were awarded at North Park University in the most recent year. Students who receive their theology & religious vocations degree from North Park University earn around $51,611 in the first couple years of their career. North Park University graduates carry a median of $27,360 in student loans.
Read more about the theology & religious vocations program at North Park University
Cedarville University earned the #7 position for theology & religious vocations this year. This moderately-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the rural area of Cedarville. Cedarville University graduates 72% of students within six years. About 80 theology & religious vocations degrees were awarded at Cedarville University in the most recent year. Students who receive their theology & religious vocations degree from Cedarville University earn around $41,554 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $25,000.
Read more about the theology & religious vocations program at Cedarville University
Taylor University landed the #8 spot for theology & religious vocations this year. This mid-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the rural area of Upland. Roughly 74% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 17 theology & religious vocations degrees were awarded at Taylor University in the most recent year. Students who receive their theology & religious vocations degree from Taylor University earn around $37,035 in the first couple years of their career. Taylor University graduates carry a median of $21,832 in student loans.
Read more about the theology & religious vocations program at Taylor University
Moody Bible Institute ranked #9 on our 2027 list of the best theology & religious vocations schools. This mid-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Chicago. About 62% of students finish within six years. About 564 theology & religious vocations degrees were awarded at Moody Bible Institute in the most recent year. Students who receive their theology & religious vocations degree from Moody Bible Institute earn around $43,134 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $13,064 to complete this degree.
See the full theology & religious vocations program report for Moody Bible Institute
Loyola University Chicago landed the #10 spot for theology & religious vocations this year. Located in the city of Chicago, Loyola University Chicago is a large private not-for-profit university. Loyola University Chicago graduates 75% of students within six years. There were roughly 56 theology & religious vocations students who graduated with this degree at Loyola University Chicago in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, theology & religious vocations degree recipients from Loyola University Chicago generally make around $46,241. Typical student debt for the program is $23,521.
More information about a degree in theology & religious vocations from Loyola University Chicago
Sacred Heart Major Seminary landed the #11 spot for theology & religious vocations this year. Set in the city of Detroit, Sacred Heart Major Seminary is a small private not-for-profit institution. Sacred Heart Major Seminary graduates 67% of students within six years. There were roughly 62 theology & religious vocations students who graduated with this degree at Sacred Heart Major Seminary in the most recent data year.
Get the full theology & religious vocations details for Sacred Heart Major Seminary
Viterbo University came in at #12 for theology & religious vocations this year. Located in the city of La Crosse, Viterbo University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. About 68% of students finish within six years. Viterbo University awarded about 12 theology & religious vocations degrees in the most recent data year. Theology & Religious Vocations graduates of Viterbo University earn a median of $60,309 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $29,107 to complete this degree.
Get the full theology & religious vocations details for Viterbo University
University Of Chicago landed the #13 spot for theology & religious vocations this year. University Of Chicago is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Chicago. Roughly 96% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 69 theology & religious vocations degrees were awarded at University Of Chicago in the most recent year. Students who receive their theology & religious vocations degree from University Of Chicago earn around $45,985 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $15,854.
More information about a degree in theology & religious vocations from University Of Chicago
Maranatha Baptist Bible College came in at #14 for theology & religious vocations this year. Maranatha Baptist Bible College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the town of Watertown. About 64% of students finish within six years. About 70 theology & religious vocations degrees were awarded at Maranatha Baptist Bible College in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, theology & religious vocations degree recipients from Maranatha Baptist Bible College generally make around $56,298.
Get the full theology & religious vocations details for Maranatha Baptist Bible College
University Of Notre Dame ranked #15 on our 2027 list of the best theology & religious vocations schools. This large private not-for-profit university is located in the suburb of Notre Dame. The six-year graduation rate is 95%. About 135 theology & religious vocations degrees were awarded at University Of Notre Dame in the most recent year. Students who receive their theology & religious vocations degree from University Of Notre Dame earn around $44,657 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $19,000 to complete this degree.
More information about a degree in theology & religious vocations from University Of Notre Dame
Grace College And Theological Seminary placed #16 among the best theology & religious vocations schools. Located in the town of Winona Lake, Grace College And Theological Seminary is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Grace College And Theological Seminary graduates 69% of students within six years. About 108 theology & religious vocations degrees were awarded at Grace College And Theological Seminary in the most recent year. Students who receive their theology & religious vocations degree from Grace College And Theological Seminary earn around $34,513 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $25,460.
Read more about the theology & religious vocations program at Grace College And Theological Seminary
Malone University earned the #17 position for theology & religious vocations this year. Located in the city of Canton, Malone University is a small private not-for-profit university. Roughly 45% of students complete a degree within six years here. Malone University awarded about 21 theology & religious vocations degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, theology & religious vocations degree recipients from Malone University generally make around $48,359. Students borrow a median of $27,956 to complete this degree.
Get the full theology & religious vocations details for Malone University
Mount Vernon Nazarene University came in at #18 for theology & religious vocations this year. Mount Vernon Nazarene University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the town of Mount Vernon. The six-year graduation rate is 68%. There were roughly 11 theology & religious vocations students who graduated with this degree at Mount Vernon Nazarene University in the most recent data year. Students who receive their theology & religious vocations degree from Mount Vernon Nazarene University earn around $53,377 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $26,602.
More information about a degree in theology & religious vocations from Mount Vernon Nazarene University
Trinity International University Illinois placed #19 among the best theology & religious vocations schools. Trinity International University Illinois is a small private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Deerfield. The six-year graduation rate is 46%. Trinity International University Illinois awarded about 160 theology & religious vocations degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, theology & religious vocations degree recipients from Trinity International University Illinois generally make around $50,091. Students borrow a median of $32,934 to complete this degree.
Read more about the theology & religious vocations program at Trinity International University Illinois
Indiana Wesleyan University National And Global placed #20 among the best theology & religious vocations schools. Set in the rural area of Marion, Indiana Wesleyan University National And Global is a large private not-for-profit institution. Indiana Wesleyan University National And Global awarded about 140 theology & religious vocations degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their theology & religious vocations degree from Indiana Wesleyan University National And Global earn around $40,261 in the first couple years of their career. Indiana Wesleyan University National And Global graduates carry a median of $26,585 in student loans.
Get the full theology & religious vocations details for Indiana Wesleyan University National And Global
Indiana Wesleyan University came in at #21 for theology & religious vocations this year. Set in the town of Marion, Indiana Wesleyan University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Indiana Wesleyan University graduates 66% of students within six years. There were roughly 52 theology & religious vocations students who graduated with this degree at Indiana Wesleyan University in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, theology & religious vocations degree recipients from Indiana Wesleyan University generally make around $33,461. Students borrow a median of $24,510 to complete this degree.
More information about a degree in theology & religious vocations from Indiana Wesleyan University
Capital University came in at #22 for theology & religious vocations this year. Capital University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Columbus. About 60% of students finish within six years. Capital University awarded about 12 theology & religious vocations degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, theology & religious vocations degree recipients from Capital University generally make around $46,516. Capital University graduates carry a median of $28,269 in student loans.
Get the full theology & religious vocations details for Capital University
Cornerstone University came in at #23 for theology & religious vocations this year. This mid-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Grand Rapids. Cornerstone University graduates 63% of students within six years. About 54 theology & religious vocations degrees were awarded at Cornerstone University in the most recent year. Graduates of the theology & religious vocations program make about $46,456 in their early career. Cornerstone University graduates carry a median of $43,009 in student loans.
See the full theology & religious vocations program report for Cornerstone University
Franciscan University Of Steubenville ranked #24 on our 2027 list of the best theology & religious vocations schools. This mid-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Steubenville. The six-year graduation rate is 75%. Franciscan University Of Steubenville awarded about 250 theology & religious vocations degrees in the most recent data year. Theology & Religious Vocations graduates of Franciscan University Of Steubenville earn a median of $37,083 early in their careers. Franciscan University Of Steubenville graduates carry a median of $25,054 in student loans.
Read more about the theology & religious vocations program at Franciscan University Of Steubenville
Concordia University Wisconsin came in at #25 for theology & religious vocations this year. Set in the suburb of Mequon, Concordia University Wisconsin is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 69%. About 22 theology & religious vocations degrees were awarded at Concordia University Wisconsin in the most recent year. Theology & Religious Vocations graduates of Concordia University Wisconsin earn a median of $58,227 early in their careers. Concordia University Wisconsin graduates carry a median of $25,926 in student loans.
Get the full theology & religious vocations details for Concordia University Wisconsin
Rest of the Top 40 Theology & Religious Vocations Schools
Not far behind, these schools also delivered a strong theology & religious vocations education:
Narrow Theology & Religious Vocations Schools by State
More Theology & Religious Vocations Rankings
View All Theology & Religious Vocations Rankings >
Notes and References
The ranking above is published by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 edition. The methodology weighs graduation rate, post-graduation earnings, cost, and program quality, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Top Ranked · 40 schools evaluated.
- 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.